Workplace accidents in Singapore in February 2021

A short list of 11 fatalities from workplace accidents in Singapore for the month of February 2021:

1. Feb 1 - Indian worker, at Jurong West construction site

Found unconscious and slouched against the control panel of a boomlift. Died in hospital from injuries

2. Feb 2 - Prime mover driver, at Jurong Port Road

Fell 2m to the ground from trailer bed when he tried to adjust a steel bundle to help the forklift driver

3. Feb 8 - Delivery rider, Ayer Rajah expressway

Collided with the rear of a truck and was pronounced dead at the scene

4. Feb 10 - Director of JMS Construction, at University Walk

Fell through opening on the floor while overseeing work at the semi-detached house

5. Feb 16 - Self-employed Singaporean, at East Special Purposes anchorage

Fell into the sea while climbing down a pilot ladder of a vessel

6. Feb 20 - Bangladeshi Forklift operator, at Havelock Square 

Crushed by forklift after it reversed and fell into  a pit and toppled

7. Feb 21 - Indian worker, along Penjuru Road

Walking a long a path between 2 shipping containers. He was trapped between the 2 containers when one of them shifted.

8-10: Feb 25 - Tuas

3 workers died, and 5 critically injured in an explosion at a building in Tuas. The explosion was likely  caused by starch dust.

11. Feb 27 - Lift technician, at building in North Bridge Road

Trapped in lift shaft, between lift carriage and metal support structure of the lift

Source: most of the information was extracted from various news media including The Straits Times and CNA.

Foreign worker fell 4.7m through board to his death

The deceased worker had been clearing dismantled electrical fixtures in the building on Nov 14, 2019 as part of his work with several other workers when he stepped through a gypsum board covering the sides of an escalator pit.

Before this, workers had been throwing debris and dismantled electrical wiring from the second floor of the building into the pit on the first floor.

The gypsum board, or drywall, was not meant to hold a person's weight. It was also covered with concrete dust from other works and could not be distinguished from the concrete beams or other fixtures.

The deceased fell 4.7m and landed on the floor of the basement. He was later taken to hospital but resuscitation efforts failed, after he suffered cardiac arrests, and he was pronounced dead that morning.

An autopsy found that he had died from multiple injuries including fractures of the skull, ribs and sternum, or chest bone.

A safety briefing had been held that morning by the safety supervisor, which included a reminder not to go to unsafe areas and to wear equipment such as helmets at all times. 

The deceased worker was assigned along with two other men to do housekeeping works, clearing and cutting electrical wire and removing electrical trunking. They tossed the debris from the second floor into the escalator pit at the first floor, and later went into the pit to clear the items. While work was ongoing, one of the workers who was in the pit clearing the debris heard a loud noise. He looked up and saw a hole in the pit and alerted the rest that a worker had fallen down.

He was later taken to hospital unresponsive and without a pulse, and was pronounced dead later that morning.

(This article was adapted from the news article from CNA

Some learning points (my views):

1. Floor opening was not properly barricade, and the opening on the floor was not properly covered up. Generally, a one-inch thick plywood should be used to board up any opening on the floor.

2. Safety briefing was conducted, but sometimes it may not be relevant to the job on hand. Also, to use generic term like watch out for unsafe conditions may not be meaningful. Better to go into specifics. 

3. For control measures, should put more emphasis on engineering control,  e.g. a strong barricade, rather than administrative controls, such as briefings. 

For more reported accident cases, visit CNA page here

Worker electrocuted during dismantling works

On 15 October 2020, a worker was dismantling an electrical distribution board within a vacated building when he was electrocuted. He was sent to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. 

Employers and contractors performing similar work activities are advised to implement suitable risk controls to protect their workers. Deploy only authorised, trained and competent personnel such as licensed electrical worker to perform or supervise all electrical work including dismantling works. Risk assessment must be carried out and Safe Work Procedures established prior to starting work. For electrical equipment, it is important to isolate and lock out the electrical power source and de-energise the equipment before carrying out dismantling work. Tools used should come with non-conductive handles. As an additional precaution, such workers should also be equipped with the necessary Personal Protective Equipment such as electrical work gloves and rubber-soled footwear.

