Stars Engrg director sentenced over fatal Tuas workplace explosion in 2021 that killed three workers

The company was fined S$500,000 and its production manager was also jailed after investigations uncovered multiple workplace safety lapses and obstruction of justice.

The director of Stars Engrg has been sentenced to 18 months and one week's imprisonment in connection with a fatal workplace explosion and fire that occurred at the company's Tuas worksite in February 2021.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) announced that Chua Xing Da was convicted of offences under the Workplace Safety and Health Act (WSHA), as well as for abetting the obstruction of the course of justice under the Penal Code.

For the same incident, Stars Engrg was fined a total of S$500,000 under the WSHA. Lwin Moe Tun, Production Manager at the company was also sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment under the Penal Code for obstructing the course of justice.

The explosion claimed the lives of three workers, Shohel Md, Anisuzzaman Md, and Subbaiyan Marimuthu while seven other workers were injured.

Fatal explosion linked to unsafe operation of mixer machine

According to MOM, the explosion, which happened on 24 February 2021, occurred while workers were manufacturing fire-retardant wraps using a heated mixer machine at the Tuas worksite.

Investigations found that the machine had been operated unsafely over an extended period despite repeated warning signs, including overheating, oil leaks, smoke emissions, and a fire incident shortly before the fatal explosion.

These unsafe operating conditions caused pressure to build up within the mixer machine, eventually leading to the explosion.

MOM's investigations also uncovered multiple workplace safety and health lapses. These included failures in risk assessment, safe work procedures, machine maintenance, and supervision.

In addition, workers had not been adequately trained to safely operate and maintain the mixer machine.

Deleted messages found during investigation

The ministry also revealed that following the fatal workplace incident, Moe deleted messages exchanged with deceased worker Subbaiyan Marimuthu regarding the handling of a faulty heater on the mixer machine shortly before the explosion.

The deleted messages were considered significant to MOM's investigations into the incident.

According to the findings, the messages were deleted after Chua instigated the action, resulting in charges against both individuals for offences relating to the obstruction of justice.

Inquiry Committee finds incident was preventable

Following the explosion, MOM convened an Inquiry Committee (IC) to investigate the causes and circumstances leading to the incident.

The committee found that the explosion and subsequent fire were preventable and stemmed from serious failures in the safe operation and maintenance of the mixer machine despite repeated warning signs.

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

Enhanced safety measures introduced

Following the inquiry, the Government accepted all recommendations put forward by the IC.

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

The measures, mandated under the WSHA and the Workplace Safety and Health (General Provisions) Regulations, strengthened duties across the machinery supply chain, expanded the list of higher-risk machinery regulated under the WSHA, and introduced additional requirements for the labelling and notification of combustible dust hazards.

MOM added it has also continued targeted outreach, guidance, and enforcement efforts to strengthen industry awareness and prevent similar workplace incidents.

Commenting on the case, Silas Sng, Commissioner for Workplace Safety and Health, said companies and company officers must take workplace safety seriously and act decisively at the first sign of risk.

"In this case, repeated red flags and unsafe practices were not addressed, resulting in a preventable tragedy that claimed three lives and injured seven others," he said.

He added that workplace safety is a responsibility shared not only by workers on the ground, but also by those overseeing operations and making decisions that affect workers' safety and health.

Sng further stressed that MOM will continue 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.

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Lead image / MOM