Man dies after falling from height in workplace accident; MOM investigating
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MOM said the man was rappelling down an 18m-high steel tower when his single anchorage rope failed, causing him to fall.
ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
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SINGAPORE - A 43-year-old Singaporean man died after he fell while abseiling from a tower at a worksite near the Padang on May 30.
When contacted, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said that the man – a freelance industrial rope access worker – was rappelling down an 18m-high steel tower in Connaught Drive when his single anchorage rope failed, causing him to fall.
The man was rushed to Singapore General Hospital after the fall, where he died from his injuries.
“As a general safety reminder, personnel descending tall steel towers must utilise appropriate fall protection systems, such as secondary independent lifelines and other suitable safety devices,” said the ministry, adding that it is investigating the incident.
In a media reply, the man’s employer, Showtec International, said that the man was a rigger and that it is assisting the man’s family.
According to the National Youth Council’s Discover On My Way website, riggers specialise in lifting equipment operations and conduct regular system checks and upkeep.
Between February and April 2025, a total of 13 stop-work orders and fines totalling more than $375,000 were issued to firms
The safety violations were discovered during inspections conducted between February and April at about 550 worksites.
