Safety concerns raised after elderly man falls on slippery walkway in Teck Whye Lane

SINGAPORE: An elderly man was taken to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital after slipping and falling on a slippery walkway near Block 17 Teck Whye Lane on 3 December.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) confirmed receiving a call for assistance at approximately 6pm. Concerned residents have since raised safety concerns about the walkway, which becomes particularly hazardous during wet weather.

Teo, a Teck Whye resident who witnessed the incident, said this was not the first time an elderly resident had fallen at the location.

He noted that the slope becomes even more dangerous when it rains and commended a young lady who stopped to assist the injured man.

According to Mr Teo, he had previously highlighted the issue to Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, on 21 November.

Despite assurances that the Chua Chu Kang Town Council would investigate, he expressed frustration that another accident had occurred just weeks later.

Town Council’s Response

In response to queries, the Chua Chu Kang Town Council acknowledged receiving feedback about the slippery walkway prior to the 3 December incident.

“As a precaution, we put up prominent warning signs on several pillars along the walkway cautioning users to be careful and to note that the floor can get slippery when wet,” said a spokesperson.

The town council added that contractors have been instructed to apply an anti-slip coating to the affected area, although its completion has been delayed by inclement weather.

The walkway has also been jet-sprayed to remove algae that may have formed due to the rainy season.

“Safety is always one of our top priorities. We urge residents to exercise caution during the wet year-end season,” the spokesperson said.

Netizens criticise tile choices

A Facebook post by Stomp about the incident drew nearly 200 comments, with many netizens criticising the use of slippery tiles in public spaces, particularly those prone to wet conditions.

One commenter stated that building owners, contractors, and tile suppliers should possess adequate knowledge to select appropriate tiles for outdoor and wet-prone areas.

They suggested that suppliers categorise their products to advise consumers, particularly when architects or designers fail to make safe choices.

Another commenter expressed frustration over HDB’s use of glossy or smooth tiles for outdoor walkways, calling them a slip hazard when wet.

They emphasised the irony of having years of experience in building HDB flats yet failing to address safety concerns in tile selection.

Several users pointed out specific issues in HDB estates, noting how the tiles exacerbate dangers for residents.

One commenter mentioned that ground-floor lift lobbies in HDB blocks are often tiled with slippery materials, creating hazards during rainy weather or cleaning.

Another pointed out that anti-slip tiles used in some areas are still very slippery, even on dry days, questioning the efficacy of these materials in making HDB estates senior-friendly.

Personal experiences of slipping

Some users shared personal incidents of slipping on such tiles, highlighting the widespread nature of the problem.

One user revealed they had nearly fallen multiple times on slippery tiles despite being young and questioned why authorities could not use anti-slip cement instead.

Another shared their experience of falling and described the added risks during heavy rains, such as poor lighting in void decks and pathways, making it even more dangerous for pedestrians.

Calls for accountability

Another criticised the authorities, particularly HDB and town councils along with their managing agents, for ignoring the risks posed by smooth tiles in outdoor and wet-prone areas, expressing disbelief that such decisions persist despite their extensive experience in constructing and maintaining buildings, walkways, and footpaths.