Three individuals held accountable under Workplace Safety and Health Act for tragic incidents
In August, three individuals were sentenced to jail for their roles in three separate fatal workplace accidents in Singapore. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) told The Straits Times on Thursday, the three were prosecuted under the Workplace Safety and Health Act.
Chan Nyok Fong, 54, the director of Royal Crown Fishery & Trading, was sentenced to two months' jail for the death of a fish farm worker, Myanmar national Ko Ko.
Ko drowned while harvesting fish in a pond due to the lack of safety measures. The company did not have a proper methodology or risk assessment for fish harvesting, and safety equipment like life jackets and buoys were not maintained or used correctly. Additionally, the firm lacked emergency procedures, and workers were not trained in first aid or CPR.
Alagappan Ganesan, a 25-year-old forklift operator at Asiabuild Construction, received an 18-week jail sentence for a workplace accident that resulted in the death of Kunjappa Makesh. Ganesan neglected safety protocols and failed to check his surroundings while operating the forklift. Makesh attempted to prevent a cable from getting caught under the forklift but tragically lost his life in the process.
Mohammad Asraf Rosli, a 33-year-old quay crane operator employed by PSA Corporation, was sentenced to seven months' jail for his involvement in an accident that claimed the life of Varathan Prabu. Asraf did not ensure that no one was underneath a container being lifted by the crane, resulting in Mr. Prabu's fatal injuries.
MOM emphasised the importance of workplace safety and health procedures, urging both employers and workers to prioritise safety. They also highlighted their commitment to taking action against those responsible for lapses in workplace safety and health.
