Workplace Safety & Health 2006

NationalStatistics

published by
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE
published by
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Workplace Safety and Health 2006
Statistical Highlights
 NATIONAL STATISTICS

CONTENTS HIGHLIGHTS
This report provides the latest statistics on work-related health and safety in Singapore. Key facts for 2006 are:
Highlights 1
WORKPLACE INJURIES

Introduction 2 • There were 9,261 injuries in the workplace in 2006, of which 62 were fatal.

Analysis of Workplace Injuries 2 • There were 3.1 deaths per 100,000 employees recorded in 2006, an improvement over the workplace fatality
Overview 2 rate of 4.0 in 2005.
Sectoral Analysis 6
• The construction sector recorded the highest number of workplace fatalities in 2006.

Analysis of Occupational Diseases 17 • The shipbuilding and ship repairing sector recorded the highest workplace fatality rate at 9.8 fatalities per
Occupational Diseases by Type 17 100,000 employees. The sector also recorded a significant jump in workplace fatalities from 3 deaths in 2005
Occupational Disease Incidence 20 to 10 in 2006.
Sectoral Analysis 20
• Falls accounted for 40% of workplace fatalities in 2006. Stepping on, striking against or struck by
objects were the most common types of workplace accidents, contributing to almost 3 in every 10 injuries.
Concluding Remarks 27

List of Charts and Tables 28 • Transport equipment or vehicles (mostly forklifts) accounted for the largest share of workplace fatalities at
27% in 2006.

• Floor or level surfaces were the acccident agents that accounted for 13% of all injuries to employees.

OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES

• There were 657 occupational disease cases recorded in 2006.

• Noise-induced deafness and industrial dermatitis were the two leading occupational diseases, accounting
for 95% of the 657 cases.

• The recorded occupational disease incidence rate was 33.3 per 100,000 employees. Manufacturing sector
had the highest incidence at 105.1 cases confirmed per 100,000 employees.

• Majority (66%) of the cases confirmed were from the manufacturing sector, followed by 15% from the
others sector1, 10% from the shipbuilding and ship repairing sector and 8% from the construction sector.

1 The others sector include workplaces like container port terminals, landscaping works, etc

1
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH 2006 NATIONAL STATISTICS

INTRODUCTION • The workplace fatality rate was 3.1 deaths per 100,000 employees in 2006, an improvement from 4.0
in 2005.
• This report
2
provides an update of Singapore’s workplace safety and health landscape, focusing on workplace
injuries and occupational diseases. The report identifies the key sectors that contributed to workplace
injuries in 2006 and examines the accident profile in terms of type and agents of accidents. The various • The sector with the highest fatality rate in 2006 was the shipbuilding and ship repairing sector at 9.8
types of occupational diseases in the major sectors are also examined in this report. workplace deaths per 100,000 employees, followed by the construction sector, which witnessed 9.4
workplace deaths per 100,000 employees in 2006.
• The data used in this study is primarily drawn from the Ministry of Manpower's (MOM) administrative
database, covering workplace incidents reported under the Factories Act for the first two months of
2006 and those reported under the WSH Incident Reporting Regulations since its inception in March 2006. Chart 2 : Workplace Fatality and Injury Rates by Industry, 2005 and 2006

Workplace Fatality Rate Workplace Injury Rate

2006
ANALYSIS OF WORKPLACE INJURIES 2005
3.1 469.0
All sectors
4.0 517.0
OVERVIEW
9.4 945.0
• There were a total of 9,261 injuries to employees in 2006, of which 62 were fatal. 11.9
Construction
1224.0

• The highest number of workplace fatalities occurred in the construction sector, with 24 deaths reported 9.8 Shipbuilding 622.0
to MOM in 2006. The others sector reported 21 fatalities. The shipbuilding and ship repairing sector & ship
3.6 repairing 990.0
recorded a significant jump in workplace fatalities from 3 deaths in 2005 to 10 in 2006. The manufacturing
sector reported a marked reduction in workplace fatalities with seven cases reported, the lowest
1.7 662.0
incidence among the four major sectors. Manufacturing
3.6 393.0
3
• In terms of the overall workplace injuries, the others sector reported the highest number of employees
1.7 288.0
injured at work, followed by the manufacturing sector. Others
2.4 374.0

2
Workplace injuries include injuries that resulted in the death of employees, or injuries sustained by employees who are given more than 3 consecutive days of medical
leave, or hospitalised for at least 24 hours, or where the workplace accident involves a self-employed person or member of the public and results in his or her death 20 15 10 5 0 0 300 600 900 1200 1500
or treatment in hospital for the injury. Injuries sustained from traffic accidents which arise out of or in the course of work while the injured is engaged in an economic
activity or carrying on the business of the employer are excluded. Note: The figures for 2005 were estimated from workmen injury compensation data.
3
The others sector include workplaces like container port terminals, landscaping works etc.

