Singapore hits record low injury rate but fatal injuries rise in H1

A total of 21 workplace fatalities were recorded during the period.

Singapore’s recorded an all-time low annualised major injury rate of 14.6 per 100,000 workers in H1 2026, although the fatal injury rate rose, according to data from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).

The major injury rate is broadly stable compared to the same first half period in 2025, when the rate was 15.9 per 100,000 workers, the ministry said.

A total of 21 workplace fatalities in H1 led to the fatal injury rate to rise to 1.1 in H1 2026 from 0.96 in H2 2025. Vehicular incidents accounted for nine fatalities. Seven workers' lives were lost over four weeks between end-May and June.

MOM said that the rise in the fatal injury rate underscores the need for continued vigilance.

“The rise in fatal injuries, particularly from vehicular incidents, is a serious concern,” said Dinesh Vasu Dash, Minister of State for Manpower.

After the four-week period in May to June, MOM said that it enhanced penalties and enacted a two-week nationwide voluntary “Safety Time-Out” to arrest the rise of fatal injuries.

MOM said it is reviewing further measures to strengthen WSH ownership and accountability and review the bizSAFE programme.

The construction sector saw its annualised fatal and major injury rate fall to 24.1 in H1 2026, the lowest since 2020, according to ministry data. The absolute number of fatal and major injuries declined to 69 in H1 2026 from 75 a year earlier.

Smaller-scale construction works, including additions & alterations and renovation, accounted for 70% of the sector’s fatal and major injuries in H1.

The manufacturing sector’s annualised fatal and major injury rate is at 28.4 per 100,000 workers in H1 2026, from 27.8 in H1 2025.

Fatal and major injuries in metalworking rose to 28, from 18 a year ago. Food & Beverage manufacturing’s rate fell to 15 from 22 over the same period.

Vehicular incidents remained the leading cause of workplace fatalities, the MOM said, accounting for 38 of the 44 fatal and major injuries involving platform workers (PW).

Annualised PW fatal and major injury rate improved to 92.1 per 100,000 workers in H1 2026, from 95.9 per 100,000 in H1 2025.

A total of 620 occupational disease cases were recorded in H1 2026, up from 485 a year ago. Noise-induced hearing loss accounted for 57% of cases, followed by work-related musculoskeletal disorders at 23%, and occupational skin diseases at 11%.

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Ministry of Manpower

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