DECEMBER 2014

S A F E T Y + H E A L T H I N V O L V E S E V E R Y O N E

02 04 07
XX WORLD CONGRESS WORKPLACE INJURIES CRAWLER
ON SAFETY AND HEALTH AND FATALITIES ROSE IN CRANE
AT WORK 2014 FIRST HALF OF 2014 SAFETY
 2 STRATEGIC STRIDES
The Workplace Safety and Health (WSH)
Council was established on 1 April
2008 to raise the workplace safety
and health standards in Singapore. The
Council comprises 18 leaders from the
major industry sectors, the Government,
unions and professionals from the
legal, insurance and academic fields.
The Council’s key thrusts are to build
industry capabilities to better manage
WSH, to promote safety and health at
work, to recognise companies with
good WSH records and to set acceptable
WSH practices. There are seven industry
committees focusing on the areas of
construction and landscaping, healthcare,
logistics and transport, marine works,
chemical, metalworking, manufacturing
and hospitality and entertainment.
Three functional committees have also
been formed to identify, champion and
implement initiatives in the areas of
engagement and outreach, workplace
health and industry capability building.
SHINE is a quarterly newsletter on
workplace safety and health issues.
For contributions, feedback or more
information, please e-mail
WSHC_SHINE@wshc.sg
PUBLISHER
Workplace Safety and Health Council
ADDRESS
1500 Bendemeer Road,
#04-01 MOM Services Centre
Singapore 339946
No part of this publication may be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or
by any means without the prior written
permission of the publisher.
Singapore to Host the XXI World Congress on
Safety and Health at Work in 2017
Singapore shared its vision for sustainable prevention
and the Vision Zero movement at the XX World Congress
on Safety and Health at Work. Held from 24 to 27 August
2014 in Frankfurt, Germany, this Congress marks the
20th time that the event has been held.
Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Education and Manpower), Mr Hawazi Daipi giving his closing speech.
STRATEGIC STRIDES 3
Over the course of the Congress, industry and government representatives
from Singapore participated in various talks and presentations on safety
and health, as well as the judging panel for poster exhibitions and a
cinema showcase. A booth showcasing Singapore and its achievements
in occupational safety and health (OSH) was also set up. The International
Media Festival on Prevention 2014 also took place as part of the World
Congress. Three Singapore films were shortlisted, with the Workplace
Safety and Health (WSH) Council’s TV commercial, “This Could Be You”
winning the coveted International Media Award under the Film category
alongside five other winning entries.
Speaking at the closing ceremony on 27 August 2014, Senior
Parliamentary Secretary (SPS) for Manpower and Education,
Mr Hawazi Daipi reaffirmed the importance of embarking on the Participants at the XX World Congress on Safety and Health at Work.
Vision Zero movement. Vision Zero requires the adoption of a mindset
that all injuries and ill-health arising from work are preventable. will be hosted in Southeast Asia for the first time, will focus on the shift
For it to succeed, a paradigm shift is required at every level of an towards Vision Zero.
organisation. Rather than finding fault, far more can be achieved with
He then invited the delegates to meet again in Singapore to share insights
preventive measures in safety and health. He stressed that this can with one another and work towards taking concrete actions to realise
only be achieved with everyone’s cooperation. Vision Zero globally.
The World Congress on Safety and Health at Work is an international
The Singapore Experience
platform for policymakers, employers, union representatives, OSH experts
SPS highlighted that Singapore takes OSH seriously to ensure that and practitioners to discuss and brainstorm ideas on safety and health.
workers return home safely every day. Instilling safety and health
consciousness and practices is important and requires strong About the World Congress on Safety and Health at Work
commitment by the government, employers and workers.
Close to 4,000 participants from over 140 countries attended the
He noted that the economic cost of work-related injury and illness was XX World Congress on Safety and Health at Work. Participants
equivalent to 3.2% of Singapore’s GDP in 2011, according to a study by include representatives from the German Social Accident Insurance;
the Singapore’s WSH Institute. SPS added that good safety and health International Social Security Association (ISSA) and International
management makes business sense as it reduces costs, increases Labour Organization (ILO). Working with the ILO and ISSA, it aims to
productivity and enhances corporate reputation. develop programmes and initiatives to improve safety and health in
workplaces across the globe.
While Singapore has made encouraging progress in safety and health
over the past decade, it is committed to further build on its success. The next Congress will be held at the Marina Bay Sands – Sands Expo
and Convention Centre, Singapore from 3 to 6 September 2017.
Next stop: Singapore 2017
For more information, visit www.safety2017singapore.com
In closing, SPS announced that the next World Congress on Safety and
Health at Work will be held in Singapore in 2017. The Congress, which
Group photo of the Singapore delegation at the XX World Congress on Safety and Health at Work.
 4 STRATEGIC STRIDES EVENTS 5

