Operation Sunbird: 9 in 10 worksites inspected found to have safety lapses
06 March 2015
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| Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin (right) and a WSH Inspector checking a scaffold structure for safety lapses. |
Over the course of the inspection, a worrying number of
safety lapses were discovered – enough for OSHI to issue a Stop-Work Order on
the spot.
Here are some of the most serious lapses OSHI
discovered, and how the contractor could have rectified them.
#1: Outriggers on each side of the
lorry crane were not fully extended
Why this is a problem: The outriggers help
to stabilize the lorry crane during lifting operations. If both are not fully
extended, the lorry crane may topple and injure workers standing around it.
Action to take: When planning how
lifting operations should be carried out, the contractor should ensure that the
site selected for the lorry crane can accommodate its fully extended
outriggers. Lifting gear should be well maintained and loads should be properly
rigged prior to carrying out any lifting operation.
#2: Poor housekeeping
Why this is a problem: The construction
materials cluttering the passageway in the first photo increase the risk of
slips, trips and falls for workers who pass through the area. These may also
obstruct escape routes in the event of an emergency like a fire. The wooden
beams and metal decking strewn around the area in the second photo also impede
safe movement around the workplace.
Action to take: Waste materials must
be removed regularly, and construction supplies should be stored neatly in a
suitable storage area. Passageways and work areas should be kept clear of
debris.
#3: Tripping hazards
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| Can you identify the tripping hazards in each photo? |
Action to take: Contractors should
ensure that there are no such tripping hazards around the workplace, especially
at areas like staircases where the risk of injury is even greater.
#4: Faulty passenger hoist
Why this is a problem: The passenger hoist
(the orange cage on the left) is faulty and the safety devices must be bypassed
in order for it to operate. This is dangerous as safety devices are needed to
ensure that the passenger hoist operates safely.
Action to take: Contractors should
ensure that the passenger hoists are maintained regularly, and that any faults
are quickly rectified.
#5: Poorly-lit stairwells
Why this is a problem: Dark stairwells may
be dangerous for workers to use as they may fall and injure themselves.
Action to take: Temporary lighting
should be provided to ensure that the stairwells are well lit and safe for use.
Alternative fire escape routes should also be identified and communicated to
workers.
#6: Missing handrails
Why this is a problem: Without handrails
along the staircases, workers may trip and fall from the steps. The cluttered
work area beside the staircase further increases the risk of injury should
workers fall.
Action to take: Temporary handrails
should be installed, and the work area should also be tidied up.
#7: Unevenly spaced supporting beams on
formwork structure
Why this is a problem: The supporting beams
were part of the formwork structure (a mould for concrete) but were not evenly
spaced or were missing in some locations, and hence they may not be able to
support the weight of the concrete placed on them. This poses a risk of failure
of the formwork structure.
Action to take: This particular
formwork structure was designed by a professional engineer, and its design should
have been adhered to. Frequent inspections by the formwork supervisor should
also have been carried out. The formwork supervisor should only have allowed the
concrete to be poured after the formwork structure had been inspected and certified
by the professional engineer.
#8: Poorly installed barricades
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| Can you spot the Minister in this photo? J |
Action to take: Contractors must
ensure that the barricades, especially those on the edge of the building, are
properly designed and safely installed.
#9: Open side
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| Imagine what would happen to a worker who falls through the opening – a one-storey drop onto the hard bricks and planks below. A broken skull, traumatic brain injuries, and being impaled on a sharp object are all possible consequences ... |
Action to take: Adequate and secured
covers must be installed to cover such openings to prevent falls, and proper
warning signs should be installed to alert workers to the risk of falling
through such an opening. Proper housekeeping should also be carried out.
In the first half of 2014 alone, 30 people were killed
in workplace accidents. Of these, 9 died in falls, 4 were struck by moving
objects, 3 were caught in or between objects, and 3 died in crane-related
incidents. Sadly, many of these accidents arose due to safety lapses – much
like the lapses discovered in this inspection – and many could have been
prevented if the right preventive measures had been taken earlier.
MOM will continue to conduct regular inspections and
enforcement operations throughout the year to check that workplace safety and
health is maintained, especially in high-risk industries like the construction
industry. However, contractors must also take responsibility for ensuring that
workplaces are safe for their employees, and workers should also stay vigilant
to protect themselves from possible risks.
For more detailed information on
specific workplace injuries, do look out for the full-year Workplace Safety and
Health statistics for 2014, which will be published on the Workplace Safety and
Health Institute (WSHI)’s website by end-March 2015.