Source: WSHC

Worker fell from ladder

On 30 October 2020, a worker was at a private dwelling working under a roofing structure when he fell from an A-frame ladder. He was found lying on the floor in a semi-conscious state next to the ladder. The worker was conveyed to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on 4 November 2020.   The Ministry of Manpower has commenced investigations into the accident.   Employers and principals are reminded to conduct a comprehensive Risk Assessment (RA) for all work activities requiring the use of ladders. Only use ladders that are of good construction, sound material, adequate strength and free from defect. Select the most suitable ladder for the work activity by making sure that the ladder is of sufficient height for the worker to access the designated work area without having to stand on its top rung. Workers must be trained on the safe use of ladders such as maintaining three points of contact at all times and the importance of setting up ladders on firm, level and stable ground.     Information on the accident is based on preliminary investigations by the Ministry of Manpower as at 10 Nov 2020. This may be subject to change as investigations are still on-going. Please note that the recommendations provided here are not exhaustive and they are meant to enhance workplace safety and health so that a recurrence may be prevented. The information and recommendations provided are not to be construed as implying any liability on any party nor should it be taken to encapsulate all the responsibilities and obligations under the law.

Source: WSHC

List of Workplace Fatal Accidents in Singapore (as of April 2016)

Listed below are some workplace accidents that occurred in 2016 (up to April). Information provided by WSH Council

Accident: Worker Fell Through Roof
Ref: 1516116, WSH Alert accident notification dated 10 March 2016
On 03 March 2016, at about 1615 hours, a worker fell through the roof of a workshop that was undergoing replacement of asbestos roof sheets and landed on the ground. He was pronounced dead by attending paramedics.
Click here to read more.

 Accident: Worker Died After Falling from Height
Ref: 1516116, WSH Alert accident notification dated 10 March 2016
On 04 March 2016, a group of workers were preparing to erect scaffolding within a ballast tank of a vessel. One of the workers fell through an opening and landed at the bottom of the tank. He was conveyed to a hospital but passed away the same day.
Click here to read more

Accident: Worker Fell Through False Ceiling
Ref: 1516120, WSH Alert accident notification dated 18 March 2016
On 11 March 2016, a worker was working above a false ceiling to install cable trunking when he fell through the false ceiling and landed on the ground. He was subsequently pronounced dead at the scene by attending paramedics.
Click here to read more

Accident: Worker Slipped and Fell Down the Stairs
On 25 March 2016, a security officer was showing his replacement around the work premises when he fell down a flight of stairs and struck his head. He was immediately conveyed to a hospital where he succumbed to his head injury the following day.
Click here to read more

Accident: Worker Fell from Roof of Building
Ref: 1617005, WSH Alert accident notification dated 08 April 2016
On 31 March 2016, a worker went to the roof of a building to check some piping works he had done the previous day. He was subsequently found at the foot of the building. He was brought to hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Click here to read more

Accident: Worker and Forklift Fell Through Opening
Ref: 1617005, WSH Alert accident notification dated 08 April 2016
On 02 April 2016, a worker was checking a forklift on the 4th storey of a building under construction when the forklift suddenly surged backwards and fell through a floor opening. He fell together with it and landed on the floor below. He was conveyed to the hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Click here to read more

Accident: Worker Found Pinned Between Truck and Wall
Ref: 1617111, WSH Alert accident notification dated 21 April 2016
On 16 Apr 2016, a worker was found pinned between the cabin of a vacuum pump truck and a wall. He was pronounced dead at the scene by attending paramedics.
Click here to read more

Spate of Crane-related dangerous occurrences in First Quarter of 2015

Date of incident: 19 Jan 2015

A crawler crane had just completed a lifting operation at a workplace in Jurong when the crane operator attempted to concurrently move his crane while hoisting up the auxiliary hook at the same time. Without realising that the hook had exceeded its allowable limit, the operator continued hoisting, resulting in the hook hitting the fly jib. The fly jib buckled and was left dangling from the boom tip. No one was injured in the incident.

Date of incident: 24 Feb 2015

A crane operator  was operating a crawler “tower” crane in a Potong Pasir workplace had left the crane’s cabin with its engine still switched on. The fly jib of the crane continued moving upwards and was hauled beyond its limits. This caused the crane to tilt backwards and subsequently collapse. The crane’s boom and a section of the fly jib fell beyond the site hoarding, and landed in the compound of one of the private houses nearby. No one was injured in the incident.

Date of incident: 25 Feb 2015

A mobile crane in a workplace at Pasir Panjang was carrying a man cage with 2 workers when a gantry crane nearby approached the boom of the mobile crane. The mobile crane operator immediately lowered the man cage to allow the workers to get out. One managed to escape uninjured just before the gantry crane collided with the mobile crane’s boom while the other worker sustained minor injuries. The collision left the mobile crane’s boom crane damaged and bent.

