The National Environment Agency (NEA) and two of their employees were charged in court on 26 December with charges relating to workplace safety offences over a fatal explosion at the Tuas Incineration Plant (TIP) that took place in 2021, according to a report by The Straits Times.
The incident resulted in the tragic deaths of two NEA employees, Mr. Kwok Yeow Wai and Mr. Wee Eng Leng, and the injury of another, Mr. Low Yin Choon.
The charges allege failures on NEA’s part to ensure the safety and health of its employees, leading to the devastating outcome.
Background of the Explosion
The fatal explosion occurred on September 23, 2021, at the Tuas Incineration Plant. The blast, which took place at around 3:15 pm, was attributed to a fault in the control room’s industrial fan, which could not be remotely switched off. Mr. Kwok, Mr. Wee, and Mr. Low were sent to troubleshoot the issue and were inside an electrical switch room when the explosion occurred. The incident resulted in the deaths of two of the men and severe burn injuries to the third.
Charges Against NEA and Employees
The charges, issued on December 26, assert that NEA failed to take necessary measures to ensure the safety and health of its employees, contributing to the deaths of Mr. Kwok and Mr. Wee.
The alleged failures also resulted in the injury of Mr. Low. Christopher Lee Yew Binn, former divisional director of the waste infrastructure operations and management division of NEA, and Ng Wah Yong, then general manager of TIP, each face a charge under the Workplace Safety and Health Act.
According to the charge sheets, NEA is accused of failing to ensure that the permit-to-work system for high-voltage switchgear racking works complied with electrical installation regulations.
The agency is also alleged to have inadequately implemented control measures and established safe work procedures for these operations.
Ng is charged with failing to ensure the permit-to-work system complied with regulations, among other acts of negligence, while Lee is charged with approving the system despite non-compliance.
NEA’s Response and Current Status of Employees
NEA, in response to the charges, stated that it would study them with its legal counsel. Lee and Ng, who are still with NEA, have been redeployed to non-operational roles pending the outcome of the proceedings.
NEA expressed deep sorrow over the loss of its two officers and mentioned that the injured employee, who has since recovered, has returned to work.
NEA Issues Statement
The National Environment Agency (NEA) has been charged under the Workplace Safety and Health Act (WSHA) in connection with the localised explosion that occurred at the Tuas Incineration Plant (TIP) on 23 September 2021. TIP, which was operated by NEA, has since been decommissioned in 2022. NEA will study the charge with our legal counsel.
2. Two NEA officers have also been charged under the WSHA in connection with the same incident. Both officers have been re-deployed to non-operational roles pending the outcome of the proceedings.
3. The incident at the TIP resulted in the deaths of two NEA officers. Their passing continues to be deeply felt by the NEA community. A third NEA officer who suffered serious injuries during the incident has since recovered and returned to work.
4. NEA is fully committed to promoting workplace safety and health throughout our organisation, including at our waste management facilities. We will continue to strive for improvements in operational excellence, safety, and resilience.
5. NEA has cooperated fully with MOM during investigations into the incident. As the matter is now before the Court, we are unable to comment further.
Minister Grace Fu Issues Statement
