A Fatal Oversight: The Tragic Incident at One Raffles Place

SINGAPORE – In a shocking case of negligence, Suresh Kumar Shanmugam, a 63-year-old freelance facade cleaner, has been sentenced to two months in jail after failing to secure a hazardous area on the rooftop of One Raffles Place, leading to a tragic death.

On June 9, 2019, part-time security officer Shaun Tung Mun Hon, just 26 years old, fell into a 4-meter-deep pit left uncovered by Suresh and his team while cleaning the building's facade. Despite being rushed to the scene, paramedics pronounced Mr. Tung dead due to his injuries.

A Chain of Responsibility Unraveled

The incident has drawn attention to a series of lapses involving multiple parties. At the time of the accident, the iconic 1-Altitude rooftop bar was operated by Synergyinthesky, while the property developer, OUB Centre (OUBC), managed the building in collaboration with various cleaning contractors.

Suresh had been responsible for instructing his co-workers during the facade cleaning operation, yet he neglected to replace the floor slabs over the pit after accessing the gondola stored below.

Uncovering the Negligence

Court documents revealed that Suresh and his team left the pit open for convenience, choosing not to erect barriers or warnings despite being aware of the associated dangers. They believed they could simply manage the risk, a fatal mistake that would cost a life.

While investigating, prosecutors pointed out that alternate access to the gondola was possible through an adjacent room, which had not been communicated to Suresh and his crew by OUBC.

A Young Life Cut Short

As the night unfolded, Mr. Tung, who had been briefed on safety measures, was caught off guard when he noticed two people in the restricted area. He rushed to caution them but tragically fell into the unmarked pit.

During a coroner's inquiry in 2020, it was noted that while temporary barriers existed around the area, they were insufficient to prevent access. The lack of proper illumination further compounded the danger.

Justice Served: Accountability in the Workplace

On July 15, prosecutors urged accountability, leading to Suresh's guilty plea for a negligent act that endangered others. His defense lawyer argued for a two-month sentence, highlighting that Suresh recognized his responsibility in the fatal oversight.

This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of strict adherence to safety protocols and clear communications within workplaces, especially in high-risk environments like rooftop operations.