11 May 2020
Ref No.: 110520 (1)
UEN: S97SS0046G
Dear Valued ASPRI Members,
First Quarter 2020 National WSH Statistics
The first quarter of 2020 (1Q 2020) saw fewer fatalities, injuries and occupational diseases compared to 4Q 2019. The 12-month rolling fatal injury rate per 100,000 workers, however, saw an increase from 1.1 in 4Q 2019 to 1.2 in 1Q 2020, given more fatal injuries in the past 6 months than in the first 6 months of 2019.
The Construction sector and Transportation and Storage sector were the top contributing sectors to the 12 fatal injuries in 1Q 2020, with 3 cases each. The Construction sector was also the top contributing sector for major injuries with 21 cases, followed by the Manufacturing sector with 20 cases.
With the circuit breaker, we should not be complacent over the fewer injuries in 1Q 2020 compared to 4Q 2019. In addition, some industries will experience a sustained level of work activity, for example, food delivery and grocery logistics. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has worked with the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council to issue a notification on 17 April to essential firms to monitor job frequency to prevent rushing, and to remind drivers/riders to pay attention to road safety, in addition to safe distancing when fulfilling deliveries.
Slips, Trips and Falls, Falls from Height, Machinery Incidents and Vehicular Incidents remained as the top causes for fatal and major injuries in 1Q 2020. MOM will continue to focus the efforts on these hotspots.
The number of occupational diseases also reduced from 121 cases in 4Q 2019 to 111 cases in 1Q 2020. The top three occupational diseases – Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorder, Noise Induced Deafness and Occupational Skin Disease – contributed to approximately 94% of the occupational diseases.
MOM and the WSH Council urge all stakeholders to stay vigilant, especially as more workplaces resume operations in the coming weeks.
View the full report and infographic poster here.
