Singapore
Organization responsible for the statistics
Collection:
Department of Industrial Safety and Workers' Compensation
Department of the Ministry of Labour.
Compilation:
Department of Industrial Safety of the Ministry of Labour.
Publication:
Research and Statistics Department of the Ministry of Labour.
Periodicity
Compilation:
the statistics on occupational injuries are captured on computer
and can be compiled whenever required.
Publication:
annual.
Source
- Reports of accidents and injuries sustained by their
employees made by employers to the Department of Industrial
Safety under the terms of the Factories Act.
- Reports of accidents involving workmen made by employers to
the Workmen's Compensation Department under the terms of the
Workmen's Compensation Act.
Objectives and users
To identify the trend of accidents and compare the safety
situation in each year so as to develop programmes to tackle
problem areas, and to make statistics available to the public.
Major users:
Government institutions, institutions of higher
learning, trade associations and unions.
Coverage
Persons:
(1) Factories Act: persons employed in factories and other
specific workplaces (see below).
About 630,000 workers are covered by the Factories Act.
(2) Workmen's Compensation Act: all workmen, defined as any
person who has a contract of service or apprenticeship with an
employer and who is engaged in manual labour or non-manual labour
and whose total monthly earnings do not exceed 1,600 dollars.
The following are excluded: non-manual workers with total
monthly earnings above 1,600 dollars; workers whose work is of a casual
nature and whose work is not connected with the employer's trade
or business; domestic servants; police officers and any other
persons engaged to perform police duties; outworkers, i.e. any
person who does work on materials or articles given out by
another person and who does such work in his own home or in some
other premises which are not under the control or management of
that other person who gives out the materials or articles; any
member of the family of the employer who dwells with him in his
house; and any class of person declared by the Minister not to be
a
workman
under the Workmen's Compensation Act.
Economic activities:
(1) Factories Act: only economic activities carried out in
premises that are deemed to be factories or other specific
workplaces under the terms of the Factories Act. Factories are
any premises in which persons are employed in manual labour in
any process for or linked to the following: the making of any
article or of part of any article; the altering, repairing,
ornamenting, finishing, cleaning, or washing, or the breaking up
or demolition of any article; or the adapting for sale of any
article. Other specific workplaces include docks, premises in
airports used for repairing, loading and unloading aircraft, and
ships undergoing repair, refitting, cleaning, etc. in harbour.
(2) Workmen's Compensation Act: all economic activities.
Geographic areas:
All areas.
(1) Factories Act: the statistics cover only accidents
involving employees in Singapore.
(2) Workmen's Compensation Act: in addition to accidents
occurring in Singapore, the statistics cover workmen residing in
Singapore and employed by a local employer who meets with an
accident in a place outside Singapore where he is required to
work.
Establishments:
(1) Factories Act: all types and sizes of establishments
deemed to be factories (see above).
(2) Workmen's Compensation Act: all types and sizes of
establishments.
Types of occupational accidents covered
(1) Factories Act: the information covers reported injuries
due to all types of occupational accidents occurring in
factories; accidents occurring outside factory premises, such as
traffic accidents and commuting accidents, are not included.
Data on occupational diseases covered by the Factories Act are
compiled separately, but presented in the same publication.
(2) Workmen's Compensation Act: the information covers
reported occupational injuries and diseases due to all types of
occupational accidents, including accidents while travelling to
and from the place of work in a vehicle operated by or on behalf
of the employer, where the vehicle is not a means of public
transport; injuries incurred while working on the employer's
premises and trying to save life or prevent damage or loss to
property during a supposed or actual emergency; and injuries
incurred while disregarding statutory regulations or acting
without the employer's instructions but for the purposes of and
in connection with the employer's trade or business.
Concepts and definitions
Occupational accident:
- an incident in a factory which causes the death of a person
employed in the factory;
- an incident in a factory which disables any person for more
than three days from earning full wages at the work at which he
was employed; or
- an incident which causes any injury to any such person which
requires him to be detained in a hospital for at least 24 hours
for observation or treatment.
(Source: Factories Act).
Occupational injury:
no official definition.
Mandays lost:
days of medical leave granted to an injured person for
temporary disablement accidents.
Temporary incapacity to work:
- an injury which disables any person for more than three days
from earning full wages at the work at which he was employed or
which requires him to be detained in hospital for at least 24
hours for observation or treatment, excluding the loss of limbs,
eyes and parts of the body (Source: Factories Act);
- an injury which incapacitates a workman from performing his
normal duties for some time (Source: Workmen's Compensation
Act).
Permanent incapacity to work:
- an injury involving the loss of parts of the body or of
members such as limbs or eyes. (Source: Factories Act);
- an injury that incapacitates totally or partially the workman
from doing all work which he was capable of doing at the time of
the accident and thereby reduces permanently the earning capacity
in every employment (Source: Workmen's Compensation Act).