SPS Calls For Proactive Approach To

Overall Workplace Injuries
and Fatalities Rose IN FIRST HALF OF 2014
According to the latest statistical report from the Workplace Safety
and Health (WSH) Institute, workplace injuries and fatalities rose in
the first half of 2014, increasing by 14% and 20% respectively as
compared to the same period in 2013.
30 workers lost their lives at their workplaces in the first half of
2014, up from 25 during the same period last year. Major injuries
also edged up to 279, from 273 in 2013.
There were four fatalities due to work-related traffic accidents in
the first half of 2014, compared to 11 in 2013. Occupational disease
cases also dropped by 11% (see Figure 1).
As at end of June
2014p 2013
Improve WSH Standards
The construction sector has seen a poor workplace safety and health (WSH) record in the first half of 2014, with 17
fatalities as compared to 11 during the same period in 2013. During the Singapore Contractors Association Ltd’s
(SCAL) campaign targeted at the construction sector on 3 July 2014, Senior Parliamentary Secretary (SPS) for
FALLS REMAIN LEADING CAUSE OF FATALITIES Education and Manpower, Mr Hawazi Daipi called for greater industry ownership of WSH outcomes.
Falls, struck by moving objects, caught in/between objects and
crane-related accidents were the most common causes of workplace
fatalities. Falls was the leading incident type with nine cases. There
were four cases of struck by moving objects and three fatal crane-
related incidents in the first half of 2014 (see Figure 3).
Struck by Caught in/
2013 Falls moving objects between objects Crane-related

