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Straits Times
6 hours ago
- Health
- Straits Times
‘Traumatised': 65-year-old man injured by falling concrete in toilet of Yishun HDB home
The incident left Mr Mohamad Hashim Arshad with more than 10 stitches on his head and injuries to his shoulder and knee. PHOTOS: SITI NURHASHIKIN 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. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
CNA
9 hours ago
- General
- CNA
Yishun resident taken to hospital after spalling concrete falls in HDB flat
SINGAPORE: A 65-year-old man was taken to hospital after spalling concrete fell in the bathroom of his flat in Yishun on Thursday (Jun 19). In response to queries from CNA on Friday, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) said its officers were alerted to the accident at Block 127 Yishun Street 11. "The incident resulted in injuries to a 65-year-old resident. Upon being notified, our officers conducted an immediate investigation on the same afternoon and found loose spalling concrete on the floor of the master bedroom bathroom," it said. HDB also inspected the whole flat and found "slight bulging of concrete" in the ceiling of the kitchen bathroom. "While there is no sign of the imminent spalling of concrete at the ceiling of the kitchen bathroom, for the residents' peace of mind and safety, HDB has arranged for our contractor to remove the bulging concrete next Monday," it added. HDB is assisting the flat owners with repairs under the Goodwill Repair Assistance (GRA) scheme and is coordinating with the local grassroots to render financial assistance for the cost of the repair works. Minister for Home Affairs, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Member of Parliament for Nee Soon GRC, K Shanmugam visited the affected flat. In a Facebook post on Friday, Mr Shanmugam said the owner of the flat is in hospital receiving treatment. He added that he spoke with the man's wife and informed her that assistance would be given, including on payment for the repair works. "My volunteers are linking with HDB and Town Council on the matter," he wrote. HDB added it will continue to render assistance and support to the affected resident and his family. COMMON ISSUE FOR OLDER BUILDINGS Spalling concrete is a common issue for older buildings, especially in areas with damp conditions such as kitchens and toilets, according to HDB's website. The issue is largely caused by carbonation, a natural deterioration process that causes steel reinforcement bars in the ceiling to corrode and the concrete to crack. The affected Yishun unit was completed 41 years ago and was upgraded under the Home Improvement Programme in 2018, HDB said in its statement on Friday. As part of the toilet upgrading, which the resident opted for, new tiles and fittings were installed in the toilets and the ceilings were repainted, it said. "No repair works for spalling concrete were conducted as there were no signs of spalling concrete in the unit then." HDB also provided advice on preventing spalling concrete. Visible signs of cracks or holes should be promptly sealed, and residents can also paint their ceilings regularly to prevent moisture and carbon dioxide from entering the concrete. Proper ventilation is also encouraged as humid environments will speed up carbonation. Residents can do so by opening the windows, vents or doors when these areas are not in use. "If there is spalling concrete, you can repair it yourself if the area is small. If the affected area is large, you should engage a contractor to repair the ceiling promptly before more concrete dislodges and causes injury.