Date of incident: 3 Mar 2015

A 50-ton mobile crane in a workplace at Punggol was lifting a dismantled section of a tower crane jib onto a trailer when the crane suddenly started tilting.  It collapsed and hit the cabin of another mobile crane next to it. The crane operator of the mobile crane that was hit suffered minor injuries.

Date of incident: 3 Mar 2015

A luffing tower crane operator in a workplace at Marina Way was raising the crane’s jib when he suddenly felt an abrupt vibration. He immediately stopped operating the crane. It was later discovered that the jib section was damaged with several deformations found on its main chord. Investigations are currently being carried out to determine the cause of the failure. 

Date of incident: 3 Mar 2015

A bulk carrier was used to transfer sand onto a barge which was intended to be transported to a worksite at Jurong Island for the purpose of land reclamation. The luffing wire rope of the crane on the bulk carrier suddenly failed when the operator slewed the crane to refill its grabber with sand. The crane’s boom fell on a hatch cover which was within the bulk carrier.

Date of incident: 9 Mar 2015

A mobile crane was deployed at the worksite for a lifting operation to be conducted. The crane operator had positioned the outriggers of the crane and was conducting a check on its maximum working radius. The crane operator extended the boom to almost its maximum length and subsequently lowered the boom when suddenly the crane began to tilt forward and collapsed within the compound of the worksite. No one was injured in the incident. 

Source: WSH Council

Worker Pinned by Fallen Wall Formwork Panel

On 23 January 2015, four workers were assembling wall formwork panels to prepare for subsequent casting of a wall. While they were adjusting the tie rods, an 11-metre rebar cage that had been installed nearby tilted towards the wall formwork panels. This caused the formwork panel to fall inwards, pinning one of the workers between the formwork panels. The worker was rescued and conveyed to the hospital, but he succumbed to his injury subsequently. The other three workers escaped unhurt.

Figure 1: Overview of accident scene

Recommendations*

1. Stability of the rebar cage Always calculate the slenderness ratio of the rebar cage to determine the safe free-standing height. Fabricate the cage in shorter lengths where possible e.g. 5-metre cages instead of 10-metre cage.To mitigate the instability of the standing rebar cage, provide proper designed support systems such as steel props and/or guy wires. These support systems should be inspected regularly to ensure that they are not removed or have weakened.                                                Figure 2: Support systems – guy wires and steel prop. 2.Formwork safety Formwork panels should not be left in free-standing position. Stable positions can be attained by securing the formwork using tie rods, additional steel props or anchor ties. If the formwork is hoisted into position, it should be adequately secured prior to the release of the lifting hooks to prevent accidental toppling.  The Professional Engineer (PE) who designs the formwork structure shall ensure that its construction or assembly can be executed safely. PEs involved in formwork-related activities are reminded to pay attention to formwork safety, so that workers will not be at risk of any accidental collapse. 3.Work coordination and communication Proper work coordination should be established for the different work activities within the worksite, especially when works are being carried out in a constrained environment. To ensure the better management and coordination of work activities, safe work methods and procedures should be established, communicated and implemented. A permit-to-work (PTW) system should also be put in place to control hazardous work and/or simultaneous activities at the site. The PTW sets out the precautions required to complete the work safely, and serve as a means of communication between the site management and personnel.

4. Risk Assessment Conduct thorough Risk Assessments (RAs) for all work activities to manage any foreseeable risk that may arise. The RAs should look into the following areas, but not limited to: Placement of rebar cage Support for rebar cage Assembly of formwork Formwork structure stability Working at height Emergency response and recover Source: www.wshc.sg

Electrical Fire

The insulation was burnt outside the retainer clip, but inside was still in good consition. The fuse also did not blow. So, can surmise that the possible cause of fire was over-tightening of the clip.

The power point was affixed on wooden panel and there was a cabinet beside. The fire quickly spread to these but fortunately, the sprinkler was directly overhead. Damage was limited.

Learning points:
1. Do not obstruct fire fighting equipment
2. Check plugs and conenctions regularly for any sign of overheating.

2 die and 8 injured in Downtown Line accident

10 workers were working on the casting of permanent roof slab between the new and old sections of Bugis MRT station. Eight were on top of the scaffolding supporting the formwork, while two others were working below.

Then, at 6.50am, the scaffolding 4m below the surface collapsed while workers were pouring concrete into the formwork.

