Security Guard Died As Workers Hadn’t Covered Pit in 1-Altitude ‘Coz It Was ‘Quite Troublesome’

Sometimes, we decided not to do things because they’re troublesome to do even if you’re supposed to do it.

What’s the harm?

Will the sky fall?

Will Covid-19 cases spike?

Will people die?

The last one is the reason why they say you shouldn’t jinx it because even if it’s just 1 out of 100, that’s a 1% chance that it will happen.

Security Guard Died After Falling In Pit

Last year, on 9th Jun 2019, a security guard who was working at the 1-Altitude bar at One Raffles’ Place passed away due to an accident involving a four-metre deep pit located near the bar.

Mr Shaun Tung Mun Hon, in an attempt to stop two men from entering the cordoned off area that led to the pit, accidentally fell in while running towards them and was killed on impact.

Why Was The Pit Uncovered?

According to State Coroner Kamala Ponnampalam’s inquiry, workers who were tasked with cleaning the building had left the pit uncovered as it was too “troublesome” to do so daily, as informed by a Ministry of Manpower (MOM) official on 5th August.

The pit was left there for cleaning purposes and led to a switch which would operate a gondola to clean the building’s facade.

An 80kg concrete slab cover was supposed to be covering the entrance to the pit but had been left uncovered that day by the cleaning workers.

Despite barricades and warning signs put up to prevent guests to the bar from entering the area, the measures were not effective, according to the MOM.

After all, two men had not heeded the warnings and entered the cordoned-off area.

Mr Tung had also been briefed about the pit and saw it when he started his shift on that fateful day.

However, there was no lighting near the area, the court heard.

Mr Tung had to use a torchlight to enter the area while warning the two men, which might have led to him not being able to see the pit as he ran.

Died Of A Head Injury

Colleagues of Mr Tong’s had witnessed him fall into the pit, and their supervisor found him lying face down at the bottom after rushing over.

He was pronounced dead about 30 minutes after the paramedics arrived.

Based on autopsy results, he had passed away from a head injury.

Further findings will be reported by State Coroner Kamala on 13th August.

Mr Tung’s cremation was held on 11th June last year, and he leaves behind a two-year-old son.

May this serve as a reminder that as “troublesome” as doing certain things may seem, oversight or negligence can lead to serious consequences.

It’s better to be safe than sorry.