When Employees’ Health becomes a Workplace Risk

Workplace injuries are commonly associated with accidents and physical hazards. However, medical condition-related incidents occurring at or in connection with work have become an emerging concern in workplace safety and risk management.

This trend reflects a broader health challenge in Singapore.  According to the National Population Health Survey, chronic conditions such as hypertension and hyperlipidaemia remain highly prevalent among residents, and are significant risk factors for heart attacks and strokes. 

Beyond their impact on individual wellbeing, chronic health conditions can have far-reaching effects on organisations, contributing to absenteeism, reduced productivity, operational disruptions and rising healthcare costs.

As Singapore's workforce ages and chronic health conditions becoming more pronounced, employers may need to place greater emphasis on employee health as a key component of workplace risk management, supported by proactive and preventive measures.

Industry-specific Health Risk Factors 

Construction, manufacturing and logistics

• Physically demanding work can contribute to fatigue and place additional strain on the body, particularly when performed over extended periods.
• Exposure to heat, outdoor environments and long working hours may further impact employee health and wellbeing. 

Transportation and mobile workforce

• Drivers and employees who spend extended periods on the road may experience factors such as fatigue, irregular meal schedules, prolonged driving and limited opportunities for physical activity, all of which can affect overall wellbeing. 

Office and professional services

• Sedentary work patterns, prolonged sitting, workplace stress and insufficient physical activity may contribute to various chronic health conditions.

Healthcare, hospitality and shift-based operations

• Irregular working hours and shift work can disrupt normal sleep patterns and may adversely affect both physical and mental wellbeing over time.

Retail and customer-facing services

• Long periods of standing, customer-facing pressure and peak workloads can contribute to fatigue, stress and physical strain. 
   

What Employers Can Do

1. Encourage regular health screening through onsite health assessments, particularly for employees in higher age groups or those with known health risk factors, to support early detection and management of medical conditions.
2. Foster a healthy workplace culture through wellness initiatives such as fitness programmes and activities as well as mental health support.
3. Address workplace stress by identifying and managing sources of excessive work-related stress that are affecting employees.
4. Manage fatigue risks with appropriate rest periods, shift scheduling practices and workload management.
5. Promote awareness of early warning signs with basic training and encourage early reporting of health concerns to facilitate timely intervention and support.
6. Establish emergency medical response procedures with trained first aid personnel and accessible emergency medical equipment, such as automated external defibrillators (AEDs), where suitable.

Conclusion

While not every health-related incident is foreseeable, employers can take proactive steps to promote wellbeing through preventive healthcare, early intervention and workplace support. 

By prioritising workforce health, organisations can build a safer, healthier and more resilient workplace for the long term.

This article is contributed by Lau Mei Kwan, AVP of Commercial Lines Underwriting, MSIG Singapore