Eight workers were injured and sent to Raffles Hospital, and two were missing. At 9.50am, LTA said that the two workers were still unaccounted for.

Over 50 SCDF rescuers and police officers arrived at the accident site with LTA employees, construction workers and two search dogs.

Collapsed bars and planks from the scaffolding covered the underground structure like a web. Rescue workers made their way through the 30m by 5m, and 15m-deep site by cutting metal bars with a blow torch.

At around 10.40am, a body was spotted trapped under fallen scaffolding and submerged in wet cement. It took workers an hour to extract the body. At noon, the death of one worker was confirmed.

Workers from the Public Utilities Board were also seen checking sewage pipes near the site, while police officers were spotted carrying a body tent, which is usually deployed in cases where deaths occurred.

Source: http://www.asiaone.com/Motoring/News/Story/A1Story20120718-359829.html

Worker knocked off cherry picker dies

Published in the Straits Times on Jun 11, 2012

By Jennani Durai

A Bangladeshi worker died in hospital on Friday, a day after the cherry picker he was in hit an overhead bridge, throwing him to the ground.

Mr Nazrul Ali, 29, suffered head injuries from the 4m fall, as the cherry picker was at the time extended to its full height.

He is believed to have been hanging advertising banners from lamp posts when the lorry on which the cherry picker was mounted attempted to pass under an overhead bridge along Cantonment Road, near the Pinnacle@Duxton.

Mr Nazrul died in the Singapore General Hospital.

Loud bangs then fire at Tuas incinerator

Source: AsiaOne
Sunday, May 06, 2012      

SINGAPORE - An incinerator at a waste management plant in Tuas caught fire early Sunday morning. According to witness statements, three loud bangs were heard before flames were sighted.
An eyewitness told the Straits Times that technicians on duty were transporting oil sludge into a funnel leading to the incinerator when they heard the three loud explosive bangs, followed by the flames.
The technicians then sounded the alarm and left the control room, which reportedly caught fire just seconds later.
The roof also partially collapsed, reported the English daily.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said they were alerted to the fire at around 12.50am at Eco SWM, in Tuas. Deploying three fire engines, SCDF officers put out the fire within 30 minutes of their arrival.
A SCDF spokesperson said that all 25 employees who were onsite when the incident happened are accounted for. No injuries have been reported.

Worker dies after fall in Yishun

By Mark Soh
The New Paper
Thursday, May 03, 2012

He heard a loud bang coming from his block in Yishun where lift upgrading was being carried out.
This was followed by frantic shouting and the sound of running feet.
A resident who wanted to be known only as Mr Sinniah, 90, rushed out of his flat and looked over the common corridor parapet.
To his horror, he saw the body of a Indian construction worker lying in a drain.
"I have never heard the sound of a body hitting the ground after a fall.
"I thought at first that some equipment had fallen off the platform," he said.
At about 4.10pm yesterday, a construction worker fell from the eighth-storey lift landing of Block 107, Yishun Ring Road.
The block had been undergoing lift upgrading by Kienta Engineering Construction.
"It was a chilling sound," said Mr Sinniah, who lives on the seventh storey of that block.
A spokesman for the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) confirmed receiving a call at 4.22pm and dispatched an ambulance.
Paramedics certified the man was dead and handed the case to the police.

MOM also present

Officers from MOM's Occupational Safety and Health Inspectorate went to the site to investigate.
The worker had been assisting another construction worker who was operating welding equipment.
The MOM spokesman said he was reportedly retrieving an electrical cable hanging over the safety barricades at the side of the lift landing before he fell. The safety rails that straddled the platform fell with him.
When contacted, a police spokesmansaid they received a call at about 4.30pm. Upon arrival, they found the body of an Indian national in his 20s.
The case has been classified as unnatural death and investigations are ongoing.

A co-worker gave the dead man's name as Mr Dinoth Kumar. He said Mr Kumar, 24, had worked in Singapore for more than two years and had been with Kienta Engineering Construction for about eight months.
The co-worker said: "When he fell, he landed in a drain. The worker on the eighth storey who was using the welding machinery and another friend helped lift his body out of the drain."
He said that Mr Kumar had two younger brothers and elderly parents back in India.
MOM has instructed Kienta Engineering Construction to stop work at the accident scene.
When approached, a safety officer from the company declined to comment.
A resident known only as Madam Ros, 55, an odd-job worker who lives on the seventh storey, said: "I saw an ambulance arrive and paramedics rushing out.
"When I saw them return empty-handed without a stretcher or a body, I knew that he didn't make it."

