Why did the Land Transport Authority order a safety timeout for construction sites?

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The Land Transport Authority Ordered a Safety Timeout Following a Fatal Construction Site Collapse

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) initiated a "safety timeout" across all its road and rail construction sites subsequent to a fatal incident where a highway structure partially collapsed, resulting in one fatality and ten injuries. This precautionary measure was implemented to allow for a thorough review of safety measures and processes at all ongoing projects.
Structure Collapse Led to Fatalities and Injuries

The incident occurred at approximately 3:30 AM at a worksite on Upper Changi Road East, where a new viaduct connecting the Tampines Expressway to the Pan Island Expressway (Westbound) was under construction. A section of the viaduct structure between two piers gave way. Preliminary investigations suggest that the corbels, which are structural elements supporting the pre-cast beams, failed. Eleven workers, comprising nationals from China, India, and Bangladesh, were present on the structure at the time of the collapse. Tragically, one Chinese national worker lost his life, while the remaining ten sustained injuries.
LTA Conducts Site-Wide Safety Review

Following the collapse, the LTA took immediate action by ordering a temporary suspension of works at all its road and rail construction sites. This "safety timeout" was described as a review of existing safety measures and processes. The authority later clarified that while a review was underway, construction works in Singapore were generally ongoing. The focus of the timeout was to identify any potential lapses or gaps that might require urgent attention.
Investigation into Design and Construction Quality Initiated

In addition to the immediate safety review, the LTA has directed the professional engineers responsible for the project to conduct detailed investigations into both the design and the construction quality of the collapsed structure. These investigations are being conducted in conjunction with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) to ascertain the root cause of the incident and ensure accountability.
Contractor Has Prior Safety Convictions

The contractor involved in the Upper Changi Road East project, Or Kim Peow Contractors, has a history of safety violations. Earlier in the week, the company and one of its staff members, Victor Tan Kok Peng, were convicted and fined for a fatal accident that occurred at the Yio Chu Kang flyover on September 22, 2015. In that incident, one worker died and three others were injured. The Ministry of Manpower had previously described Or Kim Peow Contractors as "a company that does not take workplace safety seriously."

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Why did the Land Transport Authority order a safety timeout for construction sites?

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