The number of fatality and permanent disablement in the workplace has gone up.

According to the latest WSH Statistics Report for January to June 2009 released by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council, the workplace fatality rate saw a slight increase from 1.4 deaths per 100,000 persons employed in the first half of 2008 to 1.5 in the first half of this year.

Three  in 10 of the fatalities were involved in a fall from height (30%) while 20% were struck by falling
objects that include lifting activities with the use of cranes (20%). Another 20% involved workers killed by collapsed structures or equipment such as concrete slabs. Workers struck by moving vehicles (8%) and workers who tripped at work (8%) made up another 16% of the fatalities involved.

Meanwhile, the report also shows a drop in the overall number of work injuries - from 5,274 (Jan to
Jun 2008) to 5,268 in the first half of this year - including temporary disablements, as well as occupational diseases.

Temporary disablements dropped from 5,184 to 5,162 and occupational diseases likewise dropped from 285 to 252 in January to June 2009.

Safety initiatives

MOM and WSH Council have set up two industry-led taskforces to tackle the concerns of falls from height and crane lifting operations which account for more than half of the 'struck by falling objects' cases. Both taskforces are led by key industry leaders and comprise members from relevant stakeholder groups such as industry and professional association members, suppliers and training partners.

The WSH Council is also producing a series of technical guidance materials to address issues such as workers being struck by transport equipment at work as well as slips and trips at workplaces.

The construction and marine sectors will see more deliberate efforts targeted at achieving long-term sustainable WSH improvements, as these sectors accounted for half of the fatalities in the first half of this year.

Two other sectors will see heightened efforts. In the metalworking sector, an enhanced training and certification regime for workers took effect this month to raise workers' capabilities to manage WSH issues.

For the chemical sector, the WSH Council has set up a new Chemical Industries Committee, which will identify gaps and champion sector-specific initiatives to raise safety management capabilities, especially for smaller set-ups, service providers and subcontractors.

Highlighting continued enforcement efforts to drive safety improvements, MOM's WSH Commissioner Mr Ho Siong Hin said, 'The Ministry will continue to work closely with the Council in engagement and capability building strategies, while keeping our focus on enforcement efforts to target areas of concern. This includes surprise inspections such as the recent Operations Night Eagle and Seagull.

Companies with poor safety performance will be put under MOM's surveillance programme over a period of time to spur them to set up strong WSH management systems. Errant employers and individuals who jeopardise the lives of workers will be taken to task.

Through this two-pronged approach of enforcement and engagement, we hope that companies will see the benefit of taking greater ownership to raise their WSH standards, while saving lives and limbs.'