Chart 1 : Number of Workplace Fatalities versus Workplace Injuries, 2005 and 2006
4
• By accident type, falls accounted for 40% of workplace fatalities in 2006, struck by falling objects accounted
for a further 21% while those caught in or between objects made up 11% of total workplace fatalities.
4
Falls generally include accidents in which individuals fall from height and from the same level ( i.e. slipping/ tripping)

62.0 9261.0
All sectors
71.0 9355.0
Chart 3 : Workplace Fatalities by Type of Accidents, 2006 (All Sectors)

Falls 40.3
24.0 2415.0
Construction
28.0 2876.0 2006
Struck by falling objects 21.0
2005

10.0 638.0 Caught in or between objects 11.3

Shipbuilding
& ship
3.0 repairing 817.0
Stepping on, striking against or struck by objects 9.7
(excluding falling objects)

7.0 2748.0 Fires & explosion 4.8

Manufacturing
14.0 1549.0
Exposure to or contact 1.6
with electric current

21.0 3460.0 Exposure to or contact

Others 1.6
with harmful substances / radiations
26.0 4113.0

Others 9.7

2 3
100 50 0 0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000
0 10 20 30 40 50
Note: The figures for 2005 were estimated from workmen injury compensation data.
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH 2006 NATIONAL STATISTICS

• The most common types of accidents that accounted for 80% of all workplace injuries to employees were: • At 13%, floor or level surfaces singularly accounted for the greatest number of workplace injuries to employees.
- Stepping on, striking against or struck by objects (excluding falling objects) The other main contributors were:
- Falls - Metal items
- Caught in or between objects - Other machines5
- Being struck by falling objects - Hand tools (except electrical hand tools)
- Over-exertion or strenuous movements. - Transport equipment or vehicles
- Lifting equipment

Chart 4 : Top Accident Types Resulting in Workplace Injuries, 2006 (All Sectors) Together these contributed to 46% of all workplaces injuries.
5 Other machines include:
• Spinning, weaving and other textile machines;
Stepping on, striking against or struck by objects 26.4 • Machines for the manufacture of foodstuffs and beverages.
(excluding falling objects)

Falls 23.3
Chart 6 : Top Accident Agents Resulting in Workplace Injuries, 2006
Caught in or between objects 12.8

Floor or level surfaces 12.9

Struck by falling objects 12.2

Metal items 12.0

Over-exertion or strenuous movements 4.9

Other machines 5.8

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 Hand tools (except electrical hand tools) 5.8

Transport equipment or vehicles 5.4

• Transport equipment or vehicles (comprising primarily forklifts) accounted for the largest share of Lifting equipment 3.8
workplace fatalities at 27%, followed by lifting equipment at 19% and scaffolding and staging at 15%.

Chart 5 : Workplace Fatalities by Agents of Accidents, 2006 (All Sectors) 0 3 6 9 12 15

Transport equipment or vehicles 27.4

• Of the four major sectors, the others sector recorded the most number of man-days lost at 233,426 man-
Lifting equipment 19.4 days, primarily contributed by transport and storage activities. At 19.4 man-days lost per 100 employees,
the others sector had the lowest rate of all four sectors. In contrast, the shipbuilding and ship repairing
Scaffolding & staging 14.5 sector had the lowest number of man-days lost at 74,789 man-days. This sector was ranked the second
highest in terms of the man-days lost per 100 employees, after the construction sector.
Floor or level surfaces 9.7

Ladders & mobile ramps 4.8

Chart 7 : Man-days Lost Resulting from Workplace Injuries (Including Fatalities) by Industry, 2006
Machinery used in construction / building industry 3.2
Total No. of Mandays Lost Mandays Lost Per 100 Employees
Other machines 1.6
594,902.0 All sectors 30.1
Welding equipment 1.6

