Entrepreneurs and SMEs evaluating Singapore company formation will find the latest workplace safety and health figures particularly encouraging. In 2025 the country posted its lowest-ever fatal and major injury rates, strengthening its position as a secure and well-regulated location for business setup Singapore.
These results stem from sustained collaboration across government, employers, unions and industry partners, creating a stable foundation that reduces operational risk for foreign investors and local enterprises alike.
Singapore’s workplace safety and health performance advanced markedly last year:
- The fatal injury rate fell to a record 0.96 per 100,000 workers.
- The major injury rate (excluding platform workers) reached an all-time low of 15.7 per 100,000.
- Including platform workers, the major injury figure stood at 17.7 per 100,000—the first year non-fatal injury data for this group has been captured since the Platform Workers Act took effect on 1 January 2025.
These outcomes place Singapore alongside leading nations such as the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Germany and Sweden, each of which has consistently recorded fatality rates below 1.0 per 100,000 workers. The progress reflects the collective commitment of all stakeholders to building and maintaining a culture of excellence in workplace safety and health.
Sectoral Performance
Construction, manufacturing and transportation & storage together accounted for more than half of fatal and major injuries, yet each sector registered meaningful gains or identified clear areas for improvement.
| Sector / Industry | 2024 Rate | 2025 Rate | Key Trend / Driver of Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | 31.0 | 26.3 | Safety pauses & stricter enforcement |
| Metalworking (Mfg) | 46.4 | 36.0 | Targeted machinery safety focus |
| Transportation & Storage | 18.4 | 23.8 | Increase driven by slips, trips & vehicular incidents |
Construction
In construction, the combined fatal and major injury rate per 100,000 workers declined from 31.0 in 2024 to 26.3 in 2025. The improvement follows:
- Greater safety ownership within the sector.
- Safety pauses initiated by the Multi-Agency Workplace Safety and Health Taskforce.
- Stepped-up enforcement by the Ministry of Manpower.
Small-scale works (additions, alterations, and renovations) continued to represent over 60 percent of incidents in the sector. Authorities plan further upstream measures through an ongoing review of the bizSAFE framework to place stronger emphasis on companies’ safety performance.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing achieved an all-time low combined injury rate of 28.8 per 100,000 workers.
- A 22 percent reduction in the metalworking industry—from 46.4 to 36.0 per 100,000 workers—drove much of this result.
- This success was supported by targeted enforcement on machinery safety and noise hazards, together with heightened industry awareness.
Transportation & Storage
The transportation & storage sector recorded a rate of 23.8 per 100,000 workers, up from 18.4 the previous year.
- Primary causes: Slips, trips, falls, and vehicular incidents.
The Ministry of Manpower will continue partnering with industry to strengthen fleet safety management, promote safer driving behaviours and reinforce compliance with safe vehicle operation standards.
For SMEs and foreign entrepreneurs undertaking Singapore company formation, these sectoral trends highlight the value of early alignment with local safety requirements. Professional corporate services Singapore can assist in embedding compliant workplace safety and health practices from the outset, helping new businesses meet Ministry of Manpower expectations efficiently.
Platform Worker Safety
The elevated injury rate in this sector reflects the unique demands of platform work and explains Singapore’s decision to introduce the Platform Workers Act. Key statistics for 2025 include:
- Total Incidents: 2 fatalities and 74 major injuries.
- Combined Rate: 84.6 per 100,000 platform workers.
- Primary Causes: Delivery work occurring while operating vehicles or active mobility devices on public roads and paths, with two-wheeled vehicles carrying an elevated risk.
Effective from 1 January 2025, the legislation extends injury compensation under the Work Injury Compensation Act and safety protections under the Workplace Safety and Health Act. Work-related injuries involving platform workers must now be reported to the Ministry of Manpower, enabling more accurate monitoring and response.
To strengthen safeguards, several initiatives are underway:
- An Approved Code of Practice for Platform Services provides practical guidance to operators and workers.
- The Platform Workers Trilateral Group (formed in 2025) brings together government, platform operators and worker representatives.
- A dedicated Platform Worker Safety Workgroup has been established to examine risk factors and develop targeted measures, including better safety incentives, recognition of positive outcomes, and enhanced road-safety awareness.
Strengthening a Culture of WSH Excellence
Although Singapore’s workplaces rank among the safest globally, continued vigilance remains essential as economic activity and associated risks evolve. Employers, contractors and workers must keep safety at the centre of daily operations and organisational culture. The Ministry of Manpower will work with tripartite partners to further build capabilities through the adoption of workplace safety and health technologies and more effective risk management practices.
Businesses considering or already engaged in business setup Singapore benefit from this supportive regulatory environment. With professional guidance on corporate secretary and compliance matters, new and growing companies can confidently meet evolving safety obligations while focusing on sustainable growth.
Organisations seeking clarity on how these workplace safety and health developments affect their Singapore operations are welcome to contact Koobiz. Our team provides expert support across company formation, corporate secretary services, accounting and bookkeeping, and related advisory solutions tailored to international entrepreneurs and SMEs. Reach out today to discuss how we can help you establish and maintain a compliant, low-risk presence in Singapore’s dynamic business landscape.
