3 passersby injured after hoarding board collapses at Jurong Point

Three people passing by a store unit undergoing renovation at Jurong Point were injured after a hoarding board came crashing down on them on Thursday evening (Feb 24).

A 34-year-old man and a 51-year-old woman were conveyed to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, while conscious, following the incident, said a Singapore Civil Defence Force representative.

A third passerby was assessed for minor injuries yet refused hospital conveyance.

The incident involved the collapse of a hoarding board outside a third-floor store unit leased out by department store BHG, reported Chinese-language newspaper Shin Min Daily News.

The wooden hoarding board had a metal frame, the report noted.

Police investigations are ongoing.

“Jurong Point’s operations and security teams responded immediately to render assistance to the injured shoppers,” said a Jurong Point spokesperson to the Straits Times.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) also confirmed it was investigating the workplace accident, which happened at about 5:50 pm.

Mercatus Co-operative, the mall operator, was instructed to conduct thorough checks to ensure the proper installation of all hoarding boards in the mall.

The two individuals who were hospitalised were discharged the following day, added MOM.

Commenting on the incident, members from the online community with construction work backgrounds noted that the hoarding structure used was not properly designed.

“Clearly, the construction of the hoarding is using gypsum boards 9mm or 12mm thick using metal studs, the height over 4m,” said a Facebook user.

 

“From the photo, there is not enough tie back and the top channel not mounted. It should have an internal tie back to the floor. Clearly, this hoarding structure is not properly designed or even have a design at all. Should have used lightweight panels and properly tie back done.”

Another netizen said that hoarding boards are usually made of thin plywood and a hollow aluminium frame for a lightweight structure.

“Someone has to take responsibly for the shoddy work,” said a Facebook user.

Caught on camera: False ceiling near Golden Mile Complex entrances collapses