CapitaLand charged after worker died from falling through ceiling at Tampines Mall

SINGAPORE — CapitaLand Retail Management was charged on Thursday (Aug 4) with safety lapses, after a migrant worker died more than two years ago from falling through a false ceiling at Tampines Mall.

The 26-year-old man from India was cleaning a walkway above the mall’s atrium ceiling on level four at around 1am on Jan 25, 2020 when he crashed through the ceiling to level three.

He died from his injuries at Changi General Hospital.

Tampines Mall is run by CapitaLand Retail Management, which now faces a charge under the Workplace Safety and Health Act of failing to take reasonably practicable measures to ensure the mall was safe for everyone.

It is accused of failing to provide effective guardrails to prevent any falls through an opening along the concrete walkway.

It also allegedly failed to provide and maintain sufficient and suitable lighting at every part on the fifth floor, where people are passing by or at work.

If convicted, the company could be fined up to S$500,000.

The death of the worker, who was not named either in court documents or when the incident happened, was believed to be the fourth to happen in a workplace since the start of 2020.

He was employed by Cleaning Express Pte Ltd. The company said in a statement at the time that it was investigating why he was working in an area that he has been briefed not to do so, in line with work and safety regulations, given the evident dangers involved.