Earthworks Contractors
Singapore
has a reliable supply of electricity, among the best in the world. EMA regulates
the electricity and piped natural gas sectors and is committed to maintaining
the country’s high standards for the delivery of electricity to consumers. A
large part of this involves ensuring that earthworks are done in a way that
avoids damaging electricity cables and affecting supply to consumers.
Under the Electricity Act (Chapter 89A), contractors
are required to obtain electricity cable plans from SP PowerGrid Ltd (SPPG) and
engage a Licensed Cable Detection Worker (LCDW) to ascertain the location of
high voltage electricity cables in the work area before starting earthworks. Contractors
should submit the Notification for Commencement of Earthworks (NCE) to SPPG at
least seven calendar days before they commence earthworks in the vicinity of
any high voltage electricity cables. Upon receiving such notification, SPPG
will issue a Letter of Requirements (LRe) for earthworks. All contractors are
required to comply with SPPG’s LRe.
From 1 Apr 2018, EMA and SPPG have implemented the Registered Earthworks Supervisor (RES) scheme to enhance cable / gas pipeline damage prevention. The RES scheme aims to ensure site supervisors are competent in cable / gas pipeline damage prevention measures, and adhere to them as required under SPPG's LRe. Only site supervisors who have passed the RES course, and are registered as a RES with SPPG, will be allowed to supervise worksites in the vicinity of high voltage cables and medium/high pressure gas pipelines. Any non-compliance with SPPG's LRe would result in demerit points being given to the RES. The RES will have his registration pass suspended or revoked if his total number of demerit points exceeds a specified threshold.
Beside complying with the requirements stipulated under the Electricity Act and SPPG's LRe, contractors are also strongly encouraged to refer to SS576:2019 (Code of Practice for Earthworks in the Vicinity of Electricity Cables) as a guide to best practices for earthworks near underground electricity cables to prevent cable damages. You may purchase a copy of the code of practice online.
According
to Section 85(1)(a) of the Electricity Act (Chapter 89A), any person who removes, destroys or damages any electrical plant or electricity cable which is part of a transmission system that belongs to or under the management or control of an electricity licensee shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1 million or imprisonment for a
term not exceeding 5 years or to both.
EMA
will investigate all cable damage incidents and take firm action against
parties who contravene Section 85 of the Electricity Act.
The table below shows the list of earthwork
contractors who have been charged and convicted in Court since 1 Jan 2013.
Date Convicted |
Company/Contractor |
Location of High Voltage Electricity Cable Damage |
Date of High Voltage Electricity Cable Damage |
02 Aug 2019 |
ALN Engineering Pte. Ltd. |
Yishun Central 1 near Lamp Pole No. 9 |
04 May 2017 |
19 Dec 2014 |
Tuksu Engineering & Construction Ltd (Singapore Branch) |
Kampong Bahru Road near Lamp Pole 80/1 |
04 Oct 2013 |
12 Sep 2014 |
HSC Pipeline Engineering Pte Ltd |
Compassvale Street near Lamp Pole No.1-1 |
29 Aug 2013 |
13 Jun 2014 |
Rock & Lab Pte Ltd |
In front of No.119 Genting Lane |
04 Dec 2012 |
25 Apr 2014 |
Weng Guan Technology Pte Ltd |
Upper Thomson Road, near Lamp Pole 328 |
12 Apr 2013 |
29 Nov 2013 |
Samsung C&T Corporation |
Car park inside Singapore LNG Corporation Pte Ltd, Terminal at Meranti View, Jurong Island |
17 Feb 2013 |
17 Oct 2013 |
Koh Kock Leong Enterprise Pte Ltd |
Junction of Cross Street and Cecil Street |
06 Feb 2010 |
17 Oct 2013 |
Koh Kock Leong Enterprise Pte Ltd |
Block 620 Bedok Reservoir Road |
07 Mar 2012 |
27 Sep 2013 |
Soil Investigation Pte Ltd |
Yishun Central, near Lamp Pole 1 |
01 Oct 2012 |
20 Sep 2013 |
Array Engineering & Construction Pte Ltd |
Choa Chu Kang Central, in front of Block 218 |
04 Aug 2012 |
20 Sep 2013 |
Sembawang Engineers and Constructors Pte Ltd |
Junction of Bukit Timah Road and Evans Road |
15 Mar 2012 |
30 Aug 2013 |
Evergreen Engineering & Construction Pte Ltd |
No. 37A Tampines St 93 |
27 Jun 2011 |
23 Aug 2013 |
Broadley Construction Pte Ltd |
Pasir Ris Street 51 by Pasir Ris Drive 1 |
19 May 2012 |
19 Aug 2013 |
Acacia Engineering Pte Ltd |
West Coast Drive, near Lamp Pole 16 |
04 Nov 2011 |
05 Jul 2013 |
ULT Corporation Pte Ltd |
Gerald Drive, near Lamp Pole 32 |
19 Jul 2012 |
21 Jun 2013 |
Zap Piling Pte Ltd |
Woodlands Road opposite Lamp Pole No. T15/1 |
27 Oct 2011 |
16 May 2013 |
Swee Hong Engineering Construction Pte Ltd |
Sussex Garden, in front of the Brompton Substation |
08 Dec 2009 |
23 Apr 2013 |
Ringo Civil Engineering Pte Ltd |
Tuas Road, near Lamp Post 22/1 |
23 Mar 2012 |
19 Apr 2013 |
Hexagroup Pte Ltd |
No. 204, Bedok South Road |
28 Mar 2012 |
25 Jan 2013 |
Songcheon Engineering Pte Ltd |
356 Alexandra Road |
01 Sep 2009 |
Consumers who are affected by cable damage incidents may wish to seek independent legal advice for any losses and damages that they may have suffered. They should do this before deciding if they want to pursue further legal action against the contractors.
Back to Top