Workplace injuries down in transport, logistics sectors

Minister gives three suggestions to further improve safety, including tapping technology

- Lee Nian Tjoe

The workplace injury rate in the transport and logistics sectors went down in 2023 to 1,097 cases per 100,000 workers, from 1,204 cases per 100,000 workers in 2022.

Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat gave the statistics in his address at the SMRT Contractors' Safety Forum at Orchid Country Club on Aug 20.

Transport operator SMRT recorded an average workplace injury rate of 648 cases per 100,000 workers annually since 2020, which is below the national transport and logistics industry rate.

As a whole, Singapore's workplace fatality rate in 2023 was 0.99 per 100,000 workers, down from 1.3 in 2022. Excluding Covid-19related disruptions in 2020, this is the first time that the workplace fatality rate has dipped below one per 100,000 workers.

Addressing the 200 attendees from 90 contractor companies and external agencies at the event, Mr Chee gave three suggestions to further improve safety.

First, set standards and build capabilities for the entire ecosystem and not just at the individual company level; second, use technology to improve workplace safety; and third, recognise that good workplace safety practices are essential for business.