Number of workplace deaths in first half of 2020 similar to past 2 years despite reduction in activities due to Covid-19

• There were 16 workplace deaths in the first six months of 2020
• The top causes were falls from height, vehicular incidents, as well as slips, trips and falls
• The number of workplace injuries dropped by nearly 25 per cent 

SINGAPORE — In the first half of this year, the number of workplace injuries dropped by nearly a quarter compared with a year ago. The tally of workplace deaths, however, remained similar to the past two years, despite slower workplace activity in the second quarter owing to Covid-19.

The latest workplace safety and health report by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) released on Monday (Sept 28) recorded 16 workplace deaths in the first half of this year — similar to the same period in 2019 (17 deaths) and 2018 (18 deaths). 

The report added that the 12-month rolling rate of fatal injuries stayed at 1.1 per 100,000 workers at the end of June. This is similar to the rates at the end of June and December last year.  

WORKPLACE DEATHS

There were 16 workplace deaths in the first six months of this year. 

The top causes:

• Falls from height — four deaths

• Vehicular incidents — three deaths

• Slips, trips and falls — two deaths

By sector:

• The transportation and storage industry accounted for the highest number of fatalities — five, up from three in the same period last year

• The manufacturing sector registered the second-highest number of fatalities — three, up from two

• The construction industry, hit by the suspension of activities to arrest the spread of the coronavirus, saw its number of workplace deaths halved to three, from six last year. The lower fatality rate is not indicative of an improvement in workplace safety and health, MOM said

Mr Melvin Yong, assistant secretary-general of the National Trades Union Congress, said that the number of workplace deaths remains “concerning”. 

He urged companies to consider rolling out a structured reorientation programme for workers who have returned to their workplaces, particularly those in high-risk worksites, and to carry out refresher courses in workplace safety and health for all returning workers.  

“As more workers return to their workplaces, there is a need to ease them back gradually into their jobs, as many have not returned to their worksites for months,” Mr Yong said in a Facebook post.

MAJOR AND MINOR INJURIES

Workplace injuries fell by nearly 25 per cent in the first half of this year compared with the same period last year, from 6,630 to 4,996.

Slips, trips and falls:

• The top cause of major and minor injuries

• There were 58 such major injuries in the first half of the year, down from 90 in the same period last year

• The number of minor injuries caused by slips, trips and falls dipped to 1,450, from 1,772

Machinery-related incidents:

• These were the second-most-common cause of major and minor injuries

• There were 29 such major injuries in the first six months of 2020, down from 44 a year ago

• The number of minor injuries relating to machinery dropped to 780, from 1,075. 

By sector: 

• The manufacturing industry was the top contributor to major (40 cases) and minor injuries (971 cases)

• The construction sector, the second-highest contributor, accounted for 26 major injuries and 509 minor injuries

DANGEROUS OCCURRENCES AND OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES 

The number of incidents with a high potential for multiple fatalities — known as dangerous occurrences — fell to four in the first half of this year, from nine in the same period last year.

Two cases were due to fire and explosion, and the remaining two were crane-related.

There were 195 recorded cases of occupational diseases in the first half of this year, a 26 per cent decline from a year ago.

Top occupational diseases: 

• Work-related musculoskeletal disorders

• Noise-induced deafness

• Both causes accounted for 92 per cent of occupational disease cases in the first half of this year

FIRMS WITH UNSAFE PRACTICES

MOM said that from the fourth quarter of this year, the workplace safety and health performance of companies will be published, starting with construction firms.

In the fourth quarter, criteria will also be introduced to disqualify unsafe contractors from all public construction tenders. More details will be announced later. 

From Sept 1, employers must also report all work accidents that result in medical leave or light duty.

These moves follow recommendations by a tripartite strategies committee for workplace safety and health to prevent workplace injuries, deaths and occupational diseases.