OKP unit fined S$1m over 2017 PIE worksite accident, two employees sentenced to jail

Claudia Chong

Published Wed, May 12, 2021 · 07:31 PM

OKP Holdings' subsidiary Or Kim Peow Contractors has been fined S$1 million over a 2017 accident involving a Pan-Island Expressway viaduct collapse. The group's employees, Allen Yee and Wong Kiew Hai, were sentenced to imprisonment of 13 months and 11 months respectively.

Both men had been convicted of failing to take reasonable measures to ensure the safety of workers.

In July 2017, a road viaduct under construction collapsed near the PIE exit to the Tampines Expressway, killing one worker and injuring 10 others. OKP Holdings had clinched the viaduct project in 2015 for S$94.6 million.

OKP's board said on Wednesday that in 2017, its first priority was to ensure that the injured workers were taken care of and the family of the deceased was provided all the necessary assistance and support. It said the company worked closely with insurance companies to facilitate payout of compensation to all affected workers.

"With today's sentencing, we are glad that there is now a closure to the accident. We have since re-calibrated how we work with our subcontractors and other stakeholders. We take this opportunity to recommit our responsibility towards the WSHA (Workplace Safety and Health Act) and safety," the board added.

The counter closed flat at 18.5 Singapore cents on Wednesday.