Electrical hand tools 1.6 187,422.0 Construction 73.4

Inflammable substances 1.6

Shipbuilding
Wooden items 1.6 74,789.0 & ship repairing 73.0

Glass items 1.6

99,265.0 Manufacturing 23.9
Ceramic items 1.6

Other material & substances not elsewhere classified 9.7

233,426.0 Others 19.4

4 5
0 5 10 15 20 25 30

600,000 400,000 200,000 0 0 20 40 60 80 100

WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH 2006 NATIONAL STATISTICS

SECTORAL ANALYSIS • Stepping on, striking against or being struck by objects was the most significant type of accidents resulting
in workplace injuries in the construction sector in 2006.
Construction
• According to the Singapore Standard Industrial Classification 2005, economic activities within the construction
sector can be broadly classified as follows: Chart 10 : Top 5 Accident Types Resulting in Workplace Injuries, 2006 (Construction Sector)
- Site preparation
- Building of complete constructions or parts thereof; civil engineering 30
27.4
- Building installation
- Building completion

• In 2006, 23 out of 24 construction fatalities occurred in building of complete constructions or parts thereof; 20
17.6
civil engineering. This sub-sector also reported the most number of injuries, 94% of total workplace injuries 15.0
at construction work sites.
11.4

10
Chart 8 : Sub-sectors in Construction with Workplace Fatalities, 2006 7.1

Workplace Fatalities Workplace Injuries (including fatalities)

Construction 0
24.0 2415.0
(total) Stepping on, Falls from Struck by Caught in or Falls from
striking against height falling objects between same level
or struck by objects (includes slips
Building of objects & trips)
complete
23.0 constructions 2265.0
or parts
thereof; civil
engineering • Examining the types of accidents that occurred in the construction sector, scaffolding and staging contributed
to 29% of workplace fatalities, followed by lifting equipment at 21%. Transport equipment or vehicles such
Building as lorries, forklifts and trucks and floor or level surfaces each contributed to 17% of workplace deaths.
1.0 installation 98.0

50 0 0 1000 2000 3000

Chart 11 : Workplace Fatalities by Agents of Accidents, 2006 (Construction Sector)

Scaffolding & staging 29.2

• Falls from height accounted for 63% of workplace deaths in the construction sector, with the second greatest
contributor, being struck by falling objects accounting for 21% of fatalities. Lifting equipment 20.8

Transport equipment 16.7

Chart 9 : Workplace Fatalities by Type of Accidents, 2006 (Construction Sector) or vehicles

Floor or level surfaces 16.7

Falls from height 62.5

Machinery used in
construction or 8.3
Struck by falling objects 20.8 building industry

Glass items 4.2

Caught in or between objects 8.3

Stepping on, striking against or Ceramic items 4.2

4.2
struck by objects

Others 4.2
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

6 7
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH 2006 NATIONAL STATISTICS

• Metal items contributed to the greatest number of workplace injuries in the construction sector in 2006. • Struck by falling objects was the number one cause of death in the shipbuilding and ship repairing sector,
contributing to 40% of workplace fatalities.

Chart 12 : Top 5 Accident Agents Resulting in Workplace Injuries, 2006 (Construction Sector)
Chart 14 : Workplace Fatalities in Shipbuilding and Ship Repairing Sector
20 by Type of Accidents, 2006
14.7 14.1
Struck by falling objects 40.0

10 8.1
6.4 Falls from height 20.0
4.6

Caught in or between objects 10.0

0
Metal items Floor or Scaffolding Hand Electrical
level surfaces & staging tools hand tools
Fires & explosions 10.0

Shipbuilding and Ship Repairing Others 20.0

• At the sub-sectoral level, 9 in 10 of the fatalities in shipbuilding and ship repairing were involved in building
of ships, tankers and other ocean-going vessels and repair of ships, tankers and other ocean-going vessels. 0 10 20 30 40 50
These two sub-sectors also accounted for a combined 77% of total workplace injuries in the sector.

• Stepping on, striking against or being struck by objects was the most common type of accident resulting
Chart 13 : Sub-sectors in Shipbuilding and Ship Repairing with Workplace Fatalities, 2006 in 28% of workplace injuries in the shipbuilding and ship repairing sector.
Workplace Fatalities Workplace Injuries (including fatalities)

Shipbuilding Chart 15 : Top 5 Accident Types Resulting in Workplace Injuries, 2006

10.0 & ship
repairing
638.0 (Shipbuilding and Ship Repairing Sector)
Repair of
ships, tankers 30 28.1
5.0 & other 329.0
ocean-going
vessels

Building of
4.0 ships, tankers 164.0
& other 20 18.0
ocean-going
vessels 16.0

Building &
1.0 repair of 104.0
pleasure
crafts, lighters 10 9.6
& boats
6.7

20 0 0 200 400 600 800 1000

0
Stepping on, Caught in or Struck by Falls from Falls from
striking against between falling objects height same level
or struck by objects (includes slips
objects and trips)

