48-Year-Old Deceased Was An Engineer Working Above 16th Floor
Denizens of the Central Business District (CBD) would’ve noticed that a beautiful new skyscraper named CapitaSpring has opened.
With the Market Street Hawker Centre and an observatory deck, it’s set to be a popular new lunchtime destination.
However, a sad incident has possibly marred its opening – while working in the new building, a woman has fallen 7 storeys.
Image courtesy of CapitaLand, for illustration purposes only
Tragically, she passed away at the scene.
Pronounced dead by SCDF medic
The dreadful accident occurred on Friday (8 Apr) morning, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) told The Straits Times (ST).
They were alerted at about 10.55am that day.
An SCDF paramedic pronounced a 48-year-old Singaporean woman dead at the scene.
Deceased stepped on false panel
The deceased was an engineer and employee of Dragages Singapore who was on the maintenance level that was above the 16th floor of CapitaSpring.
She was doing maintenance work, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) was quoted as saying by ST.
Image courtesy of CapitaLand, for illustration purposes only
However, she trod on a false ceiling panel, which caved in due to her weight.
She ended up falling about 30m.
As an indication of how far that is, the unfortunate woman landed on the 9th storey – meaning she fell a distance of about 7 storeys.
MOM investigating incident
MOM is investigating the incident, they told ST.
They’ve also told Ascott International Management, the site occupier, to prevent access to the maintenance level.
Image courtesy of CapitaLand, for illustration purposes only
As a general safety measure, the ministry advised clear and conspicuous marking of fragile surfaces, so that people will be warned that there’s a risk of falling from height.
CapitaSpring saddened by incident
CapitaSpring told Yahoo News that they were saddened by the engineer’s passing, adding,
Our thoughts are with the loved ones of our contractor’s late employee and we are extending our assistance to the family.
They said that they regard workplace safety as “of utmost importance”.
Hence, all contractors and vendors must use appropriate equipment and follow safety procedures in the building.
They’re now is cooperating fully with the authorities as they investigate the case.
11th workplace fatality in 2022
In a Facebook post on Saturday (9 Apr), Tanjong Pagar GRC MP Melvin Yong – who’s also a council member of the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council – said he was deeply saddened by the incident.
He also revealed that it was the 11th workplace fatality in Singapore this year, despite it being only Apr.
Mr Yong also noted that several fall-from-height deaths happened last year as well.
He called for design teams to assess the need for maintenance to be done above false ceiling panels.
A new 51-storey skyscraper
Located in Raffles Place, CapitaSpring is a newly opened 51-storey skyscraper comprising a mix of offices and serviced residences.
Besides the expansive hawker centre, the 280m-tall building has facilities like a sky garden, Green Oasis and an observatory deck, which allows visitors to enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of Marina Bay and the CBD.
Image courtesy of CapitaLand
Storeys 9 to 16 contains the Citadines serviced residences, with 299 units.
Cause of incident should be ascertained
Any death due to work is one too many, so hopefully the authorities get to the bottom of the cause, and find out how such a tragedy could’ve been avoided.
It’s also regrettable that despite being such a new building, CapitaSpring has already recorded its first fatality.
MS News sends our deepest condolences to the friends and family of the deceased.
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Featured images courtesy of CapitaLand & are for illustration purposes only.
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