The situation now
Aside from 63 deaths last year, 10,018 workers were injured and 163 of them suffered permanent disability, mostly the loss of fingers and hands. The death rate: 2.9 per 100,000 workers.
What needs to be done?
PM Lee wants the death rate slashed to 1.8 per 100,000 workers by 2018. The Singapore Contractors Association says it will help to have more reasonable deadlines to finish projects and access to more experienced workers.
Who needs to act?
A new Workplace Safety and Health Council will set new guidelines on the safe use of machines, and supervision at construction sites, and spread the safety message across Singapore.
Employers need to take safety more seriously. Workers have to play their part in staying safe too.