Workplace major injury rate reaches all-time low in 1H 2026; Government steps up action on vehicular incidents

Singapore’s Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) performance in 1H2026 has broadly remained stable compared with the same period last year, with the annualised major injury rate, excluding Platform Workers (PWs), improving from 15.8 per 100,000 workers in 1H2025 to an all-time low of 14.6 in 1H20261. The annualised overall fatal injury rate rose from 0.97 in 1H2025 and 0.96 in 2H2025 to 1.1 in 1H2026, with 21 workplace fatalities, where vehicular incidents were the leading cause accounting for nine fatalities.

2 The rise in the fatal injury rate underscores the need for continued vigilance. After seven workers lost their lives over four weeks in end-May and June, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), with the support of the Multi-Agency Workplace Safety and Health Taskforce (MAST), stepped up workplace safety measures. These measures included enhanced penalties and a two-week nationwide voluntary Safety Time-Out that have helped to arrest the rise in fatal injuries.

3 MOM is now reviewing further measures to strengthen WSH ownership and accountability, including tougher deterrence through enforcement, and a review of the bizSAFE programme to better reflect companies' actual WSH performance, with greater emphasis on training and progressive safety practices.

4 Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash, Minister of State for Manpower, said, “The all-time low in major injuries reflects the hard work of employers, workers and safety professionals. The rise in fatal injuries, particularly from vehicular incidents, is a serious concern. We had taken actions including a voluntary Safety Time-Out, while strengthening WSH ownership and accountability more broadly. Employers and workers must continue to stay vigilant and make workplace safety and health a priority every day.”

Construction Sector Sees Improvements, Though Challenges Persist in Smaller-Scale Works

5 The Construction sector saw encouraging improvements in 1H 2026. Its annualised fatal and major injury rate fell from 27.6 per 100,000 workers in 1H 2025 to 24.1 in 1H 2026, the lowest since 2020. The absolute number of fatal and major injuries also declined from 75 to 69.

6 The improvement was driven by regular construction works, where fatal and major injuries fell from 26 in 1H2025 to 19 in 1H2026. However, smaller-scale construction works (e.g. Additions & Alterations and renovation) accounted for 70% of the sector’s fatal and major injuries in 1H2026. MOM is reviewing measures to strengthen deterrence and accountability among contractors undertaking smaller-scale construction works.

Continued Focus on Manufacturing Safety

7 The Manufacturing sector’s annualised fatal and major injury rate remained broadly stable at 28.4 per 100,000 workers in 1H2026, compared with 27.8 in 1H2025. However, trends differed across industries. Fatal and major injuries in Metalworking rose from 18 in 1H2025 to 28 in 1H2026, making it the largest contributor to such injuries in Manufacturing, while those in Food & Beverages Manufacturing fell from 22 to 15 over the same periods. MOM will maintain a higher inspection frequency for Metalworking, with a focus on addressing machinery safety and mitigating slip, trip and fall risks.

Addressing Vehicular Risks and Strengthening Platform Worker Safety

8 Vehicular incidents remain the leading cause of workplace fatalities and are a particular concern for PWs. In 1H 2026, vehicular incidents accounted for 38 of the 44 fatal and major injuries involving PWs. Despite this, the annualised PW fatal and major injury rate improved from 95.9 per 100,000 workers in 1H2025 to 92.1 in 1H2026.

9 MAST has been expanded to include the Ministry of Home Affairs and Traffic Police, strengthening whole-of-government efforts to tackle vehicular and traffic risks at workplaces. The Platform Worker Safety Workgroup (PWSW), 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 conclude its work by end-2026.  

Increase in Reported Occupational Diseases Following Expanded Coverage

10 There were 620 occupational disease (OD) cases in 1H2026, up from 485 in 1H2025. This increase is attributed in part to MOM's expansion of OD coverage under the Workplace Safety and Health Act and Work Injury Compensation Act from 1 December 2025, as well as greater awareness of reporting through enhanced workplace health initiatives. The rise therefore reflects broader detection and stronger surveillance — not a deterioration in workplace health standards.

11 Noise-induced hearing loss accounted for 57% of cases, followed by work-related musculoskeletal disorders (23%) and occupational skin diseases (11%). MOM will continue working with tripartite partners and the medical community to strengthen the detection, reporting and management of occupational diseases.

Sustaining WSH Improvements

12 Strong WSH outcomes require continued collaboration across the WSH ecosystem. MOM will continue working with unions, employers, industry partners, MAST and other government agencies to drive WSH improvements through stronger ownership, science and technology, and a strong workplace safety culture.