Rise in workplace fatalities and injuries in first half of 2014

Workplace injuries and fatalities were on the rise in the first half of the year, according to a report released by the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Institute on Wednesday. Most were in the construction sector. -- ST PHOTO: JAMIE KOH
Workplace injuries and fatalities were on the rise in the first half of the year, according to a report released by the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Institute on Wednesday. Most were in the construction sector. -- ST PHOTO: JAMIE KOH

SINGAPORE - Workplace injuries and fatalities were on the rise in the first half of the year, according to a report released by the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Institute on Wednesday.

There were 30 deaths between January and June, five more than in the same period last year. Most were in the construction sector. The most common causes for deaths were falls (nine cases) and being struck by moving objects (four cases).

Major and minor workplace injuries also climbed to 6,284 in the first half of the year, up from 5,522 in the same period last year - a 14 per cent increase.

Separately, there were four work-related traffic fatalities and 249 injuries. It is the first time non-fatal traffic injuries have been included in the report, after the Manpower Ministry (MOM) made it compulsory for companies to report all work-related traffic accidents from January this year.

WSH Council chairman Lee Tzu Yang said: "Despite having put in place various processes and systems, our workplace safety and health performance for the first half of 2014 has not improved."

The report analysed work incidents reported to the MOM. It can be found at www.wshi.gov.sg.

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