The number of noise-induced deafness cases in the workplace has plunged in the first half of 2018, a change that will help retain workers, especially the good ones, said some analysts.

Overall, the picture is also brightening, according to the Manpower Ministry's preliminary figures on workplace safety for the first half of this year, which were released on Monday (Aug 20).

They show the number of occupational diseases - a cause of concern in 2017 - fell to 294 from 471 in same first half of last year, and 328 in the second half.

Among the top three diseases, noise-induced deafness fell to 102, which is 94 fewer cases than in the first half of last year.

Skin diseases more than halved, declining from 50 to 21.

The drop in musculoskeletal disorders, however, was less dramatic. It slipped 14 per cent, from 182 to 157 cases.

The ministry's report also shows an overall decline in workplace injuries, but the number of deaths hardly changed.

There were 20 fatalities, down from 23 in second half of 2017, but one more than in the first half of 2017.

The construction industry had the highest number of deaths: eight.

With injuries, however, the number fell 3 per cent to 6,032 cases. Last year's corresponding figure is 6,211.

The number of dangerous occurrences, or incidents that endanger lives, dropped more than 50 per cent to nine cases against 20 in the first half of last year.

The ministry said falls continue to be an area of concern, with seven deaths in the first half of 2018. In the same period last year, there were four such deaths but it shot up to eight in the second half.