Singaporean worker, 31, dies after being pinned by machine; death is 45th workplace fatality in 2022
SINGAPORE — A 31-year-old worker died after an accident on Tuesday (Dec 27) morning at a building near the MacRitchie Reservoir Park despite a heightened safety period being imposed, bringing the number of workplace deaths so far this year to 45.
The Singaporean was struck and pinned down by a machine that toppled while the machine was being transferred by a forklift, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said in a statement.
The man, who was not named by MOM, was taken unconscious to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
The accident happened at 7.53am at 601 Rifle Range Road, near the start of a popular walking trail leading to the the MacRitchie Reservoir Park.
The man was employed by RCM Resources and the worksite was occupied by ST Engineering Advanced Material Engineering.
“When using forklifts, it is critical to ensure that the forks are inserted underneath the load, and the load is stable before being raised for transfer,” MOM said. “This is to prevent any accidental toppling of the load.”
The ministry has instructed the occupier to stop all lifting operations.
The number of workplace deaths this year has exceeded the 37 deaths for the whole of 2021.
To address a recent spate of workplace fatalities, MOM imposed a heightened safety period from Sept 1 to Feb 28 next year.
During this period, companies may be barred from hiring new foreign employees for up to three months if they are found to have committed serious workplace safety and health breaches after a serious or fatal workplace accident.
