Watch: Forklift Driver Injured After Shipping Containers Fall At Him In Singapore’s Pasir Panjang Terminal

A 37-year-old forklift driver was hospitalized after a stack of shipping containers toppled onto his vehicle at Singapore’s Pasir Panjang Terminal on November 25, 2024.

The accident occurred around 6:40 a.m. at the terminal’s older facility, which has been in operation since 1998.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was informed about the incident at 6:55 a.m. Emergency responders quickly arrived on-site and transferred the conscious worker to the National University Hospital, where he is reported to be in stable condition.

Authorities confirmed that the forklift driver, a Malaysian national, suffered lacerations to his head and body.

According to reports, the accident happened when the forklift, operated by the 37-year-old, was moving a container. As the forklift reversed, a column of five stacked containers became unstable and collapsed.

The top container fell directly onto the forklift’s cabin, tilting it backwards and causing the driver to fall to the ground.

Video Credits: The Online Citizen/YouTube

Footage from the incident was widely circulated online. In the video, the forklift driver is seen falling from the damaged cabin moments after the stack of containers hit the vehicle.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has launched an investigation into the incident. It has instructed PSA Singapore, the terminal operator, to suspend all empty container-handling activities at Pasir Panjang Terminal.

MOM discussed the importance of adhering to proper stacking practices to prevent such accidents, adding that containers must be stacked within safe limits to avoid toppling.

Along with the suspension, the Ministry ordered a “safety time-out” at the terminal, meaning PSA Singapore must pause its daily operations to review workplace safety protocols and operations.

Forklifts typically handle empty containers, while cranes are used for loaded containers. The incident has raised concerns about workplace safety at the terminal as regulators continue investigating the cause of the collapse.

PSA Singapore has assured the public that the worker is in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. The company has promised to cooperate with the investigation and take the necessary steps to improve safety at the terminal.

References: Container News, MalayMail