Observations Hazards and Consequences

Control measures Immediate and longer term

actions

Timescale

PPE Defective safety harness – safety latch of hook defective. Hook may come off when anchored at height. Worker will not be arrested from his fall and may lead to a fatality.

Immediate action: Remove the safety harness from site and replace it with a safety harness which is in good working condition. Long term action: Have a monthly inspection regime for all safety harness and colour code inspected harnesses in good condition. Inspection to be done by competent personnel. Remove and dispose all inspected defective safety harness from site.

Immediate effect (1day) 1 month – due October 2012

Falling from height - Worker found standing and working on structure support frame. There was no proper working platform. Worker may lose his balance and fall from height, resulting in a fatality.

Immediate action: Stop work till a safer method of work is decided and agreed on, such as using a ladder with a worker supporting the base at all times. Long term action: Increase supervision and ensure workers/contractors comply with the safe work procedures or method statement of work agreed and approved during the application of permit.

1 day 1 week

Rotating blade of ceiling fan at rest shelter bended. If continue to use, the bended blade may break off and injure personnel resting in the rest shelter.

Immediate action: Prohibit the use of the fan by blocking off the fan switch and place warning signage. Long term action: Inspection and maintenance regime for welfare facilities. Replace ceiling fans with wall mounted or pedestal fans which are easier to maintain and have fixed guards in place.

1 day 1-2 weeks 1 month

Electrical hazard – Electrical socket open and electrical components exposed. Contact with the exposed electrical components may result in electric shock or electrocution.

Immediate action: Remove the industrial plug from the socket. Use duct tape to seal the socket and prohibit others from using the faulty socket. Long term action: Provide training, information and instruction on the use of electrical equipment and electrical hazards for workers. Monthly inspection of all tools and machinery by competent person. Pre-use inspection before using of equipment.

Immediate effect 1 month

Falling objects from height – Loose

Immediate action: Pick up all loose materials and place them in proper tool containers. Long term action: Provide tool containers for workers to use at height. Provide training, supervision, instruction and information on the safe working practices when working at height such as the proper containment of loose

1 day 1 week 1 month

materials on grating platform can drop and fall through grating holes. High potential of the falling object can hit and injure workers working below.

materials.

Obstruction of access – Pipe spools at end of ladder access obstruct workers moving up and down the ladder access. Workers may trip or sprain their ankle if they were to land on the pipes. Obstruction of access will also delay evacuation if an emergency is to occur.

Immediate action: Remove the pipe spools and place them at a designated storage area. Long term action: Provide training, instruction, supervision and information on hazards of obstructed access/egress.

1 day 1 week

Poor housekeeping – Improper disposal of waste materials at worksite increases clutter and increases dust accumulation, hence exposure to hazardous substance such as dust.

Immediate action: Clear the clutter of waste materials at the worksite. Long term action: Have a waste disposal program for proper containment and disposal of waste materials. Introduce a housekeeping program to conduct housekeeping weekly at the worksite.

2 days 2 weeks

Tripping hazard – protruding scaffold tube pose as a tripping hazard. Workers or personnel may not notice the protruding tube and trip, which may result in a fall and cause bodily injuries.

Immediate action: Use hazard warning strips to alert personnel of the tripping hazard. Long term action: Inform and instruct workers and scaffold contractor on protruding hazards. Have scaffold contractor cut scaffold tubes to appropriate lengths to minimize tripping hazards.

1 day 2 weeks

Leakage of oil from machinery – Oil stains found due to leakage of machinery. Oil stains can lead to personnel slipping and falling. Hot work or sparks from vehicle emission in the area could result in fire.

Immediate action: Clean up the oil stains and provide drip trays for the containment of oil leakage. Long term action: Have an inspection and maintenance regime for machinery at the worksite. Conduct regular daily pre-use checks on machinery to ensure no oil leakages.

