SINGAPORE — Despite a drop in the number of amputation injuries last year, those who lost their hands continue to make up the vast majority of such cases, which are predominantly caused by inadequate safety provisions at the workplace.

Minister of State for Manpower Sam Tan deemed the trend a “cause for concern” as he launched the Safe Hands Campaign on Wednesday (Jan 17). The campaign, which runs till March this year, comprises a campaign video, seminars, and a competition for the public to submit entries to raise awareness on amputation risks.

In a speech, Mr Tan said there were 125 cases of amputation injuries last year, down from 143 in 2016. But those involving the loss of hands made up 94 per cent of the amputation cases in 2017.

“To us, every case of amputation is one too many,” Mr Tan said in calling for efforts to reduce the number of such injuries further.

Investigations showed that 55 per cent of amputation injuries were a result of inadequate safety provisions at the workplace. Examples include the lack of proper machine guarding, and inadequate risk management.

“Other causes include poor machine maintenance, unauthorised operation of machinery and inadequate training for workers who operate the machines,” Mr Tan added.

The Safe Hands Campaign, the third and final phase of the National Workplace Safety and Health Campaign for 2017, comes on the back of enforcement operations by the Manpower Ministry (MOM) between September and November last year.

The MOM issued more than 1,000 enforcement actions — ranging from fines, to legal prosecution — to workplaces, after visiting more than 400 sites in the manufacturing and construction sectors.

Under the Workplace Safety and Health Act, companies that do not take reasonably practicable measures to ensure the safety and health of their workers — including that of hand injuries — can be fined up to S$500,000 for the first offence.

Mr Tan noted that prevention was vital in eliminating workplace injuries, and that everyone — from senior management to workers — had a part to play.

He added: “Top management should lead by example by walking the ground and providing a safe environment for workers.

“Workers should also be responsible for their own safety and report near misses, workplace hazards and unsafe practices to the management.”

Number of amputation injuries in recent years:

2012 - 142

2013 - 132

2014 - 127

2015 - 116

2016 - 143

2017 - 125