New initiatives to address Falls from Heights fatalities

The Ministry of Manpower and the Workplace Safety and Health Council’s National Work at Heights (WAH) Taskforce have rolled out new initiatives to address falls from heights (FFH) fatalities. Efforts will be focused on four key areas of WAH - roof works, ladder use, structures, and scaffolds or mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs). Industries performing such work will be actively engaged and educated on the safety of such work under the Programme-based Engagement (ProBE) Plus initiative this year.

Falls from Heights (FFH) remain the highest contributor of workplace fatalities, claiming the lives of 17 workers last year. Nine of these workers (or more than half of cases) died after falling from roofs and ladders. The new initiatives are part of a three-pronged WAH Masterplan to tackle WAH issues through raising awareness, capability building and intervention efforts.

New initiatives targeting Roof works and Ladder Safety

One of these initiatives is the introduction of a new Guide on Working Safely on Roofs – a concise handbook highlighting safe practices and salient points related to roof works, such as fragile roof hazards. Contractors engaged in roof works will be required to implement measures that can allow workers to work safely on roofs and not be subjected to the risks of falls. Measures recommended in the guide include installing independent lifelines, and providing workers with safety harnesses and proper equipment (such as crawl boards) to work on roofs. The guide will be disseminated through the Safety Compliance Assistance Visits to reach out to worksites where roofworks are ongoing, to help contractors enhance their safety management. MOM and the WSH Council will also engage both roof and general contractors involved in roof works in targeted workshops over the next few months.

With the extensive use of ladders across many workplaces, it is critical to educate workers to use them properly. A new Ladder Safety engagement effort has been launched to foster the safe and correct use of ladders. MOM and the WSH Council will be partnering with trade associations and leading hardware stores to distribute a newly developed Ladder Safety Pack, targeting trades and industries with high ladder usage such as electrical workers. The Pack is made up of a ladder safety handbook and stickers to be distributed to relevant workers. The ladder safety handbook advises workers when they can use ladders for specific jobs and when they should consider other equipment, such as scissor lifts. The stickers serve as prominent displays with key tips on ladder safety, such as the dangers of falling while standing on the top rung of the ladder and the need to ensure that the ladder is positioned on stable ground before use. In addition, other outreach activities will be rolled out in the second half of 2012.

Strengthening WAH capabilities across all levels

More will also be done to strengthen WAH capabilities for both management and workers. In this aspect, MOM and WSH Council will develop WAH Courses for all levels, including workers, supervisors, assessors and managers. The courses will ensure that managers and supervisors know how to plan and supervise WAH activities. Workers must also be adequately trained to manage WAH risks and are competent enough to perform their tasks, such as roofs works, in a safe manner. These courses will be piloted in the second half of 2012 and are expected to be rolled out early next year.

Exploring legal requirements to regulate WAH practices

To bring about further improvements in the industry, MOM will explore the feasibility of enhancing the current WAH regulatory framework by introducing possible new legal requirements.

 

Chairman of the National Work at Heights Taskforce Mr Wong Weng Sun said, “Falls from Heights is a matter of grave concern as workers can be killed or seriously injured. It can affect workers from all sectors, as we have seen from the 2011 cases. Hence, the Taskforce wants to re-energise and extend our efforts, going far beyond construction sites and shipyards. Industry must be made aware that poor management of work practices puts everything riding on the task – workers’ lives, productivity and reputation – at risk. Stakeholders must immediately take proactive actions and put preventative measures in place to prevent fatal falls at work.”

To find out more on the ProBE programme and the latest WAH initiatives, you can visit the WSH Council website at www.wshc.sg

 

Source

Confined Space Safety Assessor

Evaluation of confined space entry permit

1. On receipt of the application for a confined space entry permit, the confined space safety assessor shall test the atmosphere of the confined space prior to entry by any person into the confined space.
2. The confined space safety assessor shall, in relation to the testing of the atmosphere referred to in paragraph (1) —
   (a) use a suitable and properly calibrated instrument;
   (b) conduct the test in the following sequence:
       (i) test for level of oxygen content;
      (ii) test for level of flammable gas or vapour; and
     (iii) test for concentration of toxic gas or vapour, where applicable;
   (c) conduct the test in a manner that will not endanger himself or others; and
   (d) record the results of the test in the confined space entry permit.
3. If the confined space safety assessor is satisfied that entry into or work in a confined space can be carried out with due regard to the safety and health of persons who enter or work in the confined space, he shall endorse the application for the confined space entry permit and forward the endorsed application to the authorised manager for the confined space.
4. It shall be the duty of the confined space safety assessor to exercise all due diligence when performing his functions in relation to the testing, evaluation and endorsement of an application for a confined space entry permit under paragraphs (1), (2) and (3).

