2 workers died in first half of 2025 after being hit by flying gas cylinders

Two workers died in the first half of 2025 after they were struck by flying compressed gas cylinders in separate incidents, the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council said on Aug 6.

- Samuel Devaraj

In the first incident, a worker had on March 28 removed a cylinder containing carbon dioxide from a newly installed fire suppression system, after the system triggered a false fire alarm.

The cylinder was then placed upright and free-standing on the ground, and shortly after it flew and struck another worker standing nearby.

The worker who was hit was taken to a hospital, where he died.

In the second incident, which occurred on May 15, an excavator was being used to transfer scrap metal when a discarded fire extinguisher cylinder containing carbon dioxide suddenly flew and struck a worker seated nearby.

The injured worker was taken to a hospital and later died.