Worker loses appendage in Singapore every three days

Jul 29, 2008, 0:32 GMT

Singapore - A worker in Singapore loses a hand or finger every three days, a startling statistic revealed at a forum on protecting limbs at the workplace, news reports said Tuesday.

Such accidents usually happen when hands or fingers become caught between roller cutters of meat-slicing machines or presses that have enough force to mould metal, The Straits Times said.

In greatest peril are those working in manufacturing, metal- working or food processing.

Calling for more to be done to protect workers, Professor Low Teck Seng said that the Workplace Safety and Health Council's goal is to reduce the number of workers losing limbs to 90 a year by the end of 2009.

The figure reached 163 last year, the report said. Losing a limb every three days was based on the first six months of this year.

If such accidents could be eliminated, 'all the better,' Low was quoted as saying Monday.

Manpower Ministry officials have found the majority of such maiming accidents occur because safety guards have fallen off or have been removed.

A spokesman said that enforcement officers will carry out a safety blitz on manufacturing and metal-working companies.

The manufacturing sector employs 570,000 people, including many workers from neighbouring countries.

The ministry and council plan seminars on workplace safety. Spot checks on high-risk workplaces are being conducted and fines meted out.