SINGAPORE - A 55-year-old worker at a Yishun construction site was seriously injured and later died in hospital after a steel gate fell on him on Oct 21.

       The accident took place at Block 413 Yishun Ring Road.

       The police and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said they were informed about the accident at 6.50pm on the same day.

       The worker, a Chinese national, was conscious when he was taken to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital but later died, said SCDF and the police.

       The police said they do not suspect foul play and investigations are ongoing.

       In response to queries, a Ministry of Manpower (MOM) spokesman said the worker was pushing a steel gate frame when it toppled and fell on him.

       Generally, in line with safety rules, sliding gates must be properly designed and installed with appropriate stoppers to prevent them from being derailed when in use, he said.

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       The occupier of the site and employer of the dead worker is Jin Shan Construction, said the spokesman, adding that the project developer is Nee Soon Town Council.

       He said MOM has begun a probe into the accident and has instructed the firm to stop all work activities at the worksite.

       This is the sixth workplace death to have taken place between July and October, which brings the total number of workplace deaths in 2024 to 25 so far.

       There were 36 workplace deaths in 2023.

       Mid-year workplace safety and health figures released by MOM on Oct 9 said 19 workers died from getting injured at work in the first six months of 2024, up from 14 deaths during the same period in 2023.

       Vehicular incidents accounted for most of the fatalities, followed by falls from height and the collapse or breakdown of structures and equipment.