Director of company behind 2021 Tuas worksite explosion that killed 3 given 18 months' jail

The director of Stars Engrg, Chua Xing Da, has been sentenced to 18 months and 1 week's jail over a fatal workplace explosion and fire at the company's Tuas worksite on Feb. 24, 2021.

The blast killed three workers, Shohel Md, Anisuzzaman Md, and Subbaiyan Marimuthu, and injured seven others.

According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on Jun. 25, the company was also fined S$500,000 for offences under the Workplace Safety and Health Act 2006 (WSHA).

The production manager of Stars Engrg's, Lwin Moe Tun, was also sentenced to six weeks' jail for obstructing investigations into the incident.

What happened

The explosion occurred while workers were producing fire-retardant wraps using a heated mixer machine at the Tuas facility.

Investigations found that the machine had been operated unsafely for an extended period despite repeated warning signs, including overheating, oil leaks, smoke emissions and an earlier fire incident.

These led to a build-up of pressure within the machine, which eventually triggered the explosion.

MOM's investigations uncovered multiple workplace safety and health lapses, including failures in risk assessments, safe work procedures, machine maintenance and supervision.

Workers were also inadequately trained to operate and maintain the mixer machine safely.

Following the explosion, Lwin, acting on Chua's instructions, deleted messages exchanged with one of the deceased workers regarding the handling of a faulty heater on the mixer machine shortly before the incident.

These were significant to MOM's investigations into the accident.

Result of investigations

An inquiry committee convened by MOM later found that the explosion and subsequent fire could have been prevented.

Its findings pointed to serious failures in the safe operation and maintenance of the mixer machine, despite multiple warning signs that should have prompted corrective action.

The committee also found inadequate controls for combustible powders at the worksite, which contributed to secondary flash fires.

The findings ultimately led to charges against the company and those responsible for the safety lapses that contributed to the incident.

The committee's recommendations were subsequently accepted by the government.

The Multi-Agency Workplace Safety and Health Taskforce announced enhanced safety measures for higher-risk machinery and combustible dusts in November 2024, and these took effect from Jan. 1, 2025.

Mandated under the WSHA and WSH (General Provisions) Regulations, the measures strengthened duties across the machinery supply chain, expanded the list of higher-risk machinery subject to regulation under the WSHA, and introduced additional requirements for the labelling and notification of combustible dust hazards.

MOM said it has also continued targeted outreach, guidance and enforcement efforts to raise industry awareness and prevent similar workplace incidents.

Commissioner for Workplace Safety and Health, Silas Sng, said companies and their officers have to act decisively at the first sign of risk.

Sng described the incident as a "preventable tragedy", noting that repeated warning signs and unsafe practices had gone unaddressed.

"Workplace safety is a responsibility that rests not only with workers on the ground, but also with those who oversee operations and make decisions affecting workers’ safety," he said.

He stressed that MOM will continue to take firm enforcement action against employers and company officers who fail in their duties to protect workers' safety and health, as well as individuals who attempt to obstruct investigations into workplace incidents.

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