Major workplace injury rate hits record low in first half of 2026, but fatal injury rate rises: MOM

Singapore recorded a record low major workplace injury rate in the first half of 2026, but workplace fatalities rose to 21 during the period, according to a Ministry of Manpower (MOM) report published on Tuesday (Sept 8).

The annualised major injury rate, excluding platform workers, fell from 15.8 per 100,000 workers in the first half of 2025 to 14.6 in the first half of 2026.

However, the annualised overall fatal injury rate rose to 1.1 per 100,000 workers, up from 0.97 in the first half of 2025 and 0.96 in the second half of 2025.

Vehicular incidents were the leading cause of workplace fatalities, accounting for nine deaths in the first half of 2026.

The rise in fatalities prompted MOM — with the support of the Multi-Agency Workplace Safety and Health Taskforce (MAST) — to step up workplace safety measures after seven workers died over four weeks in late May and June.

These included enhanced penalties and a two-week nationwide voluntary Safety Time-Out, which MOM said helped curb the rise in fatal injuries.

Construction sector sees fewer workplace injuries

The construction sector saw an improvement in its workplace safety performance in the first half of 2026, with its annualised fatal and major injury rate falling from 27.6 per 100,000 workers in the same period last year to 24.1.

This was the sector's lowest rate since 2020.

The absolute number of fatal and major injuries in construction also fell from 75 in the first half of 2025 to 69 in the same period this year.

The improvement was driven mainly by regular construction works, where fatal and major injuries fell from 26 in the first half of 2025 to 19 in the first half of 2026.

However, smaller-scale construction works, including additions and alterations and renovation projects, accounted for 70 per cent of the sector's fatal and major injuries in the first half of 2026.

MOM said it is reviewing measures to strengthen deterrence and accountability among contractors undertaking such works.

Vehicular incidents remain a key concern

While workplace safety performance improved in several areas, vehicular incidents remained a major concern, particularly among platform workers.

Of the 44 fatal and major injuries involving platform workers in the first half of 2026, 38 were linked to vehicular incidents.

Despite this, the annualised fatal and major injury rate among platform workers improved from 95.9 per 100,000 workers in the first half of 2025 to 92.1 in the first half of 2026.

To strengthen efforts to address vehicular and traffic risks at workplaces, MAST has been expanded to include the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Traffic Police.

The Platform Worker Safety Workgroup, formed in March 2026, is also studying measures including training, support for safer driving and riding behaviours, safety technology, and data collection and analysis.

The workgroup is expected to complete its work by the end of 2026.

Rise in fatal injuries a serious concern

Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash said that the all-time low in major injuries reflected the hard work of employers, workers and safety professionals.

But he rise in fatal injuries, particularly those involving vehicular incidents, remain a serious concern.

The minister of state noted that the Government had taken steps including a voluntary Safety Time-Out, while strengthening workplace safety and health (WSH) ownership and accountability more broadly.

"Employers and workers must continue to stay vigilant and make workplace safety and health a priority every day," he said.

MOM said it is reviewing further measures to strengthen workplace safety ownership and accountability, including tougher enforcement and a review of the bizSAFE programme to better reflect companies' actual workplace safety and health performance.

The ministry will also place greater emphasis on training and progressive safety practices.

It will continue working with unions, employers, industry partners, MAST and other government agencies to drive improvements in workplace safety and health.

helmy.saat@asiaone.com

根据新加坡人力部周二（9月8日）发布的一份报告，新加坡在2026年上半年录得重大工作场所伤害率的历史最低水平，但同期工作场所死亡人数上升至21人。

不包括平台工人，年度重大伤害发生率从 2025 年上半年的每 10 万名工人 15.8 人下降到 2026 年上半年的 14.6 人。

然而，年度总体致命伤害率上升至每 10 万名工人 1.1 人，高于 2025 年上半年的 0.97 人和 2025 年下半年的 0.96 人。

车辆事故是造成工作场所死亡的主要原因，2026 年上半年造成 9 人死亡。

死亡人数的上升促使人力部在多机构工作场所安全与健康工作组 (MAST) 的支持下，加强了工作场所安全措施。此前，5 月下旬和 6 月的四个星期内，有 7 名工人死亡。

这些措施包括加大处罚力度，以及在全国范围内开展为期两周的自愿安全暂停活动。人力部表示，这些措施有助于遏制致命伤害的上升趋势。

建筑行业工伤事故较少。

2026 年上半年，建筑业的工作场所安全状况有所改善，年化致命和重伤率从去年同期的每 10 万名工人 27.6 人下降到 24.1 人。

这是该行业自 2020 年以来的最低利率。

建筑业致命和重伤事故的绝对数量也从 2025 年上半年的 75 起下降到今年同期的 69 起。

这一改善主要得益于常规的建筑工程，其中致命和重伤事故从 2025 年上半年的 26 起下降到 2026 年上半年的 19 起。

然而，规模较小的建筑工程，包括扩建、改建和翻新工程，在 2026 年上半年占该行业致命和重大伤害事故的 70%。

人力部表示，正在审查相关措施，以加强对承接此类工程的承包商的威慑和问责。

车辆事故仍然是人们关注的重点。

虽然工作场所安全状况在多个方面有所改善，但车辆事故仍然是一个主要问题，尤其是在平台工人中。

2026 年上半年，平台工人共发生 44 起致命或重伤事故，其中 38 起与车辆事故有关。

尽管如此，平台工人的年化致命和重伤率从 2025 年上半年的每 10 万名工人 95.9 人下降到 2026 年上半年的 92.1 人。

为了加强应对工作场所车辆和交通风险的力度，MAST 的职能范围扩大，纳入了内政部和交通警察部门。

成立于 2026 年 3 月的平台工人安全工作组也在研究相关措施，包括培训、支持更安全的驾驶和骑行行为、安全技术以及数据收集和分析。

预计该工作组将于 2026 年底完成其工作。

致命伤亡事件上升令人严重担忧

人力部国务部长迪内什·瓦苏·达什表示，重大工伤事故数量创历史新低，反映了雇主、工人和安全专业人员的辛勤工作。

但致命伤亡人数的上升，特别是涉及车辆事故的伤亡人数的上升，仍然令人严重担忧。

国务部长指出，政府已采取包括自愿安全暂停在内的措施，同时更广泛地加强工作场所安全与健康 (WSH) 的所有权和问责制。

他说：“雇主和员工必须继续保持警惕，并将工作场所的安全和健康作为每天的首要任务。”

人力部表示，正在审查进一步加强工作场所安全责任和问责制的措施，包括更严格的执法和审查 bizSAFE 计划，以更好地反映公司实际的工作场所安全和健康表现。

该部门还将更加重视培训和先进的安全措施。

它将继续与工会、雇主、行业伙伴、MAST 和其他政府机构合作，推动工作场所安全和健康的改善。

helmy.saat@asiaone.com