Two workers die in accident at North-South Corridor worksite in Lentor Avenue
Workers at a construction site in Singapore. (File photo: AFP/Roslan Rahman)
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SINGAPORE: Two workers died on Tuesday (Sep 17) after they were struck by heavy machinery at a North-South Corridor worksite at Lentor Avenue.
In response to CNA’s queries, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said a group of workers were assembling a winch drum resting on two concrete blocks when the winch slipped off and injured four of them.
A winch drum is a cylindrical spool used to wind cables for lifting or pulling heavy loads.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it received a call for assistance at a construction site near the junction of Lentor Avenue and Yio Chu Kang Road on Tuesday at about 1.30pm.
A 39-year-old Bangladeshi construction worker was pronounced dead at the scene by an SCDF paramedic.
Three others were taken to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, where a 38-year-old local site engineer succumbed to his injuries.
The third and fourth workers sustained minor injuries and have since been discharged from hospital, LTA said.
Investigations into this incident are ongoing.
A safety time-out has also been called to review the safety procedures, LTA added.
As a general safety measure, heavy machinery or structures must be secured in a stable manner to reduce the risk of slipping or toppling, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said.
All four workers are employed by VSL Singapore, a sub-contractor engaged by the main contractor, Ssangyong Engineering and Construction, to carry out works at the North-South Corridor worksite.
The developer is LTA, said MOM.
LTA said it is deeply saddened by the accident and is working closely with the two companies to assist the families of the deceased. It is also assisting the police and MOM with their investigations.
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In September last year, a 41-year-old Bangladeshi worker was struck by a pallet of gas cylinders that toppled during a lifting operation at a North-South Corridor worksite along Cavenagh Road.
He was taken to hospital, where he died of his injuries.
The 21.5km-long North-South Corridor, which will be Singapore's first integrated transport corridor, is targeted to open in 2027.
