23 Nov 09 In a recent incident, a worker was deployed to rectify a fault reported during the operation of a tower crane boom. The crane operator was in his cabin waiting for the repair work to be completed. When the cabin fan stopped unexpectedly, the operator looked out and saw the worker lying motionless on the platform in front of the control panel box. Investigations showed that the worker was probably trying to measure or check the electrical installation inside the control panel box using multi-meter probes (an electrical measurement tool). The burnt marks and strands of hair found stuck on two of the connectors inside the control panel box suggest that he could have been electrocuted and died on the spot. |
Fig. 1 Tower crane under repair |
Recommendations* 1. Conduct risk assessment: Prior to the start of any work, risk assessment must be carried out by employers and workers to identify potential hazards. Appropriate actions should then be taken to eliminate the hazards or reduce the risks involved. Control measures and safe work procedures must be established, communicated and implemented to ensure the safety and health of the workers involved. Some of the hazards relevant to this incident include:
2. Live testing precautions: Before performing any electrical work, one should ensure that the work can be done without the system being energised. Work on or near live conductors should be avoided. Should live testing be necessary to trace a malfunction of the equipment, suitable safety precautions should be taken, including putting temporary insulating neoprene or polythene sheets over live components and/or applying insulation to parts that are at earth potential. These temporary insulating sheets can also help to prevent the risk of accidental short circuit from tools, components and conductors. 3. Use of dry rubber insulating mat: Where there is the possibility of electrocution, workers should be asked to use dry rubber insulating mats. The rubber mat insulates the floor on which the person stands, reducing the risk of the flow of electrical current through the person. Other electrical insulation methods such as rubber blankets, gloves, sleeves, properly designed and rubber-soled boots may also be used. 4. Provision of adequate training: All workers should be adequately trained in the identification and control of hazards in their workplace. Specialized electrical safety training must be provided to those who may need to work with or around exposed components of electric circuits. The training should include, but not be limited to, basic electrical theory, proper safe work procedures, hazard awareness and identification, proper use of personal protective equipment, proper lockout/ tagout procedures, first aid including CPR, and proper rescue procedures. Provisions should also be made for periodic re-training. 5. Buddy system: For certain electrical works, it is recommended to implement a buddy system. In an emergency, the buddy (i.e. a co-worker) could switch off the electrical supply immediately and render assistance on site. 6. Lock-out procedures: Lock out procedures must be established and implemented for the inspection, repair and maintenance of any machinery or equipment. All energy sources to the relevant machinery or equipment should be isolated, disconnected or discharged to prevent any part of the machinery or equipment from being inadvertently activated or energised. 7. Personal protective equipment: Those who are potentially exposed to live components should be provided with appropriate protective clothing and equipment, such as electrical protective resistance glove for measurement and testing work. Such equipment should be inspected regularly by a competent person. Those working at height (e.g. on platform) must also be provided with a proper fall protection system, incorporating safety harness and secured anchor points to reduce the risk of falling. Further Information 1. Workplace Safety and Health Act * Please note that the information provided is intended to enhance workplace safety and health so that a similar recurrence may be prevented, and is not exhaustive. The information provided should not to be construed as implying any liability to any party nor should it be taken to encapsulate all the responsibilities and obligations of the reader of WSH Alert under the law. |
Monday, November 23, 2009
Possible Case of Electrocution - WSH Bulletin
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Fatigue Attributed to the Death of a Prime Mover Driver - WSH Bulletin
Incident In this incident, a Terminal Prime Mover (TPM-2) in a container port swerved and collided onto the rear of another TPM (TPM-1) travelling in the opposite direction (Figure 1). As a result of the collision, the driver of TPM-2 was thrown out of the cabin and subsequently died in hospital. |
Summary of Findings Investigation revealed that the incident occurred primarily due to Man (driver of TPM-2), with Management as a contributory factor. The driver did not take care of his own safety and health by adhering to the “Compulsory Short Break” (CSB) as required by the Management. He also did not fasten his seat belt, and the fatigue arising from long hours of work might have caused him to lose control of his TPM, and prevent him from applying the emergency brake in time. Management contributed to the incident by not having a well designed work schedule for the drivers. Although Management instituted a good concept in CSB, it was inadequate for the drivers to recuperate sufficiently. For more details and information, click Here for the Lessons Learnt Case Report which describes the incident details, and highlights recommendations to prevent similar accidents from happening. |
Thursday, November 12, 2009
WSH Alert – Fall from Height - WSH Bulletin
Incident In a recent accident, a worker fell to his death while climbing the turntable ladder to the crane cabin of a tower crane. The lifeline was terminated at the top mast, and the worker had removed his safety harness when climbing from the turntable to the cabin. While he was ascending the turntable ladder, the worker slipped and fell onto the mast platform 6 m below. |
Fig 1: Height of worker’s fall Fig 2. The turntable ladder to the cabin |
