Singapore retains top spot on global workplace safety rankings

Major injury rate hits record low but fatal injuries edge up.

Singapore retained its top global ranking for Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) performance in 2024, according to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).

Singapore reported a five-year average workplace fatality rate of 1.1 per 100,000 workers and a record-low major injury rate of 15.9 per 100,000 workers or 587 major injuries in 2024, down from 16.1 or 590 major injuries in 2023.

On the flip side, the 2024 workplace fatal injury rate increased to 1.2 per 100,000 workers (43 fatalities), from 0.99 in 2023 (36 fatalities).

The construction and manufacturing sectors were the top contributors to workplace fatal and major injuries in 2024, with 166 and 125 injuries respectively.

Notably, the metalworking segment saw a 20.1% drop in its fatal and major injury rate, falling from 58.1 per 100,000 workers (61 injuries) in 2023 to 46.4 (48 injuries) in 2024, whilst the construction sector’s fatal injury rate rose from 3.4 (18 fatalities) to 3.7 (20 fatalities).

The marine industry saw its highest workplace fatal and major injury rate since 2018 at 35.8 per 100,000 workers or 22 injuries in 2024. 

This was driven by an increase in fatalities involving works on vessels at anchorage and diving operations where systemic safety lapses were observed.

In 2024, MOM conducted over 17,000 inspections, focusing on these industries with priority areas including slips, trips and falls, machinery safety, vehicular safety, and falls from height.

MOM also took enforcement actions for more than 16,000 breaches under the WSH Act and Regulations, which included 1,500 composition fines amounting to more than $3.1m, and the issuance of 58 Stop Work Orders.