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The annualised major injury rate fell to 14.6 per 100,000 workers in the period, the lowest on record. However, the overall fatal injury rate rose to 1.1, with vehicular incidents accounting for nine of the 21 workplace fatalities.
Singapore’s Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) performance in H1 2026 remained broadly stable compared with the same period last year, with the annualised major injury rate, excluding platform workers (PWs), improving from 15.8 per 100,000 workers in H1 2025 to 14.6 in H2 2026.
This marked an all-time low for the major injury rate. At the same time, the annualised overall fatal injury rate rose from 0.97 in H1 2025 and 0.96 in H2 2025 to 1.1 in H1 2026.
There were 21 workplace fatalities during the first half of the year, with vehicular incidents the leading cause, accounting for nine fatalities.
The rise in fatal injuries comes after seven workers lost their lives over four weeks in late May and June.
In response, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), with support from the Multi-Agency Workplace Safety and Health Taskforce (MAST), stepped up workplace safety measures, including enhanced penalties and a two-week nationwide voluntary Safety Time-Out.
These measures, MOM said, have helped to reduce the rise in fatal injuries, according to MOM. MOM is now reviewing further measures to strengthen WSH ownership and accountability. This includes tougher deterrence through enforcement and a review of the bizSAFE programme to better reflect companies’ actual WSH performance, with greater emphasis on training and progressive safety practices.
Dinesh Vasu Dash, Minister of State for Manpower, said the all-time low in major injuries reflects the efforts of employers, workers and safety professionals.
However, he noted that the rise in fatal injuries, particularly those arising from vehicular incidents, remains a serious concern.
He added: "Employers and workers must continue to stay vigilant and make workplace safety and health a priority every day."
Construction sector sees improvement
The construction sector recorded a lower annualised fatal and major injury rate in H1 2026, falling from 27.6 per 100,000 workers in H1 2025 to 24.1. This was the sector’s lowest rate since 2020.
The absolute number of fatal and major injuries also fell from 75 in H1 2025 to 69 in H1 2026.
The decline was driven by regular construction works, where fatal and major injuries fell from 26 to 19 over the same period. However, smaller-scale construction works, including additions and alterations and renovation projects, accounted for 70% of the sector’s fatal and major injuries in H1 2026.
MOM is reviewing measures to strengthen deterrence and accountability among contractors undertaking smaller-scale construction works.
Manufacturing injury rate remains broadly stable
The manufacturing sector’s annualised fatal and major injury rate remained broadly stable at 28.4 per 100,000 workers in H1 2026, compared with 27.8 in H1 2025.
There were differing trends across industries.
Fatal and major injuries in metalworking rose from 18 in H1 2025 to 28 in H1 2026, making it the largest contributor to fatal and major injuries in manufacturing. Meanwhile, fatal and major injuries in food and beverages manufacturing fell from 22 to 15.
MOM will maintain a higher inspection frequency for metalworking, focusing on machinery safety and mitigating slip, trip and fall risks.
Vehicular incidents remain key risk for platform workers
Vehicular incidents also remain the leading cause of workplace fatalities among platform workers.
In H1 2026, such incidents accounted for 38 of the 44 fatal and major injuries involving PWs. Despite this, the annualised PW fatal and major injury rate improved from 95.9 per 100,000 workers in H1 2025 to 92.1 in H1 2026.
MAST has been expanded to include the Ministry of Home Affairs and Traffic Police, strengthening efforts across agencies to address vehicular and traffic risks at workplaces.
The Platform Worker Safety Workgroup (PWSW), formed in March 2026, is also studying measures covering training, support for safer driving and riding behaviours, safety technology, and data collection and analysis.
The workgroup is expected to conclude its work by the end of 2026.
Occupational disease cases increase
There were 620 occupational disease (OD) cases in H1 2026, up from 485 in H1 2025.
The increase was attributed in part to MOM’s expansion of OD coverage under the Workplace Safety and Health Act and Work Injury Compensation Act from 1 December 2025.
Greater awareness of reporting through enhanced workplace health initiatives also contributed to the rise. As such, the increase reflects broader detection and stronger surveillance rather than a deterioration in workplace health standards.
Noise-induced hearing loss accounted for 57% of cases, followed by work-related musculoskeletal disorders at 23% and occupational skin diseases at 11%.
MOM will continue working with tripartite partners and the medical community to strengthen the detection, reporting and management of occupational diseases.
Sustaining workplace safety improvements
MOM said it will continue working with unions, employers, industry partners, MAST and other government agencies to drive improvements in WSH through stronger ownership, science and technology, and a strong workplace safety culture.
Find the full report here.
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Infographic / MOM
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