Recommendations* 1. Conduct risk assessment before starting any work: Identify potential hazards and take appropriate actions to eliminate the hazards or reduce the risks involved. For this incident, the hazards include the failure to don proper Personal Protection Equipment (PPE). The risk assessment should also include non-routine or emergency situations so that measures can be adopted to minimise the risks for such situations. 2. Put in place an effective workplace safety and health management programme: Employers should establish and implement a Safety and Health policy, and safety management system with proper control measures and safe work procedures. This includes a fall protection plan for any work that may involve workers falling from a height. The safety and health programme must be clearly communicated to all levels of personnel, such as through refresher courses or daily tool box meetings. 3. Safe access on tower cranes: To prevent falls, employers must provide safe access for crane operators and other persons who need to carry out inspection and maintenance work on a tower crane. Safe access (ladders with hoop guards) to the operator’s cabin should include rest-landings at every interval not exceeding nine metres of the mast. If a mast has a continuous vertical ladder for access, an effective fall-arrest system that does not require the person to constantly hook on and off must be provided. 4. Issue appropriate PPE: Workers must be issued the appropriate PPE, such as full body harness that is securely anchored (through lanyard, shock absorbers and hook) at all times to protect against accidental falls. Additional lifeline should be employed specifically for the turntable to prevent falls. The workers must be trained on the safe and proper use of the PPE. 5. Ensure proper supervision: Employers should ensure that workers adhere to the established safe work procedures, e.g. by ensuring that workers follow the fall protection plan when working at height and disciplining workers who exhibit unsafe acts and do not comply with the safe work procedures. Further Information 1. Workplace Safety and Health Act, please click here. 2. Factories (Operation of Cranes) Regulations. 3. Workplace Safety and Health (Construction) Regulations, please click here. 4. Singapore Standard CP 62 – Safe Use of Tower Cranes. 5. Singapore Standard SS 528 – 1: 2006 Personal Fall Arrest Systems - Full-body harnesses. 6. Singapore Standard SS 528 – 2: 2006 Personal Fall Arrest Systems - Lanyards and energy absorbers. 7. Singapore Standard SS 528 – 3: 2006 Personal Fall Arrest Systems - Self-retracting lifelines. 8. Singapore Standard SS 528 – 5: 2006 Personal Fall Arrest Systems - Connectors with self-closing and self-locking gates. 9. ProBE Technical Advisory on Working At Height, please click here. * Please note that the information provided is intended to enhance workplace safety and health so that a similar recurrence may be prevented, and is not exhaustive. The information provided should not to be construed as implying any liability to any party nor should it be taken to encapsulate all the responsibilities and obligations of the reader of WSH Alert under the law. |
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Difference between working in different industries
Shipyard
Pros: You will get strong support from your top management in getting safety requirement (getting RA written, getting people to be responsible for first aid, essential safety training) implemented/conducted as required by the legislation. Cooperation from subcontractor can be positive. Mainly on enforcement & inspection.
Cons: Be prepared to be working everyday & working at the highest risk working environment. Sun, rain, sweat, dirt, pollutant, they are your best friend. You'll need good physical stamina. Chances of having a critical accident is high.
Metalworking
Pros: You might get good support from top management due to OHSAS 18001 &/or moderate accident rate. You might face some glitches when getting employee to do safety requirement. The level of difficulty shall depends on the level of support you received from your top management. Chances of having personal time & 5 Days job schedule is high.
Cons: Dust, coolant, high level of first aid cases. Majority from Hand Injury. Plenty of audits to handle. More of paperwork stress. Chances of having a critical accident is moderate.
Electronics
Pros: You might not have a single severe accident even if you have worked there for 5 years! Very low risk & clean working environment. Mainly 5 days schedule.
Cons: You will not get sufficient support from top management as Safety is an oblivion issue to them due to extreme low accident rate. In an electronic company, production is top priority to the whole company. So getting employee to participate in Safety requirement is near to but not impossible. Employees will tell you they are very very busy & they have no time for Safety meeting & attend training. You may be sitting in the training room for the whole day with no participant. Even if you report to your top management, little will be done. You will get the feeling of unable to discharge your reasonably responsibility as a Safety Officer.
Currently, I'm facing extreme negative Safety attitude in my current company. I guess this is expected in a Manufacturing Company. I will aim to explore into new industry to gain more understanding on the Best Safety Working Industry to work in ..... but not so soon...
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Dust Control at Demolition Sites - WSH Bulletin
4 Nov 2009
Demolition work involves hacking, crushing, and cutting, which can generate large amount of dust and debris. If poorly managed, the clouds of dust can contain particulate emissions that may be hazardous to human health. They may also reduce visibility, delay demolition activities and cause property damage.
To help contractors better control these hazards, we have provided important learning points in this WSH Bulletin, including enclosure of work areas, proper ventilation systems, workers’ training and the provision of Personal Protective Equipment. A good practice example is also included. Ginlee Construction Pte Ltd, a bizSAFE3 contractor, explains how it planned the demolition works at Changi Airport Terminal 1 while the terminal continued to be in operation. Read the full article here.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Technical Advisory for Working Safely in Confined Spaces - WSH Bulletin
2 Nov 2009
Work in confined spaces can be highly hazardous and can affect large groups of workers in one single incident. In 2008, 10% of workplace fatalities were attributed to confined space incidents. Confined space work was identified by the Ministry of Manpower and the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council as a Programme-based Engagement (ProBE) area for 2009.
As of 1 November 2009, a new Workplace Safety and Health (Confined Spaces) Regulations came into effect. To help industry comply with the new Regulations, the WSH Council has engaged industry stakeholders through a WSHC Forum in September, and provided materials for the industry’s use. These are available on the WSHC website at this link.
Further to these initiatives, the WSHC has also developed a Technical Advisory (TA) for working safely in confined spaces. The TA will provide more information on how to manage confined spaces related hazards as well as emergency and rescue procedures for the rescue team. Read the Technical Advisory on Working Safely in Confined Spaces here.
