Tipper truck falls one floor to basement level at construction site; worker sustains abrasions

SINGAPORE – A parked tipper truck at a construction site in Astrid Hill rolled backwards and fell from the ground level to the basement level, with an excavator operator who was near the fallen vehicle sustaining abrasions on his legs.

The worker was taken to the National University Hospital by the Singapore Civil Defence Force, which was alerted to the incident at 2pm on April 8.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) was also informed about the incident at the same time that day.

It has identified general contractor HLBC as the occupier managing the works, and T.A.G Construction as the employer of the injured worker.

An MOM spokesperson told The Straits Times: “A tipper truck was parked at the ground level of a construction site when it suddenly rolled back, hit the edge barricades of the concrete slab, and fell over to the basement level.”

The excavator operator on the basement level managed to escape from the cabin of his vehicle before the truck landed on it, sustaining abrasions to his legs in the process, said the spokesperson.

Photos of the accident were posted in the Complaint Singapore Facebook Group on April 10, showing the damaged truck on its side at the construction site. The truck appeared to have landed on the arm of an excavator.

“As a general safety measure, engines of any vehicles should be turned off and hand brakes to be engaged if the driver is to leave the cabin. In addition, wheel chokes should also be placed at the wheel to prevent any roll-off,” said the MOM spokesperson.

The ministry is investigating the incident, and has instructed the occupier to stop all works and review its control measures.

ST has contacted HLBC and T.A.G Construction for more information.