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JUNE 2013<br />
S A F E T Y + H E A L T H I N V O L V E S E V E R Y O N E<br />
02<br />
LAUNCH OF NWSH<br />
CAMPAIGN 2013:<br />
THIS COULD BE YOU<br />
04<br />
WSH STATISTICS<br />
REPORT 2012<br />
10<br />
LATEST WSH<br />
INITIATIVES
2 STRATEGIC STRIDES STRATEGIC STRIDES 3<br />
LAUNCH OF THE<br />
National <strong>Workplace</strong> <strong>Safety</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> <strong>Health</strong> Campaign 2013<br />
The <strong>Workplace</strong> <strong>Safety</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Health</strong> (WSH)<br />
<strong>Council</strong> was established on 1 April<br />
2008 to raise the workplace safety<br />
<strong>and</strong> health st<strong>and</strong>ards in Singapore. The<br />
<strong>Council</strong> comprises 19 leaders from the<br />
major industry sectors, the Government,<br />
unions <strong>and</strong> professionals from the<br />
legal, insurance <strong>and</strong> academic fields.<br />
The <strong>Council</strong>’s key thrusts are to build<br />
industry capabilities to better manage<br />
WSH, to promote safety <strong>and</strong> health at<br />
work, to recognise companies with<br />
good WSH records <strong>and</strong> to set acceptable<br />
WSH practices. T<strong>here</strong> are seven industry<br />
committees focusing on the areas of<br />
construction <strong>and</strong> l<strong>and</strong>scaping, healthcare,<br />
logistics <strong>and</strong> transport, marine works,<br />
chemical, metalworking, manufacturing<br />
<strong>and</strong> hospitality <strong>and</strong> entertainment.<br />
Three functional committees have also<br />
been formed to identify, champion <strong>and</strong><br />
implement initiatives in the areas of<br />
engagement <strong>and</strong> outreach, workplace<br />
health <strong>and</strong> industry capability building.<br />
SHINE is a quarterly newsletter on<br />
workplace safety <strong>and</strong> health issues.<br />
For contributions, feedback or more<br />
information, please e-mail<br />
WSHC_SHINE@wshc.sg<br />
PUBLISHER<br />
<strong>Workplace</strong> <strong>Safety</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Council</strong><br />
ADDRESS<br />
1500 Bendemeer Road,<br />
#04-01 MOM Services Centre<br />
Singapore 339946<br />
This year, the National <strong>Workplace</strong> <strong>Safety</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Health</strong> (WSH) Campaign<br />
brings a personalised message to all workers with “This could be you“.<br />
The campaign strikes hard at a common safety mindset that “accidents<br />
would not happen to me” <strong>and</strong> is a timely reminder to all that accidents can<br />
happen to anyone if we ignore WSH practices.<br />
The year-long campaign was launched on 20 May 2013 at The<br />
Cube, Asia Square by Guest-of-Honour, Prime Minister (PM)<br />
Lee Hsien Loong. In his opening speech, PM Lee highlighted<br />
the importance of WSH <strong>and</strong> the role everyone can play to instil<br />
safety consciousness <strong>and</strong> work safely in the workplace. While<br />
Singapore’s fatality rate has halved — from 4.0 per 100,000<br />
employees in 2005 to 2.1 per 100,000 in 2012 — t<strong>here</strong> is still<br />
room for improvement as Singapore lags behind developed<br />
countries such as UK (0.6), Germany (0.7) <strong>and</strong> Australia (1.9).<br />
At the launch, 37 government agencies showed their support<br />
for WSH with a commitment to raise safety st<strong>and</strong>ards in public<br />
construction <strong>and</strong> development projects by setting <strong>and</strong> enforcing<br />
WSH rules.<br />
Chairman of the WSH <strong>Council</strong>, Mr Lee Tzu Yang, also shared in his<br />
opening address that this year’s campaign aimed to remind all<br />
workers that accidents could happen to anyone <strong>and</strong> when they do<br />
happen, the worker’s loved ones would also be adversely affected.<br />
This message was also reinforced in the <strong>Council</strong>’s new TV<br />
commercial that was unveiled during the event <strong>and</strong> can now be<br />
seen on local <strong>and</strong> online media platforms. Striking a sombre tone,<br />
the commercial shows a worker slipping <strong>and</strong> falling off the side<br />
of a building at a construction site. As he plunges downwards in<br />
slow motion, he is seen to personify various everyday workers<br />
— a father of two, a newly-wed husb<strong>and</strong>, an only child. This puts<br />
a real face to the consequences of ignoring safety practices at<br />
work. View the TV commercial at www.wshc.sg<br />
PM Lee trying out the latest set of WSH exhibits that companies can tap on to<br />
educate their workers on safety <strong>and</strong> health measures.<br />
Catch our latest TV commercial at www.wshc.sg<br />
INNOVATIVE WAYS TO SPREAD THE SAFETY MESSAGE<br />
The event also unveiled WSH <strong>Council</strong>’s new augmented reality<br />
installation. The installation features an interactive screen<br />
showcasing seemingly ordinary workplace scenarios such as a<br />
warehouse full of boxes, a loading bay <strong>and</strong> chemical drums placed<br />
neatly in rows. When the participant steps on a trigger point in<br />