2 days 1 month

Poor maintenance of controls of gondola lift – Labelling of control system dirtied and badly maintained. Controls are not easily identified.

Immediate action: Clean up stains and dirt on the control system. Re-label the controls for clear identification. Long term action: Inspection and maintenance regime on machinery and equipment at the worksite.

1 week 1 month

Poor identification of controls may result in operator error which can endanger the lives of personnel working on the gondola lift.

Improper scaffold platform – Scaffold platform constructed with wood planks. The unknown load capacity of the wood planks is unknown and may not be able to withstand the load of workers working on it. This can lead to collapse of platform, resulting in workers falling from height.

Immediate action: Stop the work and get contractor to rectify the scaffold before work commencement. Long term action: Only approve scaffold contractors are allowed to erect any scaffolds at site. Increase supervision at the worksite to minimise and prevent such malpractices.

1 week 2 weeks

Good housekeeping practice – Tool cabinet labelled and tools and equipment are properly segregated and stored in its place neatly.

Not applicable.

Not applicable

Air compressor hose not secured with R-pin

Immediate action: Remove wire ties and secure air hose connection with a R-pin. Long term action:

1 day

but with thin wires. The wires may not be able to resist the high pressure force if the connection of the air hose is to come off and cause whipping. Whipping can cause serious injuries to workers hit by the hose.

Protruding nails on wooden planks can cause puncture injuries to workers disposing of the planks.

Immediate action: Remove the nails from the wooden plank for disposal. Long term action: Provide training, instruction, information and supervision for workers removing formwork structures on the hazards and importance of removing the nails from the wooden planks. Supervisors to remind and inform their workers during daily toolbox meetings.

Immediate effect 1 week

Noise – Concrete hacking results in loud noises and over exposure to loud noises for a period of time can result in Noise Induced Deafness (NID).

Immediate action: Reduce noise exposure by scheduling regular work breaks. Provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as Ear plugs and ear muffs. Long term action: Conduct health surveillance for workers exposed to ill-health hazards. Provide training, instruction, supervision and information on correct method of using equipment and PPE provided.

2 days 1month 2 weeks

Vibration hazard – High vibration from concrete hacking for long period of time can lead to hand-arm vibration syndrome such as vibration white finger.

Immediate action: Reduce vibration exposure by scheduling regular work breaks. Ensure exposure is in compliance to legal exposure limit values. Provide Personal Protective Clothing such as appropriate hand gloves and warm clothing Long term action: Conduct

3 days 1 month

health surveillance for workers exposed to ill-health hazards. Selection and purchase of equipment which can reduce vibration or limit vibration to user.

2 months

Health hazard – Dusts from concrete hacking activities poses as inhalation hazard and can cause lung or respiratory health diseases.

Immediate action: Provide Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) to workers expose to the dusts. Spray water at the area of hacking to minimise dusts formation. Long term action: Conduct health surveillance for workers exposed to the ill-health hazards. Provide training, supervision, instruction and training for workers on the safe method of work and the use of RPE.

1 week 1 day 1 month

Ergonomic hazard – working in a restricted space for long periods of time can result in musculoskeletal injuries.

Immediate action: Allocate frequent breaks or work rotation for workers. Long term action: Provide training, instruction, information and supervision for workers on ergonomic hazards. Selection of workers according to their individual capability and health conditions.

1 week 1 week 1 month

Improper storage of flammable chemical substances at worksite with no barricades or signage. Chemical substances are also not clearly labelled or stained with cement. Hot work or incompatible works in the vicinity can result in fire.

Immediate action: Refer to Safety Data Sheet on storage recommendations. Barricade and place warning signage around the storage area. Long term action: Provide training, instruction, information and supervision for the handling of chemical substances.

1 week 1 month

Improper/Unsafe rigging of loads – Load improperly rigged and can fall off resulting in damage in tools/equipment and also major injury to personnel if there are people nearby.

