Tragedy struck on Monday, July 9th, as a 33-year-old worker from India lost his life in a devastating accident involving a heavy vehicle at a worksite in Jurong West, according to a report by The Straits Times.
On July 9th, at approximately 3:40 PM, the accident occurred along 1 Buroh Close. The victim, a 33-year-old worker employed by BSN Tech Engineering, was preparing his tipper truck for unloading when a wheel loader reversed into him.
Tragically, the impact proved fatal, and the worker was pronounced dead at the scene.
Star Ready-Mix, a supplier of ready-mix concrete in Singapore, occupied the work site where the accident took place.
Investigation by the Ministry of Manpower
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has launched a thorough investigation into the accident to determine the causes and possible lapses in safety measures.
As a result of the incident, MOM has instructed the occupier of the worksite to halt all vehicular operations until the investigation is complete.
Melvin Yong, the MP for the Radis Mas SMC and also the Assistant Secretary-General and director at the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), addressed the recent spate of workplace accidents in a Facebook post.
Melvin Yong’s Facebook post
[Disturbing series of workplace accidents]
In the past 1.5 months, we have witnessed a disturbing trend in workplace safety that demands our immediate attention and action.
With the unfortunate occurrence of the 15th fatality this year alone and the 4th fatality after the announcement of exit from Heighten Safety Period (HSP) on 31 May 2023, we need to step up our efforts and prioritise the safety and well-being of every single person working within every organisation.
Each loss of life is a devastating event that leaves an indelible mark on the affected worker’s family and others who are involved. We must not let these tragedies be repeated again and again, for every life lost represents a profound failure on everyone who did not fulfil their duty of care to our workers.
In light of recent events, NTUC and its affiliated unions urge every company and organisation to take immediate and decisive action to rectify this unacceptable situation and do right for all persons who are working. The companies and organisations should carry out the following:
- Safety Timeout: A planned event whereby companies take time off from their daily work routine to take stock of and review the existing workplace safety and health (WSH) systems and work processes or particular activity; and thereafter implement necessary measures to keep safety practices in check and uphold good WSH standards.
- Training and Education: Invest in comprehensive safety training programs for all employees, regardless of their role or tenure. This training will not be a one-time event but an ongoing process to reinforce the importance of safety, enhance hazard identification skills, and foster a culture of proactive safety awareness.
- Employee Engagement and Empowerment: We believe that safety is a collective responsibility, and everyone in any organisation must actively participate in maintaining a safe workplace. Reporting unsafe practices saves lives. Companies must therefore provide open communication channels and empower employees to report hazards, near-misses, and potential risks without fear of reprisal. We strongly encourage every organisations to establish a dedicated safety committee and clear reporting channels to ensure continuous feedback and improvement.
NTUC and its affiliated unions will continue to work with companies’ management and workers to create a workplace where safety is paramount, and every individual feels valued, protected, and secure.