front of the screen, he is visually projected within a workplace<br />
scenario on screen. Within a split second, the scenario quickly<br />
escalates into a “fatal” accident, with the participant being<br />
“buried” by falling boxes, “hit” by a reversing truck or “burnt” by<br />
a chemical fire. The installation drew crowds of participants from<br />
school children to workers.<br />
No part of this publication may be<br />
reproduced or transmitted in any form or<br />
by any means without the prior written<br />
permission of the publisher.<br />
A participant tries out the augmented reality installation.<br />
For more information on booking WSH exhibits, visit www.wshc.sg
4 STRATEGIC STRIDES<br />
Spotlight<br />
ON SAFETY<br />
WSH STATISTICS REPORT 2012<br />
HIGH-RISK SECTORS STILL A CAUSE FOR CONCERN<br />
OTHERS<br />
Manufacturing Marine<br />
Construction<br />
79% 21%<br />
A lesson on safety<br />
SAFETY PROFILE 5<br />
from the London Olympics<br />
FATALITY RATE per 100,000 employed persons<br />
4.9<br />
2004<br />
Released by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), <strong>Workplace</strong> <strong>Safety</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> <strong>Health</strong> (WSH) <strong>Council</strong> <strong>and</strong> WSH Institute, the latest WSH Statistics<br />
Report shows that the workplace fatality rate has declined to a<br />
record low, from 4.9 per 100,000 employed persons in 2004 to 2.1<br />
per 100,000 employed persons in 2012. However, the number of<br />
reported work injuries <strong>and</strong> incidences of occupational diseases (ODs)<br />
has increased.<br />
HEIGHTENED MONITORING AND EARLY DETECTION IN<br />
OD CASES<br />
839<br />
CASES<br />
2 0 1 1<br />
2012<br />
18 % 88 %<br />
987<br />
CASES<br />
2 0 1 2<br />
Noise–induced<br />
deafness<br />
987<br />
CASES<br />
OD cases rose by 18%—from 839 reported in 2011 to 987 cases<br />
in 2012. This rise was primarily attributed to increased monitoring<br />
efforts by MOM’s Occupational <strong>Safety</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Health</strong> specialists who<br />
encouraged early detection <strong>and</strong> reporting. Of the 987 OD cases, 88%<br />
were cases of noise-induced deafness, with over 98% of workers<br />
diagnosed at the early stage when intervention measures can be<br />
taken to prevent further deterioration.<br />
2012 2011<br />
<strong>Workplace</strong> Injuries 11,113 10,121<br />
Fatal Injuries 56 61<br />
Major Injuries 588 556<br />
Minor Injuries 10,469 9,504<br />
Occupational Diseases 987 839<br />
2.1<br />
2012<br />
Table 1: Number of <strong>Workplace</strong> Injuries <strong>and</strong> Occupational Diseases, 2011 <strong>and</strong> 2012.<br />
The three traditional sectors (manufacturing, marine <strong>and</strong> construction)<br />
continue to account for 79% of workplace fatalities in 2012. These sectors<br />
also saw a collective increase of 17% in both major <strong>and</strong> minor injuries.<br />
Together, all three sectors account for close to half of all major <strong>and</strong> minor<br />
injuries reported in 2012.<br />
Industry 2012 2011<br />
All sectors 56 (55) 61(58)<br />
Construction 26 (25) 22 (21)<br />
Marine 6 (6) 10 (8)<br />
Manufacturing 12 (12) 13 (13)<br />
Logistics & Transport 7 6<br />
Others 5 10<br />
Table 2: Number of <strong>Workplace</strong> Fatal Injuries by Industry, 2011 <strong>and</strong> 2012<br />
Figures in parenthesis refer to the number of fatal incidents.<br />
In particular, the construction sector accounted for nearly half of all work<br />
fatalities (46%) <strong>and</strong> 1 in 4 of major industries. The sector’s fatalities also<br />
rose from 22 in 2011 to 26 in 2012, <strong>and</strong> posted the highest fatal injury<br />
rate amongst the three sectors.<br />
WORK-RELATED FALLS ON THE WATCH LIST<br />
The number of work-related falls fell from 26 cases in 2011 to 17 in 2012.<br />
However, it was still the leading incident type in 2012, accounting for<br />
30% of all fatalities. Fall-related deaths <strong>and</strong> injuries were seen across<br />
both traditional sectors <strong>and</strong> service sectors such as logistics <strong>and</strong> transport,<br />
telecommunications, advertising <strong>and</strong> business support activities.<br />
BUILDING A ROBUST WSH CULTURE WITH CULTURESAFE<br />
Highlighting the need for concrete measures <strong>and</strong> attitudes, Chairman<br />
of the WSH <strong>Council</strong>, Mr Lee Tzu Yang, said, “Industry players need<br />
to review the trends <strong>and</strong> compare them against their workplaces<br />
to identify areas of concern. W<strong>here</strong> shortfalls are seen, companies<br />
must take concrete measures to implement better WSH practices.<br />
To do so, they can tap on various case studies, guidelines <strong>and</strong> codes<br />
of practice issued by the WSH <strong>Council</strong>. But beyond this, we must<br />
change attitudes <strong>and</strong> encourage safe work behaviour. In this aspect,<br />
the <strong>Council</strong>’s CultureSAFE programme can help.”<br />
The CultureSAFE programme, consisting of a five-step CultureSAFE<br />
cycle, has been developed to help organisations nurture a strong<br />
