Jail for lorry crane operator who lifted 4.4-tonne lamppost footing, fatally toppling it onto worker
Jail for lorry crane operator who lifted 4.4-tonne lamppost footing, fatally toppling it onto worker
SINGAPORE - Despite objections from his supervisor, a lorry crane operator at a construction site lifted a lamppost footing weighing around 4,400kg (4.4 tonnes) without checking if others were around and despite knowing that it was rigged on only one side.
The footing toppled and struck a 32-year-old worker, who died at the scene.
Ng Liat Kiong , the lorry crane operator, was sentenced to a year and two weeks' jail in October 2024, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said in a statement on May 13 providing updates on two of its recently concluded prosecutions.
In the other case, a 48-year-old worker fell through a skylight panel during rooftop waterproofing works at a factory in Tuas and died after landing on machinery below.
MOM said its investigations found that Vina Specialist, the construction firm which hired the waterproofing contractor, had failed to implement key safety measures.
Roy Loh Ngiap Meng , the managing director of Vina Specialist , was sentenced to a global fine of $260,000 in March 2025 .
Ng and Loh were both convicted of offences under the Workplace Safety and Health Act.
In the case involving Ng, MOM said the incident happened on Aug 26, 2022, and the lamppost footing was being adjusted after it was lifted into an excavated pit.
'During the lifting operation, Ng proceeded to lift the footing even though he knew that it was only rigged on one side, whilst acting against objections from the lifting supervisor as well as without first ensuring that that pit containing the footing was clear of workers,' said the ministry.
The footing toppled and fatally struck the worker who was still inside the excavated pit.
MOM said its investigations revealed that Ng had failed to adhere to safe lifting practices, despite being a trained crane operator and did not ensure the pit was clear of workers before lifting the footing .
In Loh's case, MOM said he oversaw rooftop waterproofing works carried out by freelance contractors engaged by his company, Vina Specialist.
On May 19, 2022, one of the contractors he hired fell from a height of about 9.5 metres through a skylight panel and died after landing on machinery below.
MOM investigations revealed that Vina Specialist had failed to install effective guard-rails or barriers to prevent falls at open sides and also did not affix warning signs near fragile skylight surfaces.
MOM said both cases 'reflect serious breaches of workplace safety – from inadequate risk assessment and control measures to outright recklessness that disregarded established safety protocols and endangered lives'.
The construction sector continues to be a leading contributor to workplace fatalities, it added.
In 2024, there were 20 fatal incidents, the highest across all industries and an increase from 18 in 2023.
'MOM urges all construction companies to strengthen oversight of high risk activities, conduct daily safety briefings, ensure workers are task-ready, and implement permit to work systems for hazardous operations. Unsafe conditions must be addressed promptly,' said the ministry.
Depending on the severity of the breaches, offenders may face actions such as composition fines, stop-work orders or, in egregious cases, prosecution, added MOM.
Under the Workplace Safety and Health Act, companies may be fined up to $500,000 , while individuals may face fines of up to $200,000 and/or imprisonment of up to two years.
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