MOM issues stop-work orders following two fatal accidents

SINGAPORE — The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has ordered two companies to stop work at their worksites because of safety lapses that led to two workers dying in separate accidents in the last fortnight.

In the first case at Zoom Engineering’s metalworking factory on Oct 30, a worker was fatally pinned under steel plates that had been dislodged during a lifting operation.

The MOM found problems with the firm’s work processes and the way it used machinery and carried out lifting activities.

The second fatal accident happened less than a week later at the Punggol Way/Punggol Road worksite under the China Railway No 8 - WSHC JV, where a worker fell to his death from the bucket of an excavator that was used to lift him and a co-worker out of a 5m-deep shaft on Nov 5.

The ministry’s inspection showed that excavation works were being carried out in an unsafe manner at the worksite, such as without proper shoring or access. There were also falling hazards at open sides of many areas that were left unguarded. There was also no access control to the worksite and no means of traffic management within the worksite.

Zoom Engineering and China Railway No 8-WSHC JV must rectify the lapses before they will be allowed to resume work, said the ministry in a press release today (Nov 9), which added that “the lack of responsibility ... had cost two workers their lives”.

The MOM added that it takes a very serious view of these lapses which show “clear disregard by the (factory) occupiers to put in place basic safety measures”.

Minister of State for Manpower Sam Tan said these lapses were “totally unacceptable”.

He added: “They could have been avoided with effective control and management of the worksite. It is deplorable for companies to subject their workers to such foreseeable risks.

“We will take stern action against these errant companies who had failed to ensure a safe workplace for their workers.”

The MOM said that if investigations show that the two companies have failed to take reasonably practicable measures to ensure the safety and health of their employees at work, they will be charged under the Workplace Safety and Health Act. For a first offence, the maximum punishment is a S$500,000 fine.

“All companies are required to carry out risk assessments and implement necessary safety measures for their work activities to ensure that the lives of their workers are not put at unnecessary risk,” the ministry added.