Workplace Injuries 6,314 5,547 11,901 Jan - Jun

2013 7 7 2 0
Fatal Injuries 30 25 59
Major Injuries 279 273 589 Jan - Jun
2014 9 4 3 3
Minor Injuries 6,005 5,249 11,253 At the event, SPS highlighted that eight workers lost their lives in New help initiatives
Work-related Figure 3: Top four incident types for fatalities. January 2014 alone and expressed his concern on the possibility
253 - - of a higher fatality and major injury rate in 2014 as compared SPS also shared WSH initiatives to help industry build up its WSH
Traffic Injuries
MAJOR AND MINOR INJURIES MAINLY DUE TO to 2013. He emphasised how accidents can be easily avoided if capabilities. MOM, WSH Council and relevant associations will be
Fatal Injuries 4 11 14
companies had put in place basic preventive measures or if safety organising a series of Work at Heights Clinics while the Safety
Major Injuries 25 - -
SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS Compliance Assistance Visits have been doubled to 1,600 visits and
procedures had been followed.
Minor Injuries 224 - - The three traditionally higher risk sectors accounted for 54% of extended to other companies beyond the construction sector.
Occupational Diseases 423 474 887 major injuries, with construction registering an increase from 71 Findings from enforcement operation
cases in the first half of 2013 to 84 over the same period in 2014. SPS then urged a proactive approach towards better WSH outcomes.
Figure 1: Number of workplace injuries and work-related traffic injuries and Non-traditional sectors* also saw more major injuries, from 38 to 50 SPS also shared findings from “Operation Peacock” – an enforcement He said, “Each and every one of us is responsible for safety
occupational diseases, 2013 and 2014p.
cases over the same period in 2014. operation carried out by inspectors from the Ministry of Manpower’s and health, and the slightest slip-up in WSH could mean dire
(2014P : 2014 figures are preliminary) (MOM) Occupational Safety and Health Division which covered consequences for our worker, our company and the people around
Minor injuries increased to 6,005 in the first half of 2014, up from worksites in landed properties. The Operation, which was conducted us. We need to come together, work together and move together to
CONSTRUCTION REMAINS A CAUSE FOR CONCERN 5,249. The manufacturing sector remained the highest contributor in April 2014, found 280 WSH violations related to work at heights, improve our WSH standards and achieve excellence.”
(23%) of minor injuries while the construction sector recorded scaffolding and electrical lapses on 144 worksites of 127 companies.
The construction sector accounted for most (57%) workplace a 29% increase – from 1,045 cases in the first half of 2013 to About the SCAL campaign
fatalities and remains a cause for concern. 17 fatalities occurred in 1,346 over the same period in 2014. Slips, trips and falls, which Fines totalling over $110,000 were issued to errant companies as a
the first half of 2014, up from 11 last year. The three traditionally contributed the bulk of both major (30%) and minor (23%) injuries result. The Ministry of Manpower also issued four stop-work orders, Close to 300 participants from the construction industry witnessed
higher risk sectors (construction, marine and manufacturing) in the first half of 2014, remained as the top incident type. with three lasting more than 20 days. SPS then reiterated MOM’s the launch of the Construction Safety, Health and Security Campaign
accounted for 73% of workplace fatalities. Fatalities in the logistics plans to enhance the deterrence framework and take tougher action held at the Employment and Employability Institute. Organised by
and transport sub-sector doubled to six cases in the first half of 2014 against irresponsible stakeholders who continue to put workers at risk. SCAL, the campaign is a joint effort with various government bodies
(see Figure 2). DECREASE IN FATAL INJURIES ARISING FROM WORK- and professional institutions to raise WSH standards through sharing
RELATED TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS of good practices and latest WSH issues.

Work-related traffic fatalities in the transportation and storage sector

Other sectors
dropped from four to two, but remained as the main contributor To find out more, visit www.wshc.sg/newsroom
include transportation
and storage, cleaning of work-related traffic fatalities. Out of four work-related traffic
and landscape
maintenance
fatalities in the first half of 2014, motorcycles were the most
common vehicle involved.
SPS’ ACTION CALL TO STAKEHOLDERS
Construction Marine Manufacturing activities, etc.
*Non-tradional sectors include water supply, sewerage, waste management and • SCAL – Rally your members to work together towards the • Employees – Avoid being at risk just to save time or for
73% 27% remediation activities, wholesale and retail trade and logistics and transport. common goal of improving WSH standards. convenience. Be vigilant for your personal safety and health as
well as that of your co-workers.
Figure 2: Breakdown of fatalities by sectors. • Employers – Promote WSH throughout the entire supply
chain – from workers to subcontractors – and influence them • Developers – Address WSH risks before construction begins and
to adhere to good WSH practices. factor in WSH performance when selecting your contractors.
To view the WSH Statistics Report Jan - Jun 2014 in full, visit www.wshc.sg/wshstatistics
 6 EVENTS EVENTS 7

SINGAPORE CRANE FAIR 2014:

CRAWLER CRANE SAFETY Find out more at www.workwise.sg/betterworkplaces

Raising Standards and Quality DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE COMMON

CRANE SAFETY LAPSES ARE?
WHAT ACCIDENTS CAN POOR
CRANE SAFETY LEAD TO?
Close to 2,000 participants attended the inaugural Singapore
Crane Fair from 28 to 30 September 2014. This was the first time Tilted crane Bent or buckled
Damaged or Defective safety Unauthorised
that the industry and key stakeholders such as the Singapore crane boom
kinked wires devices modifications
Crane Association, Singapore Contractors Association Ltd, Building
and Construction Authority, Workplace Safety and Health (WSH)
Council, Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the International
Cranes and Specialized Transport have collaborated to organise
the Crane Fair – comprising a crane carnival, symposium and Damaged lifting
conference – to reach out to different stakeholders on recent hook safety
latches
developments and good practices in the crane industry.

