Manufacturing Sector Urged to Stay Vigilant Amid Potential Rise in Workplace Injuries

26 Jun 2025 Announcements

Manufacturing workplace injuries tend to increase in the second half of the year. To pre-empt this, WSH Council calls on manufacturing companies to pay greater attention to risks, especially machinery-related hazards and slips, trips and falls (STF). They have been the leading causes of injuries within the sector. 

Companies are advised to implement the following preventive measures to ensure a safe working environment:

To prevent machinery-related incidents:

• Implement control measures and safety procedures
  Install machine guarding, follow Lock out, Tag out (LOTO) procedures, and coordinate operations when multiple machines are involved.
  
  
• Ensure Compliance with safety protocols
  Reinstate any removed safety features, use safety interlocks, and provide workers with regular in-house training on machinery safety.
  
  
• Encourage safe behaviour among workers
  Workers should avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing or gloves when operating machinery with moving parts.

To prevent STF incidents:

• Ensure suitable flooring
  Install non-slip flooring or anti-slip mats in areas prone to wetness or oil spills.
  
  
• Provide proper footwear 
  Ensure workers wear slip-resistant shoes that matches their specific work environment.
  
  
• Maintain good housekeeping
  Keep walkways clear of obstructions such as tools, debris, cables or hoses.

Let’s continue to prioritise safety and prevent avoidable injuries at work.

For more information, please refer to:
1. Workplace Safety and Health Report 2024
2. WSH Insights on Operating Machines Safely
3.WSH Insights on Safer Machines with Presence Detectors
4. Six Basic Workplace Safety and Health Rules for Safe Machine Startup
5. WSH guidelines on workplace housekeeping
6. SME WSH Pack on Slips, Trips and Falls in English 
7. WSH Insights on Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls