Singapore, 16 July 2026 – In relation to the incident at Choa Chu Kang Waterworks (CCKWW) on 23 May 2024, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has brought charges against Stargroup Est. Pte Ltd (Stargroup) and its authorised manager under the Workplace Safety and Health Act (WSHA), for failing to implement reasonably practicable measures to minimise risks, and for failing to exercise all due diligence in the issuance of confined space entry permits respectively.
2 Stargroup was appointed by PUB to carry out the washing of treatment units at CCKWW from December 2021 to November 2024. PUB takes a serious view of Stargroup's safety lapses. After the incident, PUB blacklisted Stargroup for 18 months from August 2024, which entailed being barred from tendering for any PUB projects during this period. PUB has also enhanced our contractor management processes, in confirming, through first instance checks, that the measures implemented on the ground are in accordance with contractors' stated risk assessments, safe work procedures and emergency response plans.
3 MOM has issued PUB a composition fine under the WSHA for permitting PUB employees to enter the confined space for short periods without adequate ventilation on previous occasions. Since the incident, PUB has put in place permanent ventilation for the confined space and required all confined spaces at our plants to provide adequate ventilation, even for short periods of work.
4 In connection with the incident, a PUB staff has been issued a stern warning under the WSHA. PUB is reviewing the stern warning and will take the appropriate follow-up actions.
5 Safety remains a top priority for PUB. We are committed to upholding the highest safety standards for our staff and contractors.
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