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SINGAPORE: Human Resources Minister Josephine Teo will appoint an Investigation Committee to examine the factors that led to a fatal fire and explosion at Stars Engrg in Tuas on Wednesday (February 24), the Human Resources Ministry said on Saturday .
The incident caused the death of three workers and another five in critical condition. Two more workers who were taken to the hospital have been discharged.
LEE: 3 workers die from injuries, 5 in critical condition after the Tuas explosion
The Investigative Committee under the Workplace Safety and Health Act (WSH) is expected to conduct a comprehensive study of the factors that caused the fire and explosion.
“It will also make recommendations that include WSH policies, regulations or measures to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents,” MOM said in a press release.
Preliminary investigations have found that the accident at 32E Tuas Avenue 11 was caused by “an explosion of combustible dust,” said Mr. Silas Sng, Commissioner for Occupational Safety and Health.
READ: Tuas fire – The explosive danger of powdered potato, sugar, flour and other dust particles
READ: February workplace deaths rise to 10 after worker deaths in Tuas blast
The last time a workplace accident investigation was convened was in 2004 to investigate the MRT workplace incident that caused the Nicoll Highway collapse.
The composition of the Research Committee, as well as its Terms of Reference, will be announced at a later date. The Investigation Committee will be chaired by a district judge with two technical advisers, and its proceedings will be carried out in a public hearing.
State Chief Minister of Human Resources Zaqy Mohamad said Saturday morning in a Facebook post that MOM will share its priorities for the year at the annual Supply Committee debate in Parliament next week.
“Singapore has made significant improvements in the safety and health of our workplace over the past 15 years,” he said.
“Our rate of fatal injuries in the workplace fell from 4.9 per 100,000 workers in 2004 to 1.1 per 100,000 workers in 2019. While we have made significant progress, the recent series of fatal incidents clearly never we must be compliant and maintain high safety standards. . “
He added: “We cannot afford to let our guard down, because every life lost is a breadwinner and a lost loved one. I strongly urge all stakeholders in our industry to continue to pay close attention to workplace safety as we restart our economy safely amid the pandemic. “
