Two more workplace fatalities, including worker hit by forklift at Kranji Water Reclamation Plant

SINGAPORE: Two more workplace fatalities were reported in August, including a 65-year-old man who was hit by a forklift at Kranji Water Reclamation Plant.

This brings the number of workplace deaths to 36 this year, of which five occurred this month, said the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on Saturday (Aug 27).

The incident at Kranji Water Reclamation Plant happened on Aug 25.

The worker, a 65-year-old Singaporean man, was hit by a forklift while loading it onto a lorry. 

"While he was securing the forklift to the lorry, the forklift suddenly moved forward and ran over him," said MOM, adding that he was taken to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital where he died later that day.

Water agency PUB, which operates the plant, said that the worker was at the facility to collect a forklift rented by its contractor SANLI Engineering and Construction. 

SANLI was carrying out works at the plant and had engaged the man's employer, Synergy-Biz, to transport the forklift.

"PUB express our deepest condolences to the deceased's family. We are in touch with our contractor to render support to the family," the agency said in a statement on Saturday, adding that together with its contractor, it will assist MOM with investigations.

The other fatality involved a 32-year-old Bangladeshi rigger who died on Aug 26 at a construction site at 60 Woodlands Industrial Park D Street 2.

An employee of Senda Construction, he was working on unloading the base of a concrete lamp-post via a lorry loader at a construction site.

"During the unrigging, the load toppled onto him," said MOM. "He was pronounced dead at the scene by an SCDF paramedic."

The Manpower Ministry said it is "deeply concerned" with the high number of workplace fatalities this year.

It will introduce further measures to strengthen workplace safety, adding that more information will be announced when a review is complete.

MORE SAFETY MEASURES IN PLACE

MOM has ramped up inspections and enforcement actions since April.

In June, it also announced measures such as higher composition fines for offences that were uncovered during inspections.

In addition, MOM revised the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Guidelines for Design for Safety, and provided detailed checklists for developers and contractors.

This will allow them to incorporate safety in the planning and design phase of projects, said Senior Minister of State for Manpower Zaqy Mohamad on Thursday.

He also stressed that companies need to be self-motivated to be safe, and this often depends on the culture and processes set by top management.

To encourage that, MOM is finalising the Code of Practice (COP) on Chief Executives’ and Board of Directors’ WSH Duties.

The COP will highlight WSH responsibilities for management and boards, and the courts may consider the COP when assessing the culpability of company leaders and its board when an accident occurs.

On Saturday, the ministry reiterated that employers must take more responsibility for the safety of all their workers.

"All workers must also place safety as their priority, watch out for unsafe workplace practices, and bring them to the attention of supervisors and MOM," it added.

"MOM expects all employers and supervisors to give their utmost priority to the safety of their workers. Employers of recent fatalities have been instructed to stop all work and thoroughly review their systems and processes."