8 9
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH 2006 NATIONAL STATISTICS

• The majority of the fatalities in the shipbuilding and ship repairing sector involved the operation or handling Manufacturing
of lifting equipment and accounted for 40% of fatalities. Transport equipment or vehicles and scaffolds and
staging each accounted for 20% of fatalities. • Table 1 provides a sub-sectoral breakdown of workplace fatalities within the manufacturing sector.
The top three contributors which accounted for 63% of workplace injuries in manufacturing were:
- Metalworking
Chart 16 : Workplace Fatalities by Agents of Accidents, 2006 - Manufacture of food products
(Shipbuilding and Ship Repairing Sector)
- Manufacture of non-metallic mineral products

Lifting 40.0 Table 1: Sub-sectors in Manufacturing with Workplace Fatalities, 2006

equipment

Transport equipment 20.0

or vehicles
Industry No. of No. of Workplace
workplace workplace injury rate
Scaffolding & staging 20.0 fatalities injuries (no. of
(including injuries per
Welding equipment 10.0 fatalities) 10,000 employees)

Other materials & Manufacturing (excluding shipbuilding & ship repairing) 7 2748 662
substances not 10.0
elsewhere classified
Manufacture of furniture; manufacturing 2 152 618
not elsewhere classified
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
Manufacture of food products 1 333 1271

Manufacture of paper & paper products 1 50 1000

• Metal items caused nearly 16% of workplace injuries in the shipbuilding and ship repairing sector.
Manufacture of petroleum & chemical products 1 133 488

Manufacture of non-metallic mineral products 1 155 3780

Chart 17 : Top 5 Accident Agents Resulting in Workplace Injuries, 2006
(Shipbuilding and Ship Repairing Sector) Metalworking 1 1244 1109

20

15.8

12.2

10 9.1
6.6
3.4

0
Metal items Floor or Lifting Hand tools Scaffolding
level surfaces equipment & staging

10 11
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH 2006 NATIONAL STATISTICS

• Nearly 43% of fatalities in the manufacturing sector involved falls from height. Those caught in or between • Ladders and mobile ramps were responsible for 29% of fatalities in the manufacturing sector.
objects accounted for nearly 29% of fatalities.

Chart 20 : Fatalities in Manufacturing Sector by Agents of Accidents, 2006

Chart 18 : Workplace Fatalities in Manufacturing Sector by Type of Accidents, 2006
Ladders & mobile ramps 28.6
Falls from height 42.9

Other machines 14.3

Caught in or between objects 28.6

Transport equipment or vehicles 14.3

Exposure to or contact with 14.3
harmful substances/ radiations
Wooden items 14.3

Others 14.3
Other materials & substances
not elsewhere classified 28.6

0 10 20 30 40 50

0 10 20 30 40 50

• The most common type of workplace accidents in the manufacturing sector was stepping on, striking
against or being struck by objects.
• The most common types of accident agents in the manufacturing sector were other machines at nearly
13.8% and metal items at 13.6%.
Chart 19 : Top 5 Accident Types Resulting in Workplace Injuries, 2006 (Manufacturing Sector)

40 Chart 21 : Top 5 Accident Agents Resulting in Workplace Injuries, 2006 (Manufacturing Sector)

20

31.0
30 13.8 13.6

10 8.6
6.8
5.6
20 18.6

0
11.9 Other machines Metal items Floor or level Metalworking Hand tools
surfaces machines
10
7.9 7.6

0
Stepping on, Caught in or Struck by Falls from Falls from
striking against between falling objects height same level
or struck by objects (includes slips
objects and trips)

12 13
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH 2006 NATIONAL STATISTICS

Other Sectors • Close to one-quarter of all fatalities under the others sector resulted from persons stepping on, striking
against or being struck by objects. The other two major types of fatal accidents were:
• Sectors other than construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding and ship repairing were generally - Struck by falling objects
deemed to be of lower risk. However, the following sub-sectors raised new concerns given a recent spate - Falls from height
of deaths:
- Water transport and supporting services
- Storage and services allied to transport Chart 22 : Workplace Fatalities by Type of Accidents, 2006 (Other Sectors)
- Other community, social and personal services
- Administrative and support service Stepping on, striking against or
struck by objects 23.8

Table 2: Sub-sectors in Other Sectors with Fatalities, 2006

Struck by falling objects 19.0

Industry No. of No. of Workplace Falls from height 19.0

workplace workplace injury rate
fatalities injuries (no. of
(including injuries per Caught in or between objects 9.5
fatalities) 10,000 employees)