Load strikes
Day 2: Crane Safety Symposium building
structure
Failure to
The second day of the Fair was held at the Suntec City Convention properly develop
Wire rope
Centre where more than 400 participants attended the Crane a Lifting Plan
snapped
Safety Symposium. Organised by the WSH Council and MOM, the Failure to deploy
signallers and riggers Crane positioned
Symposium opened with a dialogue session with three CEOs from on uneven or
the industry who shared their experiences in working with lifting unstable ground
machines and conducting lifting operations.

Day 1: Crane Carnival Singapore

Speakers from MOM also shared findings from “Operation Goldcrest”
– an enforcement operation conducted in July and August 2014
targeting unsafe lifting practices and crane operations in the
Did you know? Crane operations are not a “one-man operation”. A lifting team comprises a group of
trained personnel who are appointed to make sure the lifting operation is safe.

construction sector. Following the operation, 79 firms were fined or

The 3-day Fair opened with the Crane Carnival, which saw over issued non-compliance notices for crane-related safety violations. All lifting operations involving cranes must be planned carefully, and carried out according to the Lifting Plan. The factors to consider include:
1,500 crane industry workers and their families, and potential
employees learn more about the crane industry. Held at the
Institute of Technical Education College Central, the event featured
hands-on workshops, competitions and massive crane displays that
showcased the professionalism of the workforce.

Guest-of-honour, Chairman of the WSH Council-led National Crane

Safety Taskforce, Mr Mohamed Abdul Akbar highlighted key
findings and recommendations from a study on past crawler cranes
incidents. The study found that machine failures were the main MACHINE MAN MATERIAL METHOD MEDIUM
contributing factor of crawler crane-related incidents; and were Selection of appropriate Competency, roles and The load that is intended to be Planning and procedures for the lifting The environment in which
crane – Is the crane responsibilities of personnel lifted (e.g. weight, dimension, operation, such as the development the lifting operation is to
mostly due to the breakdown of load bearing crane components and capacity sufficient? involved in the lifting operation. centre of gravity). and implementation of the lifting plan, be carried out, including
safe work procedures and permit to lift. the stability of the crane.
malfunctioning safety devices caused by poor maintenance. Other
contributing factors include poor implementation of lifting plans,
unsafe manoeuvres of cranes, irresponsible crane operators, and Day 3: International Cranes and Transport Asia
lifting loads that exceed the safe working load. Pacific Conference

The
CEOs pledge their commitment to WSH The Crane Fair concluded with the International Cranes and
Transport Asia Pacific Conference where topics, such as the latest
industry practices, training, WSH regulations, were discussed at Themed “A safer and healthier workplace for everyone”, the bizSAFE

Mr Akbar also shared that there were three crane-related fatalities
from January to June this year, compared to zero over the same
period in 2013. He emphasised that strong collaboration among all
stakeholders, including the government and industry, is necessary
Annual
length. Close to 200 local and overseas delegates attended this Convention 2015 will feature speakers sharing their insights on the importance
conference organised by the International Cranes and Specialized of workplace safety and health (WSH) for business success. Business owners,
Transport and KHL Group at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel. employers and employees will also be able to learn how they can leverage on

bizSAFE
to improve WSH outcomes. the bizSAFE programme to build their WSH capabilities.
Keynote speaker, Chief Asia Economist at IHS, Mr Rajiv Biswas,
shared the economic outlook of the international arena for the Held for the 7th year, the event will include complimentary bizSAFE Level 1
At the event, 13 CEOs of crane companies also pledged to uphold
upcoming years. Mr Akbar also shared insights on Singapore’s workshops and site visits. Equipment suppliers and safety solutions providers
WSH as a core value in their organisation and be committed to the