WSH culture <strong>and</strong> inculcate the right WSH mindset among the<br />
workforce. Small- <strong>and</strong> medium-sized enterprises keen to start <strong>and</strong><br />
maintain their safety culture within their workplaces can also tap on<br />
the WSH Culture Fund to help defray the associated costs in adopting<br />
the CultureSAFE programme.<br />
To view the WSH Statistics Report 2012 in full or to find out more about the CultureSAFE programme,<br />
visit www.wshc.sg<br />
The health <strong>and</strong> safety of workers has always been the<br />
priority for the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA). In this<br />
issue of SHINE, Mr Lawrence Waterman (Order of the<br />
British Empire), Head of <strong>Health</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Safety</strong> for the ODA<br />
<strong>and</strong> Past President of Institution of Occupational <strong>Safety</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> <strong>Health</strong>, shares with us his experience in constructing<br />
one of the biggest <strong>and</strong> most challenging projects the<br />
United Kingdom (UK) has ever undertaken – London<br />
Olympics 2012.<br />
When the UK began construction work for London Olympics 2012, it<br />
was calculated that the project would see three deaths, more than<br />
500 workers would be seriously injured <strong>and</strong> around 100 of them<br />
would have their lives adversely affected by their injuries. However,<br />
the London Olympic facilities turned out to be the first in the history of<br />
the Games to be completed without a fatality.<br />
The Olympic Park built for the London Olympics was a massive project.<br />
Construction for the Olympic facilities involved the 80,000-seater<br />
Stratford Stadium <strong>and</strong> 2,818 flats for the Olympic Village.<br />
CAREFUL PLANNING AT EVERY STEP<br />
Planning was done based on simple foundations that can be applied<br />
to building projects of any size <strong>and</strong> place:<br />
• Show commitment to safety<br />
ODA showed its commitment to safety by declaring a zerofatality<br />
target. With measurable objectives <strong>and</strong> targets, ODA sent<br />
out a clear message on what all workers were expected to work<br />
towards. Leadership was also provided at every level, from the<br />
Chief Executive to every subcontractor to get everyone to work<br />
to prevent deaths onsite.<br />
• Design for safety <strong>and</strong> health<br />
ODA encouraged designers to design for health <strong>and</strong> safety in<br />
construction, use <strong>and</strong> future maintenance.<br />
• Detailed planning <strong>and</strong> risk management<br />
ODA planned every phase of work, profiled every risk <strong>and</strong><br />
managed those risks carefully.<br />
ODA’s determination <strong>and</strong> attention to planning <strong>and</strong> risk<br />
management paid off. After 62 million man-hours, the London<br />
Olympic facilities were the first in the history of the Games to be<br />
completed without a fatality. Its onsite accident frequency rate<br />
is less than the all-industry average of 0.21 <strong>and</strong> from a worker’s<br />
perspective, working at the site of the London Olympics was<br />
equivalent to working in an office.<br />
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING AS CRITICAL AS ACCIDENT<br />
PREVENTION<br />
Research has shown that more construction workers have their<br />
health damaged than t<strong>here</strong> are those who are injured in accidents<br />
during work. This was verified from what they observed during the<br />
construction of the Olympic Park.<br />
They found that an overwhelming number of the 12,000 builders<br />
had an unhealthy lifestyle <strong>and</strong> many were significantly overweight.<br />
Workers often skipped their breakfasts after indulging in fatty<br />
takeaways the night before <strong>and</strong> in the one-hour period before lunch,<br />
their minds were usually on what they wanted for lunch rather<br />
than on the job at h<strong>and</strong>. This distraction was the main reason why<br />
accidents happen. To keep safety on top of the workers’ minds, ODA<br />
offered healthy porridge to them for just £1. The result was — better<br />
diets, lower accident rates <strong>and</strong> a general boost to health.<br />
LEARNING LEGACY<br />
All these efforts had helped ODA reap rewards of a more efficient<br />
<strong>and</strong> effective workforce. The approach ODA has adopted is relevant<br />
not only for the construction sector, but also for any workplace.<br />
The construction of Singapore’s venues <strong>and</strong> public infrastructure<br />
<strong>and</strong> London Olympic Park are intimately connected. The initiatives<br />
that worked for the Olympic Park can also be applied elsew<strong>here</strong>.<br />
Many of the safety procedures at the Olympic Park were not new<br />
but they were implemented consistently <strong>and</strong> thoroughly. Daily<br />
activity briefings were m<strong>and</strong>ated, even at the smallest site. Onsite<br />
communication, no matter how trivial, was also strongly encouraged.<br />
With visible commitment throughout any project, every organisation<br />
can protect their workers <strong>and</strong> bring success to their business.