Other sectors (total) 21 3460 288 Fires & explosion 9.5

Water transport & supporting services 6 55 144

Exposure to or contact with electric current 4.8
Storage & services allied to transport 5 334 951

Other community, social & personal services 4 147 181 Falls from same level
(include slips & trips) 4.8

Administrative & support service 3 161 142

Others 9.5
Real estate activities 1 112 228

Recycling* 1 15 -
0 5 10 15 20 25

Air transport & supporting services 1 148 518

• Nearly 22% of workplace injuries in the other sectors resulted from stepping on, striking against or being
* The employment figure (including self- employed persons) for the recycling sector is not available for the computation of workplace injury rate.
struck by objects.

Chart 23 : Top 5 Accident Types Resulting in Workplace Injuries, 2006 (Other Sectors)

30

21.7

20
16.5

13.3

9.7
10 8.2

0
Stepping on, Floor or Scaffolding Hand Electrical
striking against level surfaces & staging tools hand tools
or struck
by objects

14 15
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH 2006 NATIONAL STATISTICS

• Almost half of all workplace fatalities in the others sector were associated with transport equipment/vehicles, ANALYSIS OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
predominantly forklifts. Other fatalities resulted from:
- Lifting equipment OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES BY TYPE
- Floor / level surfaces
• In 2006, 657 occupational diseases cases were confirmed. Noise-induced deafness (NID) and industrial
dermatitis (ID) were the two leading occupational diseases, accounting for 95% of cases. NID accounted
Chart 24 : Workplace Fatalities by Agents of Accidents, 2006 (Other Sectors) for 81% of all occupational disease cases. Other cases confirmed include work-related musculoskeletal
disorder, excessive absorption of chemicals, barotrauma, compressed air illness and occupational lung
disease.
Transport equipment or vehicles 47.6

Lifting equipment 14.3 Chart 26: Distribution of Occupational Diseases by Type, 2006

Floor or level surfaces 9.5

Compressed air illness

3 (0.5%)
Electrical hand tools 4.8
Barotrauma Occupational lung disease
5 (0.8%) 2 (0.3%)
Ladders & mobile ramps 4.8 Work-related
musculoskeletal disorder
8 (1.2%)
Excessive absorption
Inflammable substances 4.8 of chemicals Others
5 (0.8%) 10 (1.5%)
Other materials & substances not 14.3
elsewhere classified

Industrial dermatitis
89 (13.5%)
0 10 20 30 40 50
Noise-induced deafness
535 (81.4%)

• The greatest number of workplace injuries occurred on floor or level surfaces and accounted for nearly 16%
of injuries.

Chart 25 : Top 5 Accident Agents Resulting in Workplace Injuries, 2006 (Other Sectors)

20
15.8

10 8.7 8.2
5.3
3.9

0
Floor or Transport Metal Hand Ladders &
level surfaces equipment items tools mobile ramps
or vehicles

16 17
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH 2006 NATIONAL STATISTICS

• Most of the NID cases were reported in the early stages of the disease. There were eight cases of advanced • Industrial dermatitis (ID) was the second most common occupational disease. The manufacturing sector
or severe hearing loss which are compensable under the Workmen's Compensation Act. The majority of the accounted for 40% of the ID cases. The most common ID causative agents were wet work/detergents, heat
NID cases (72%) occurred in the manufacturing sector. and oils.

Table 3: Occupational Diseases by Type and Industry, 2006

Chart 27: Industrial Dermatitis by Causative Agent, 2006
Industry

All sectors Construction Shipbuilding Manufacturing Others

& ship repairing
Total (%) 657 (100.0%) 52 (7.9%) 68 (10.4%) 436 (66.4%) 101(15.4%) Others
18 (20.2%)
Noise-induced deafness 535 (100.0%) 23 (4.3%) 64 (12.0%) 383 (71.6%) 65 (12.1%)
Wet work / detergents
Industrial dermatitis 89 (100.0%) 23 (25.8%) 4 (4.5%) 36 (40.4%) 26 (29.2%) 21 (23.6%)

Work-related musculoskeletal disorder 8 (100.0%) - - 6 (75.0%) 2(25.0%)

Excessive absorption of chemicals 5 (100.0%) - - 5 (100.0%) -

Compressed air illness 3 (100.0%) 2 (66.7%) - - 1 (33.3%)

Barotrauma 5 (100.0%) 3 (60.0%) - 1 (20.0%) 1 (20.0%)

Friction
Occupational lung disease 2 (100.0%) - - 2 (100.0%) - 2 (2.2%)