Convention
crane safety landscape and WSH efforts by the industry. will also be present to showcase the latest WSH products and services.
safety, health and wellbeing of their workers.
Date: Thursday, 5 February 2015
Mr Akbar then called for all stakeholders to take necessary For more information on the Crane Fair, visit Venue: Max Atria @ Singapore Expo
measures to ensure that workers go home safe and healthy each www.wshc.sg/newsroom Time: 9:00am to 4:00pm
day. Everyone has a role to play, he added, and urged a concerted
drive towards zero crane-related accidents.
Is Here Again! Register online at www.wshc.sg
For more information on bizSAFE, visit www.wshc.sg/bizsafe
 8 EVENTS
Hospitality and Entertainment Industries
WSH Challenge 2014 Concludes on a High Note
On 2 September 2014, 23 teams raced to complete a series of safety
and health challenges common in the hospitality and entertainment
industries (H&EI) in the safest and fastest way possible.
Teams from various companies and institutes of higher learning
participated in the 2nd H&EI Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Challenge
– an annual event focused at raising awareness on WSH issues in the H&EI.
Held at Clarke Quay, the part “Running Man” and part “Scavenger Hunt”-
style race saw participants put their WSH skills to the test in various H&EI-
themed challenges. These include using breathalysers correctly, handling
workplace violence and assembling a first aid kit. Teams also had the
opportunity to earn bonus points if they took pictures with the elusive
game master who wore personal protective equipment.
After an exciting morning, Sentosa Development Corporation came out
top, followed by Marina Bay Sands and The American Club in second and
third place respectively.
The event was flagged off by Chairman of the WSH Council H&EI
Committee and CEO of Park Hotel Group, Mr Allen Law. In his opening
address, Mr Law reminded participants of the challenges the H&EI face
and emphasised the importance of WSH.
“We need to cope with a fast-paced working environment and sometimes
irregular hours to ensure high level of service standards. And in the rush to
provide prompt and good services, there may be a tendency to overlook
important safety and health issues. Whether it is a kitchen’s preparation
during the peak dinner shift or cleaning the floors, the risks of having an
injury or accident are real concerns”, he said.
Visiting Professor Shares Insights on Global Burden of Diseases
As part of the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Institute’s
mission to enhance WSH through knowledge, innovations and
solutions, the Institute recently hosted a visit by Professor Tim
Driscoll from the School of Public Health, University of Sydney.
Professor Driscoll leads the expert working group on occupational risk
factors in the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study commissioned
by the World Health Organization and led by the Institute for Health
Metrics and Evaluation. Based on findings from the study, he shared
that occupational risk factors were responsible for nearly 1 million
deaths worldwide in 2010. Occupational injury was also ranked the 5th
leading cause of death among the 15 to 49 year-old age group.
Professor Driscoll also introduced the concept of disability adjusted
life year (DALY) – a measure of overall disease burden, expressed as
the number of years lost due to ill-health, disability or early death.
Globally, an estimated 65 million DALYs are attributable to occupational
risk factors such as occupational noise, cancer causing agents, dusts,
fumes, vapours and so on. The WSH Institute also took the opportunity
to discuss with several agencies on ways to better estimate Singapore’s
burden of work-related diseases. The discussions concluded with the
proposed formation of a working group to further refine the estimates.
As part of the visit, Professor Driscoll delivered a presentation to more
than 165 health professionals, policy-makers and safety officers at the
inaugural WSH Institute Visiting Expert Series forum on 16 October 2014.
The presentation titled “The Global Burden of Disease: Everything you
wanted to know but afraid to ask”, was well received.
Highlighting the importance of teamwork in ensuring good WSH
outcomes, Mr Law urged everyone to look out for one another, by
identifying unsafe conditions and encouraging safe work behaviour.
More than 200 supporters and participants gathered at Shanghai Dolly for
the closing ceremony. Industry partners such as Singapore Civil Defence Force
and prize sponsors including Resorts World Singapore, Marina Bay Sands