Periodic testing of atmosphere

1. It shall be the duty of the responsible person of a person entering or working in a confined space to ensure that —
   (a) the atmosphere in the confined space is tested by a confined space safety assessor at such intervals as is necessary to evaluate the safety and health of the person entering or working in the confined space;
   (b) if there are 2 or more persons present in the confined space, at least one of them continuously monitors the atmosphere in the confined space with a suitable gas detector; and
   (c) if a hazardous atmosphere in a confined space is detected by the tests or continuous monitoring referred to in subparagraphs (a) and (b) —
      (i) all persons in the confined space shall vacate the confined space immediately;
     (ii) an evaluation is made to determine how the hazardous atmosphere developed; and
     (iii) no person re-enters the confined space until a new confined space entry permit is issued by the authorised manager for the confined space.
2. It shall be the duty of the confined space safety assessor to record the results of the tests
3. It shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensure that each of the records referred to in paragraph (2) are kept for not less than 2 years from the date it is made.

For more on Confined Spaces, click here.

Lifting Supervisor

Appointment and duties of lifting supervisor

• It shall be the duty of the responsible person to appoint a lifting supervisor before any lifting operation involving the use of any crane is carried out in a workplace.
• It shall be the duty of the responsible person not to appoint any person as a lifting supervisor for any lifting operation involving the use of a crane in a workplace unless the person is one who — (a) has successfully completed a training course acceptable to the Commissioner to equip him to become a lifting supervisor; and
  (b) has, in the opinion of the responsible person, such relevant experience in lifting operations for a period of not less than one year before the appointment as a lifting supervisor.
• It shall be the duty of the lifting supervisor appointed —
  (a) to co-ordinate all lifting activities;
  (b) to supervise all lifting operation by a mobile crane or tower crane in accordance with the lifting plan referred to in regulation 4;
  (c) to ensure that only registered crane operators, appointed riggers and appointed signalmen participate in any lifting operation involving the use of amobile crane or a tower crane;
  (d) to ensure that the ground conditions are safe for any lifting operation to be performed by any mobile crane;
  (e) to brief all crane operators, riggers and signalmen on the lifting plan; and
  (f) if any unsatisfactory or unsafe conditions are reported to him by any crane operator or rigger, take such measures to rectify the unsatisfactory or unsafe condition or otherwise ensure that any lifting operation is carried out safely.

For more on lifting operations, click here.

Fire Safety Manager (FSM)

Building Requiring A Fire Safety Manager

All Commercial or Industrial Buildings which satisfy at least one of the following conditions, are required to appoint a fire safety manager:

a. Public Building (inclusive of Commercial Building)

• is of 9 storeys or more (including any basement) in height;
• is used, constructed or adapted to be used as a hospital;
• has a floor area of 5000 square metres or more; or
• has an occupant load of 1000 persons or more

b. Industrial Building

• has a floor area or site area of 5000 square metres or more; or
• has an occupant load of 1,000 persons or more

Duties Of Fire Safety Manager

The main duties of a Fire Safety Manager (FSM) are:

• ensure at all times that fire safety requirements contained in the Fire Emergency Plan are complied with;
• supervise the maintenance of all fire safety works in the premises;
• ensure at all times that the occupant load of any part of any building does not exceed the capacity prescribed under the Fire Code;
• conduct daily checks within the premises and remove or cause to be removed any fire hazard that is found within the premises;
• prepare a Fire Emergency Plan for the premises and conduct 2 fire drills for the occupants therein annually or on such occasion as may be directed by the Commissioner;
• ensure that all occupants are familiar with the means of escape located within the premises;
• prepare fire safety guidebooks for the occupants of the premises;
• train the occupants in the premises in first aid, fire fighting and evacuation in the event of fire;
• co-ordinate and supervise the occupants within the premises in fire fighting and in evacuation in the event of fire or other emergencies;
• supervise the operation of the Fire Command Centre in the event of fire or other emergencies;
• conduct at least 2 Fire Evacuation Drills and Table-Top Exercises within the premises each year and to evaluate, together with the Fire Safety Committee, the effectiveness of the Arson Prevention Plan and the Fire Emergency Plan for those premises;
• prepare and implement the Arson Prevention Plan for the premises;
• notify the Commissioner immediately upon the occurrence of any fire incident in the premises;
• organise campaigns, training courses, competitions, contests and other activities which will develop and maintain the interest of the occupants within the premises in establishing a fire safe environment; and
• carry out such other duties as the Commissioner may require.

Qualifications of Fire Safety Manager

Fire Safety Managers are required to attend the courses conducted by SCDF at the Civil Defence Academy. Any person who wishes to become a Fire Safety Manager should possess any of the following qualifications:

Ngee Ann Polytechnic

a. Certificate in Fire Safety Manager Course (Commercial)

b. Certificate in Fire Safety Manager Course (Industrial)

c. Certificate in Fire Safety Manager Course (17th Batch onwards)

d. Certificate in Fire Engineering Course

e. Advanced Diploma in Fire & Safety Management

f. Diploma in Building Services Engineering in & after 1991 - For Commercial Buildings & Industrial Buildings.

