Worker dies after getting trapped under cement truck in Bedok

Singapore – A worker passed away at a Bedok worksite after getting trapped under a cement truck on Friday (Sept 17).

The accident happened on Friday evening at a construction site along Bedok North Street 2.

It was reported that a 37-year-old worker was found trapped underneath a cement truck.

The truck was parked next to a dented fence at the worksite, reported Chinese newspaper Lianhe Wanbao.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) arrived at the scene and extricated the worker.

He was later pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

The police confirmed that the 26-year-old cement truck driver was arrested for negligent driving causing death.

Police investigations are ongoing.

One of the most recent workplace-related incidents was on Sept 4, when a formwork structure collapsed, taking with it two workers.

According to a Workplace Safety and Health Council advisory on Sept 17, a group of workers were carrying out work on the third floor of a private dwelling when the formwork structure they were on collapsed.

The formwork was not designed by a professional engineer (PE), noted the WSH Alert.

Workers are advised to appoint a professional engineer to design and certify formwork structures where required.

“Do not start concreting works for PE-designed formwork structures until the formwork structure has been inspected and certified by the PE,” said WSH.

It was reported that the two workers that fell were conveyed to the hospital.

In February this year, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) heightened enforcement action against firms that disregard or lack proper measures safeguarding their workers.

In 2020, there were 30 workplace fatalities reported and seven in Feb 2021, prompting MOM to enforce stricter measures.

“MOM will not hesitate to take strict enforcement actions against companies who do not have the proper measures in place to safeguard the safety and health of their employees,” said Senior Minister of State for Manpower Zaqy Mohamad in a Facebook post.

“Actions will also be taken against any worker who is caught operating any machinery or equipment that they are not authorised or trained to operate. In the case of foreign workers, such actions may include cancellation of their work passes.”/TISG

Read related: S’porean mover dies after falling 7 storeys at Robertson Quay condominium

S’porean mover dies after falling 7 storeys at Robertson Quay condominium