Work stopped at crane accident site
PUBLISHED ONSeptember 30, 2013 12:34 PM
SINGAPORE - The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has directed that all work be stopped at the construction site where a crane accident occurred earlier this morning.
Preliminary findings show that a crane at the construction site of the future National Art Gallery was lifting an excavator when the boom of the crane collapsed. The crane was then operating at the South Courtyard of the City Hall building.
Two workers - a Thai and a Bangladeshi - died at the scene while four other workers, 2 Bangladeshis and 2 Chinese nationals were injured.
The injured workers have been taken to the hospital. The Straits Times had earlier reported that one of them, 23-year-old Bangladeshi Imran, was transferred to a High Dependency Ward, while waiting to be operated on.
The families of the deceased are in the process of being informed.
The occupier of the site, Takenaka-Singapore Piling Joint Venture, has been directed by MOM to stop all work at the worksite.
Investigations are ongoing.
According to a statement released by the National Gallery, Singapore, Takenaka-Singapore Piling Joint Venture has assured the gallery that it has secured the site to ensure that it no longer poses any danger to its workers as well as to members of the public.
It said the firm has also commenced a review of all operational procedures and processes on site.
"Our thoughts are with the families of the deceased as well as the injured workers. The Gallery, and the occupier, Takenaka-Singapore Piling Joint Venture, are doing what we can to provide assistance to the families during this difficult time. The safety of the workers on site is of paramount importance to us and we will work with our contractors to ensure this," said Dr Eugene Tan, Director, National Art Gallery, Singapore.
ellenja@sph.com.sg