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SINGAPORE \u2013 The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is appealing against PSA Singapore\u2019s sentence over a 2017 workplace incident which saw one of its employees killed while performing maintenance work at Keppel Terminal.<\/p>\n
The port operator had paid a $225,000 fine, following its conviction in court on March 16 under the Workplace Safety and Health Act for failing to ensure the safety and health of its employees at work.<\/p>\n
MOM, which investigates industrial accidents, filed its appeal on June 15 against the sentence. In earlier proceedings, MOM prosecutor Delvinder Singh had argued for a fine of between $300,000 and $350,000.<\/p>\n
In a written address on sentencing, Singh said: \u201cThis tragic and entirely preventable death occurred because PSA systematically failed in its fundamental duty as an employer to ensure the safety and health of its employees at work.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the port operator has also filed an appeal against its conviction and sentencing.<\/p>\n
The incident occurred on Sept 20, 2017.<\/p>\n
At around 10am that day, PSA technical specialist Lee Swee Loong, 29, instructed his colleague, Mohammad Iqbal Buang, to operate and move a crane at varying speeds while Lee observed the gearbox and hoist system to identify the cause of abnormal noises.<\/p>\n
While doing so, Iqbal saw a black object drop from the trolley platform, which was located above the operator\u2019s cabin. Sensing something was wrong, Iqbal immediately stopped and turned off the crane.<\/p>\n
He then tried to contact Lee via walkie-talkie but there was no response.<\/p>\n
When Iqbal climbed up to the trolley platform, he saw Lee lodged between the rope drum and a platform located next to the motor housing where the gearbox was located.<\/p>\n
Lee was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.<\/p>\n
An autopsy report revealed that Lee had suffered multiple injuries consistent with being crushed between rotating machinery.<\/p>\n
Court documents stated that PSA had failed to effectively implement control measures to prevent its employees from being exposed to rotating parts on the crane during maintenance work.<\/p>\n
It also failed to implement safe work procedures for maintenance works on the crane.<\/p>\n
In court, the MOM prosecutor said the risk of harm arising from PSA employees being exposed to rotating parts during maintenance work was \u201creasonably foreseeable\u201d.<\/p>\n
Singh added that PSA knew technical specialists like Lee regularly accessed the 23cm-wide, oil-stained platform on the crane, and that this was the only place from which they could properly inspect the gearbox.<\/p>\n
Yet, PSA did not provide specific procedures for the unique crane layout, or adequate control measures to prevent exposure to rotating parts.<\/p>\n
\u201cInstead, PSA relied on generic procedures covering three different crane models that forced employees to improvise dangerous methods daily,\u201d added the MOM prosecutor.<\/p>\n
PSA\u2019s vice-president Phinehas Tan, who testified, confirmed that Lee took safety seriously and had no record of unsafe work throughout his tenure with the operator, added Singh.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe tragic irony that someone so committed to safety died due to his employer\u2019s safety failures makes this case particularly egregious and PSA\u2019s culpability more pronounced,\u201d said the prosecutor.<\/p>\n
PSA was convicted after a 33-day trial and sentenced on June 4.<\/p>\n
In a statement to The Straits Times, the port operator said it fully assisted the investigating authorities following the incident.<\/p>\n
\u201cEnsuring the safety, health and welfare of persons at work is fundamental to everything we do, and workplace safety is of paramount importance at our premises,\u201d said the PSA spokesperson.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe deeply regret the incident and extend our sincere condolences to the family of our deceased colleague.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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