Minimum period of absence from work:
- an injury is included in the statistics if the employee is
unable to earn full wages at the work at which he was employed
for more than three days or which is detained in hospital for at
least 24 hours for observation or treatment (Source: Factories
Act);
- none, as long as the person sustains an injury or disease
which renders him unfit for work (Source: Workmen's Compensation
Act).
Maximum period for death to be considered a fatal occupational injury:
none.
Types of information compiled
(a) personal characteristics of persons injured:
(b) amount of worktime lost:
(c) characteristics of accidents:
agency of accident, type of accident;
(d) characteristics of injuries:
part of body injured, type of injury, type of illness, extent of
disability;
(e) characteristics of employers or workplaces;
(f) other.
Measurement of worktime lost
Worktime lost is measured in workdays. It is compiled for all types of injury as follows:
- temporary incapacity to work: on the basis of the number of
days of medical leave for the person injured;
- permanent incapacity to work: on the basis of a standard
schedule;
- fatal injuries: each fatality is considered as 6,000
workdays lost.
Absences for medical treatment of less than 24 hours are not
included.
Classifications
(a) fatal or non-fatal accidents;
(b) extent of disability:
temporary or permanent disablement;
(c) economic activity:
manufacturing, of which shipbuilding and repairing; construction;
commerce; transport, storage and communication; community, social
and personal services;
(d) occupation:
according to the Singapore Standard Occupational Classification
(SSOC);
(e) type of injury:
nature of injury:ehp3: contusions, scratches; amputation;
asphyxia, drowning; burns (heat); burns (chemical); bruises,
crushing and contusions; concussions and other internal injuries;
lacerations, cuts; dislocations; effects of electricity; effects
of radiations; fractures; freezing; multiple injuries;
poisonings; puncture wounds; sprains and strains; others;
part of body
: hand or fingers; leg or ankle; foot or toes;
arm or shoulder; head or neck (excluding eyes); trunk; eyes;
others; multiple injuries;
(f) cause of accident:
stepping on/striking against objects; machinery (mechanical
power); persons falling; stuck by falling objects; use of hand
tools; molten metal, hot or corrosive substances; lifting
machinery (power or non-power); electricity, explosions, fire or
gassing; transport or vehicles; machinery (non-mechanical power);
handling goods or article in manufacturing or carrying process;
others;
(g) duration of absence from work:
none;
(h) characteristics of workers:
none;
(i) characteristics of accidents:
place of accident or dangerous occurrence
: shipbuilding and
repairing: dry/floating dock or on board vessel, workshop of the
yard, other part of the yard; manufacturing or other industry:
production area, maintenance workshop, loading or unloading bays
for vehicles, store or warehouse, other part of the factory;
building and construction: worksite;
(j) characteristics of employers or workplaces:
none.
Crossclassifications:
type of injury and economic activity.
Reference period
One year.
An injury is included in the statistics for the period (year)
in which the accident occurred.
Worktime lost included in the period (year) in which worktime
was lost.
Estimates
On the basis of the actual number of cases reported:
- total number of injuries
- total amount of worktime lost
- frequency rates for all injuries: number of injuries per
million hours worked.
- severity rates: number of workdays lost per million hours
worked.
Historical background of the series
The statistics were first compiled over 20 years ago.
Minor changes have been introduced over the years, such as in
the types of workplace covered and the definition of an accident.
Documentation
Series available:
The following tables are published:
Number of injuries by:
- economic activity;
- degree of incapacity and economic activity;
- main cause of accident;
- part of body injured;
- main cause of accident and part of body injured.
Frequency rates of occupational injuries by economic activity.
Severity rates of occupational injuries by economic activity.
Bibliographic references:
The data are published in:
Research and Statistics Department,
Ministry of Labour: Singapore Labour Year Book of Statistics
(annual).
Brief methodological notes appear in this publication along
with the data.
Not all the data are published, but they can be made available
on request, as extracts from the computer database.
Data published by ILO:
The following data are furnished regularly to the ILO for
publication in the Yearbook of Labour Statistics
, relating to
reported injuries according to major division of economic
activity: number of persons fatally injured, number of persons
injured with lost workdays, total of these two groups; number of
workdays lost by persons injured with lost workdays; rates of
fatal injuries. Occupational diseases and commuting accidents
are not covered in the statistics. The number of persons at risk
(total number of persons employed who are covered by the
Factories Act) is also supplied and stored in the LABORSTA
database.
Confidentiality:
There are no restrictions on the publication of the data on
occupational injuries.
International standards
The international statistical standards and guidelines were taken
into consideration when the statistical system was designed.
Method of data collection
Legislation:
(1) Factories Act. All injuries caused by accidents in
factories should be reported immediately to the Ministry of
Labour.
(2) Workmen's Compensation Act. All injuries caused by
accidents to workmen should be reported to the Workmen's
Compensation Department as soon as possible, but at least within
10 days of an accident resulting in death, within 18 days of an
accident rendering a workman unfit for work for more than 14 days
and not later than the 15th day of the month following an
accident rendering a workman unfit for work for 14 days or less.