and Sentosa Development Corporation also lent their support to the event.
Participating venues included Shanghai Dolly, Katrina Holdings, Playhouse,
The Bungy Bar and Tomo Izakaya.
For more information on WSH issues in the H&EI,
visit www.wshc.sg/newsroom
The visit has helped deepen the WSH Institute’s understanding of different
perspectives and methodologies used in calculating the GBD due to work. The
knowledge and experience gained will also chart the way forward in bringing
better WSH outcomes for Singapore.
For more information on the presentation by Professor Driscoll,
visit www.wsh-institute.sg
EVENTS 9
Forklift Driving Skills Competition Highlights
Importance of Safety
On 7 August 2014, a crowd gathered at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) College East, Logistics
Training Centre to cheer 10 participants at the annual ITE-Linde Forklift Safe Driving Skills Competition.
Students from the ITE’s Logistics for International Trade course and forklift
operators from logistics companies competed against each other to win
the top prize. Families, friends, management and staff from ITE College
East and representatives from the industry and Workplace Safety and
Health Council were also there to lend their support to the participants.
Aside from theoretical assessment, participants had to demonstrate
their practical skills in manoeuvring the forklifts safely with speed and
accuracy during the challenges. The crowd went into a frenzy when
two teams representing ITE College East and industry were tasked
to stack loads onto a 4-tiered high rack. After a high-spirited 2-hour
competition, Mr Ryan Teow Kai Meng from ITE College East emerged
as the winner.
The event, co-sponsored by Linde Material Handling Asia Pacific Pte
At the 1-day event, attendees also learnt about forklift safety and Ltd (Linde) and organised by the Logistics department in the College
safe handling of materials through the games booths and exhibits East’s School of Business and Services, aims to raise awareness of safe
on display. They also had the opportunity to observe up close various operation and use of forklifts and in the logistics sector. It also allows
material handling equipment (e.g., automated stacker and pallet students to gain industry exposure through their interactions with
truck) and manoeuvre remote-operated forklifts. various industry stakeholders.
WINNERS
1ST 2ND 3RD
Mr Ryan Teow Kai Meng Mr Arunkumar Prasanth Kumar Mr Lim Kean Kie
(ITE College East) (Sankyu Singapore Ltd) (Dawn Shipping & Transport Co Pte Ltd)
STUDENTS LEARN WSH ISSUES THROUGH VISIT
Internship Programme developed by TP and
the Singapore National Employers Federation ABOUT THE PET INITIATIVE
to help TP students majoring in Diploma in
The Pre-Employment Training (PET)
Business gain insights into Singapore’s human
initiative allows students from
resources issues and practices.
institutes of higher learning (IHLs) to
gain knowledge and practical skills
During the visit, the students were
in the industry through platforms
introduced to the WSH Council’s programmes
such as bizSAFE and CultureSAFE. They such as classroom-based learning
also took part in fun-filled and interactive and industrial attachments. The WSH
activities highlighting the importance of Council supports this initiative by
WSH. These include playing charades using engaging students on WSH issues
To educate and instil workplace safety
safety slogans, solving safety puzzles, through forums and learning sessions.
and health (WSH) values in the young, the
testing their knowledge on the contents of Since the launch of the initiative in
WSH Council has engaged various tertiary
a first aid kit, and spotting work hazards in 2011, the WSH Council has engaged
institutions since 2011 as part of the
various photographs. six national universities*, five
Pre-Employment Training (PET) initiative.
polytechnics, Institute of Technical
Education and Ministry of Education.
Under the PET initiative, the WSH Council The lessons learnt and ideas shared during
recently hosted 25 students from the the visit provided students with a better * Nanyang Technological University, National University of
Singapore, Singapore Institute of Management University,
Temasek Polytechnic (TP)’s Business School understanding on safety and health issues
Singapore Institute of Technology, Singapore Management
on 12 September 2014. The students were that will help prepare them when they start University and Singapore University of Technology and Design
under the Structured Human Resource work in future.
10 CASE FILE WHAT’S NEW 11

