October 2012 Issue 9

HDB SAFETYenews

With the increase in construction activities, we should remain vigilant and take proactive measures such as proper risk assessment and implementation of safe work procedures to prevent any corresponding increase in the number of accidents.

During the workshop, HDB Er Goh Keng Cheong shared on the Key Safety Initiatives and Safety Measures in Demolition Projects. Henry Tam shared on the audit findings from the infrastructure projects and the lessons learnt of past incidents.

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SAFETY WORKSHOP

On 24 Aug 12, HDB organized a Safety Workshop specially for the Project Directors, Contractors and Consultants who are managing Infrastructure, Demolition, Carpark and A&A projects.

The workshop aims to raise the safety awareness among stakeholders and to encourage all to adopt good safety practices at the worksites.

The workshop was attended by a total of 280 participants.

Welcome address by Er. Ng Yew Song, HDB

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Er Theresa Liew (MOM) shared on the legislative requirements for safe lifting operations. She highlighted that all mobile cranes first brought into use in Singapore from 1 Jan 2013 are to be fitted with data loggers to monitor the crane usage, maintenance management and investigation tool for crane operation analysis.

Daniel Woo (MOM) shared on the strategy to fall prevention while working at height, including the process of developing the fall prevention plan. The new Work-at-Heights regulations is scheduled to come in force in 1Q 2013. Mabel Lee (Eng Lee Engineering) shared on the good safety standards and best practices in managing the infrastructure projects.

SAFETY WORKSHOP

Er Theresa Liew, MOM

Mr Daniel Woo, MOM

Ms Mabel Lee, Eng Lee Engineering

Er Goh Keng Cheong, HDB

Mr Henry Tam, HDB

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The Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Awards celebrates and recognises companies and individuals on a national level for excellence in Workplace Safety and Health. During the Awards ceremony on 18 Jul 2012, Acting Minister for Ministry of Manpower Mr Tan Chuan-Jin congratulated winners and reminded everyone on the need to ensure safety.

WSH AWARDS 2012 SCAL SAFETY CAMPAIGN

LC&T Builders, Mr Ng Cheong Seng (right), receiving the SHARP Award

from Prof Poo Ann Neow

“Safety is about workers, family and everyone around us. Everyone has a part to play.” BG (NS) Tan Chuan-Jin

Acting Minister for Ministry of Manpower BG (NS) Tan Chuan-Jin highlighted that the good performance displayed by the winners was a result of strong leadership. This was shown not only by senior management, but also professionals, supervisors and even workers. Excellence in WSH leadership is also not confined to big players but has also seen active participation from Small and Medium Enterprises.

LC&T Builders has won 3 Safety & Health Award Recognition for Project (SHARP) Awards for their excellence in safety management for HDB Build-To-Order projects in Sengkang and Punggol; Rental project in Pasir Ris, Tampines and Buikit Batok.

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On 28 Jun 12, the Singapore Contractors Association Limited (SCAL) launched their 29th Annual Construction Safety, Health and Security Campaign.

SCAL SAFETY CAMPAIGN

HDB Mr Thomas Seow (2nd from left) at the SCAL campaign

“With the rise in construction activities, all stakeholders need to work together on safety to prevent a corresponding rise in workplace incidents.”Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Education & Manpower) Hawazi Daipi

During the opening address, Mr Hawazi spoke about how focus on training, procurement and Design for Safety principles would help the industry sector, especially Small Medium Enterprise, improve overall management of WSH.

In line with the slogan for this year’s National WSH Campaign, the theme of the campaign was “Stop The Assumptions. Stop Work Accidents”, The event was well attended by more than 120 construction leaders across the industry. HDB is one of the supporting organizations for the campaign.

Number of Incident Involving Metal Scaffold

Source: Ministry of Manpower

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SAFE USE OF METAL SCAFFOLD

Accidents Statistics Involving Metal ScaffoldFrom 2009 to 2011, there were 3 dangerous occurrences and 2 fatalities related to the usage of metal scaffold in Singapore. Works involving scaffolds present a high level of risk if not properly erected and supervised.

Recommendations

1. Design, Installation and Inspection

• All scaffolds and its components must meet the requirements stipulated in WSH (Scaffolds) Regulations, CP14 (Code of Practice for Scaffolding) and WSH (Construction) Regulation.

• If a scaffold exceeds 4m, it must be erected and dismantled by Approved Scaffold Contractor under a scaffold supervisor.

• The design of a Professional Engineer (PE) is necessary if the scaffold exceeds 30 m and/or with cantilever or jib support.

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SAFE USE OF METAL SCAFFOLD

The scaffold base are not properly supported

The scaffold base are supported on strong ground

2. SupportatBaseofScaffold

The scaffold shall be constructed on structures or foundations of adequate strength. If the scaffold exceed 15 m or being erected on poorly drained soil, the sole plate shall be of strength not less than 670 kgf/m2 and of length suitable to distribute the load. There shall be no cavity under the sole plate immediately below any standard of a scaffold in a workplace.

Notice or label is displayed indicating that the scaffold is safe for use.

• Upon completion of scaffold construction, the PE shall examine and certified whether the scaffold is safe for use. Subsequently, the PE shall inspect the scaffold at least once in every three months.

• The scaffold supervisor shall inspect the scaffold at intervals of not more than 7 days and after exposure to weather conditions likely to have affected its strength or stability or to have displaced any part.

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SAFE USE OF METAL SCAFFOLD

The distance between the work platform and building edge shall not ne too wide

Work platform with scaffold access

3. Work Platform

Work platforms shall be provided at intervals of not less than every alternate lift of any scaffold. The work platforms shall cover the scaffold throughout its entire length.

Every work platform provided shall be closely decked and at least 500 mm wide; and not have any opening except to allow access to that work platform.

The distance between a work platform and any building or other structure shall be as narrow as is reasonably practicable and shall not exceed 300 mm.

SAFE USE OF METAL SCAFFOLD

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4. Guard Rail and Toe-board

The upper guard rail shall be at least 1 metre above the work platform and the toe-board shall be at least 90 mm high. The vertical distance between any adjacent guard-rails and between any work platform and the guard-rail immediately above it, shall not exceed 600 mm.

Proper guard rail and toe-board on metal scaffold

Requirements for guard-rail and toe board

Uppermost guard rail at least 1

metre above working platform

Not more than 600 mm

Not more than 600 mm

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SAFE USE OF METAL SCAFFOLD

EDITORIAL TEAM | Er Goh Keng Cheong | Sean Leo | Linda TeoAll Rights Reserved. No part of this newsletter may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of HDB.

5. Ties and Bracing

Every alternate lift of the metal scaffold shall be effectively tied to the building or structure. Ties shall be located no further than 3 bays or 7.5 metres apart, whichever is the lesser.

Every lift of a scaffold shall be crossed by at least one longitudinal bracing member in every 10 metres length of the scaffold. The cross braces on a frame scaffold shall not be removed or used as a means of access from one level of the scaffold to another.

Screening net and bracings for metal scaffold

Metal scaffolds are tied back to the building structure