A 23-year-old construction worker has died after a formwork structure collapsed onto a lorry at a worksite along Jurong Port Road on Monday morning.
Emergency services were alerted to the incident at around 9:50am on Aug. 3, with rescue teams rushing to the construction site where a worker had become trapped inside the vehicle.
Images circulating online showed the lorry severely crushed beneath the fallen structure as rescuers worked to free the victim.
Formwork Fell from Fifth Storey During Repositioning
According to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the worker was struck when a formwork structure fell from the fifth storey of a building that was under construction.
The structure was reportedly being repositioned when the accident occurred. During the collapse, it landed on top of a lorry, trapping the worker in the driver’s seat.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) confirmed that firefighters and rescuers worked alongside site employees to remove the heavy formwork from the vehicle. Hydraulic rescue equipment was used to extricate the trapped worker.
Despite the rescue efforts, the 23-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene by an SCDF paramedic.
Incident Took Place at Jurong Port Development
Jurong Port confirmed that the deceased was employed at the construction site for its upcoming Integrated Construction and Prefabrication Hub, a major development scheduled for completion in 2027.
Following the fatal workplace accident, MOM directed the site’s occupier, HPC Builders, the project’s main contractor, to immediately cease all formwork-related activities while investigations are carried out.
Such stop-work orders are commonly issued after serious workplace incidents to allow investigators to examine whether existing safety procedures were followed and to prevent similar accidents from occurring.
Investigations Underway
Jurong Port said it is working closely with its contractors to provide assistance and support to the victim’s family during this difficult period.
Both Jurong Port and the Ministry of Manpower have launched investigations to determine the circumstances that led to the collapse.
The findings are expected to establish whether there were any breaches of workplace safety regulations or operational procedures.
Workplace Safety Remains a National Priority
Singapore continues to place significant emphasis on improving workplace safety, particularly within the construction sector, which remains one of the country’s higher-risk industries.
The Ministry of Manpower regularly conducts inspections and enforces strict safety requirements on worksites. Companies found to have breached workplace safety regulations may face stop-work orders, financial penalties or prosecution depending on the outcome of investigations.
The fatal incident serves as another reminder of the dangers associated with heavy construction work and the importance of adhering to stringent safety measures when handling large formwork structures and lifting operations.