Workplace fatalities are tragic, but often avoidable.
A 39-year-old foreign worker died on 27 April, after he was run over by a prime mover.
Parked Vehicle on Ramp
Responding to The Straits Times, a spokesman from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said that the Indian national had parked the vehicle on a ramp along a driveway. He then got off the vehicle.
A while later, the prime mover started to roll forward. The worker ran toward the front of the vehicle and was unfortunately run over by it.
The police were alerted to this accident at around 8am. When they arrived at the scene, the worker was found motionless.
He was pronounced dead by a Singapore Civil Defence Force paramedic.
Investigations on this case are still ongoing.
Safety Measures Not Followed
MOM said that as a general safety measure, heavy vehicles should always be parked on firm and level ground.
The parking brakes should be fully engaged, and wheel chokes properly positioned.
The area where the accident happened is occupied by Ocean IFM, a property management company.
The worker’s employer is the transport service company City Container (S). A manager of the company said the worker was picking up cargo when the accident occurred.
The company will contact and provide assistance to the worker’s family in India.
MOM To Introduce Heavier Fines, Increase Surveillance
As unfortunate as this accident is, it isn’t a rare occurrence.
In fact, the top cause of workplace deaths last year was vehicular-related accidents, where 11 workers died.
Additionally, with this accident, 15 workplace deaths have occurred o far in 2022. For comparison, there were 37 deaths last year, 30 in 2020, and 39 in 2019.
MOM had previously announced that they intend to introduce heavier fines against offenders and companies that failed to use machinery safely. This move is particularly focused on the manufacturing industry, where there’s a higher number of workplace injuries and deaths.
There will also be an increase in surveillance at workplaces with noise hazards and exposure to hazardous chemicals. Safety training for new workers will also be expanded soon.
Featured Image: Shin Min Daily News