‘Traumatised': 65-year-old man injured by falling concrete in toilet of Yishun HDB home
SINGAPORE - A 65-year-old man was injured after getting hit by concrete that fell from his Housing Board flat's toilet ceiling on June 19.
The incident left Mr Mohamad Hashim Arshad, a retiree, with more than 10 stitches on his head and injuries to his shoulder and knee.
He was discharged from hospital on the evening of June 20, his daughter Siti Nurhashikin told The Straits Times, adding that he was 'really, really traumatised'.
The spalling concrete in the master bedroom toilet of the three-room flat gave way at about 4.30am when Mr Hashim was preparing for morning prayers, she said.
'While he was sitting on the toilet bowl, the ceiling suddenly collapsed without any warning, and the concrete fell on him,' said Ms Siti, a 34-year-old housewife.
Her father has multiple health issues and is also on blood-thinning medication.
In a Facebook post on June 20, Nee Soon GRC MP K. Shanmugam said that he has spoken with Mr Hashim's wife, and told her that assistance would be rendered to the family, including the payment for repair works.
Mr Shanmugam added that his volunteers are coordinating with HDB and the Town Council on this matter.
Ms Siti told ST that her father's ground-floor unit and his neighbour's unit directly above him had not undergone any renovations recently. They had also not noticed any signs of wear and tear in the toilet, nor were there any prior incidents.
In response to ST's queries, HDB said Mr Hashim's unit in Yishun Street 11 was built 41 years ago and was upgraded under the Housing Board's Home Improvement Programme in 2018.
It will be assisting the flat's owners under the Goodwill Repair Assistance scheme and is coordinating with grassroots leaders on the cost of repair works.
HDB said it sent officers to investigate after the incident and i nspections showed slight bulging of concrete in the kitchen bathroom. While there is no imminent spalling of concrete at the kitchen bathroom's ceiling, it has arranged for contractors to remove the bulging concrete 'for the residents' peace of mind and safety' , it said.
Spalling concrete occurs through carbonation, a natural deterioration process that causes steel reinforcement bars in the ceiling to corrode and the concrete to crack, particularly in moisture-prone areas like bathrooms and kitchens, said HDB.
'To help prevent such incidents, when any visible signs of cracks or holes start appearing, residents should seal them promptly, and also paint their ceilings regularly to prevent moisture and carbon dioxide from entering the concrete,' it said.
'As a humid environment will speed up carbonation, residents are also encouraged to provide for the proper ventilation of any moisture-prone areas by opening the windows, vents or doors to reduce when these areas are not in use. Such regular care and maintenance by residents will help to keep the flats in good condition.'
ST has contacted Nee Soon Town Council and the Singapore Contractors Association for more information.
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