Traffic controller, 66, dies in work-related accident involving road roller in Joo Chiat

SINGAPORE - A 66-year-old traffic controller died following an accident with a road roller at an SP Group worksite in Joo Chiat on March 3.

The road-roller operator, a 39-year-old man, was arrested for causing death by a negligent act, the police said in response to queries from The Straits Times.

The police and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said they were alerted to the work-related accident involving a road roller and a traffic controller in Carpmael Road at about 4pm.

The traffic controller was pronounced dead at the scene by an SCDF paramedic.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said in a statement that the local traffic management officer was crossing a newly paved road when he was run over by a reversing road roller.

A MOM spokesperson said: “As a general safety measure, machine operators must be competent and vigilant at all times.

“Workers assigned to road traffic management roles (such as road traffic controllers, marshallers) must wear high-visibility attire, be positioned at safe and conspicuous locations, and maintain awareness of their surroundings.

“The traffic controllers should also coordinate with the machine operators to ensure the safety of public or other workers as well as themselves.”

MOM and the police are investigating the incident.

Responding to ST’s queries, SP Group said Mo Guan Construction Engineering was carrying out works at its worksite on Carpmael Road, with the services of its sub-contractor Asphalt Specialist Services.

“At about 4pm yesterday, we were informed by Mo Guan, the main contractor, that an officer from Asphalt was involved in a traffic accident at the site,” an SP Group spokesperson told ST.

“We are saddened by the incident and extend our deepest condolences to the officer’s family. We are in touch with Mo Guan to render the necessary support.”

Work at the site has been halted, said the spokesperson.

The death comes a week after another incident on Feb 26 when a Bangladeshi worker

died after he was struck on the head by a steel beam

while repairing a cargo lift at a warehouse in Tuas South owned by offshore and marine company Seatrium.