g. Advanced Diploma in Safety, Health & Environmental Management – Year 2001 Onwards

h. Diploma in Building & Real Estate Management – Year 2001 Onwards

i. Diploma in Building & Real Estate Management

j. Diploma in Facilities Management for Business

k. Diploma in Technology (Building Services & Fire Safety)

l. Diploma in Engineering (Building Services & Fire Safety) - Starting April 2012

Temasek Polytechnic

l. Diploma in Security and Fire Safety Management

Civil Defence Academy

m. Certificate in Fire Safety Manager Course

n. Certificate in Fire Safety Manager Course (Conversion Course) – Commercial to Industrial

o. Certificate in Fire Safety Manager Course (Conversion Course) – Industrial to Commercial

Workplace safety and health co-ordinator

(As described in WSH (Construction) Regulations)
(1) For the purposes of section 28 (1) of the WSH Act, a workplace safety and health co-ordinator (WSHC) shall be appointed in respect of every worksite where the contract sum of the building operation or works of engineering construction carried out therein is less than $10 million.
(2) Workplace safety and health co-ordinator (WSHC) shall be appointed by the occupier of worksite. (3) The occupier of the worksite shall not appoint any person as a WSHC unless the person is one —
(a) who has successfully completed a training course to equip him to be a workplace safety and health co-ordinator;
(b) whom the occupier reasonably believes is competent to perform the functions and duties of a workplace safety and health co-ordinator; and
(c) whom the occupier reasonably believes has at least 2 years’ practical experience relevant to the work to be performed by a workplace safety and health co-ordinator.
(4) Any occupier of a worksite who contravenes paragraph (2) or (3) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 and, in the case of a continuing offence, to a further fine not exceeding $1,000 for every day or part thereof during which the offence continues after conviction.

Duties of workplace safety and health co-ordinator (WSHC)

(1) It shall be the duty of a workplace safety and health co-ordinator to —
(a) assist the occupier of the worksite to identify any unsafe condition in the worksite or unsafe work practice which is carried out in the worksite;
(b) recommend to the occupier of the worksite to implement such reasonably practicable measures to remedy the unsafe condition or unsafe work practice; and
(c) assist the occupier of the worksite to implement such reasonably practicable measures referred to in sub-paragraph (b).
(2) Any workplace safety and health co-ordinator who, without reasonable excuse, contravenes paragraph (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 and, in the case of a second or subsequent offence, to a further fine not exceeding $5,000.

Requirement for Workplace Safety & Health Officer

Workplaces requiring workplace safety and health (WSH) officers

Workplaces required to appoint a WSH officer are stipulated in the Second Schedule of  the WSH (WSH Officer) Regulations, including:
(a) Shipyards in which any ship, tanker and other vessels are constructed, reconstructed, repaired, refitted, finished or broken up;
(b) Factories used for processing petroleum or petroleum products;
(c) Factories in which building operations or works of engineering construction of a contract sum of $10 million or more are carried out; and
(d) Any other factories in which 100 or more persons are employed, except those which are used for manufacturing garments.

Duties of workplace safety and health officer (WSHO)

(1) The duties of a workplace safety and health officer (WSHO) appointed in respect of a workplace shall be:

(a) to assist the occupier of the workplace or other person in charge of the workplace to identify and assess any foreseeable risk arising from the workplace or work processes therein;
(b) to recommend to the occupier of the workplace or other person in charge of the workplace reasonably practicable measures to eliminate any foreseeable risk to any person who is at work in that workplace or may be affected by the occupier’s undertaking in the workplace;
(c) where it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate the risk referred to in sub-paragraph (b), to recommend to the occupier of the workplace or other person in charge of the workplace —
(i) such reasonably practicable measures to minimise the risk; and
(ii) such safe work procedures to control the risk; and
(d) to assist the occupier of the workplace or other person in charge of the workplace implement the measure or safe work procedure (SWP)
(2) Any workplace safety and health officer (WSHO) who, without reasonable excuse, contravenes paragraph (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 and, in the case of a 2nd or subsequent offence, to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.

Requirements for approval as workplace safety and health officer (WSHO)

For the purposes of section 33 (3) (a) of the WSH Act, a person may be approved to act as a workplace safety and health officer if he satisfies the Commissioner that —
(a) he has —
     (i) successfully completed a training course to equip him to become a workplace safety and health officer; and
    (ii) at least 2 years’ practical experience relevant to the work to be performed by a workplace safety and health officer; or
(b) although not having the qualifications and practical experience in paragraph (a), he nevertheless has had such other qualifications and practical experience as to render him, in the Commissioner’s opinion, competent to act as a workplace safety and health officer.

Application for Workplace Safety & Health Officer

You may apply for Workplace Safety and Health Officer certification online.

 

Application criteria

The application will only be considered if the applicant meets the following application criteria:

• Applicant must be at least 21 years old
• Applicant must have at least one of the prescribed Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) related qualification
• Applicant must have at least two years practical experience relevant to the work to be performed by a WSH officer (documentary proof/testimonial from employer is required)
• As part of the application process, the applicant may be required to attend an interview to assess his/her suitability to become a WSH Officer

For more details, see MOM webpage