Immediate action: Stop the lifting activity. Send lifting crew, rigger and lorry crane operator, for refresher training. Long term action: Provide refresher training for all lifting crew personnel (crane or lorry crane) every 2 years.

1 week 1-2 months

Immediate action: Remove the fire extinguisher and replace it. Long term action: Monthly inspection of fire extinguisher to ensure pressure range is at the adequate zone and that fire extinguisher is well-maintained.

2 days 1 week

Fire extinguisher pressure below the recommended level which will render it ineffective for use if a fire were to break out at the worksite. This may increase the impact and consequence of a fire.

Excavation using an excavator – Excavation with an excavator can lead to damage of underground cables and electrocution of excavator operator or damage to company process/equipment due to blackout or power disruption.

Immediate action: Notify supervisor of damaged underground cable incident. Long term action: Conduct incident investigation to find out the root cause of the incident, so as to prevent a reoccurrence.

Immediate 2 weeks

Introduction

The inspection was conducted at ABC Project in Korea. The works involved in the worksite

are mainly construction work, such as civil structural, mechanical and electrical works. The

inspection took place in the morning at 10am. The worksite is approximately 80m by 400m

big.

The current construction stage mainly involves civil works with some structural works slowly

building up.

Activities on-going are civil works such as construction of formworks and pile caps, rebar

bending, concreting, concrete hacking. Mechanical works such as structure erection are also

slowly taking place at the worksite. There are also scaffold erection and modification

activities happening at the worksite.

Executive Summary

This report provides insights based on observations, analysis as well as evaluation of the on-

going ABC project. The observations have been done through routine checks at the site and

are highlighted due to its associated risks. The main findings from these observations were

as follow.

Firstly, workers were found working from heights without proper working platform or safety

lifelines in place. This is a clear contravention of the WSH (Construction) Regulations and an

accident of falling from heights could have easily occurred.

Next, underground cables were damaged due to mechanical excavation. This could have

result in electrocution or even power loss which could have detrimental effects to the

client’s refinery.

There were mal practices found at site such as unsafe or insecure rigging of loads due to the

incompetency of the riggers. Regular training should be provided to ensure workers retain

knowledge and skills for the job.

Other mal practices include using wooden planks for scaffold platforms that are not certified

safe for loading. Measures like ensuring only approved scaffold contractors to erect, modify

and dismantle should be enforced.

Lastly, chemical substances were left unattended without clear labels affixed to them. Lack

of knowledge while using them could lead to severe health or bodily injuries. Lack of control

of chemical substances could also lead to misuse or abuse by unauthorized workers.

With the highlighted risks of the findings, immediate action should be taken to rectify the

issues and put adequate control measures in place to minimize the risks at the worksite.

Failure to do so could result in economic, reputation and lives loss which would cost the

organisation more than the implementation of safety control measures.

Main findings of inspection

Among the various hazards identified and observed during the inspection, 5 findings with

the highest risk level have been identified.

Working at heights

2 workers were found working at height without proper working platform and no proper

access and egress was found. However, workers were found hooking on their harness to the

support structure. It is found that workers only know that the safety measure for working at

heights is to 100% hooking on their harness. However, they lack the understanding that

personal protective equipment is the last line of defence and that 100% tie-off requires a

safe anchorage point. Working safely at height requires a safe working platform with proper

access and egress.

Lack of management support and emphasis on safety also contributed to the incident

finding. Safety measures were not in place for workers to carry out the job safely. Wanting

to get the job done quickly could have pushed and caused workers to work in an unsafe

manner.

These particular finding infringed the Workplace Safety Health (WSH) Construction

Regulation 22 where effective guard-rails or barriers are to be provided where a person is

liable to fall more than 2 meters. It also infringed the WSH General Provision Regulation 23

(9) where a sufficient and anchorage shall be provided for the use of the safety harness.

