SINGAPORE - He was 70, suffered from several chronic ailments but still believed in working hard.
Since 2008, cleaner Lai Seow Wah, worked diligently at Singapore Kwong Wai Siew Peck San Theng, a columbarium in Bishan Lane.
On July 1, 2016, he climbed a ladder, without anyone helping him, to clean some glass panels. Even when he was told it wasn't necessary and to step down, he refused.
The next time his supervisor saw him, Mr Lai was sprawled on the ground, struggling with his injuries. He died the next day, a coroner's court heard.
The temple's operations manager described Mr Lai as having excellent work ethic. He had insisted on cleaning from height on multiple occasions despite advice against it.
In his findings on Monday (Dec 19), State Coroner Marvin Bay said Mr Lai's death was truly an "unfortunate misadventure" and underscores the importance of adopting safe work practices when working from height.
A person using an A-frame ladder should maintain at least three points of support. Failing to do so risks being de-stabilised during any movement, and falling from the ladder, he said.
"It is also highly advisable for persons with compromised balance or infirmities that are known to increase their risk of fall, from undertaking work from height.
"It is particularly hazardous for these persons to be left to work alone, without any assistance or supervision," said the coroner.
Mr Lai had suffered from multiple chronic conditions including diabetes and hypertension.
He had undergone cataract operations, also suffered from osteoarthritis of both knees, having undergone a total knee replacement surgery in 2011, and had been treated for an ankle fracture in 2010.
The inquest heard earlier that Mr Lai had started cleaning glass panels at the columbarium, covering rows of ancestral tablets, since 9am that day. The top of the panels was 3.2m from the ground.
To reach the higher panels, Mr Lai had stood on the second highest rung of the 1.8m high ladder, which elevated him to some 1.3m as he undertook the cleaning works.
When cleaning supervisor Lee Thim Tat saw him cleaning the glass panels on the ladder, he told him to stop and step down from the ladder but Mr Lai insisted that he could manage and continued with the work. No one saw how he fell.
At 2.40pm, Mr Lee found Mr Lai lying supine on top of the fallen ladder and called emergency services.
Mr Lai remained conscious and tried to sit up. He vomited once shortly before the ambulance arrived.
He was treated at National Neuroscience Institute. Given his grim prognosis, his family agreed to the proposal for conservative treatment. He was subsequently pronounced dead at 12.28am the next day.