UPDATES ON During the Programme-based Engagement (ProBE) Plus Forum on

FORMWORK SAFETY 9 April 2014, Senior Parliamentary Secretary (SPS) for Education
and Manpower, Mr Hawazi Daipi highlighted the importance of

TRAINING COURSES raising formwork safety standards and shared upcoming plans to
review the competency framework for formwork safety.
Case brief: On 20 February 2011, a worker guard the open side of the floor, they
was dismantling formwork at a construction were ineffective as there was a 55cm gap
Enhanced course for supervisors New course for workers
site when he fell 26m to the ground. between the barricades and the floor. The Since 1 May 2014, the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council A new Formwork Safety Course for Workers was also developed in 1 July
large exposed gap had put workers at risk and Ministry of Manpower has reviewed and enhanced the Curriculum 2014 to train formwork workers and tradesmen to perform formwork
The accused: Consis Engineering Pte Ltd. of falling from heights. Development Advisory (CDA) for the Formwork Safety Course for activities safely. The 1-day course covers topics such as fundamentals of
Supervisors. The enhanced CDA includes an additional four hours to the formwork construction, roles of formwork workers and management of
Employer fined for failure to ensure safety The accused company had also failed to course duration and covers key areas such as: WSH risks associated with formwork and work at heights activities. Workers
of workers. ensure that the deceased had anchored his • Safe work practices on formwork installation, with emphasis on proper will also be able to learn about the causes of past formwork-related
safety harness to a secured anchorage point anchorage points; accidents and apply the learning to their work.
On the day of the accident, the deceased was
tasked to dismantle timber formwork. He did when working. The accused company did • Use of checklists for the inspection and supervision of formwork structures,
To ensure that employees are adequately trained and remain competent,
so while standing on a form deck located at the not install anchorage points even though formwork transportation processes, risk control measures; and
employers involved in formwork construction are strongly encouraged to
edge of the 4th floor of a construction site. As he safety harnesses were provided to its • Identification of hazards associated with working at heights. send their workers and supervisors for these courses.
was stripping the formwork with a hammer and workers. Installing secure anchorage points
crowbar, he lost his balance and fell 26m to the would have allowed the worker to hook on
his safety harness and the fall arrest system To find out more about the courses, visit www.mom.gov.sg/workplace-safety-health/training
ground below.
to be deployed in the event of a fall.
Investigations revealed that the accused
company had failed to take adequate

NEW Publications
For failing to ensure the safety and health of
measures to prevent workers from falling
its workers, the accused company was fined
from heights during the course of their work.
$70,000 under the Workplace Safety and
Although pipe barricades were installed to
Health Act.

The Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council recently issued the following three publications.
To view these publications in full, visit www.wshc.sg

Safety and
Workplace
lines
Health Guide
WSH Guidelines for Safe Use of Machinery
Workplace
2014 by the
November ration with
Published in
Machinery
l in collabo
Health Counci
Safe Use of
Safety and
of Manpower.
the Ministry
be
tion may not
d. This publica or by any
All rights reserve in any form
or transmitted t prior written
reproduced in part, withou
or
means, in whole provided in
this
The information g.
permission. at time of printin for
is accurate as
publication tion are meant

This publication is intended for companies that use machines with moving parts such as
shared in this publica points for
All cases learnin g
es only. The not be
learning purpos and should
not exhaustive s and
each case are responsibilitie
ulate all the tion under
taken to encaps this publica
of the user of l
obligations and Health Counci
Workplace Safety sibility to any
the law. The

milling machines, band saws, drills, shears, slitting machines, food mincers or cutters.
or respon
any liability ng
does not accept from followi
or damage arising
party for losses
tion.
this publica
le on the
tion is availab l

