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MOM investigating after helper falls from height while window cleaning

MOM investigates helper’s fall from height while window cleaning in Singapore, reminding employers of safety rules. Read more at straitstimes.com.

The Straits TimesRhea Yasmine2026-10-10 16:00查看原文 ↗

In an online video, a woman is seen lying at the foot of a building with a squeegee nearby.

PHOTO: WALTER OH/FACEBOOK

Published Oct 10, 2026, 04:00 PM

Updated Oct 10, 2026, 04:00 PM

MOM is investigating after a migrant domestic worker fell from height while window cleaning at Block 121A Rivervale Drive on Oct 8.

SCDF said one person was taken to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, and online images showed the woman alive and breathing before she was stretchered away.

MOM reminded employers to ensure safe window cleaning, with locked grilles and supervision, and warned of fines, jail, and a ban for breaches.

SINGAPORE – The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is investigating an incident involving a migrant domestic worker (MDW) who fell from height on Oct 8 while window cleaning.

In response to queries from The Straits Times, the Singapore Civil Defence Force said it received a call for assistance at B lock 121A Rivervale Drive on Oct 8 at around 10.30am.

One person was taken to Khoo Teck Puat Hospita l.

In a video circulating online, a woman, who is alive and breathing, is seen lying at the foot of a building with what appears to be a squeegee nearby on the ground. She is being attended by three SCDF personnel.

Another photo of the incident shows her on a stretcher.

In its statement, MOM reminded all employers that they are responsible for ensuring the safety of their foreign domestic helpers at all times.

The ministry said employers must guide their foreign domestic helpers to follow safe practices when performing tasks such as window cleaning. This includes checking that window grilles are properly installed and locked throughout the cleaning process, it added.

It said all first-time employers and first-time foreign domestic helpers are educated on essential safety measures during the Employers’ Orientation Programme and Settling-In Programme respectively. These programmes cover essential safety practices, including window cleaning.

Under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act , employers of foreign domestic helpers are required to provide safe working conditions, and those who breach these requirements can be fined up to $10,000 and/or imprisoned for up to 12 months. They may also be barred from employing a domestic helper, said MOM.

Under existing regulations, employers are not allowed to let their foreign domestic helpers clean the exterior of windows unless strict safety conditions are met.

An employer or adult representative must be present to supervise the domestic worker, and window grilles must be installed and locked at all times during the cleaning.

The rule came about following the deaths of five domestic workers between January and June in 2012 . They had fallen while cleaning windows in an unsafe manner.

Between 2015 and 2024 , an average of 15 employers each year faced enforcement actions for failing to comply with safety standards regarding window cleaning by their migrant domestic workers.

In 2025 , a 3 9-year-old domestic worker died after she was believed to have fallen from a height while cleaning windows.

In 2021 , a 26-year-old Indonesian maid, who is also also believed to have fallen while cleaning windows, died in hospital after she was found at the bottom of a block of flats near Hougang MRT station.

Ministry of Manpower

一段网络视频显示，一名女子躺在建筑物脚下，旁边放着一把刮水器。

照片：WALTER OH/FACEBOOK

发布于2026年10月10日下午4:00

更新于2026年10月10日下午4:00

10月8日，一名外籍家庭佣工在Rivervale Drive 121A座组屋清洁窗户时从高处坠落，人力部正在对此进行调查。

新加坡民防部队表示，一人被送往邱德拔医院，网上流传的图片显示，这名女子在被担架抬走之前还有呼吸。

人力部提醒雇主确保安全清洁窗户，例如锁好防护栏并进行监督，并警告违规者将面临罚款、监禁和禁业处罚。

新加坡——人力部正在调查一起外籍家庭佣工在10月8日清洁窗户时从高处坠落的事故。

针对《海峡时报》的询问，新加坡民防部队表示，10 月 8 日上午 10 点 30 分左右，他们接到求助电话，称 Rivervale Drive 121A 座 B 座有人需要帮助。

一人被送往邱德拔医院。

一段在网上流传的视频显示，一名女子躺在建筑物脚下，她还活着，呼吸正常。旁边地上似乎放着一个刮水器。三名新加坡民防部队人员正在照料她。