A group of workers were at a construction site along Lentor Avenue on the afternoon of 17 September when a winch drum suddenly slid off its temporary seating on two concrete blocks. Four workers were struck by the falling drum. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was called to the scene at around 1:30 pm. A 39-year-old Bangladeshi construction worker was pronounced dead at the scene by an SCDF paramedic. A 38-year-old local site engineer later succumbed to his injuries after being taken to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital along with two other injured workers.
Background
The incident occurred at the North-South Corridor (NSC) worksite, a significant infrastructure project in Singapore. The section of the NSC where the accident happened stretches between Ang Mo Kio Avenue 9 and Sungei Seletar. The main contractor for this project is the South Korean company Ssangyong Engineering and Construction Co Ltd. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has stated that the employer of the deceased and injured workers is VSL Singapore Pte Ltd, while the Land Transport Authority (LTA) is the developer.
Aftermath of accident
The aftermath of the fatal incident was captured in a photograph that was later uploaded to a Telegram group chat. The image shows a worker, wearing a safety helmet and high-visibility jacket, lying face down on the ground. Another worker, who appears to have a knee injury, is seen sitting next to the fallen worker, while a third worker attends to the injured.
Worksite building section of North-South Corridor
The incident took place at the NSC worksite, which involves constructing a 1.28km-long underground expressway and a 1.1km-long section of viaduct. The worksite had previously won the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Award in 2021 for its outstanding safety practices and exemplary safety records.
MOM investigating
A Ministry of Manpower (MOM) spokesperson confirmed that the incident occurred around 1:20 pm on 17 September. The spokesperson emphasised that heavy machinery or structures must be secured in a stable manner to reduce the risk of slipping or toppling. MOM is currently investigating the incident to determine the cause and any lapses in safety protocols.
LTA working with contractors to assist deceased’s families
In response to queries, an LTA spokesperson expressed deep sadness over the fatal accident. The spokesperson noted that the two injured workers have since been discharged from the hospital after sustaining minor injuries. LTA is working closely with Ssangyong and VSL to assist the families of the deceased. The spokesperson added that LTA takes a serious view of safety incidents and has called for a safety time-out to review safety procedures. Investigations into the incident are ongoing, and LTA is assisting MOM and the police with their inquiries.
