Worker killed at Sentosa construction site

Scaffolding supporting a beam collapsed at the construction site of Sentosa’s Family Entertainment Centre yesterday, killing one worker and injuring 11 others.

The new facility, which is being built along Palawan Beach, was due to be completed at the end of this year.

According to a statement released by the Sentosa Development Corporation, Sentosa Rangers and beach patrol officers “were immediately activated to provide assistance on site”.

“Our first concern is for the well-being of the injured workers and we are working closely with the main contractor, Debenho Pte Ltd, and the Singapore Civil Defence Force,” the statement said.

The injured workers were taken to the Singapore General Hospital; all of them were reported to be in stable conditions and one has since been discharged.

Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin said on his blog that he is "appalled" at the recent spate of workplace accidents and that they are "not tenable".

"2014 has started on a sombre note. To date, eight workers have lost their lives to workplace accidents," he wrote. "It is an employer's basic responsibility to ensure that every worker returns home safely at the end of a hard day's work. Employers must do everything they can to fulfill this responsibility."

He stated these accidents could have been avoided, and that they had happened in spite of increased efforts to step up workplace inspections.

He added the latest accident will be investigated thoroughly and "we will not hesitate to take action against parties responsible for the lapses."