In a tragic turn of events, Singapore’s construction sector is making headlines for incidents that highlight ongoing safety concerns. Just a day apart, two separate incidents have raised alarms about workplace safety practices in the industry.
Deadly Accident at Jurong Island
A 58-year-old construction worker suffered a fatal accident on 5 December 2024 when a large concrete block struck him at a demolition site on Jurong Island. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) reported that they received a call for help around 5.40 pm for the incident at 3 Seraya Avenue.
At the time of the accident, the worker was operating a drill excavator tasked with demolishing concrete structures when a part of these structures collapsed. He was pronounced dead at the scene by a paramedic.
Both the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) are investigating the incident. In their joint statement, they noted that demolition work must be meticulously planned to prevent such tragic occurrences. Following the incident, MOM has issued a stop-work order for the site, and BCA has revoked the builder’s permit.
Worker Hospitalised After Fall from Height
In a separate incident just the day before, another worker fell about 9 metres from a metal platform at a construction site for the Jurong Region Line. This accident occurred near Block 737 Jurong West Street 75 in the early hours of 4 December 2024.
The worker was conscious when transported to the National University Hospital for medical care, according to the Land Transport Authority (LTA). Investigations into this fall are currently underway. LTA has initiated a safety timeout at the site to review safety protocols in collaboration with the main contractor, China Railway 11 Bureau Group Corporation.
Statistics indicate that falls from height are among the leading causes of workplace injuries and fatalities in Singapore’s construction sector. Recently, the MOM highlighted concerns, noting a disturbing trend with 10 deaths reported between July and October 2024, suggesting a potential decline in safety emphasis.
Ongoing Support and Investigations
MOM is actively conducting investigations into both incidents and is collaborating with other authorities to improve workplace safety. In light of these accidents, greater attention is needed to enforce and uphold safety standards in the construction industry.