17 Oct 2018
On 4 October 2018, around 10.25pm, a team of workers was fabricating an I-beam from steel plates at a workshop. While welding the steel plates together, a standing steel plate (weighing more than 1 tonne) suddenly toppled and landed on two of the workers. They were conveyed to hospital where one of them succumbed to his injuries on the same day. The other worker sustained leg injuries.
The Ministry of Manpower has commenced investigations into the accident.
The industry is reminded to conduct a comprehensive and thorough Risk Assessment (RA) for all metal fabrication works. One major concern in I-beam fabrication is the way steel plates are lifted and supported to facilitate welding works. Welding works may proceed only when the steel plates are securely clamped and supported in a stable position. A safe work method coupled with engineered solutions (e.g. for clamping, lifting and work item support) must be in place prior to work commencement. Workers must be familiar with the Safe Work Procedure (SWP) and supervisors are to ensure that the SWP is adhered to at all times.