SINGAPORE: A 29-year-old Bangladeshi migrant worker was killed last week after being struck by a reversing dump truck at a construction site in Yishun. The tragedy has once again cast a spotlight on worksite safety and the vulnerability of migrant workers in Singapore’s construction workforce.
The accident occurred at approximately 9:30 a.m. on Friday morning (May 23) at 71 Lorong Chencharu, where the worker was assisting with surveying work.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said the deceased was employed by Koh Kock Leong Construction Pte Ltd. The construction project is commissioned by the Housing and Development Board (HDB) and is being carried out by a joint venture between Yeng Tong Construction and Koh Kock Leong Enterprises.
MOM said that as part of standard safety protocol, reversing vehicles at worksites should be guided by trained site traffic controllers, with clear and continuous communication maintained between drivers and guides, particularly in areas with restricted visibility or the presence of workers.
It remains unclear if this safety protocol was being followed at the time of the incident.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it received a call for assistance at 10:05 a.m. Paramedics who arrived at the scene pronounced the man dead on site. He had sustained fatal injuries from the impact of the vehicle.
Police confirmed that a 61-year-old man, believed to be the driver of the dump truck, has been arrested on suspicion of reckless conduct causing death. Investigations are ongoing.