Worker dies at Great Earth Construction's worksite

A fatal accident took place at Great Earth Construction’s worksite at 11 Mandalay Road on February 17, 2016, where preliminary findings indicate a worker fell to his death when the floor crane he was operating dragged him along when it toppled over the edge of the floor and fell off the building.

The worker was pronounced dead at the scene by attending paramedics. The developer is Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine.

Officers from the Ministry of Manpower's (MOM’s) Occupational Safety and Health Inspectorate responded to the scene immediately and commenced investigations.

Another worker on the ground level at the time of the accident sustained leg injuries after being hit by debris caused by the impact of the fallen floor crane. He was sent to the hospital for treatment.

MOM’s inspection of the worksite revealed several serious safety lapses, such as:

• Many open sides that were not barricaded posed a falling hazard to workers;
• Access to work areas were not made safe;
• Presence of unsafe scaffolding; and
• Lifting gears used for lifting operations were not properly maintained.

MOM has issued a full stop-work order, wherein the occupier is required to rectify the non-conformances before work operations are allowed to resume.

The recent spate of accidents causing workplace fatalities is a major cause of concern.

Chan Yew Kwong, director of the Occupational Safety and Health Inspectorate, said: "Given the number and severity of safety lapses found during MOM’s inspection, MOM will be taking stern enforcement actions against the company."

He added that such companies will be placed under surveillance and be issued demerit points for the full stop-work order as well as fines for the safety contraventions observed.

Image: Shutterstock