This article was first published in The New Paper.

Worker Died After Falling Through Viewing Platform on Board Ship

Received by e-mail from WSH Council, dated 4 April 2012.

Recently, a worker was killed when he fell from a viewing platform on board a ship undergoing repair work. At the time of accident, he was tasked to oversee the movement of the ship from the dock. When he was walking on the viewing platform that was made of metal gratings, a section of the gratings gave way. He fell through the opening and landed on the deck about 7.8m below.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the bracket supporting the grating was corroded and gave way under his weight causing him to fall.

Schematic view of the scene of the accident

Recommendations*:

Industry stakeholders undertaking similar work activities are advised to consider the following to prevent a recurrence:

1. Conduct proper checks on all sections of the ship where workers are required to work safely;

2. Ensure safety inspections are carried out on the ship’s access and work platforms, railings, ladders and walkways, etc to ensure there are no corrosion or rusted parts before any work activities are allowed to be carried out;

3. Repair or replace corroded parts of the access and work platforms, railings, ladders and walkways, etc before allowing workers to access these areas;

4. Cordon off all unsafe work areas and put up “Danger - No Entry” signs;

5. Put up suitable safety signages at the work location to remind workers of the job hazards;

6. Supervise all work activities to ensure safe work practices are adhered to onsite.

For more information on Workplace Safety and Health, please refer to the following links below:

• Workplace Safety and Health Act (Chapter 354A), please click HERE
• Workplace Safety and Health (Risk Management) Regulations, please click HERE
• Code of Practice on WSH Risk Management, please click HERE

* Please note that the information provided is not exhaustive and is for the benefit of enhancing workplace safety and health so that a recurrence may be prevented. The information provided is not to be construed as implying any liability to any party nor should it be taken to encapsulate all the responsibilities and obligations of the reader of WSH Alert under the law.

Worker Struck by Excavator Bucket

In a recent incident that occured at night, a worker was killed after being struck by an excavator bucket.. The excavator was backfilling quarry dust to the voids at the sides of a newly constructed box culvert wall. The worker was standing near the piles of quarry dust when the bucket struck him. He passed away in hospital a few days later.

Photograph was taken after the piles of quarry dust had been removed

Recommendations*:

Stakeholders involved in similar work situations can undertake control measures such as the following to prevent recurrence:

1. During night work, workers should don personal protective equipment that increases visibility, such as reflective tape and vests, that can help improve their safety at work.

2. Prior to the start of any work, conduct an adequate risk assessment to identify all hazards and the risks involved. Control measures and safe work procedures must be established and implemented.

3. It is recommended that works that involve heavy machinery be carried out during the day, where visibility is better. This would eliminate or mitigate hazards associated with night work, for instance, reduced visibility, machine operator impairment or inattention, fatigue, lack of adequate lighting etc.

4. Ensure adequate illumination is provided when carrying out work. For more details, refer to SS 531:2008 Code of Practice for Lighting of Work Places.

5. Establish detailed method statements and safe work procedures that are specific to the tasks. The safe work procedures must be communicated to and understood by the workers carrying out the work and adhered to. It is important to detail out separate safe work procedures for day and night work, due to the significant difference in environmental conditions.

6. All persons involved in the work must be adequately trained to be competent for the job, as well as be aware of the risks and the safety precautions required. Workers who were not involved in the work should not be allowed near areas where work is done using heavy machinery.

7. Supervise workers adequately to ensure assigned tasks are carried out in a safe manner. The responsibilities of supervisors include regular inspections to identify and manage hazards at the worksite. The supervisor should ensure that safe work procedures are adhered to.

For more information on Workplace Safety and Health, please refer to the following links below:

• Workplace Safety and Health Act (Chapter 354A), please click HERE
• Workplace Safety and Health (General Provisions) Regulations, please click HERE
• Workplace Safety and Health (Risk Management) Regulations, please click HERE
• Workplace Safety and Health (Construction) Regulations, please click HERE
• Code of Practice on WSH Risk Management, please click HERE
• CP 18 : 1992 Code of Practice for Earthworks, available from SPRING Singapore
• SS 531: 2008 Code of Practice for Lighting of Work Places, available from SPRING Singapore
• SS 562 : 2010 on Code of Practice for Safety in Trenches, Pits and Other Excavated Areas, available from SPRING Singapore

*Pls note the recommendations are not exhaustive.

