Construction deaths in Singapore rose from 25 in 2008 to 31 in 2009.

Singapore Work Fatalities Up 4.5 Percent Last Year

The country's Ministry of Manpower promised on Monday to focus enforcement inspections on construction and maritime, where 63 percent of the 2009 fatalities occurred.

Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and Workplace Safety and Health Council have released the 2009 WSH Statistics Report, which shows occupational diseases and workplace injuries declined across the board in 2009. Workplace deaths were up by 4.5 percent, however, with 63 percent of the fatalities occurring in two sectors: construction and maritime. MOM Commissioner for WSH Ho Siong Hin promised to focus enforcement inspections on companies of all sizes in those two sectors.

"In our checks, besides on-site conditions, we will also look closely at whether companies have taken adequate measures to implement proper WSH systems, practices, and employee training," he said. "We will also like to remind all employees to do their part to strictly follow WSH rules to ensure their own safety and that of their co-workers. Any party found to have violated WSH regulations will be taken to task."

The Workplace Safety and Health Council was created in April 2008 to raise WSH standards. The council consists of 16 industry leaders. WSH Council Chairman Lee Tzu Yang, who is Shell Companies chairman in Singapore, also called on industry to re-examine WSH practices now in use. "While we can take heart that the overall number of work injuries has gone down, we are deeply concerned about the increase in work fatalities," he said. "We must pay attention to both higher-hazard sectors, such as construction and marine, and less-familiar sectors, such as hotels and other service activities. This year's report is also significant as the rise in fatalities also led to a rise in man-hours lost due to serious incidents." He said industry "must do more to keep workers safe at work, prevent unnecessary loss of life, while playing a role to drive productivity."

The council represents major industries in Singapore. It was created in April 2008 to work with MOM to raise WSH standards. The council consists of 16 leaders from construction, manufacturing, maritime, petrochemicals, logistics, government, unions, legal, insurance, and academia.

The 43-page report indicates occupational diseases fell by more than 45 percent in 2009 from the prior year, while work injuries dropped by 2.1 percent. This was the first drop in overall work injuries since 2006. The accident frequency rate fell 1.9 per million man-hours worked in 2008 to 1.8 in 2009.

Deaths in construction rose from 25 in 2008 to 31 in 2009. Fatalities in metalworking doubled from three in 2008 to six in 2009. Three sectors that had recorded zero fatalities in 2008 experienced at least one in 2009: hotels and restaurants; landscape care and maintenance service activities; and administrative and support service activities. Maritime deaths were unchanged from 2008 to 2009 (13 occurred in each year), but the fatality rate rose from 9.2 to 11.1 per 100,000 employees because employment in the sector declined.

Product Showcase

  • Full Line of Defense Against Combustible Dust Nilfisk

    Nilfisk provides a comprehensive range of industrial vacuums meticulously crafted to adhere to NFPA 652 housekeeping standards, essential for gathering combustible dust in Class I, Group D, and Class II, Groups E, F & G environments or non-classified settings. Our pneumatic vacuums are meticulously engineered to fulfill safety criteria for deployment in hazardous surroundings. Leveraging advanced filtration technology, Nilfisk ensures the secure capture of combustible materials scattered throughout your facility, ranging from fuels, solvents, and metal dust to flour, sugar, and pharmaceutical powders. Read More

  • The MGC Simple Plus

    The MGC Simple Plus is a simple-to-use, portable multi gas detector that runs continuously for three years without being recharged or routinely calibrated after its initial charge and calibration during manufacturing. The detector reliably tests a worksite’s atmosphere for hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, oxygen and combustible gases (LEL). Its durability enables the detector to withstand the harshest treatment and environments, hence earning it an IP 68 rating. The MGC Simple Plus is also compatible with a variety of accessories, such as the GCT External Pump. Visit gascliptech.com for more information. Read More

  • SECUPRO MARTEGO

    FOR HIGHEST DEMANDS. A cutting tool in which function and design go hand in hand. Meet the SECUPRO MARTEGO, our prize-winning squeeze-grip safety knife with fully automatic retractable blade for safety. • Ergonomically friendly trigger mechanism to engage the blade • Durable body made of aluminum • Safer alternative to fixed blade utility knives for general cutting tasks • 9 mm Cutting depth • Easy, tool free blade change Dimensions: L 6.10" L x 0.71" W x 1.91" H Weight: 3.70 oz Cutting Depth: 9 mm Read More

Featured

Artificial Intelligence

Webinars