Singapore’s Workplace Safety And Health Performance In 2024 Remains Among Top Performing Countries Globally
Singapore’s Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) performance continues to rank among the top performing countries globally, with a five-year average workplace fatality rate of 1.1 per 100,000 workers. In 2024, Singapore recorded its lowest workplace major injury rate of 15.9 per 100,000 workers (587 major injuries), improving from 16.1 per 100,000 workers in 2023 (590 major injuries). However, the 2024 workplace fatal injury rate increased to 1.2 per 100,000 workers (43 fatalities), from 0.99 in 2023 (36 fatalities). This underscores the need for all stakeholders to consistently remain vigilant and prioritise WSH.
Performance for Key Sectors
2 The Construction and Manufacturing sectors saw continued improvements in their fatal and major injury rates, but remained the top contributors to workplace fatal and major injuries in 2024, with 166 and 125 injuries respectively. While relatively smaller in workforce size, the Marine industry saw its highest workplace fatal and major injury rate since 2018 at 35.8 per 100,000 workers (22 injuries) in 2024.
3 The Manufacturing sector saw substantial improvements to its fatal and major injury rate, from 36.3 per 100,000 workers (155 fatal and major injuries) in 2023 to 29.3 (125 fatal and major injuries) in 2024. In particular, the Metalworking industry saw a 20.1% reduction in its fatal and major injury rate, decreasing from 58.1 per 100,000 workers (61 fatal and major injuries) in 2023 to 46.4 (48 fatal and major injuries) in 2024. This was driven by targeted inspections to address machinery and noise related issues and extension of the Demerit Point System for WSH breaches to the Manufacturing sector in October 2023. The Food & Beverages industry also saw a 16.7% reduction, reducing from 62.3 (38 fatal and major injuries) in 2023 to 51.9 (33 fatal and major injuries) in 2024. This could be attributed to proactive engagement efforts by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the Singapore Food Agency in educating stakeholders on good WSH practices.
4 The Construction sector's overall workplace fatal and major injury rate also decreased from 31.9 per 100,000 workers (167 fatal and major injuries) in 2023 to 31.0 (166 fatal and major injuries) in 2024. However, the sector's fatal injury rate increased from 3.4 (18 fatalities) to 3.7 (20 fatalities). In November 2024, the Multi-Agency Workplace Safety and Health Taskforce (MAST) initiated a voluntary safety time-out for construction companies to reinforce safety procedures and raise safety awareness among workers. MOM also stepped up its enforcement at construction worksites. We urge the industry to remain vigilant and uphold stringent safety standards to prevent further incidents, especially as construction demand is projected to increase in 2025. MOM and MAST will continue to focus efforts on higher-risk sectors, enhancing WSH capabilities for smaller firms and trialling new safety technologies to improve hazard detection.
5 The Marine industry saw an increase in its fatal and major injury rate from 35.3 per 100,000 workers in 2023 to 35.8 in 2024. This was driven by an increase in fatalities (0 fatalities in 2023 to five fatalities) in 2024. Four of the five fatalities involved works on vessels at anchorage and two of the five fatalities involved diving operations where systemic safety lapses were observed. MOM and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore stepped up on enforcement efforts in the industry and will continue to take strict actions against companies and individuals who flout the rules.
Maintaining Vigilance Through Enforcement
6 In 2024, MOM conducted more than 17,000 inspections, with a focus on higher-risk industries such as Construction, Manufacturing and Marine. Aside from general workplace safety, there were also targeted inspections in priority areas – slips, trips & falls, machinery safety, vehicular safety and falls from height. MOM took enforcement actions for more than 16,000 breaches under the WSH Act and Regulations, which included 1,500 composition fines amounting to more than $3.1 million, and the issuing of 58 Stop Work Orders. These actions were meted out to errant companies found to have flouted our rules.
Strengthening a Culture of WSH Excellence
7 Strengthening Singapore’s culture of WSH excellence is a collective effort and a non-negotiable priority. We have the potential to do better, as seen by Singapore’s record-low performance in 2023. 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.