SINGAPORE – Government Agency Penalised After Fatal 2021 Plant Explosion

November 27, 2025

Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA) has been fined S$230,000 (£135,000) for safety failures linked to a fatal 2021 explosion at the Tuas Incineration Plant (TIP). Days later, the plant’s general manager, Ng Wah Yong, also received a S$145,000 (£85,000) fine for separate failings under the Workplace Safety and Health Act.

Details of the 2021 Incident
The incident occurred on 23 September 2021, when an arc-flash explosion erupted in a switchgear room. Three senior NEA officers—Kwok Yeow Wai, Wee Eng Leng, and Low Yin Choon—had been dispatched to investigate a malfunctioning industrial fan.

Kwok was killed instantly.
Wee died in hospital from his injuries several days later.
Low survived but sustained severe burns over 27% of his body.

Collectively, the officers brought nearly 120 years of electrical maintenance experience. TIP, which had operated for over 35 years, has since been decommissioned and slated for demolition.

Court Findings Against NEA
In court, NEA pleaded guilty to a Workplace Safety and Health Act offence. The prosecution cited three major shortcomings:

Failure to enforce a Permit-to-Work system.
Inadequate safety control measures.
Absence of proper procedures for high-voltage tasks.

NEA’s Response and Safety Reforms
The NEA accepted responsibility and stated it has taken steps to strengthen safety practices across its waste management operations. Actions include:

Forming a Waste Management Facility External Advisory Panel made up of industry leaders.
Establishing a dedicated unit to drive safety initiatives and ongoing improvement.
Engaging an external consultant to benchmark and enhance safety systems.

At the organisational level, the NEA Board was restructured in 2023 to include a Risk Committee focused on enterprise-level hazards, including workplace safety. Board membership has also been expanded to include individuals with safety and health expertise.

Accountability of Senior Staff
In addition to NEA’s penalty, general manager Ng Wah Yong pleaded guilty to failing to ensure a Permit-to-Work system and safe procedures for high-voltage switchgear tasks.

Another senior official, Christopher Lee Yew Binn—director of waste infrastructure operations and management at the time—is facing a similar charge and awaits a court hearing.

Singapore