Lifting Supervisor’s Negligence Led to Worksite Death

Supervisor jailed for four weeks for failing to brief worker and causing his death

On 12 October 2007, lifting supervisor Ong Choon Wah, was in charge of 20 workers who were engaged in demolition and structural works. Two workers, including the deceased, were tasked by Ong to lift a timber formwork using a mobile crane. The two workers were untrained and he did not brief them properly before they started work. Because Ong did not consider the safety of his workers, it resulted in a fatality.

Most worksite accidents could have been prevented if site supervisors put the necessary safety precautions in place. For workers who work in high-risk environments, site supervisors need to uphold workplace safety to prevent accidents. In this case, Ong’s lack of regard for his workers’ safety led to a fatality.

On the day of the accident, Ong, was directly in charge of 20 workers engaged in demolition and structural works. He instructed two workers, including the deceased, to lift a timber formwork using a mobile crane. During the process, the wire rope gave way. As a result, the formwork fell about nine metres and caused a fatal strike to the victim.

Although Ong was a trained lifting supervisor, he did not ensure that the two workers involved were trained riggers. He also did not give clear instructions on the lifting activity. For this, he was found guilty of putting his workers’ lives at risk by exposing them to falling object hazards.

Ong was jailed for four weeks for performing a careless act that resulted in a fatality. He could have been fined up to $200,000 and jailed up to two years.