Monday, 5 May 2008
Rescue Incident Involving 2 foreign workers trapped under 500kg of glass panels

At 1409 hrs, SCDF was alerted to an industrial incident involving 2 foreign workers being injured by a pallet containing glass panels found inside a stationary cargo container.

Upon arrival at the construction Site located at junction of Upper Serangoon Road and Lowland Road within 7 minutes, SCDF found 1 male foreign worker not trapped already outside the container. He suffered deep cuts on his left wrist and was attended by SCDF Paramedics. He was swiftly conveyed to Tan Tock Seng Hospital by SCDF ambulance.

The other male worker was trapped underneath a wooden pallet containing a few glass panels each measuring 3.7m by 3.4 m and 2cm thickness. The glass panels totalled approximately 500kg.

A small portion of the rear of the container was cut by SCDF officers with power saw to facilitate easier access to the victim.

SCDF’s paramedic on scene administered intravenous drip and oxygen to stabilise the victim’s condition throughout the whole operation.

SCDF DART rescuers stabilised the glass panels using airbags and struts. As any sudden movement would cause the remaining glass panels to shatter, the delicate rescue work was executed with caution. The victim who was conscious throughout the incident, was released and placed on a stretcher, and conveyed to the Tan Tock Seng Hospital by SCDF ambulance.

The whole rescue operation lasted approximately 1 ½ hours.

A medical team from Tan Tock Seng Hospital was also in attendance in this incident and reinforced the rescue efforts.