Construction Worker Dies in Fall at Jurong Region Line MRT Site
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A construction supervisor died on November 13th after falling approximately 9 meters from scaffolding at a worksite for the Jurong Region Line MRT extension in Singapore. The incident has prompted an immediate stop-work order and a comprehensive safety review across all Land Transport Authority (LTA) projects.
Fatal Fall Prompts Safety Standown
The 46-year-old worker, employed by Leze construction – a subsidiary of a subcontractor to the main contractor Daewoo-Yongnam Joint Venture – was descending scaffolding near Block 202 Pandan Gardens, close to jurong East, at around 5:30 p.m. when the fall occurred. He was swiftly transported to ng Teng Fong General Hospital, where medical staff pronounced him dead.
According to the LTA,a full investigation is underway in collaboration with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). “We are deeply saddened by this incident, and extend our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased worker,” a spokesperson for the LTA stated. “We are working with the contractors to provide them with support and assistance.”
Heightened Scrutiny of Work-at-Height Procedures
The LTA has initiated a safety timeout for all at-height work activities across its projects. This pause will allow for a thorough review of compliance with established safety procedures. The LTA emphasized its commitment to work-at-height safety, stating that established procedures are already in place at all its worksites.
The MOM reiterated the critical importance of adhering to strict safety protocols when working at height. Officials stated that workers must maintain “100 per cent tie-off” at all times, ensuring their safety harnesses are securely anchored to self-reliant and reliable points.
Construction Sector Safety Trends
The incident comes amid ongoing concerns about safety within Singapore’s construction sector. Data released indicates that there were 76 incidents resulting in deaths or major injuries in the first half of 2025 – a slight decrease from the 81 recorded during the same period in 2024. This suggests a marginal betterment, but underscores the continued need for vigilance and robust safety measures.
The investigation into this latest tragedy is expected to shed light on any potential systemic failures and inform further efforts to enhance worker safety on construction projects throughout Singapore.
Why: The incident occurred due to a fall from scaffolding while the worker was descending. The exact cause is under investigation.
Who: A 46-year-old construction supervisor employed by leze Construction, a subcontractor of Daewoo-Yongnam joint Venture, died in the incident.
What: A construction worker fell approximately 9 meters from scaffolding at the Jurong Region Line MRT extension worksite.
How did it end?: The worker was transported to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead by medical staff. A full investigation is underway, and a safety timeout has been initiated across all LTA projects.
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