Media Division, Ministry of Information and The Arts,
36th Storey, PSA Building, 460 Alexandra Road, Singapore 119963.
Tel: 3757794/5
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COLLAPSE OF ROOF AND SUPPORTING STRUCTURES AT
A PRIMARY SCHOOL UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT COMPASSVALE ROAD (SENGKANG)
The roof of the multi-purpose hall of a primary school that was under construction at Compassvale Road collapsed this morning at about 8.45 am on 15 June 99. The collapse of the roof also caused some of its supporting structures to fall. Seven workers who were working in the multi-purpose hall at that time were injured in the incident. All of them were rushed to hospital and warded. Three of them suffered serious injuries.
The main contractor for the project is B. K. B. Engineering Constructions Pte Ltd.
At the time of the accident, the contractor had completed the laying of roof tiles. Six of the injured workers were installing ceiling boards, and another worker was working on the air-conditioning system of the hall.
The roof of the multi-purpose hall was constructed from steel girdles which were supported by concrete columns. Preliminary investigation revealed that the entire system of steel girdles had collapsed in the accident. Most of the concrete columns on one side of the hall were damaged as a result.
The Ministry of Manpower is investigating the incident.
The Ministry has stopped all works at the site for investigation purposes.
MINISTRY OF MANPOWER
15 JUNE 1999