Post by : Shakul

A Singapore court has fined industrial company Stars Engrg S$500,000 over serious workplace safety failures linked to the deadly Tuas factory explosion in February 2021. The company's director, Chua Xing Da, was sentenced to 18 months and one week in prison after being convicted of workplace safety offences and obstructing justice.

The explosion claimed the lives of three workers and left seven others with severe burn injuries.

Unsafe Machine Operation Led to Disaster

Investigators found that the explosion occurred after a heated mixing machine was operated without proper technical guidance. The machine had experienced repeated overheating, oil leaks and even a fire before the fatal blast, yet operations continued without adequate safety measures.

Authorities concluded that several preventable mistakes contributed directly to the incident.

Court Finds Serious Safety Violations

The court heard that Chua personally supervised the installation of the machine, trained workers and approved modifications without consulting the equipment manufacturer. Despite repeated warning signs, the company continued operating the machinery under unsafe conditions.

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The judge ruled that the company failed to implement proper maintenance and safety controls.

Manager Also Sentenced

Production manager Lwin Moe Tun received a six-week jail sentence after being convicted of obstructing justice by deleting messages and photographs related to the investigation. However, he was acquitted of a separate workplace safety charge.

Investigators said evidence had been deliberately removed after the explosion.

Ministry Introduces Stronger Safety Rules

Singapore's Ministry of Manpower stated that the explosion could have been prevented with proper risk management and equipment maintenance. Following the investigation, the government introduced stricter workplace safety requirements for high-risk machinery and combustible dust handling, which came into effect in January 2025.

The ministry said all recommendations from the inquiry committee have been adopted.

Case Highlights Importance of Workplace Safety

The Tuas factory explosion remains one of Singapore's worst industrial accidents in recent years. Authorities say the case serves as a reminder that companies must strictly follow safety standards and seek expert guidance before modifying industrial equipment.

The court allowed the company to pay its fine in instalments until July 2027, while the convicted individuals will begin serving their prison sentences in July.

#Singapore News #world #Crime #Safety