Jail for lorry crane operator who lifted structure which fatally struck worker

In another case, an MD is fined $260k over a worker's fatal fall through a skylight panel

- Nadine Chua

Despite objections from his supervisor, a lorry crane operator at a construction site lifted a lamp post footing weighing around 4.4 tonnes without checking if other people were around and despite knowing that it was rigged on only one side.

The footing toppled and struck a 32-year-old worker, who died at the scene.

Ng Liat Kiong, the lorry crane operator, was sentenced to a year and two weeks' jail in October 2024, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said in a statement on May 13, providing updates on two of its recently concluded prosecutions.

In the other case, a 48-year-old worker fell through a skylight panel during rooftop waterproofing works at a factory in Tuas and died after landing on machinery below.

MOM said its investigations found that Vina Specialist, the construction firm that hired the waterproofing contractor, had failed to implement key safety measures.

Roy Loh Ngiap Meng, managing director of Vina Specialist, was handed a fine of $260,000 in March 2025.