6 EVENTS<br />
EVENTS 7<br />
Jurong Gateway <strong>Safety</strong> Group Seminar - 13 Mar 2013<br />
ProBE Plus Forum 2013 places priority<br />
on safety in Work at Heights <strong>and</strong><br />
Crane Operations<br />
More than 600 WSH professionals, managers <strong>and</strong> supervisors attended the annual<br />
Programme-based Engagement (ProBE) Plus Forum on 4 April 2013. This year, ProBE<br />
Plus puts the spotlight on work at heights (WAH) <strong>and</strong> crane safety. These two work<br />
sectors contributed to 40% of work fatalities <strong>and</strong> 47% of major injuries in 2012 <strong>and</strong><br />
are priority areas for both engagement <strong>and</strong> enforcement efforts in 2013.<br />
Speaking at the event, Senior Parliamentary Secretary (SPS) for Education<br />
<strong>and</strong> Manpower Mr Hawazi Daipi, highlighted the importance of the industry’s<br />
role in improving workplace safety <strong>and</strong> health (WSH) <strong>and</strong> the need to better<br />
regulate WAH practices. He said, “The ProBE Plus Programme is all about active<br />
engagement, ownership <strong>and</strong> making a change. The idea is to raise capabilities to<br />
better manage WSH issues <strong>and</strong> reduce risks at our workplaces.”<br />
NEW REGULATIONS AND INITIATIVES<br />
SPS announced that the WSH (Work at Heights)<br />
Regulations are in force from May 2013.<br />
However, two specific requirements in the<br />
regulations will take effect a year later from<br />
1 April 2014, to enable industry stakeholders<br />
more time to get ready for these changes.<br />
The two requirements are implementing fall<br />
prevention plans <strong>and</strong> a permit-to-work system<br />
for activities w<strong>here</strong> workers are liable to fall<br />
from a height of more than 3 metres.<br />
The completion of the WAH Competency<br />
Framework was also highlighted at the Forum.<br />
The first of its kind targeting a specific area<br />
of work, the framework aims to train <strong>and</strong><br />
equip all four key levels of staff – workers,<br />
supervisors, assessors <strong>and</strong> managers, with<br />
essential knowledge <strong>and</strong> skills on WAH safety.<br />
All curriculum for the four levels are ready <strong>and</strong><br />
stakeholders are encouraged to register for the<br />
courses with accredited training providers.<br />
To help the industry improve crane safety<br />
<strong>and</strong> implement effective lifting plans, a new<br />
pilot course “Appointed Persons for Lifting<br />
Operations” was shared with stakeholders. The<br />
course is designed to train personnel to plan<br />
<strong>and</strong> coordinate complex lifting operations <strong>and</strong><br />
will be available from mid-2013.<br />
A slew of WSH related events were recently organised to raise safety st<strong>and</strong>ards in<br />
several industries.<br />
Technical Seminar for Mobile Cranes - 27 Feb 2013<br />
As part of ongoing initiatives to raise awareness on crane safety, the Institution of Engineers<br />
Singapore (IES), supported by Ministry of Manpower (MOM), WSH <strong>Council</strong> <strong>and</strong> Lifting<br />
Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA), organised a Technical Seminar for Mobile Cranes on<br />
27 February 2013. Speakers from MOM <strong>and</strong> the industry shared best practices <strong>and</strong> case studies<br />
on crane safety operations from different perspectives – from manufacturer to builder to client.<br />
Through the seminar, participants gained better underst<strong>and</strong>ing on the roles of various<br />
stakeholders <strong>and</strong> how they can complement one another towards safe use of mobile cranes.<br />
The Jurong Gateway <strong>Safety</strong> Group, in collaboration with the WSH <strong>Council</strong>, organised its inaugural<br />
Construction Seminar on 13 March 2013 at Science Centre Singapore. More than 140 construction<br />
stakeholders, including those involved in the construction projects around Jurong Gateway, were<br />
updated on the latest WSH statistics for the construction sector <strong>and</strong> related accident case studies.<br />
The Building <strong>and</strong> Construction Authority (BCA) also shared different incentive schemes <strong>and</strong><br />
technologies aimed at enhancing safety <strong>and</strong> productivity.<br />
Participants were also engaged in a question-<strong>and</strong>-answer session w<strong>here</strong> they learnt about ways<br />
to manage difficult stakeholders <strong>and</strong> support the incorporation of safety provisions.<br />
Singapore Petrochemical<br />
Complex HSE Campaign - 9 Apr 2013<br />
Comprising an upstream company <strong>and</strong> more than ten downstream companies, Singapore<br />
Petrochemical Complex organised its annual Complex <strong>Health</strong>, <strong>Safety</strong> <strong>and</strong> Environment (HSE)<br />
campaign to get its workers, staff <strong>and</strong> contractors involved in WSH. Held on 9 April 2013 at<br />
Jurong Isl<strong>and</strong>, participating companies <strong>and</strong> contractors gained a better underst<strong>and</strong>ing on good<br />