The management should take action in ensuring workers work safely at height by providing

safe working platform or life line anchorages as the offence for infringing the regulations are

a $20,000 fine or imprisonment up to a term of 2 years or both. There is also moral

obligations on the management to ensure workers go back safely to their families at the end

of the day.

Having incidents or accidents resulting in major injuries or fatalities would also cost the

organisation greatly. Costs such as compensations to the victim, Stop work Order issues by

authorities would hinder construction progress, time and effort taken for accident

investigations and loss of reputation could result in future business losses.

Damage underground cables

While excavating with an excavator, the excavator hit and damaged underground cables.

Prior mechanical excavation, manual excavation was done till a depth of 1.2m. Cable

detection was also carried out after manual excavations. Safety measures and precautions

were taken but still the underground cable was hit. It is fortunate the underground cable

was not live.

This is due to the worksite being a very old worksite and there are many old unused cables

left disposed underground. Also, cable detection technologies are only able to detect live

cables.

This finding contravened the WSH (General Provision) Regulation where employers need to

provide a safe workplace for the workers.

Compliance to the excavation safe work procedures should be continued and extra

precaution should be practised when dong mechanical excavation.

Incident/accident investigation should be done to find out the root cause and further

implement control measures to prevent reoccurrence of the incident.

Improper/unsafe rigging of loads

During the loading/unloading of scaffold frames using a lorry crane, it was found that the

load was not rigged securely. One of the webbing sling loosened as the load was hoisted up.

This could be due to the incompetency of the riggerman/signalman and the lorry crane

operator.

Before hoisting the load, the lifting crew are to slightly lift the load to minimum height

ensure the load is balanced and secured. But such checks were not done. The lifting crew

did not comply and follow safe lifting procedures.

This finding contravened the WSH (Operation of Cranes) Regulation 18 which states the

duties of a rigger and that he is ensure that the load to be lifted is secure, stable and

balanced.

Management should send the lifting crew for refreshment training and inform them of their

obligations and duties under the law. The offence for contravening the regulations are a fine

not exceeding $20,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or both.

The management or organisation also has an obligation under the WSH (Construction)

Regulation 9 to provide or ensure that their workers have received adequate safety and

health training.

Refresher trainings ensure workers retain the knowledge, skill and right experience for their

job. Having a workforce that works safely benefits the organisation as the organisation relies

on a safe workforce to have good safety and health performance which prevents

incident/accident occurrence and increases productivity and construction progress.

Improper scaffold platform

Scaffold platform found to be constructed with wooden planks which are not certified to be

safe and its loading capacity is unknown. Poor construction of the platform or the poor

integrity of the wooden planks could result in collapse of the platform and workers falling or

injuring themselves. There is no proper management control such as procedures or

adequate supervision on scaffold erection/modification for the worksite.

WSH (Scaffolds) Regulation 9 states that it is the duty of the responsible person to ensure

that every scaffold and component is of sound material, good construction and adequate

strength.

To ensure the health and safety of all personnel working in the worksite, the management

should enforce that only approved scaffold contractors are allowed to erect and modify

scaffolds. Appoint a scaffold in-charge as a focal point for the erection, modification and

dismantling of scaffolds in the worksite.

It is important that scaffold constructed are of good, stable construction as the scaffolds are

to be used by all personnel entering the worksite. The management have a duty to ensure

the health and safety of all personnel working in its worksite. Improper construction or

modification of scaffold could lead to structure stability of the scaffold and may result in

collapse or personnel injury. Having such incidents/accidents would again can cost the

organisation greatly be it compensations, fines from the authorities, time delay in

construction, decreased morale of workers hence affecting productivity and quality etc.

Storage of chemical substances at site

There is no control or standards for the use or storage of chemical substances at the

worksite. Containers stored with substances such as lubricants are found unattended at

various locations of the worksite. Labels on the containers are also stained or scrapped off.

