Workplace fatality rate has decreased in last 5 years

Workplace fatality rate has decreased in last 5 years
- TODAY, 01 August 2012

We refer to Ms Michelle Tan Minxuan's letter in TODAY, 20 July.

2.   We share her concern on the loss of lives in Singapore workplaces. Investigations into these cases revealed that most of these cases can be prevented.

3.   The total number of workplace fatalities between 2006 and 2011 averaged between 55 and 70. In this same period, the incidence of workplace fatalities decreased from 3.1 to 2.3 fatalities per 100,000 employed persons. There was also some improvement in the construction sector where the number of deaths has been reduced from 32 in 2010 to 22 in 2011. Notwithstanding the improvement in numbers, we need to continue our efforts to keep our work environment safe for all our workers.

4.   MOM also monitors the Accident Frequency Rate, which measures the number of workplace accidents for every one million man-hours worked; this has declined from 1.9 in 2006 to 1.6 in 2011 – showing that workplace accidents are occurring less frequently.

5.   The Accident Severity Rate, which measures the number of man-days lost to workplace accidents for every one million man-hours worked, has also declined from 125 in 2006 to 89 in 2011 – showing fewer man days lost.

6.   Various initiatives have been put in place over the years. In 2012, MOM’s Occupational Safety and Health Division (OSHD) and the Workplace Safety and Health Council (WSHC) announced enhancements such as the Enhanced Construction Safety Orientation Course, WSH Assist Programme, WSH Leadership Guide and SNAP@MOM mobile app.

7.   On the regulatory and enforcement front, MOM has reviewed existing WSH regulations and introduced new regulations for various industries and job roles. These include Codes of Practice for WSH Risk Management and Safe Lifting Operations in the Workplace, Fall Prevention Programmes as well as Contractor Management Guidelines. OSHD continues to enforce such regulations.

8.   We thank Ms Tan for her active interest in Workplace Safety and Health matters.

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Accidents do happen, but...
- TODAY, 20 July 2012

I read with sadness the news of "2 killed in worksite mishap" (July 19) and several other workers being injured after scaffolding collapsed at the Downtown Line construction site at Bugis.

Workplace accidents are common in the construction industry. We often read about them in the news. Mostly, they involve foreign workers and, occasionally, also Singaporeans, most notably in the Nicoll Highway collapse.

When accidents occur, a hefty cost is surely incurred in terms of money, manpower and time, given the millions of dollars injected into construction projects. (Accident Severity Rate)

Also, sloppy workplace safety may point to other areas of sloppiness in the construction process.

Yes, unforeseeable freak accidents do happen. However, the total number of workplace fatalities in Singapore has remained constant: 62 in 2006, 61 last year. What has the Ministry of Manpower been doing to reduce this number?

I love new buildings and convenient train lines. But it makes me queasy to think of the lives sacrificed as a result.