PSA pays fine over worker’s death at Keppel Terminal in 2017, but appeals guilty verdict and sentence
PSA Corporation Limited is appealing a conviction and S$225,000 fine issued by the State Courts following the 2017 death of technical specialist Lee Swee Loong at Keppel Terminal. The 29-year-old employee died from multiple injuries after being crushed between a crane’s rope drum and a platform during maintenance work on September 20, 2017.
The legal proceedings against PSA Corporation Limited involved a 33-day trial at the State Courts, during which the court examined the company’s maintenance procedures for its Mitsui rubber tyred gantry cranes.
The Circumstances of the Incident
On the day of the incident, Mr. Lee was inspecting a faulty gearbox on a Mitsui rubber tyred gantry crane to identify the cause of abnormal noises. According to agreed facts, Mr. Lee instructed a colleague, Mohammad Iqbal Buang, to move the crane while he observed the gearbox. Mr. Iqbal later saw a black object fall from the trolley platform and, after receiving no response via walkie-talkie, discovered Mr. Lee lodged between the rope drum and the motor housing platform.
Prosecution Arguments and Judicial Findings
Senior District Judge Ong Hian Sun convicted PSA of failing to take necessary measures to ensure the safety and health of its employees. Manpower Ministry prosecutor Delvinder Singh argued during the trial that the risks to employees were “reasonably foreseeable.” According to Mr. Singh’s written submissions, PSA relied on generic procedures that covered three different crane models rather than implementing specific protocols for the Mitsui crane layout. The prosecution alleged that the 23cm-wide, oil-stained platform where the incident occurred was the only accessible area for gearbox inspections, yet the company provided no safe alternative or adequate control measures to prevent exposure to rotating parts.
Samantha Carter notes that the appeal highlights a significant legal tension between corporate safety standards and the practical realities of industrial maintenance. The case centers on whether “generic” safety procedures meet the legal threshold for workplace protection when specialized equipment—like the Mitsui crane—presents unique, localized hazards.
Status of the Appeal
PSA Corporation Limited filed an appeal against the conviction and sentence on June 5, one day after the S$225,000 fine was imposed. Court records confirm that the company paid the fine in full by the June 12 deadline. In a statement provided on June 13, a PSA Singapore spokesperson expressed condolences to the family and stated that the company fully assisted investigating authorities, maintaining that workplace safety is a fundamental priority.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the cause of the conviction?
PSA was convicted of failing to take the necessary measures to ensure the safety and health of its employees, specifically regarding the implementation of control measures to prevent exposure to rotating parts during maintenance.
What is the maximum penalty for this offense?
Under the Workplace Safety and Health Act, a corporation found guilty of this offense can be fined up to S$500,000.
What is the current status of the fine?
Although PSA has filed an appeal against the conviction and sentence, court records indicate the company paid the S$225,000 fine in full by the June 12 deadline.
How might the court’s decision on the appeal influence how industrial firms draft maintenance protocols for specialized machinery?