Worker, 24, dies after being found unconscious in stainless steel pipe in Tuas shipyard, MOM investigating

A 24-year-old man died at a shipyard in Tuas on Apr. 6 after he was found unconscious in a stainless steel pipe, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said on Apr. 9.

MOM confirmed with Mothership that the incident occurred at a shipyard occupied by Seatrium at 80 Tuas South Boulevard, at about 8pm that day.

It is investigating the incident.

The man was subsequently extricated from the pipe and pronounced dead at the scene by attending paramedics.

Found unconscious inside pipe

The deceased worked for Hwa Leong Offshore Engineering, according to MOM.

He was a welder and was “found lying unconscious inside a 28-inch (71cm) stainless-steel pipe on board a newly fabricated process module of a vessel”.

As a general safety measure, all confined spaces must be clearly identified and labelled, MOM said.

The spokesperson added that before any work begins, relevant risk control measures, including atmospheric testing, adequate ventilation and application of permit-to-work must be implemented to address and mitigate any foreseeable hazards associated with the confined spaces.”

Singapore saw 36 workplace deaths in 2025, with workplace fatality at 0.96 per 100,000 workers, according to CNA.

The top three causes of workplace fatalities in 2025 were vehicular incidents, falls from height, and collapse or failure of structures and equipment.

Top photos from Google Photos