State coroner Adam Nakhoda delivered his findings into the death of 49-year-old Mr Teo Ser Kiong on 19 May, who was crushed to death by a shipping container that weighed more than 2 tonnes.
It was found that the stacker operator who was moving the container didn’t comply with safety procedures and that the deceased had also not complied with a key requirement of the Traffic Management Plan (TMP).
Co-worker didn’t follow safety protocols
A tragic incident occurred at a depot in Pioneer Crescent on October 1, 2021, resulting in the death of a quality control surveyor. The state coroner, Adam Nakhoda, conducted an investigation and determined that the operator responsible for moving the shipping container had neglected safety protocols.
According to State Coroner Nakhoda’s report, the stacker operator, Mr Arumugam Ganesan, was manoeuvring a stacker and simultaneously lowering a container when the accident happened. Regrettably, he failed to notice that Mr Teo Ser Kiong was in the intended placement area, causing the container to descend onto Mr Teo.
The primary cause of the accident, as determined by the State Coroner, was the stacker operator’s failure to adhere to the safe work procedures for moving and positioning shipping containers. Moreover, it was discovered that Mr Teo, 49, an operations executive for Allied Container (Engineers & Manufacturers), had not fulfilled a crucial requirement outlined in the firm’s traffic management plan (TMP).
Deceased also didn’t inform manager he was going to be in the working area
According to the findings dated May 19, 2023, Mr Teo neglected to inform the depot manager of his presence in the working area where the containers were stored. The TMP specifically mandated that staff notify the depot manager before entering such an area. The depot manager, in turn, would then inform stacker operators, enabling them to either avoid the area or cease work in the relevant section where the staff member would be present.
State Coroner Nakhoda concluded that Mr Teo’s demise was an unfortunate workplace accident. While attempts had been made to designate separate areas for pedestrians and vehicles within the depot, the demarcation was inconsistently maintained due to erosion, causing the lines to fade. Stressing the importance of maintaining clearly marked pedestrian walkways regardless of the fading lines, the State Coroner stated that more frequent repainting should have been done if necessary.
If distinct areas for vehicles and pedestrians had been clearly marked, it is possible that Mr Teo would have recognized that he was standing in a non-pedestrian area and relocated to a safer zone to complete his task.
Mr. Teo had been employed by Allied since March 1, 2015. His responsibilities included surveying, inspecting, and verifying containers within the depot, primarily utilized for storing empty shipping containers. Prior to the tragic incident, he was observed standing in a storage area, holding a stack of papers and inspecting some containers.
Pronounced dead at the scene
Around 8:45 a.m. on October 1, 2021, Mr Arumugam utilized a stacker to relocate a container measuring 6.06m in length, 2.44m in width, and 2.59m in height. When fully lowering the container to the ground, he noticed that it was unevenly positioned. Based on his experience, he deduced that something was underneath the container.
Mr Arumugam raised the container with the stacker and discovered Mr Teo lying on the ground. He immediately exited the stacker and informed a depot manager about the incident. The police and Singapore Civil Defence Force were notified around 9 a.m., and unfortunately, Mr Teo, who sustained multiple injuries, was pronounced dead at the scene.
This tragedy marked the 30th workplace fatality in 2021. Throughout the entire year, there were a total of 37 workplace deaths. In 2022, there were 46 workplace fatalities, and as of May 23, 2023, there have been 11 workplace deaths.
To enhance worker safety, starting from June 2024, companies will be required to implement video surveillance systems at construction sites for projects valued at $5 million or more. This new requirement, announced by the Ministry of Manpower, is part of a comprehensive set of measures aimed at reducing workplace fatalities and injuries.