A 24-year-old worker died at a shipyard in Tuas after he was found unconscious inside a stainless steel pipe, with Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower investigating the incident.
According to the ministry, the fatal workplace accident took place at a worksite occupied by Seatrium on Tuas South Boulevard. The worker was a welder and was found lying unconscious inside a 28-inch stainless-steel pipe on board a newly fabricated process module of a vessel.
He was later extricated from the pipe and pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
The ministry said the deceased was employed by Hwa Leong Offshore Engineering.
A Ministry of Manpower spokesperson said all confined spaces must be clearly identified and labeled as a general safety measure. The spokesperson also said that before work begins, relevant risk control measures, including atmospheric testing, adequate ventilation, and the application of permit-to-work procedures, must be implemented to address foreseeable hazards associated with confined spaces.
The ministry added that Singapore recorded 36 workplace deaths in 2025. Workplace fatality fell to a record low of 0.96 per 100,000 workers. The three main causes of workplace fatalities last year were vehicular incidents, falls from height, and the collapse or failure of structures and equipment.
