A 35-year-old construction worker has died after being struck by a hose connected to a compressed-air pump at a worksite along Jurong Port Road, prompting an investigation by Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower.
The fatal incident happened at about 8.20pm on Sept 11 at 37 Jurong Port Road, where the worker was carrying out foundation works.
Police and Singapore Civil Defence Force officers were alerted to the work-related incident at around 8.30pm. The worker was pronounced dead at the scene by an SCDF paramedic.
Police said preliminary investigations do not suggest foul play.
MOM orders concreting works to stop
The Ministry of Manpower has confirmed that it is investigating the workplace death.
MOM identified Keller Foundations (S E Asia) as both the occupier of the worksite and the employer of the deceased worker.
The ministry has instructed the company to stop all concreting works at the site while investigations continue.
The incident occurred within Jurong Port’s yard, where ground-strengthening works were being carried out.
Keller Foundations said it was deeply saddened by the fatal incident and expressed its condolences to the worker’s family, friends and colleagues.
The company said it is cooperating with the authorities investigating the case.
Dangers of compressed-air equipment
The incident has also highlighted the serious risks associated with pressurised equipment on construction sites.
MOM said compressed-air systems must be properly isolated and fully depressurised before hoses, tools or fittings are disconnected.
Workers must also take measures to prevent hoses and other pressurised components from moving unexpectedly when connections are released.
A hose connected to a compressed-air system can move violently if pressure is suddenly released or a connection fails, creating a potentially fatal hazard for workers nearby.
The exact circumstances that caused the hose to strike the worker have not been established and remain subject to investigation.
Second workplace death along Jurong Port Road in weeks
The latest fatality comes just weeks after another workplace death in the same area.
On Aug 3, a 23-year-old Bangladeshi worker died after scaffolding collapsed onto a lorry he was inside at a construction site at 30 Jurong Port Road.
The two incidents have renewed attention on workplace safety at construction sites along the busy industrial corridor.
Construction work involves a range of high-risk activities, including heavy machinery, pressurised systems, lifting operations and ground-strengthening works.
For now, investigators will determine what happened before the hose struck the worker and whether any safety procedures were breached.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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