Stars Engrg fined $500,000 over 2021 fatal blast

Its director was also jailed for 18 months.

Stars Engrg Pte Ltd has been fined $500,000, whilst its director was jailed for 18 months and one week over the fatal workplace explosion at the company's Tuas worksite in 2021.

In a statement, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said director Chua Xing Da was convicted under the Workplace Safety and Health Act (WSHA) and for abetting the obstruction of the course of justice under the Penal Code.

The company's production manager, Lwin Moe Tun, was also sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment for obstructing the course of justice.

The explosion on 24 February 2021 killed Shohel Md, Anisuzzaman Md, and Subbaiyan Marimuthu whilst injuring seven others.

MOM said the explosion occurred whilst workers were manufacturing fire-retardant wraps using a heated mixer machine.

Investigations found the machine had been operated despite repeated warning signs, including overheating, oil leaks, smoke emissions, and an earlier fire. Pressure eventually built up inside the machine, causing the explosion.

The ministry also found multiple workplace safety lapses, including failures in risk assessment, safe work procedures, machine maintenance, supervision, and worker training.

Following the incident, MOM said Lwin, at Chua's instruction, deleted messages exchanged with one of the deceased workers about a faulty heater on the mixer machine shortly before the explosion.

The ministry said the deleted messages were significant to its investigation.

An Inquiry Committee later concluded the explosion was preventable and resulted from failures in the safe operation and maintenance of the mixer machine.

It also found inadequate controls over combustible powders at the worksite, which contributed to secondary flash fires.

In November 2024, the Multi-Agency Workplace Safety and Health Taskforce announced enhanced safety measures for higher-risk machinery and combustible dust, which took effect on 1 January 2025.

"Companies and company officers must take workplace safety seriously and act decisively at the first sign of risk," said commissioner for workplace safety and health Silas Sng.

"MOM will not hesitate to take firm enforcement action against employers and company officers who fail in their duties to protect workers' safety and health, as well as those who attempt to obstruct investigations into workplace incidents," he added.