Kreuz Shipbuilding fined for yard deaths

Singapore: Kreuz Shipbuilding and Engineering has been fined S$200,000 by the Singapore courts for two accidents that killed three workers and injured 10. The shipyard, owned by Swiber Holdings, was fined for a fire in April 2008 that injured four workers, and a flash fire on the vessel Rainbow Star, in June 2008 that left three dead and six injured. In the second case Kreuz admitted failing to ventilate the vessels tanks adequately during spray painting, resulting in a build-up of flammable gases. Lim Tan Kheng Yong, Kreuz shiprepair manager, was also fined S$15,000 for failing to ensure workers carried torchlights. In the first case Wong Chun Hoong, Kruez project manager, was fined S$70,000 for flouting safety procedures. Kreuz could have been fined up to S$500,000. [14/04/10]