• IP addresses are NOT logged in this forum so there's no point asking. Please note that this forum is full of homophobes, racists, lunatics, schizophrenics & absolute nut jobs with a smattering of geniuses, Chinese chauvinists, Moderate Muslims and last but not least a couple of "know-it-alls" constantly sprouting their dubious wisdom. If you believe that content generated by unsavory characters might cause you offense PLEASE LEAVE NOW! Sammyboy Admin and Staff are not responsible for your hurt feelings should you choose to read any of the content here.

    The OTHER forum is HERE so please stop asking.

2 firms, 3 workers plead guilty to failing to ensure workplace safety

Shin Orochi

Alfrescian (InfP)
Generous Asset

2 firms, 3 workers plead guilty to failing to ensure workplace safety

By Mustafa Shafawi |
Posted: 01 April 2010 1958 hrs
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="260"> <tbody><tr> <td align="right" width="20"></td> <td align="right" width="240">
phpXQ6Ua8.jpg
</td> </tr> <tr> <td height="60" valign="top"></td> <td class="update" height="80" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="138">Photos </td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="47">1 of 1</td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="18"><input disabled="disabled" id="btnPrev" value="<< Previous" onclick="Prev();" src="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/images/butt_previous.gif" type="image" height="15" width="18"></td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="19"><input id="bntPlay" value="Play - Stop" onclick="Play()" src="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/images/butt_stop.gif" type="image" height="15" width="19"></td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="18"><input disabled="disabled" id="btnNext" value=" Next >> " onclick="Next();" src="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/images/butt_next.gif" type="image" height="15" width="18"></td> </tr> </tbody></table>
dotline_240.gif

</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td class="update"></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>

SINGAPORE: Two companies from the marine industry and three of their workers pleaded guilty in court on Thursday for failing to ensure workplace safety measures.

One of the firms is Kreuz Shipbuilding and Engineering, located at 23 Tuas Crescent. It is responsible for the deaths of three workers and the injuries sustained by 10 others.

The workers were involved in two separate incidents in 2008. One involved a fire that broke out on board a vessel, the OBT Alpha, on April 2, which was undergoing works at the company's premises.

Kreuz was engaged to install hydraulic pipes on it. Thirty-seven-year-old Wong Chun Hoong was a project manager with the company. Investigations revealed that he allowed compressed oxygen to be used to test the pipes. Their rusty and rough interior generated heat when the pressurised oxygen passed through them.

The heat, combined with the oxygen, chemically reacted with the rust and lubricating oil found in the vicinity, leading to the explosion. Four people were injured in this incident. Another accident took place at the company's premises about two months later. It left three people dead and six others injured.

This time round, a flash fire broke out on a vessel, the Rainbow Star, while workers were spray-painting the interior of four water tanks. Raymond Lim Tan Kheng Yong was Kreuz's ship repair manager. He had approved the permit-to-work without ensuring the implementation of all safety measures. Prime Marine was the second company which pleaded guilty on Thursday.

It was responsible for an accident that on board a ship, the MT Anjasmoro, on 15 December 2007. The vessel was then anchored at the Western Petroleum Anchorage. Two men died and another suffered burns to his respiratory system after inhaling toxic Hydrogen Sulphide gas while working there. The men were assigned to clean a tank and they entered it even though it contained a high concentration of the gas.

Investigations revealed that Prime Marine had failed to provide them with safety equipment such as breathing devices and personal gas monitors. One of its supervisors, Png Aik Meng, had told the men to enter the tank even though it was dangerous to do so. All accused parties will be sentenced later this month. A company that fails to ensure its workers' safety could be fined up to half a million dollars for each charge.

For a similar offence, individuals could be jailed up to two years and fined a maximum of S$200,000. Director of Occupational Safety and Health Inspectorate at the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Mr Silas Sng said MOM's investigations showed that both the companies and the managers in charge of the work had ignored important safety measures and put workers in harm's way.

"What they did, such as adopting sub-standard work methods, ignoring warnings, or disregarding an established permit-to-work system, was unacceptable," he said. "MOM will not condone the irresponsible actions of such companies and managers who flout safety rules, especially when five precious lives were lost."

Chairman of the Workplace Safety and Health Council, Mr Lee Tzu Yang said the deaths and injuries in the cases are a "sombre reminder" of the workers affected by poor safety standards and a disregard for safety rules. "Each of the five workers who died had unfulfilled dreams and families who will miss them everyday. Industry players must constantly remind ourselves that we have a responsibility to ensure the safety of our workers," he said.

"At no time should anyone disregard any safety measures so as to take an easier route to complete a job. In each of these cases, someone had ignored important safety measures." He urged all stakeholders to think about the impact of one's actions and to always keep safety foremost on their minds. "Nothing is more important than ensuring that no lives are needlessly lost in work-related incidents," he said.

- CNA/yb



 
Top