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By Ian Tan Hanhonn
Workplace accidents that led to amputations have declined by 30 per cent over the last few years, but more can be done to achieve zero incidents, believes Senior Minister of State for Manpower Zaqy Mohamad.
Last year, there was a total of 41 work-related amputations in Singapore in 2021. The number of cases was 18 less compared to 2019.
Speaking at this year’s Safe Hands Campaign on 23 March 2022 at Thong Siek Food Industry, Mr Zaqy urged employers to put in place more measures to ensure that there is little room for such incidents to occur.
“While we are happy with the reduction, let’s not forget that the impact of hand injuries is devastating, permanent and leads to disruptions … we can and must do our utmost to prevent such accidents,” he said.
Amputation injuries often arise due to improper guarding found on machine moving parts, as well as workers undertaking risky or unsafe actions, shared Mr Zaqy.
He urged for companies with dangerous moving machineries to ensure that such safeguards are properly maintained and not dismantled out of convenience.
He also hoped that beyond knowing how to operate equipment safely, companies will ensure that workers are also trained to react safely to unexpected situations.
The food manufacturing sector accounted for the second highest incidents of amputation injuries, with 11 amputation injuries in 2019 and nine in 2021.
Metalworking sub-sector accounted for the most incidents of amputation injuries, with 25 in 2019 to 15 in 2021. The sector was the focus of previous Safe Hands Campaigns.
Mr Zaqy added that the food manufacturing sector plays an important role in introducing Singapore’s brand of quality and safe food products to the world, it would be a plus if they could say that the products are also manufactured safely.
Mr Zaqy further shared that the accidents can be prevented by incorporating technology into work operations.
He cited Thong Siek Food Industry and said that the company had installed an automated mincer machine and an automated packing machine, eliminating the need for workers to interact with the potentially dangerous equipment.
“Thong Siek has taken the right approach to invest in automation that not only improves productivity, but also looks after the safety and health of workers. This is what ownership is all about,” he said.
Organised by the Singapore Manufacturing Federation and the WSH Council, the Safe Hands Campaign aims to raise awareness of the prevention of hand and finger injuries at the workplace.