Latest news with #WorkplaceSafetyandHealthAct
New Paper
13-05-2025
- New Paper
Jail for lorry crane operator who lifted 4.4-tonne lamp post footing, fatally toppling it onto worker
Despite objections from his supervisor, a lorry crane operator at a construction site lifted a lamp post footing weighing around 4.4 tonnes without checking if other people 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 lamp post 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 9.5m 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 from 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.
Straits Times
13-05-2025
- Straits Times
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. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
New Paper
06-05-2025
- New Paper
SMRT Trains fined $240,000 over accident that killed technical officer
Rail operator SMRT Trains was fined $240,000 on May 5 over an accident at Bishan Depot in March 2020 that killed one of its technical officers. The company was convicted of an offence under the Workplace Safety and Health Act, as it had failed to take reasonable measures to ensure its employees' safety at the depot in Bishan Road. On March 23, 2020, Mr Muhammad Afiq Senawi, 30, and a colleague were using a hydraulic press machine (HPM) to replace some train-related components. Mr Afiq had placed a component into the machine, and activated the piston to carry out the task. However, he had failed to remove a similar older component. Due to a pressure build-up, a spacer rod that weighed nearly 3kg flew out of the machine, broke through the fencing gate near the machine, and struck his face. Mr Afiq was rushed to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, where he died of face and chest injuries at 10.15am that day. Coroner Christopher Goh later ruled his death to be an unfortunate misadventure. Among other things, an investigation later revealed that SMRT Trains had failed to install a pressure gauge for the HPM after dismantling it for repairs. On May 5, Ministry of Manpower prosecutor Kimberly Boo told the court that the spacer rod had not been secured to any other component, adding: "There was thus a hazard of the spacer rod displacing from its position and shooting out during operations." She also said that a maintenance work record dated June 11, 2018, stated that the hydraulic pressure gauge was damaged. As a result, there was no indication of the pressure of the HPM available when it was in operation. The damage was reported to an engineering maintenance manager, who instructed for the gauge to be dismantled. However, he later overlooked its reinstallation. Another work record dated Dec 16 that year stated that the pressure gauge was sent for calibration. Court documents stated that the most recent maintenance of the HPM prior to the tragedy was carried out on Jan 2, 2020. The gauge was still not installed then. Ms Boo said: "(SMRT Trains) had failed to ensure that a pressure gauge, which was a safety measure identified in the HPM operation manual, was installed for the HPM. Once the activating lever was pulled by the operator, the piston would continually move downwards to generate a downward push motion. "Even though HPM operators were not required to monitor the exact pressure involved in the operation, the presence of a pressure gauge would provide an indication to operators on whether the force applied in any installation or removal had increased disproportionately." SMRT Trains had also failed to limit the pressure setting of the HPM, which would reduce operators' exposure to a force far beyond what was necessary for its intended use, thus lowering the risks of harm the operators are exposed to. SMRT Trains was charged in court in 2023.
