SINGAPORE, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Singapore's workplace safety and health performance remained broadly stable in the first half of 2026, with the annualized major injury rate falling to an all-time low, although the fatal injury rate rose, the Ministry of Manpower said on Tuesday.
The annualized major injury rate, excluding platform workers, improved to 14.6 per 100,000 workers in the first half from 15.8 a year earlier, the ministry said in a statement.
However, the overall fatal injury rate increased to 1.1 per 100,000 workers from 0.97 in the first half of 2025 and 0.96 in the second half of 2025, with 21 workplace fatalities recorded. Vehicular incidents were the leading cause, accounting for nine deaths.
The increase prompted the ministry and the Multi-Agency Workplace Safety and Health Taskforce to step up safety measures after seven workers died over four weeks in late May and June. These included tougher penalties and a two-week nationwide voluntary Safety Time-Out.
The ministry is also reviewing further measures to strengthen workplace safety ownership and accountability, including tougher enforcement, it said.
Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash said the rise in fatal injuries, particularly those involving vehicles, remained a serious concern and urged employers and workers to stay vigilant. ■