A director from Dyna-Log Singapore was fined S$8,000 (US$6,000) on Thursday, March 20, for instructing an employee to alter the scene of a fatal workplace accident. Lim Choon Hwee, 49, was convicted for tampering with evidence following the tragic death of an employee in 2018.
Lim, at the time a director at Dyna-Log Singapore, a company specializing in logistics services, including the transportation and unloading of containers, was found guilty of instructing a controller to replace the slippers worn by the deceased worker with a pair of safety boots. The incident took place at the company’s West Connect Building office in Boon Lay.
Dyna-Log Singapore, which was also charged, was fined S$200,000 for its role in the accident. Both Lim and the company faced charges under the Workplace Safety and Health Act. Lim pleaded guilty to both his individual charge and the company’s charge, acting as its representative.
The fatal accident involved Mr. Yong Him Chong, an operations manager at Dyna-Log Singapore, who was fatally injured while inspecting a container on November 22, 2018. While checking the contents of the container, Mr. Yong opened its left door, causing a bundle of rubber sheets weighing 577kg to fall and pin him to the ground. He was later pronounced dead from traumatic asphyxia.
The investigation revealed that Mr. Yong had been wearing slippers at the time of the accident, in violation of the company’s safety protocols. To alter the scene, Lim directed the controller to place safety boots near Mr. Yong’s body and remove his slippers to take back to the office. CCTV footage showed the controller bringing the boots to the scene and leaving with the slippers.
Investigators found that while Dyna-Log Singapore had conducted risk assessments and established safety procedures for its operations, these measures were not followed, and Mr. Yong had not been adequately briefed on the risks involved with his tasks. The bundle that killed him had not been stacked securely, and was likely displaced during transit.
In court, the prosecution argued that Lim’s actions were intended to mislead investigators and tamper with the scene of the accident, compromising the investigation and potentially endangering future workplace safety efforts. Lim’s defense lawyer, Anand George, contested that the actions were not aimed at misleading authorities, requesting a lesser fine for Lim and the company.
District Judge Salina Ishak emphasized deterrence in her sentencing, acknowledging Lim’s direct role in altering the scene. She agreed with the prosecution that the actions were a clear attempt to mislead investigators, which could undermine the enforcement of workplace safety regulations and embolden others to evade responsibility.
The case highlights the importance of upholding workplace safety protocols and the need for transparency in the aftermath of such incidents.
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