work practices <strong>and</strong> the latest safety products from the various WSH exhibits on display.<br />
Forum for Authorised Examiners (Lifting Equipment) - 11 Apr 2013<br />
More than 60 authorised examiners (AEs) attended the Forum for Authorised Examiners (Lifting<br />
Equipment) held at the HDB Hub Convention Centre on 11 April 2013. Organised by MOM <strong>and</strong><br />
WSH <strong>Council</strong>, the Forum aimed to help AEs better underst<strong>and</strong> important issues relating to safe<br />
use of lifting equipment.<br />
Er Mohd Ismadi, Deputy Director (Equipment <strong>Safety</strong>) of MOM highlighted the pivotal role AEs play<br />
to ensure safety <strong>and</strong> integrity of statutory equipment at workplaces while other MOM speakers<br />
shared important regulatory updates <strong>and</strong> key learning points from past lifting inspections. A<br />
speaker from Sennebogen Cranes also shared the latest in mobile cranes technology.<br />
WSH Forum for Facilities Management Industry - 9 May 2013<br />
With the Facilities Management (FM) industry employing more than 124,000 workers <strong>and</strong> the<br />
work affecting many more tenants <strong>and</strong> occupants of buildings, a WSH Forum for FM Industry<br />
was held on 9 May 2013 to help the sector better manage WSH. More than 250 facility<br />
managers, building developers <strong>and</strong> service buyers in the FM sector attended the forum w<strong>here</strong><br />
they learned about best practices <strong>and</strong> their roles <strong>and</strong> obligations under the WSH Act.<br />
Mr Kenneth Foo, Chairman of the WSH <strong>Council</strong> FM Workgroup highlighted how the smooth operation<br />
of buildings presents many WSH challenges (such as high-rise greenery which requires maintenance<br />
work) as the sector involves multiple disciplines. He also shared the FM Workgroup’s efforts to help<br />
the industry better manage these WSH challenges – through courses <strong>and</strong> new guidelines.<br />
Bedok <strong>Safety</strong> Group Seminar on Work at Heights - 23 May 2013<br />
A seminar on work at heights (WAH) was held on 23 May 2013 for the members of the Bedok<br />
<strong>Safety</strong> Group (BSG). BSG organised the seminar as part of initiatives to get its members <strong>and</strong><br />
contactors actively involved in WSH developments <strong>and</strong> building a strong safety culture.<br />
Mr Lai Poon Piau, Executive Director of the WSH <strong>Council</strong> highlighted the <strong>Council</strong>’s plans to work<br />
with the BSG in reaching out to schools in the eastern area <strong>and</strong> involve the community-at-large<br />
in WSH. Besides picking up important WAH tips <strong>and</strong> good practices, participants also gained a<br />
better underst<strong>and</strong>ing of their roles under the new WAH Regulations.
8 CASE FILE CASE FILE 9<br />
Case Brief: On 13 October 2010, a worker was using a gas<br />
cutter to cut a scrap escalator when one of the separated<br />
parts fell <strong>and</strong> struck him.<br />
The Accused: Operations manager of New Tsingyi Pte Ltd<br />
Employer fined for failure to ensure workplace safety<br />
On the day of the incident, the deceased was tasked to cut<br />
the scrap escalator into three parts for recycling purposes. As<br />
no clear instructions were given to the deceased on how he<br />
should physically cut the scrap escalator, he decided to devise<br />
his own work method <strong>and</strong> proceeded to use a gas cutter to<br />
do so while the scrap escalator was in an upright position. During the cutting process, one of the separated parts<br />
(measuring 5.9m long <strong>and</strong> 1.6m wide) suddenly dropped on its side, struck the deceased <strong>and</strong> killed him instantly.<br />
Investigations revealed that the operations manager was aware that the scrap escalator was physically in the factory<br />
<strong>and</strong> that it had to be cut up into smaller parts. However, he did not give any instructions as to the work method to<br />
be used by his workers. The operations manager, who was in charge of workplace safety at the factory, also did<br />
not conduct any risk assessment. He failed to provide adequate instructions <strong>and</strong> ensure that a safe work procedure<br />
(such as using blocks <strong>and</strong> chain blocks to support the scrap escalator) was used by his worker before cutting works<br />
commenced. This would ensure that the scrap escalator was stable in the midst of cutting <strong>and</strong> would not cause<br />
serious injury to anyone in the vicinity.<br />
For failing to ensure the safety of his worker, the operations manager was fined $50,000 under the <strong>Workplace</strong> <strong>Safety</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> <strong>Health</strong> Act.<br />
Case Brief: On 17 September 2009, a worker was<br />
descending a ladder when he fell off the ladder <strong>and</strong><br />
l<strong>and</strong>ed 14m onto the ground below.<br />
The Accused: Wai Fong Construction Pte Ltd<br />