Others 10 (100.0%) 1 (10.0%) - 3 (30.0%) 6 (60.0%) Epoxy resins

2 (2.2%)

Chromium
2 (2.2%)

Acids & alkalis

2 (2.2%)

Coolants
6 (6.7%)

Heat
20 (22.5%)

Cement
8 (9.0%)

Oils
8 (9.0%)

18 19
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH 2006 NATIONAL STATISTICS

OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE INCIDENCE • These three sub-sectors also accounted for the highest number of NID cases. The metalworking sub-sector
recorded the highest number of ID cases in the manufacturing sector, accounting for 69% of cases.
• Occupational disease affected 33.3 per 100,000 employees in 2006. The highest incidence occurred in the
manufacturing sector, with 105.1 cases confirmed per 100,000 employees. This was 3.2 times higher than
the overall occupational incidence. The others sector had the lowest occupational incidence with 8.4 cases Chart 28 : Sub-sectors in Manufacturing with Noise-induced Deafness Cases, 2006
confirmed per 100,000 employees.

Table 4: Occupational Diseases Incidence, 2006 Metalworking 51.2

Manufacture of transport equipment 12.3

Industry No. of cases Distribution (%) Occupational incidence
(no of cases confirmed
per 100,000 employees) Paper products & printing 8.9

All sectors 657 100 33.3 Manufacture of electronic products & components 8.4

Manufacturing (excluding 436 66.4 105.1

shipbuilding & ship repairing) Manufacture of food, beverages & tobacco products 4.4

Construction 52 7.9 20.4

Manufacture of petrolchemical products 4.4
Shipbuilding & ship repairing 68 10.4 66.3

Others 101 15.4 8.4 Manufacture of furniture 3.4

Manufacture of rubber & plastic products 2.3

SECTORAL ANALYSIS
Others 4.7
• Of the 657 occupational disease cases confirmed, 66% of cases were from the manufacturing sector, followed
by 15% from other sectors, 10% from shipbuilding and ship repairing sector and 8% from the construction
sector.
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Manufacturing

• Table 5 provides a sub-sectoral breakdown of the occupational disease cases confirmed within the
manufacturing sector. The top three contributors, which accounted for 73% of the cases, were: Chart 29 : Sub-sectors in Manufacturing with Industrial Dermatitis Cases, 2006
- Metalworking
- Manufacture of transport equipment
- Manufacture of paper products and printing Metalworking 69.4

Table 5: Sub-sectors in Manufacturing with Occupational Diseases, 2006 Manufacture of transport equipment 11.1

Manufacture of non-metallic
mineral products 5.6
Industry No of cases Distribution (%)
Others 13.9
Manufacturing (excluding shipbuilding & ship repairing) 436 100.0

Metalworking 226 51.8

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Manufacture of transport equipment 53 12.2

Manufacture of paper products & printing 37 8.5

Manufacture of electronic products & components 33 7.6

Manufacture of petrochemical products 19 4.4

Manufacture of food, beverages & tobacco 18 4.1

Manufacture of furniture 14 3.2

20 Manufacture of rubber & plastic products 10 2.3 21

Others 26 6.0
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH 2006 NATIONAL STATISTICS

Shipbuilding and Ship Repairing Construction

• Of the 68 cases of occupational disease confirmed within the shipbuilding and ship repairing sector, • In the construction sector, 89% of occupational disease cases were confirmed in the following top
the sub-sector engaged in building and repair of ships, tankers and other ocean-going vessels three sub-sectors:
accounted for 66%. In addition, 22% of them came from the building and repair of pleasure crafts, lighters - Building construction not elsewhere classified (nec)
and boats sub-sector. - General contractors
- Mixed construction activities
Table 6: Sub-sectors in Shipbuilding and Ship Repairing with Occupational Diseases, 2006
Table 7: Sub-sectors in Construction with Occupational Diseases, 2006
Industry No of cases Distribution (%)
Industry No of cases Distribution (%)
Shipbuilding & ship repairing 68 100.0
Construction 52 100.0
Building of ships, tankers & other ocean-going vessels 32 47.1
Building construction (nec) 21 40.4
Building & repair of pleasure crafts, lighters & boats 15 22.1
General contractors 18 34.6
Repair of ships, tankers & other ocean-going vessels 13 19.1
Mixed construction activities 7 13.5
Manufacture & repair of marine engine & ship parts 8 11.8
Bridge, tunnel, viaduct & elevated highway construction 2 3.8