WSH (General Provisions) Regulation 41 states that adequate warning notices are to be

placed where the hazardous substances are used or present

WSH (General Provisions) Regulation 42 states that containers of the hazardous substances

have to be affixed with warning labels to warn of the hazards and precautionary measures

that are required to be taken when dealing with the substances.

It is important to develop control and handling of chemical substances procedures for the

worksite as hazards and properties of different chemicals vary. There should also be

provision of training, supervision, instruction and information on the handling and storage

of chemical substances at the worksite. Lastly, there should be a designated storage area for

chemical substances at the worksite.

Misuse or accidental contact with hazardous chemicals may be detrimental to person or the

organisation. For instance, incompatible works such as conducting hot works in the vicinity

of the flammable substance may result in a fire. Chemical fires can cause great damage to

property and equipment and even result in fatalities if not dealt with effectively in time.

Handling of chemical substances should not be treated lightly or with negligence.

Conclusions

Based on findings above, there were hazards consisting of high risk unsafe actions and

conditions which could have resulted in severe consequences if they are not dealt with

appropriately.

Working at heights is a high-risk activity as falling from heights is the number cause of

fatalities in Singapore. Control measures such as having safe working platforms should be in

place to minimize the risks associated with the work or work should not be allowed to be

done.

Control of hazardous substances in the workplace is also crucial in the management of

safety at the workplace. Failure to control and manage hazardous substances such as

incompatible works or ignorance to the hazardous properties of the substances in the

workplace can lead to ill-health among workers or accidents such as fires or explosions.

Negligence or complacency to excavation safe work procedures can result in actual

incidents of hitting underground live cables and the consequences are also detrimental such

as electrocution of workers or massive blackout of the worksite or refinery which will lead to

additional catastrophic consequences such as explosions due to disruption of processes.

Lifting is also categorised as a high risk activity. It is important to ensure the competency of

workers doing the job by providing adequate and sufficient training, instruction, information

and supervision. Incompetency of workers such as rigger/signalman or the crane operator

can result in incidents such as fall of suspended loads. Such incidents can result in damages

to properties or even major injuries or fatalities.

All in all, inadequate control of the hazards can result in severe consequences or accidents

which will impact employers or the organisation greatly. Costs are not only direct economic

costs such as compensations, fines by authorities, repairs and renovations to damage

properties but there are also indirect costs such as low morale of workers, loss of

reputation, time loss in accident investigations and more. The time and effort to do the job

safely once is definitely less costly and more beneficial to the organisation. Furthermore,

employers have a moral, legal, economic and social duty to prevent accidents from

happening at the workplace.

Recommendations

Recommendation Likely resource implications

Priority Target date

Have planned and scheduled training matrix which indicates type of training different personnel have to undergo and the time period after which refresher training is required. The plan and schedule should be according to the level of risk the different types of job pose such as handling of chemical substances, lifting, working at heights etc.

Time, Manpower such as number of trainers, facilities such as training rooms

High 1 month for the drafting and development of the training matrix – due 12th October 2012

Develop and implement Working at Height Safe Work Procedure to ensure all work at heights is carried out safely

Time, People such as technical experts to be involved in development of safe work procedures, manpower, facility such as meeting room

High 1 week – 19th September 2012

Develop and implement control of hazardous substances procedures in the workplace

Time, People such as technical experts to be involved in development of safe work procedures, manpower, facility such as meeting room

High 1 week – 19th September

Designate chemical storage area in the worksite. Have a designated person to control and manage the storage area.

Time, space such as layout of worksite, manpower to arrange storage area

Medium 2 weeks – 26th September

Enforce rule or policy that only approved scaffold contractors are allowed to erect, modify or dismantle scaffolds.

Time, Manpower, Finances

High 1 week – 19th September 2012

Conduct accident/incident investigation to find out the root cause or lapses so as to implement adequate controls and prevent reoccurrence of the incident

Time, Manpower such as incident investigation team

High 2 weeks – 26th September 2012