Employer fined for failure to ensure workplace safety<br />
On the day of the accident, the deceased was involved<br />
in a formwork dismantling process. The formwork panel<br />
was earlier secured by nine tie-rods with wing nuts during<br />
the construction of a column. At the material time of the<br />
accident, all the tie-rods had already been removed <strong>and</strong><br />
the panel was only secured by two wires tied to the rebars<br />
protruding from the top of the column.<br />
To dismantle the formwork, the deceased climbed up a ladder that was resting against the formwork panel, in<br />
order to rig the panel to a crane. He untied the two wires <strong>and</strong> as he started to descend the ladder, the unsecured<br />
formwork panel was dislodged, which in turn destabilised the ladder. The deceased then lost his balance, fell off<br />
the ladder <strong>and</strong> l<strong>and</strong>ed on the ground 14m below.<br />
Investigations revealed that Wai Fong failed to implement an established safe formwork dismantling method<br />
w<strong>here</strong> at least two tie-rods should be left in place to temporarily secure the panel as it was being rigged to a<br />
crane. Wai Fong also did not ensure the adequacy of using wires to secure the panel. The deceased’s supervisor<br />
contributed to the accident as he did not ensure that at least two tie-rods were left in place to temporarily secure<br />
the panel before instructing the deceased to work on the panel.<br />
For failing to take adequate safety measures for the dismantling of formwork, Wai Fong <strong>and</strong> the supervisor were<br />
fined $70,000 <strong>and</strong> $800 respectively under the <strong>Workplace</strong> <strong>Safety</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Health</strong> Act.<br />
Case Brief: On 17 December 2008, during formwork<br />
erection, a worker stood on top of the formwork while<br />
operating a chain block to lift the formwork. At the<br />
material time of the accident, one of the wire ropes<br />
rigging which secured the formwork to the lifting hook<br />
of the chain block slipped, causing the formwork <strong>and</strong> the<br />
worker, to drop about 3m to the concrete slab below.<br />
The worker was taken to the hospital but subsequently<br />
succumbed to his injuries the next day.<br />
The Accused: Yangzijiang International (S) Pte Ltd<br />
Employer fined for failure to ensure workplace safety<br />
Investigation revealed the chain block was suspended<br />
from an automatic climbing formwork system. This<br />
manner of suspending the chain block had been used<br />
without incident on previous occasions. However, on the<br />
day of the accident, the automatic climbing formwork<br />
system was at a height that was higher than usual. Hence,<br />
the lifting chain of the chain block was not long enough.<br />
The deceased improvised on the work method by connecting an uncertified wire rope to the original rigging, in<br />
order to lengthen the entire lifting chain. During its lifting, one end of the uncertified wire rope slipped out of its<br />
end wire clip, resulting in the accident.<br />
Investigations revealed that Yangzijiang failed to conduct a risk assessment <strong>and</strong> establish safe work procedures<br />
for the method it devised in using the automatic climbing formwork system to suspend the formwork for the<br />
construction of the wall. Without such measures in place, t<strong>here</strong> is a risk of workers bypassing or improvising from<br />
the original work procedures. Yangzijiang also failed to ensure that t<strong>here</strong> was effective work supervision in place<br />
<strong>and</strong> no further instructions were given to the worker on how to perform the work, given that t<strong>here</strong> was a known<br />
change to the usual work method. In addition, Yangzijiang failed to ensure that the chain block’s lifting chain was<br />
long enough or that workers could still perform their work from the single lift access scaffold provided.<br />
For failing to take adequate safety measures for the construction work, Yangzijiang was fined $80,000 under<br />
the <strong>Workplace</strong> <strong>Safety</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Health</strong> Act.<br />
Get<br />
SNAPPING<br />
for <strong>Safety</strong>!<br />
Snap@MOM is a free <strong>and</strong> user-friendly mobile application offered by Ministry of Manpower<br />
(MOM) to encourage industry <strong>and</strong> community ownership in managing workplace safety<br />
<strong>and</strong> health. Using prevalent mobile phone technology platforms such as iOS <strong>and</strong> Android,<br />
members of the public or the workforce can take photographs of both unsafe <strong>and</strong><br />
commendable work practices <strong>and</strong> conditions. The users can then use in-built GPS feature on<br />
the mobile device to identify the workplace location <strong>and</strong> send the photograph with a short<br />
description to the workplace occupier for follow-up. As of 31 May 2013, over 6,800 users<br />
have downloaded the app <strong>and</strong> sent over 1,600 photographs of unsafe acts or best practices.
