Malaysian worker dies in industrial accident at Shell's construction site

Channel NewsAsia 28 Apr 08;

SINGAPORE : A 30-year-old Malaysian worker died in an industrial accident on Pulau Ular, south of Singapore, on Saturday.

The accident occurred at the Shell Eastern Petroleum's construction site for a petrochemical cracker which is part of a refinery.

Police say they received a call at 11am on Saturday.

On arrival, they found the body of the worker from Sarawak on the ground near a boom lift.

The worker was earlier pronounced dead at the scene by an on-site doctor.

Police are investigating the unnatural death.

In a statement, Shell Petroleum says the company is deeply saddened to learn of the fatal accident.

All activities at the construction site have been temporarily suspended to focus on investigations but it plans to resume construction work on Monday.

Shell Petroleum adds that the incident does not impact operations at its Pulau Bukom refinery.

Stressing that safety remains the company's top priority, it says it will continue to remind staff and contractors on the importance of working safely.

In 2005, a technician died after suffering serious chemical burns at Shell's premises on Pulau Bukom.

Following investigations, Shell Eastern Petroleum was fined $25,000 in 2007 for failing to implement safe work procedures under the Factories Act. - CNA/de