Worker dies after being struck by concrete block at Jurong Island demolition site

SINGAPORE: A worker at a demolition site on Jurong Island was killed on 5 December 2024 after being struck by a large concrete block.

As reported by Lianhe Zaobao, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) confirmed the incident occurred around 5.40pm.

SCDF said the worker was operating a drill excavator as part of demolition activities when the fatal incident occurred.

The worker was struck by a large concrete block, which caused fatal injuries.

SCDF paramedics who arrived at the scene pronounced the worker dead shortly after the incident. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident are underway.

19 workplace fatalities in first half of 2024

On 9 October, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) released  Singapore’s Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) performance report for the first half of 2024.

The report revealed that 19 workers lost their lives to workplace injuries, an increase from 14 fatalities recorded during the same period in 2023.

Vehicular incidents were the leading cause of death, followed by falls from a height and the collapse or breakdown of structures and equipment.

These causes accounted for 11 of the fatalities – 58 per cent of the total deaths.

The construction, marine, transportation and storage, and manufacturing industries were responsible for 63 per cent of the 19 fatalities.

As of now, at least 30 workplace fatalities have occurred in 2024. In comparison, 36 workplace deaths were reported in 2023.

Recent workplace incidents

On 7 November, a worker employed to clean marine debris fell into the waters near the Woodlands Waterfront Jetty. His body was recovered after an extensive search-and-rescue operation.

On 21 October, a 55-year-old Chinese construction worker was killed at a Yishun site when a steel gate frame fell on him.

In another incident, a 38-year-old Bangladeshi worker was fatally struck by a precast concrete drain channel at a Housing and Development Board project site along McNair Road.

On 29 September, a 44-year-old Bangladeshi worker tragically lost his life in an accident at a construction site within Resorts World Sentosa (RWS).

The incident occurred while a group of workers was assembling a winch drum on two concrete blocks. The winch slipped, causing injuries to four workers.