A Land Transport Authority (LTA) engineer has been counselled after a video surfaced showing him shouting at two contractors and even striking one of them with a driving licence. The incident, which quickly spread on social media, raised questions about workplace professionalism and the standards expected of public officers.
In the video uploaded to Facebook, the engineer was seen confronting the two workers, questioning them about their failure to wear seatbelts. He repeatedly demanded to see their driving licences and reminded them of lessons from driving school. At one point, he smacked one of the contractors on the helmet with a licence before throwing it on the ground and continuing his scolding.
The video drew swift public reaction, with many viewers criticising the aggressive approach taken by the engineer, despite the legitimate safety issue being highlighted.
LTA Responds, Calls Behaviour “Inappropriate”
In a statement, LTA confirmed awareness of the incident and acknowledged that while the engineer was addressing safety lapses, his manner of doing so was unacceptable. The authority stressed that it “does not condone such behaviour” and has since counselled the officer involved.
According to LTA, the engineer expressed regret, apologised to the affected staff, and was reminded of the standards of conduct expected of all employees. The authority also reiterated its commitment to ensuring respectful and professional behaviour while upholding safety standards at worksites.
This episode comes at a time when workplace conduct, staff welfare, and accountability in Singapore’s public service continue to be under scrutiny. With videos spreading rapidly on platforms like Facebook, incidents that previously might have gone unnoticed are now brought into public view within hours.
Balancing Safety and Professional Conduct
The case highlights the delicate balance between enforcing safety regulations and maintaining professionalism. While workplace safety remains a top priority, especially in industries like construction and transport, the enforcement of rules must be carried out in a manner that preserves respect for workers.
Experts note that proper communication training is essential for supervisors and engineers, particularly in high-risk sectors. Harsh or humiliating behaviour not only risks damaging morale but can also undermine public trust in institutions.
For now, LTA has pledged to reinforce the importance of respectful conduct in its ongoing training and guidance for staff, hoping to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.