Renovation contractors 1 1.9

• The building of ships, tankers and other ocean-going vessels sub-sector recorded the highest occurrences
of NID cases. This was followed by building and repair of pleasure crafts, lighters and boats. Water & gas pipe-line & sewer construction 1 1.9

Structural works (nec) 1 1.9

• The ID cases confirmed were solely from the building and repairing of ships, tankers and other ocean-
going vessels sub-sector. Scaffolding works 1 1.9

Chart 30 : Sub-sectors in Shipbuilding and Ship Repairing with Noise-induced Deafness Cases, 2006
• More than half (57%) of the ID cases confirmed came from the building construction (nec) sub-sector.
Building of ships, tankers & 45.3
other ocean-going vessels
Chart 32 : Sub-sectors in Construction with Industrial Dermatitis Cases, 2006
Building & repair of pleasure crafts,
lighters & boats 23.4

Repair of ships, tankers & Building construction (nec) 56.5

other ocean-going vessels 18.8

Manufacture & repair of

marine engine & ship parts 12.5 General contractors 26.1

Structural works (nec) 4.3

0 10 20 30 40 50

Mixed construction activities 4.3

Chart 31 : Sub-sectors in Shipbuilding and Ship Repairing with Industrial Dermatitis Cases, 2006 Water & gas pipe-line & sewer construction 4.3

Renovation contractors 4.3

Building of ships, tankers &
other ocean-going vessels 75.0

Repair of ships, tankers &

other ocean-going vessels 25.0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

22 23
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH 2006 NATIONAL STATISTICS

• The majority of NID cases confirmed had occurred in the general contractors sub-sector and accounted
for nearly 48% of all NID cases in the construction sector.
Chart 33 : Sub-sectors in Construction with Noise-induced Deafness Cases, 2006
General contractors 47.8
• Of the NID cases confirmed, 52% were from the following three sub-sectors:
- Air transport and supporting services
- Collection, purification and distribution of water
- Storage and services allied to transport
Chart 34 : Sub-sectors in Other Sectors with Noise-induced Deafness Cases, 2006

Air transport & supporting services 20.0

Building construction (nec) 26.1

Collection, purification & distribution of water 16.9

Mixed construction activities 21.7

Storage & services allied to transport 15.4

Scaffolding works 4.3

Land transport & supporting services 9.2

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Sewage & refuse disposal, sanitation & similar activities 9.2

Other Sectors
Architectural & engineering activities 7.7

• In the other sectors, the top three sub-sectors with the highest number of confirmed cases of
occupational disease were: Other community, social & personal services 7.7
- Other community, social and personal services
- Air transport and supporting services
- Collection, purification and distribution of water Electricity & gas supply 6.2

Table 8: Sub-sectors in Other Sectors with Occupational Diseases, 2006 Others 7.7

Industry No of cases Distribution (%)

Others 101 100.0 0 5 10 15 20 25

Other community, social & personal services 15 14.9

Air transport & supporting services 14 13.9

Collection, purification & distribution of water 12 11.9

Storage & services allied to transport 11 10.9

Health activities 9 8.9

Sewage & refuse disposal, sanitation & similar activities 6 5.9

Land transport & supporting services 6 5.9

Architectural & engineering activities 5 5.0

Electricity & gas supply 4 4.0

Others 19 18.8

24 25
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH 2006 NATIONAL STATISTICS

• Half of the ID cases were from other community, social and personal services and hotels and restaurants.
Chart 35 : Sub-sectors in Other Sectors with Industrial Dermatitis Cases, 2006
CONCLUDING REMARKS
• The construction sector had the highest number of workplace fatalities in 2006. However, the shipbuilding
and ship repairing sector had the highest fatality rate. Under the other sectors, water transport and
supporting services and storage and services allied to transport accounted for almost one-fifth of total
workplace fatalities in 2006.

Other community,
social & personal services
Hotels & restaurants
Health activities
38.5 • The majority of the occupational disease cases were NID in the early stage. Most of these cases were
from the manufacturing sector. The top three sub-sectors in the manufacturing sector with the highest
11.5
number of confirmed NID cases were metalworking, manufacture of transport equipment and
manufacture of paper products and printing. These will require greater attention to reduce the incidence
of NID.
7.7

