SINGAPORE (CNA) – A worker died in hospital on Wednesday a week after being hit by a timber fragment, taking the total number of workplace fatalities this year to 30.
The 51-year-old man was working at Pasir Ris Drive 1 on July 6 when the accident happened at about 10am, said the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
The worker was struck by a timber fragment when it broke from a piece of plywood that was used in a pile load test, said the ministry.
He was taken to Changi General Hospital and died from his injuries a week later on July 13.
In construction, piling involves drilling foundations through the ground to provide structural strength and prepare the ground to carry heavy infrastructure loads, such as a new home or office building.
Load tests are carried out by placing weights or pressure on these foundation piles to assess the load it can carry.
“As a general safety measure for activities where flying fragments are common, steps should be taken to prevent these fragments from hitting persons or causing property damage,” said MOM.
