76 incidents of construction deaths and major injuries in first half of 2025; 5 fewer than in 2024
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The figure is down from 81 during the same period in 2024.
PHOTO: ST FILE
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SINGAPORE – There were 76 incidents of deaths and major injuries in the construction sector in the first half of 2025, five fewer than the 81 during the same period in 2024.
Giving the update on Sept 10, Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash urged the industry not to be complacent, especially with big infrastructural projects in the pipeline, such as expansions to Changi Airport and Marina Bay Sands.
He was speaking at a safety leadership forum organised by the Real Estate Developers’ Association of Singapore (Redas) and the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council, held at Orchard Hotel.
Fuller injury statistics are typically released in the Manpower Ministry’s annual WSH report.
Mr Dinesh announced that the WSH Council is launching an initiative for construction companies to conduct their own safety walkabouts from Sept 22 to Oct 21, where managers visit project sites to identify hazards and reinforce safe practices.
This initiative improves workplace safety by emphasising proactive prevention and vigilance, and strengthening partnerships among trade associations and chambers, unions and industry stakeholders, he added.
Mr Dinesh encouraged companies to have their top management lead by example and engage with workers on the purpose of workplace safety practices.
Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash urged the construction industry not to be complacent, especially with big infrastructural projects in the pipeline, such as expansions to Changi Airport and Marina Bay Sands.
PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
He urged companies to share best practices and resources with others in the industry, through a form on the WSH Council’s website
In a separate speech, Redas president Tan Swee Yiow said that across the built environment industry, safety has been increasingly seen as a leadership responsibility and strategic advantage.
Senior management is now visible at worksites, he added, noting that through leadership presence and direct engagement with workers, “safety becomes personal, not just procedural”.
Mr Dinesh gave an update on the WSH Advocate Programme
These advocates will try to ensure that contractors and sub-contractors, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, are fairly recognised and rewarded for their work in improving workplace safety.
“By making safety performance a key criterion in awarding business contracts, they send a strong signal that ‘good WSH is good for business’, and that safety is a shared responsibility,” said Mr Dinesh.
Redas president Tan Swee Yiow encouraged senior managers in the built environment industry to engage workers on workplace safety and health issues.
PHOTO: REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS’ ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE
He added that several private developers are among the second batch of advocates, citing Wing Tai Property Management.
Among the latter’s initiatives are having safety performance as a key consideration in evaluating tenders and prioritising contractors with good safety records for invitations to participate in future tenders.
The company conducts monthly meetings and regular training sessions tailored to ongoing activities at its worksites. In 2024, it recognised 14 workers and supervisors at a safety campaign and appreciation day.
Other private developers that have joined the programme include Allgreen Properties, Frasers Property, Lendlease Singapore and UOL Group.