Case brief: On 1 March 2013, a worker was

This publica
and Health Counci

It highlights hazards from the use of machines and provides recommendations on good
Workplace Safety

he did not see the deceased as the 2.9m high

shc.sg
Website: www.w
t@wshc.sg
Email: contac

knocked down and run over by a reversing
prime mover at a container depot.
The accused: Rong De Distribution Pte Ltd.
Employer fined for failure to ensure safety
of workers.
On the day of the accident, a worker was driving
a prime mover to unload a 40-foot long container
it was carrying. After parking the prime mover at
the container depot, he alighted from the vehicle
to unlock the twistlocks securing the container to
the prime mover trailer. This was done in order
to subsequently unload the container by using a
reach stacker.
After unlocking the twistlocks and checking
that there was no one at the rear of the prime
mover, the worker went back to the vehicle
and proceeded to reverse. The deceased was
walking along the rear of the prime mover
when he was struck and run over by the
reversing prime mover.
The prime mover driver had checked the side
mirrors of the vehicle prior to reversing. However,
container that the prime mover was carrying
had partially obstructed his view of the rear
area of the prime mover.
Investigations revealed that the accused
company had failed to implement adequate
measures to address the risk of persons
being hit by vehicles at the workplace. It did
not implement a designated loading and
unloading area at the workplace, which would
have prevented persons from unknowingly
walking into the path of vehicles in operation.
The accused company also failed to provide
a banksman – who would have been able to
warn any persons approaching the reversing
vehicle to keep away from it and to guide the
driver in manoeuvring the vehicle safely.
The accused company also failed to manage
the safe movement of vehicles and
pedestrians within the workplace. Measures
such as having clearly demarcated pathways
for pedestrians and designated routes for
vehicles and placing appropriate warning
signs to alert pedestrians and drivers should
WSH practices and control measures to ensure the safe use of machines.
Marine Industry Case Studies
This booklet is a compilation of past workplace incidents and WSH expertise from various
companies in the marine industry. It is important to learn from workplace incidents to
prevent the next incident from recurring. Share these cases at your company’s training
or toolbox meetings to help your workers carry out their work safely.
have been implemented. These would ensure
that pedestrians and drivers stay within WSH Guidelines on Laboratory Handling Chemicals
the designated paths and follow the traffic
directions indicated on the ground. This publication supplements the existing WSH Guidelines on Management of
Hazardous Chemicals Programme. It provides more details on the safe storage,
For failing to develop and implement adequate transfer, handling and disposal of chemicals in the laboratory context, and
safety and health measures, the accused
the recommended measures for laboratories to facilitate effective emergency
company was fined $80,000 under the
Workplace Safety and Health Act. response to chemical incidents. Use this publication to guide you on WSH aspects
to be considered when designing a chemical laboratory.
 Enhancements to the WSH Awards
2015 application criteria
The Annual Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Awards recognise
organisations and individuals who have contributed to achieving
excellence in WSH. Following industry consultation, the criteria for
the WSH Awards 2015 application have been finalised.
Performance, SHARP, Developer and
Risk Management Awards Companies must submit results of the
CultureSAFE Perception Survey and
a) Revised X Factor Checklist: Companies will be Evidence-Based Assessment for Awards
required to complete the revised X Factor Checklist application. The results will not be part
which incorporates Total WSH elements. of the evaluation criteria.

b) CultureSAFE Evidence-Based Assessment: In addition
to the CultureSAFE Perception Survey, companies will
also be required to complete the Evidence-Based
Assessment. The Evidence-based Assessment involves
a third-party assessment to validate the data collected
from the Perception Survey. It is not mandatory for
companies who have completed the Perception
Survey in 2014 to retake it. However, companies must
complete the Evidence-Based Assessment.
Application for the WSH Awards will
open in January 2015. We encourage
interested companies to prepare for
applications early, such as completing
the ConSASS or OSHMS checklist,
CultureSAFE Perception Survey,
Evidence-Based Assessment and X
Factor Checklist.

More information on the WSH Awards available at www.wshc.sg/wshawards

Congratulations
Sembcorp Industries Ltd

Winner of 4 WSH Performance (Silver) Awards 2014

The WSH Council apologises for the printing error in Sembcorp Industries’ sponsorship acknowledgement on its collaterals for the WSH Awards 2014.
The following is the corrected sponsor ad in the WSH Awards 2014 Commemorative Book. We would like to offer our congratulations once again to
Sembcorp Industries for their win in the WSH Awards 2014.