Wholesale trade 7.7

Storage & services

allied to transport 3.8

Collection, purification
& distribution of water 3.8

Others 26.9

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

26 27
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH 2006

LIST OF CHARTS AND TABLES

CHARTS
Chart 1 : Number of Workplace Fatalities versus Workplace Injuries, 2005 and 2006 2
Chart 2 : Workplace Fatality and Injury Rates by Industry, 2005 and 2006 3
Chart 3 : Workplace Fatalities by Type of Accidents, 2006 (All Sectors) 3
Chart 4 : Top Accident Types Resulting in Workplace Injuries, 2006 (All Sectors) 4
Chart 5 : Workplace Fatalities by Agents of Accidents, 2006 (All Sectors) 4
Chart 6 : Top Accident Agents Resulting in Workplace Injuries, 2006 5
Chart 7 : Man-days Lost Resulting from Workplace Injuries (Including Fatalities) by Industry, 2006 5
Chart 8 : Sub-sectors in Construction with Workplace Fatalities, 2006 6
Chart 9 : Workplace Fatalities by Type of Accidents, 2006 (Construction Sector) 6
Chart 10 : Top 5 Accident Types Resulting in Workplace Injuries, 2006 (Construction Sector) 7
Chart 11 : Workplace Fatalities by Agents of Accidents, 2006 (Construction Sector) 7
Chart 12 : Top 5 Accident Agents Resulting in Workplace Injuries, 2006 (Construction Sector) 8
Chart 13 : Sub-sectors in Shipbuilding and Ship Repairing with Workplace Fatalities, 2006 8
Chart 14 : Workplace Fatalities in Shipbuilding and Ship Repairing Sector by Type of Accidents, 2006 9
Chart 15 : Top 5 Accident Types Resulting in Workplace Injuries, 2006 (Shipbuilding and Ship Repairing Sector) 9
Chart 16 : Workplace Fatalities by Agents of Accidents, 2006 (Shipbuilding and Ship Repairing Sector) 10
Chart 17 : Top 5 Accident Agents Resulting in Workplace Injuries, 2006 (Shipbuilding and Ship Repairing Sector) 10
Chart 18 : Workplace Fatalities in Manufacturing Sector by Type of Accidents, 2006 12
Chart 19 : Top 5 Accident Types Resulting in Workplace Injuries, 2006 (Manufacturing Sector) 12
Chart 20 : Fatalities in Manufacturing Sector by Agents of Accidents, 2006 13
Chart 21 : Top 5 Accident Agents Resulting in Workplace Injuries, 2006 (Manufacturing Sector) 13
Chart 22 : Workplace Fatalities by Type of Accidents, 2006 (Other Sectors) 15
Chart 23 : Top 5 Accident Types Resulting in Workplace Injuries, 2006 (Other Sectors) 15
Chart 24 : Workplace Fatalities by Agents of Accidents, 2006 (Other Sectors) 16
Chart 25 : Top 5 Accident Agents Resulting in Workplace Injuries, 2006 (Other Sectors) 16
Chart 26 : Distribution of Occupational Diseases by Type, 2006 17
Chart 27 : Industrial Dermatitis by Causative Agent, 2006 19
Chart 28 : Sub-sectors in Manufacturing with Noise-induced Deafness Cases, 2006 21
Chart 29 : Sub-sectors in Manufacturing with Industrial Dermatitis Cases, 2006 21
Chart 30 : Sub-sectors in Shipbuilding and Ship Repairing with Noise-induced Deafness Cases, 2006 22
Chart 31 : Sub-sectors in Shipbuilding and Ship Repairing with Industrial Dermatitis Cases, 2006 22
Chart 32 : Sub-sectors in Construction with Industrial Dermatitis Cases, 2006 23
Chart 33 : Sub-sectors in Construction with Noise-induced Deafness Cases, 2006 24
Chart 34 : Sub-sectors in Other Sectors with Noise-induced Deafness Cases, 2006 25
Chart 35 : Sub-sectors in Other Sectors with Industrial Dermatitis Cases, 2006 26

TABLES
Table 1 : Sub-sectors in Manufacturing with Workplace Fatalities, 2006 11
Table 2 : Sub-sectors in Other Sectors with Fatalities, 2006 14
Table 3 : Occupational Diseases by Type and Industry, 2006 18
Table 4 : Occupational Diseases Incidence, 2006 20
Table 5 : Sub-sectors in Manufacturing with Occupational Diseases, 2006 20
Table 6 : Sub-sectors in Shipbuilding and Ship Repairing with Occupational Diseases, 2006 22
Table 7 : Sub-sectors in Construction with Occupational Diseases, 2006 23
Table 8 : Sub-sectors in Other Sectors with Occupational Diseases, 2006 24

28
 Workplace Safety & Health 2006
NationalStatistics

published by
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE
published by
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Workplace Safety and Health 2006
Statistical Highlights