10 WHAT’S NEW WHAT’S NEW 11<br />
Latest WSH INITIATIVES<br />
IMPORTANT UPDATES IN<br />
WSH (WORK AT HEIGHTS) REGULATIONS<br />
UPDATE ON WSH (WORK AT HEIGHTS) REGULATIONS 2013<br />
The WSH (Work at Heights) Regulations have been gazetted <strong>and</strong> are in effect from 1 May 2013. Currently<br />
applicable only to factories, coverage will be exp<strong>and</strong>ed to all workplaces in May 2014. Key provisions<br />
in the new Regulations include implementation of a fall prevention plan (FPP), permit-to-work (PTW)<br />
system, training of WAH personnel, safety provisions for working on roofs <strong>and</strong> fragile surfaces <strong>and</strong><br />
emphasis on using industrial rope access systems.<br />
The scope of coverage of the proposed Regulations is in two phases:<br />
1 May 2013 Regulations in effect <strong>and</strong> applicable only to factories<br />
1 May 2014 • Coverage will be exp<strong>and</strong>ed to all workplaces;<br />
• Establishment <strong>and</strong> implementation of FPP for specified workplaces; <strong>and</strong><br />
• Implementation of PTW system for work at heights w<strong>here</strong> a person could<br />
fall from a height of more than 3 metres.<br />
The WSH (Construction) Regulations have also been amended to delete those replica provisions in the new<br />
WSH (Work at Heights) Regulations via the WSH (Construction) (Amendment) Regulations 2013.<br />
RESOURCES AND ASSISTANCE FOR THE INDUSTRY<br />
To help industry get ready for the upcoming Regulations, the WSH <strong>Council</strong> has rolled out various capability<br />
building initiatives such as a revised Approved Code of Practice on Working Safely at Heights <strong>and</strong> an enhanced<br />
Construction <strong>Safety</strong> Orientation Course. To keep trainers up-to-mark on WAH fundamentals <strong>and</strong> ensure that<br />
they are competent to train others effectively, a new WAH Train-the-Trainer course was also developed. The<br />
increase from the current pool of 10 WAH accredited training providers in the coming months will translate to<br />
some 130,000 training places equipped to conduct the various WAH courses.<br />
REPEAL OF THE FACTORIES (PIC) AND<br />
FACTORIES (COC) REGULATIONS<br />
The Ministry of Manpower has two specific regulations to govern the operational safety of internal combustion<br />
engines (ICEs) <strong>and</strong> steam boilers (SBs); these regulations legislate the requirements of competent persons<br />
operating these machinery. Over the years, manual operations have advanced to using automation <strong>and</strong><br />
monitoring devices to ensure that ICEs <strong>and</strong> SBs operate within safe limits. Taking into consideration<br />
advancement in technology <strong>and</strong> the performance-based WSH Act, the Factories (Persons-in-Charge) Regulations<br />
<strong>and</strong> Factories (Certificate of Competency-Examination) Regulations will be revoked from 18 March 2013. The<br />
current WSH Act <strong>and</strong> its subsidiary legislation in place will ensure oversight on the safe operation of ICEs <strong>and</strong><br />
SBs at workplaces.<br />
NEW<br />
Publications<br />
The WSH <strong>Council</strong> recently issued five publications – the revised Approved Code of Practice on Working Safely at Heights, <strong>and</strong><br />
Activity Based Checklists. To view these publications in full, visit www.wshc.sg<br />
Code of Practice for<br />
Working Safely at Heights<br />
Safe Storage of Chemicals<br />
Improper <strong>and</strong> unsafe storage of chemicals can be hazardous to you <strong>and</strong> your workers. Use this basic checklist + as a guide to keep<br />
you <strong>and</strong> your workers safe. For more information on how you can keep your workplace safe, go to www.wshc.sg<br />
Name of Company Process/ Location<br />
Checked by (Name/ Designation) Date<br />
Chemicals are kept in<br />
closed containers when<br />
not in use.<br />
<strong>Safety</strong> Checks<br />
Chemicals <strong>and</strong> their<br />
containers are correctly<br />
labelled.<br />
Chemicals <strong>and</strong> their<br />
containers are stored<br />
properly (e.g., racks<br />
<strong>and</strong> cabinets) in wellventilated<br />
areas.<br />
<strong>Safety</strong> data sheets (SDS)<br />
are available for all the<br />
chemicals stored.<br />
Workers are prohibited<br />
from smoking in areas<br />
w<strong>here</strong> flammable<br />
chemicals are stored.<br />
Containment materials<br />
such as absorbents are<br />
available.<br />
Fire extinguishers on site<br />
are not expired.<br />
Combustibles (e.g.,<br />
papers <strong>and</strong> cloths) are<br />
removed or stored away<br />
from the chemical storage<br />
area.<br />
+ This checklist may not cover a l aspects of work activities in your workplace. You should review the checklist when t<strong>here</strong> are changes in any work activity.<br />
* NA – Not applicable<br />
Please tick ( 3)<br />
Yes No NA*<br />
If no, action required by:<br />
Name :<br />
Date :<br />
Name :<br />
Date :<br />
Name :<br />
Date :<br />
Name :<br />
Date :<br />
Name :<br />
Date :<br />
Name :<br />
Date :<br />
Name :<br />
Date :<br />
Name :<br />
Date :<br />
Revised Approved Code of Practice for Working Safely at Heights<br />
To support industry’s compliance of the new Work at Heights Regulations 2013,<br />
this revised edition of the Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) for Working Safely<br />
at Heights now includes guidance on implementing fall prevention plans<br />
<strong>and</strong> permit-to-work systems for working at heights, <strong>and</strong> provides further<br />
elaboration of key statutory requirements. This ACOP applies to work at<br />
