In the Hotel New World's collapse inquiry, it was found that BCD
(Part of Ministry of National Development) has neglected in getting
the original structural P.E. to check and verify the structural
integrity and calculations of the pile foundations and
superstructure of the collapse building. The pile grouping was
found off-centre and certain alterations to the basement carpark
was not sufficiently checked. The subsequent OTTV works gave the
BCD another opportunity to check on loading of the superstructure
but this was evidently not done. Whether the piles were sufficient
to support the superstructure was non-conclusive in the commission
of inquiry's report.
Arising from such past building and structural collapses and
extensively publicized parliamentary commissions of Inquiry which
was published in the book: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into
the collapse of Hotel New World, one would have thought our
world-class ministers and their civil servants in BCD would have
taken care of future problems and implemented the necessary
recommended changes to the procedures for checking and approval of
structural works including temporary bracing and cofferdams around
excavations in MRT works.
It is strange that despite the voluminous reports on the
negligences of various parties and BCD as revealed in the Hotel New
World inquiry, Minister Yeo Did not disclose to parliament why he
had not followed the procedures set up by BCD as recommended by the
Report of Hotel New World collapse's inquiry.
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Minister Yeo owed the public and parliament a thorough explanation
why despite the earlier serious negligence BCD was still bypassing
the checking procedures which was supposed to be done by a
structural P.E. and a QP checker of higher experience. Was this
procedure followed. Did BCD issue the approval to commence work and
approval of the structural works.
There should have been an adequate cofferdam given all the past
experiences with collapses of building due to the same type of
excavations and presence of marine clay especially where the
excavation is an 30-M deep open-cut as there is a great possibility
of extensive subsidence in the surronding roads and bridges due to
movement of extensive marine clay.
Such excavations in many areas around other MRT sites were seen to
be causing serious subsidence and building cracks. There is no need
for very extensive training in engineering to see the catastropic
effect to the surrounding roads and bridges if the cofferdam was
not built.
Was the cofferdam done? If only a certain smaller-scale shoring or
diaphragm wall was done would it not be too flimsy. Why was this
not determined by BCD was directed by the Parliament of Singapore
after the report of the Hotel New World was passed through
parliament? Was there a negligence or oversight on the part of
minister and his senior civil servant in not applying the higher
standards recommended in that report?
In fact common sense will tell anyone that when such temporary
shoring was allowed in such a deep open-cut excavation over an
extensive area with marine clay and dewatering likely to take
place, the surrounding roads and structures might cave in. All the
more because there was extensive presence of marine clay and
possibility of serious dewatering, Minister Yeo and his senior
civil servant should have applied the higher checking standards and
passing of structural drawing by the supervisory BCD but clearly in
this case everything was being pushed to the contractors to take
the rap under contract. How about the engineer who committed
suicide because of his fear about safety in that site prior to the
final collapse. Was this case investigated as well.
The government has been upholding accountability and transparency
in many of its tasks affecting controls of others and the citizens.
When it comes to its own ministers and civil servants will the same
standards of accountability and transparency be kept even if
reported and recommended by the Commission of inquiry convened by
the parliament?
She cited the example of the diaphragm wall that was
found to have moved way beyond safe levels. And even though
buckling sounds were heard from the holding structures at the
worksite several times on the morning of the incident, the
appropriate measures were not taken.
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The judge also held Sugawara responsible for the flawed monitoring
of instrumentation at the worksite, thus compromising on
safety.
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Shimada and Broome were ruled to be responsible for their "blind
approval" of flawed designs which led to the collapse.
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Earlier, former Land Transport Authority (LTA) project director Ng
Seng Yoong, 49, was fined $8,000 for failing to exercise due
diligence which contributed to the collapse. He was the only LTA
employee to face charges.
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Nishimatsu, the Japanese construction firm heading the project, had
also been fined the maximum $200,000 under the Factories Act for
failing to ensure the worksite was constructed soundly and
maintained properly.
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The company released a statement late yesterday, saying it
"respects the (court's) decision" and "expressed its sincere
regrets to all for the inconveniences that they have faced".
Teo Xuanwei
[email protected]
was the above the real deal? i thought there was an LTA engineer
that committed suicide or something like that? can someone refresh
memories?
Citizens are very perplexed why after serious structural
collapses in the past the ministers still cannot implement
structural safety in design of buildings and MRT shoring and
cofferdam works over extensive marine clay arears widely known to
be prone to such dangers.