Lightning Strike Injured 3 Migrant Workers at BTO Construction Site at Mount Vernon Road

In Singapore, there is around a one-in-286,000 chance of getting struck by lightning yearly.

Three migrant workers were working on a roof at a BTO construction site at Mount Vernon Road when the incident occurred.

They were taken to the hospital for their injuries.

The Incident

The incident occurred on 28 December at around 3 pm.

Responding to queries from Chinese news daily Lianhe Zaobao, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) confirmed that it received a call on Thursday at around 3:30 pm regarding the three migrant workers who were injured by the lightning strike.

Two were taken to Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

The other worker was taken to Singapore General Hospital.

Lianhe Zaobao also reported that the Housing Development Board (HDB) was aware of the incident on the day it occurred.

According to HDB, the migrant workers were working on the roof of a building at the construction site at the time of the incident.

That afternoon, when it started to rain, lightning struck an area near them.

HDB clarified that the workers were not struck by lightning and were moved to a shelter following safety protocols.

However, the workers felt dizzy afterwards and were sent to the hospital.

HDB added that the migrant workers are recovering well and are expected to be discharged soon.

The agency later inspected the site to ensure the building’s structure was safe and intact.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) confirmed that the incident occurred.

Investigations are currently ongoing.

Business as Usual

When a Lianhe Zaobao reporter visited the construction site the day after the incident, work was going on as usual.

Several migrant workers told the reporter that they were aware of the accident but did not know the details.

An unnamed migrant worker told reporters that lightning did strike the construction site that afternoon and that ambulances came after.

However, the workers began work as usual the following day.

Potential Impacts of a Lightning Strike on the Human Body

A direct lightning strike can lead to severe damage to the human body.

For instance, humans struck by lightning may have their eardrums blown out by the pressure wave.

They could also suffer from burns, cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest and paralysis.

However, people can also suffer injuries when lightning strikes in an area close to them.

Ground current is the phenomenon that occurs when lightning strikes a tree or another object; its energy travels outward from the strike along the ground’s surface.

Someone standing near the object that was struck can thus get injured from the lightning strike.

Regulations on Construction and Thunderstorms

Notably, the Workplace Safety and Health Act does not require construction sites to stop work during thunderstorms.

However, MOM’s 2017 safety manual for migrant workers recommends workers stop working outdoors for at least 30 minutes before resuming work.

The manual also advises migrant workers working outdoors to take shelter in vehicles and buildings when there is lightning.

Furthermore, they should avoid standing in open areas or near tall structures.

At the time of the incident, the Meteorological Service Singapore records show that thunderstorms occurred in many areas across the island on Thursday.

Due to Northeast Monsoon conditions, thundery showers are expected for the next few days.

Singapore Dubbed a Lightning Capital 

In November 2017, a lightning strike on the East-West Line near Bedok MRT station caused a delay in train services between Tanah Merah and Paya Lebar, after which the train captain felt unwell and was sent to Changi General Hospital.

Singapore has one of the highest occurrences of lightning activity in the world.

This is mainly due to Singapore’s location near the equator, creating warm and humid tropical conditions that are highly favourable to the development of thunderstorms.

Notably, lightning strikes can be fatal.

There are generally no safe places outdoors when a thunderstorm is nearby.

Thus, the National Environment Agency (NEA) offered some advice about what people should do in the event of lightning.

For instance, people should take shelter in a house, large building or car and stay inside for at least 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder.

Large, open areas and high ground should be avoided.

In open water, one should head for land immediately.

Groups should spread out, and people should stay away from metal conductors and tall, isolated objects.