heights activities across all industry sectors.<br />
Activity Based Checklists<br />
Designed as a simple <strong>and</strong> practical safety guide for use onsite, the<br />
checklists can be used by workers <strong>and</strong> supervisors to help keep all parties<br />
safe. The checklists include various work activities such as “Safe Storage of<br />
Chemicals”, “Working Safely at Heights”, “Working Safely with Machines”<br />
<strong>and</strong> “Working Safely with Non-powered H<strong>and</strong> Tools”.<br />
Openings into or<br />
through which a person<br />
may fall are covered or<br />
guarded with effective<br />
barriers.<br />
Working Safely at Heights<br />
Falls from heights are a major cause of work-related fatalities <strong>and</strong> injuries. It is important to ensure <strong>and</strong> maintain a safe work<br />
environment for working at heights. Use this checklist + as a guide to keep you <strong>and</strong> your workers safe. For more information on<br />
how you can keep your workplace safe, go to www.wshc.sg<br />
<strong>Safety</strong> Checks<br />
T<strong>here</strong> are h<strong>and</strong>rails <strong>and</strong><br />
lower rails at open sides<br />
of staircases.<br />
Guardrails are put in place<br />
to prevent people from<br />
falling over the edge.<br />
Working platforms used<br />
are certified, of sound<br />
construction <strong>and</strong> are<br />
able to support the<br />
worker’s weight.<br />
Safe means of access <strong>and</strong><br />
egress are provided.<br />
Workers are provided<br />
with personal fall arrest<br />
systems with sufficient<br />
<strong>and</strong> secured anchorages.<br />
Good housekeeping<br />
is practised to prevent<br />
falls from heights due to<br />
tripping hazards.<br />
An appointed <strong>and</strong><br />
competent supervisor<br />
oversees workers working<br />
at heights.<br />
+ This checklist may not cover a l aspects of work activities in your workplace. You should review the checklist when t<strong>here</strong> are changes in any work activity.<br />
* NA – Not applicable<br />
Please tick ( 3)<br />
Yes No NA*<br />
Name of Company Process/ Location<br />
Checked by (Name/ Designation) Date<br />
If no, action required by:<br />
Name :<br />
Date :<br />
Name :<br />
Date :<br />
Name :<br />
Date :<br />
Name :<br />
Date :<br />
Name :<br />
Date :<br />
Name :<br />
Date :<br />
Name :<br />
Date :<br />
Name :<br />
Date :<br />
Working Safely with Machines<br />
Working with machines will expose you <strong>and</strong> your workers to risks which can lead to serious bodily injuries. Use this basic checklist +<br />
as a guide to keep you <strong>and</strong> your workers safe. For more information on how you can keep your workplace safe, go to www.wshc.sg<br />
Name of Company Process/ Location<br />
Checked by (Name/ Designation) Date<br />
<strong>Safety</strong> Checks<br />
Emergency shutdown<br />
switch for each machine<br />
is within operator’s reach.<br />
Machine guard is<br />
installed on moving<br />
parts of machine.<br />
Workers check for<br />
irregularities on machine<br />
before operation.<br />
Workers are briefed on<br />
the hazards <strong>and</strong> risks of<br />
working with machines.<br />
Workers wear earplugs<br />
when working with<br />
noisy machines.<br />
Workers’ clothes are fitted<br />
<strong>and</strong> their long hair is tied<br />
to prevent either from<br />
being caught in machines.<br />
Good housekeeping is<br />
maintained in machine<br />
area.<br />
Work area is well-lit.<br />
+ This checklist may not cover a l aspects of work activities in your workplace. You should review the checklist when t<strong>here</strong> are changes in any work activity.<br />
* NA – Not applicable<br />
Please tick ( 3)<br />
Yes No NA*<br />
If no, action required by:<br />
Name :<br />
Date :<br />
Name :<br />
Date :<br />
Name :<br />
Date :<br />
Name :<br />
Date :<br />
Name :<br />
Date :<br />
Name :<br />
Date :<br />
Name :<br />
Date :<br />
Name :<br />
Date :<br />
Working Safely with<br />
Non-powered H<strong>and</strong> Tools<br />
Using the wrong tools or the correc tools incorrectly to perform a task can cause injuries. Use this basic checklist + as a guide to<br />
keep you <strong>and</strong> your workers safe. For more information on how you can keep your workplace safe, go to www.wshc.sg<br />
Name of Company Process/ Location<br />
Checked by (Name/ Designation) Date<br />
Damaged tools are<br />
replaced.<br />
<strong>Safety</strong> Checks<br />
Workers keep tools <strong>and</strong><br />
h<strong>and</strong>s clean <strong>and</strong> free<br />
from grease.<br />
Workers are briefed on<br />
the hazards <strong>and</strong> risks of<br />
the job.<br />
Workers are trained to<br />
use tools correctly.<br />
Workers wear safety<br />
goggles to protect<br />
their eyes from flying<br />
particles.<br />
Workers wear safety<br />
shoes.<br />
Tools are stored properly<br />
in their correct places.<br />
+ This checklist may not cover a l aspects of work activities in your workplace. You should review the checklist when t<strong>here</strong> are changes in any work activity.<br />
* NA – Not applicable<br />
Please tick ( 3)<br />
Yes No NA*<br />
If no, action required by:<br />
Name :<br />
Date :<br />
Name :<br />
Date :<br />
Name :<br />
Date :<br />
Name :<br />
Date :<br />
Name :<br />
Date :<br />
Name :<br />
Date :<br />
Name :<br />
Date :
This could be you<br />
if you ignore safety practices at work.<br />
Every day, 30 people are injured at work.<br />
Every week, 1 dies.<br />
Work accident victims can be anyone —<br />
a father, a husb<strong>and</strong> or someone’s child.<br />
Don’t ignore safety practices.<br />
For more information, visit wshc.sg