Original Source: Received from WSH Council via e-mail.

Bangladeshi worker killed after concrete slab falls on him

Source: AsiaOne Sunday, Mar 11, 2012

A Bangladeshi worker was killed at a Downtown MRT Line construction site near Botanic Gardens yesterday morning after a concrete slab fell on him.

The Straits Times reported that 35-year-old Masud Al Mamun was operating an excavator deep in the ground when the slab fell on him at the construction site along Evans Road, off Bukit Timah Road.

Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) rescuers had to use a breaking tool kit to break a portion of the concrete slab. It took them nearly five hours to reach the man lying motionless on the ground.
A 10-tonne jack and two airbags were used to stabilise the concrete slab before they could remove Mr Masud Al Mamun. He was pronounced dead at about 9am.

According to the English daily, Mr Masud Al Mamun was with another worker at the lowest level of the site, three to four storeys below ground, when the accident happened. They had been tasked to remove the concrete slab, which later fell on Mr Mamun. The other worker had managed to move away in time as he saw soil crumbling from above. He was not injured.

2 construction workers killed in separate accidents

One of the construction workers is a Chinese, the other a Bangladeshi

Published in The Straits Times on Mar 1, 2012

A policeman at the scene of yesterday's accident at Suites@East Coast. Mr Jaydub Kobiraz, 36, was hacking at the base of an exposed section of a 2m-long concrete pile when it collapsed and struck him on his head. In a separate accident in Fort Road yesterday, a 21m-tall crane toppled, killing a Chinese national. -- ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN

 

By Tham Yuen-C & Lee Xin En

 

Two construction workers were killed on Wednesday in separate worksite accidents.
The first, involving a 36-year-old Bangladeshi, happened at the Upper East Coast Road site for the upcoming Suites@East Coast condominium.
Mr Jaydub Kobiraz Nimoy Kobiraz was hacking at the base of an exposed section of a 2m-long concrete pile when it collapsed at about 9.30am and struck him on the back of his head, preliminary investigations by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) show.
Workers at the scene said that he fell forward, head first, and that his forehead was pierced by an iron rod, even though he was wearing a helmet. Two others who were working alongside him were unhurt.

Explosion injures 3 at Kranji Water Reclamation Plant

Published in the Straits Times on Feb 25, 2012

By Jennani Durai

 

An explosion occurred at PUB's Kranji Water Reclamation Plant late on Thursday night, injuring three workers. The men were working at an empty sludge storage tank when the explosion occurred at an adjacent tank at 11.30pm that night.

They were sent immediately to the Khoo Teck Puat Hospital in Yishun. One of the workers was discharged on the same day and the other two - who sustained head and leg injuries respectively - are now in stable condition, said the PUB in a statement on Saturday.

There were other workers at the plant that day who were not affected by the blast, added a PUB spokesman.

Worker crushed to death in dough-mixing machine

Published in the Straits Times on Feb 20, 2012

The accident last Saturday night occurred at the Eng Bee Foodstuffs factory in Defu Lane.

First his foot got trapped. Then, the foreign worker who was cleaning a dough-mixing machine got folded in as it started churning, and he was crushed.

The 25-year-old Chinese national was pronounced dead at the scene at 11.13pm, less than 15 minutes after falling in. No one could say how exactly the accident occurred, but it is believed he had been cleaning the machine just before it happened.

Crane topples over at construction site, hits multi-storey carpark

Published on Jan 18, 2012 on The Straits Times (online)

 

The mobile crane hit the top level of a carpark, which was being upgraded, in Simei yesterday.

A mobile crane tipped over at a construction site in Simei on Tuesday, hitting the top level of a multi-storey carpark that was being upgraded.

The incident happened near Block 116, Simei Street 1 at around 6.30pm. No one was injured.
The crane operator, Mr Mohamad Noor, said he was hauling cement and concrete from the ground to the third level when the crane started to topple over.
The 57-year-old, who has 'a few years' of experience operating cranes, said the bucket may have been overloaded at the time.

WSH Alert – Workers Fell together with a Cherry Picker Basket

Incident

Two workers fell to their death while they were on a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) to carry out abrasive blasting work on a vessel. They were in the basket of the MEWP (a cherry picker) about 25m from the ground, when the MEWP’s extended boom suddenly buckled. The basket, together with the two workers, dropped towards the ground and hit a keel block on the ground.

Source: WSH Council (e-mail)