Reporting:
(1) Factories Act: The employer is required to notify the
Chief Inspector of Factories, Ministry of Labour, of any
industrial accident, using a standard form (Ninth Schedule).
Instructions for notification are provided. In addition, the
occupier of a factory is required to notify the Chief Inspector
of Factories of any dangerous occurrence taking place in the
factory.
(2) Workmen's Compensation Act: The employer is required to
notify the Commissioner of Labour, Ministry of Labour of any
accident involving his workmen.
The procedures for workmen's compensation claims are as
follows:
- the employer submits the accident report;
- the report is screened by the Workers' Compensation
Department and classified by type of injury;
- for cases causing 14 days or less of medical leave and where
there has been no permanent incapacity, no medical report is
required and the employer has to pay full wages;
- for other cases, i.e. temporary incapacity, permanent
incapacity and fatal injuries, the Department sends an
Application Form to the injured worker or his dependents to claim
for compensation, and, for cases of temporary or permanent
incapacity, a Medical Report form is sent to the employer for the
doctor to complete and return;
- on receipt of the two forms, compensation is assessed and
notified to the insurance company, the employer and the injured
worker, and compensation is paid to the injured worker either
directly by the insurance company or through the office of the
Commissioner for Labour.
Data reported:
(1) Factories Act: The form for notification of occupational
injuries (Ninth Schedule) consists of the following:
- particulars of the occupier of the factory: name, postal
address, location of factory or worksite, type of industry or
trade;
- particulars of the employer (if different from the occupier
of the factory);
- particulars of the victim: name; address; insurance number
(for Singaporeans only); foreign identification number; work
permit number; passport or travel document number; citizenship
(Singapore; Malaysia; Indonesia; Thailand; Philippines;
India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh; China, Taiwan or other;
stateless); age; sex; marital status (married, single, other);
race (Chinese; Malay; Indonesian; Thai; Filipino;
Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan or Bangladeshi; Eurasian; Caucasian;
other); occupation; period employed by present employer prior to
accident; period employed in present type of occupation prior to
accident; time the victim started work on the day of the
accident; expected number of days of medical leave; whether the
victim was detained in a hospital for at least twenty-four hours
for observation or treatment;
- particulars of the accident or dangerous occurrence:
- date and time;
- place of accident or dangerous occurrence: shipbuilding and
repairing: dry or floating dock or on board vessel, workshop of the
yard, other part of the yard; manufacturing or other industry:
production area, maintenance workshop, loading or unloading bays
for vehicles, store or warehouse, other part of the factory;
building and construction: worksite;
- nature of injury: abrasions, scratches; amputation;
asphyxia, drowning; burns (heat); burns (chemical); bruises,
crushing and contusions; concussions and other internal injuries;
lacerations, cuts; dislocations; effects of electricity; effects
of radiations; fractures; freezing; multiple injuries;
poisonings; puncture wounds; sprains and strains; others;
- part of body injured: head: scalp, skull; eyes; ears;
mouth, teeth; nose; face (other locations); multiple locations;
unspecified location; neck and torso: neck; back; chest,
abdomen, pelvis, groin, trunk, multiple locations, trunk,
unspecified locations; upper limbs: fingers, hand, palm, wrist,
forearm, elbow, upper arms, shoulder, multiple locations,
unspecified location; lower limbs: hips, thighs, knee, legs,
ankle, feet (except toes alone), toes, multiple locations,
unspecified locations; multiple locations of body;
- description of accident or dangerous occurrence (how it took
place); description of machine involved.
(2) Workmen's Compensation Act: The form for notification of
occupational injuries (Form A) consists of the following:
- particulars of the employer: name, address, total number of
employees, nature of business;
- particulars of the injured workman: name; address; foreign
address if non-resident; nationality (Singapore, Malaysia,
Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka,
Hong Kong, China, Myanmar, Pakistan, other); date of birth; sex;
race (Chinese, Malay, Indian, other); marital status (single,
married, divorced, widowed); educational level (no formal
education, primary, secondary, post secondary, tertiary, not
stated); occupation; detailed description of duties; date of
commencement of employment; basic earnings; number of working
days per week (5, 5 1/2 , 6, other); average monthly earnings during
the 12 months preceding the accident;
- particulars of the accident: date and time; place of
accident; whether the accident occurred during the workman's
working hours; whether he was on official duty; if the accident
occurred on board a vessel, whether it was a Singapore registered
vessel; detailed description of the accident; part of body
injured (generally the same groups as in the Ninth Schedule
above, except that this mentions locations which Form A does
not);
- other information: name of hospital or clinic where the
injured workman received treatment; whether the injured workman
was still in hospital; number of days of medical leave; name of
insurance company and policy number.
Changes planned:
None.