Construction, manufacturing top contributors to workplace deaths, injuries
Workplace fatalities in Singapore went up in 2024 as the Ministry of Manpower called on employers to uphold safety standards at work.
MOM's latest Workplace Safety and Health Report revealed there were 43 workplace deaths in 2024, higher than the 36 fatalities recorded a year prior.
The rate of workplace fatal injuries also climbed to 1.2 per 100,000 workers, higher than the 0.99 in 2023, and slightly above Singapore's 2028 Workplace Safety and Health target of less than one.
Despite the increase, Singapore remains one of the countries with the lowest workplace fatal injury rate (1.2) on a three-year average, just behind the Netherlands (0.3), the United Kingdom (0.4), Sweden (0.7), and Germany (0.8).
"We have the potential to do better, as seen by Singapore's record-low performance in 2023," MOM said in a statement.
"Developers, contractors, employers and workers must remain vigilant, uphold safety standards and strive for WSH excellence. By implementing and adhering to the right safety practices, we ensure that our workers and workplaces can continue to thrive."
Meanwhile, Singapore's workplace major injuries slightly dipped in 2024. According to the report, there were 587 workplace major injuries in the past year, down from the 590 injuries logged in 2023.
This improves the country's rate of workplace major injuries to 15.9 per 100,000 workers, down from the 16.1 in the year prior.
By sector, the Construction and Manufacturing sectors remained the top contributors to workplace fatal and major injuries in 2024, according to the report.
The Construction sector recorded 20 workplace deaths in the past year, two fatalities more than 2023, to bring its rate of workplace fatal injuries to 3.7 per 100,000 workers.
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The Manufacturing sector saw two workplace deaths in 2024, down by three fatal injuries from 2023, to bring its rate of workplace fatal injuries to 0.5 per 100,000 workers.
On the other hand, the Transportation and Storage sector saw nine workplace fatal injuries in 2024, up from the eight deaths in 2023, raising its rate of workplace fatal injuries to 3.4.
The marine sector saw a sharp increase in workplace deaths, with five fatalities reported in 2024, compared to zero in 2023. This raises its rate of workplace fatal injuries to 8.1 in 2024.
In terms of workplace injuries, the Construction and Manufacturing sectors accounted for nearly half of the total major injuries in 2024. The top contributors are:
Construction (146)
Manufacturing (123)
Accommodation & Food Services (50)
Wholesale and Retail Trade (45)
Administrative and Support Services (43)
Transportation and Storage (40)
Marine (17)