AsiaOne
06-05-2025
- AsiaOne
SMRT Trains fined $240,000 over accident that killed technical officer, Singapore News
SINGAPORE – Rail operator SMRT Trains was fined $240,000 on May 5 over an accident at Bishan Depot in March 2020 that killed one of its technical officers. The company was convicted of an offence under the Workplace Safety and Health Act, as it had failed to take reasonable measures to ensure its employees' safety at the depot in Bishan Road. On March 23, 2020, Mr Muhammad Afiq Senawi, 30, and a colleague were using a hydraulic press machine (HPM) to replace some train-related components. Mr Afiq had placed a component into the machine, and activated the piston to carry out the task. However, he had failed to remove a similar older component. Due to a pressure build-up, a spacer rod that weighed nearly 3kg flew out of the machine, broke through the fencing gate near the machine, and struck his face. Mr Afiq was rushed to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, where he died of face and chest injuries at 10.15am that day. Coroner Christopher Goh later ruled his death to be an unfortunate misadventure. Among other things, an investigation later revealed that SMRT Trains had failed to install a pressure gauge for the HPM after dismantling it for repairs. On May 5, Ministry of Manpower prosecutor Kimberly Boo told the court that the spacer rod had not been secured to any other component, adding: 'There was thus a hazard of the spacer rod displacing from its position and shooting out during operations.' She also said that a maintenance work record dated June 11, 2018, stated that the hydraulic pressure gauge was damaged. As a result, there was no indication of the pressure of the HPM available when it was in operation. The damage was reported to an engineering maintenance manager, who instructed for the gauge to be dismantled. However, he later overlooked its reinstallation. Another work record dated Dec 16 that year stated that the pressure gauge was sent for calibration. Court documents stated that the most recent maintenance of the HPM prior to the tragedy was carried out on Jan 2, 2020. The gauge was still not installed then. Ms Boo said: '(SMRT Trains) had failed to ensure that a pressure gauge, which was a safety measure identified in the HPM operation manual, was installed for the HPM. Once the activating lever was pulled by the operator, the piston would continually move downwards to generate a downward push motion. 'Even though HPM operators were not required to monitor the exact pressure involved in the operation, the presence of a pressure gauge would provide an indication to operators on whether the force applied in any installation or removal had increased disproportionately.' SMRT Trains had also failed to limit the pressure setting of the HPM, which would reduce operators' exposure to a force far beyond what was necessary for its intended use, thus lowering the risks of harm the operators are exposed to. SMRT Trains was charged in court in 2023. [[nid:481768]] This article was first published in The Straits Times. Permission required for reproduction.
Straits Times
05-05-2025
- Straits Times
SMRT Trains fined $240,000 over accident that killed technical officer
SMRT technical officer Muhammad Afiq Senawi was killed after rod weighing nearly 3kg hit his face in 2020. PHOTO: ST FILE SINGAPORE – Rail operator SMRT Trains was fined $240,000 on May 5 over an accident at Bishan Depot in March 2020 that killed one of its technical officers. The company was convicted of an offence under the Workplace Safety and Health Act, as it had failed to take reasonable measures to ensure its employees' safety at the depot in Bishan Road. On March 23, 2020, Mr Muhammad Afiq Senawi, 30, and a colleague were using a hydraulic press machine (HPM) to replace some train-related components. Mr Afiq had placed a component into the machine, and activated the piston to carry out the task. However, he had failed to remove a similar older component. Due to a pressure build-up, a spacer rod that weighed nearly 3kg flew out of the machine, broke through the fencing gate near the machine, and struck his face. Mr Afiq was rushed to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, where he died of face and chest injuries at around 10.15am that day. Coroner Christopher Goh later ruled his death to be an unfortunate misadventure. Among other things, an investigation later revealed that SMRT Trains had failed to install a pressure gauge for the HPM after dismantling it for repairs. On May 5, Ministry of Manpower prosecutor Kimberly Boo told the court that the spacer rod had not been secured to any other component, adding: 'There was thus a hazard of the spacer rod displacing from its position and shooting out during operations.' She also said that a maintenance work record dated June 11, 2018, stated that the hydraulic pressure gauge was damaged. As a result, there was no indication of the pressure of the HPM available when it was in operation. The damage was reported to an engineering maintenance manager, who instructed for the gauge to be dismantled. However, he later overlooked its reinstallation. Another work record dated Dec 16 that year stated that the pressure gauge was sent for calibration. Court documents stated that the most recent maintenance of the HPM prior to the tragedy was carried out on Jan 2, 2020. The gauge was still not installed then. Ms Boo said: '(SMRT Trains) had failed to ensure that a pressure gauge, which was a safety measure identified in the HPM operation manual, was installed for the HPM. Once the activating lever was pulled by the operator, the piston would continually move downwards to generate a downward push motion. 'Even though HPM operators were not required to monitor the exact pressure involved in the operation, the presence of a pressure gauge would provide an indication to operators on whether the force applied in any installation or removal had increased disproportionately.' SMRT Trains had also failed to limit the pressure setting of the HPM, which would reduce operators' exposure to a force far beyond what was necessary for its intended use, thus lowering the risks of harm the operators are exposed to. SMRT Trains was charged in court in 2023. Shaffiq Alkhatib is The Straits Times' court correspondent, covering mainly criminal cases heard at the State Courts. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
