A Great Workforce A Great Workplace

Raising Standards of
Crane Safety in Singapore
A Total System Approach
Seminar on Tower Crane Safety
1 October 2010

Er. Mohd Ismadi, Deputy Director, OSH Specialists

Occupational Safety and Health Division, MOM

A Great Workforce A Great Workplace

© 2010 Government of Singapore 1

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Agenda

Presentation Outline

Background
Recent Crane Accident cases;
Crane Safety: Facts & Figures
Crane Safety : Total System Approach
Emerging Issues in Construction
Industry Landscape

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Rise in Workplace Fatalities

Workplace Fatalities

62 63 67 70
60
40
20
0
2006 2007 2008 2009
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Sectoral Plans to improve WSH

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Formation of National Taskforces

National National
Crane Safety WAH Safety
Taskforce Taskforce

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National Crane Safety Taskforce

Three-pronged Approach to Improve Crane Safety Standards in Singapore

About the Taskforce

• Formed by MOM and WSHC in July 2009 to improve safety of
crane operations
•Led by Mr. Tan Wee Seng, MD of Bovis Lend Lease Pte Ltd
•Comprised members from various stakeholder groups including
govt, industry and suppliers

Strategy 1 Strategy 2 Strategy 3

Enhancing Competencies Enhancing Awareness of Strengthening Codes of
and Capabilities Key Issues Practices and Legislation

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 A Great Workforce A Great Workplace

Recent Crane Accidents

Tower Crane Incident 1 at Punggol in March 2010

• 5 workers were in the process of dismantling a

tower crane from a height of 16 stories
• During preparatory works for jacking down, the
crane jib section with its slewing unit toppled to the
ground
• One erector fell together with the crane jib section
& died at the scene. 3 others were injured.

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 A Great Workforce A Great Workplace

Recent Crane Accidents

Tower Crane Incident 2 at River Valley in April 2010

• 5 workers were installing a trolley platform to the

jacking cage of tower crane to prepare for jacking up of
crane.
• Trolley platform was being hoisted into position when it
hit the adjacent work platform with a worker on it.
• Work platform became dislodged and fell 55m to the
ground with the worker.
• The worker fortunately landed on a waste plastic bin
which cushioned his fall. He survived the accident and is
undergoing treatment for his injuries.
© 2010 Government of Singapore 8
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Recent Crane Accidents

Lorry Loader Incident at Chai Chee in July 2010

• On 16 July 2010 a lorry loader was collecting piles of

pruned tree branches and leaves on the roadside.
• The boom swung out to the middle lane and struck a
travelling double-decker bus which smashed through
the left upper deck windows.
• A bus passenger was killed and several others injured.

© 2010 Government of Singapore 9

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Breakdown of Cranes in SG
By Type of Cranes

Other Cranes 4696

Tower Cranes 546

Mobile Cranes (truck/
1326
wheel mounted)
Crawler Cranes 1496

Gantry Cranes 2267

Lorry Loader 3534

Overhead Cranes 6491

0 2000 4000 6000 8000

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Data as at 13 Sep 2010
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Breakdown of Crane Operators in SG

By Type of Cranes

Total 9625

Crawler Crane
4441
Operator

Mobile Crane Operator 2990

Tower Crane Operator 1824

Dockside Tower Crane

370
Operator

0 5000 10000 15000

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Crane-related Fatalities
2006 - 2009

Crane-related Fatalities and

12 % ↑ since 2007 16.0%
14.3%
12.9% 14.0%
10
12.0%
8
10.0%
7.5%
6 8.0%
6.3%
10
6.0%
4 8
4.0%
5
2 4
2.0%
0 0.0%
2006 2007 2008 2009
Crane-related Fatalties % of all Fatalities
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 A Great Workforce A Great Workplace

Crane-related Fatalities by Type

2006 - 2009
Tower Cranes and Mobile Cranes related Fatalities
account for 56 % of all Crane-related fatalities

6
22% 10
37%
2
7%
4
15% 5
19%

Tower Cranes Mobile Cranes Overhead Cranes

Lorry Cranes Other Cranes © 2010 Government of Singapore 13
 A Great Workforce A Great Workplace

Crane-related Fatalities by Industry

2006 - 2009
Construction accounts for more than half (56%) of all
Crane-related fatalities

2 1
3 7% 4%
11%
15
6 56%
22%

Construction Marine
Manufacturing Logistics & Transport
Landscaping
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 A Great Workforce A Great Workplace

Crane-related Injuries by Industry

2006 - 2009

Crane-related Injuries on
160 uptrend since 2007 ↑ by 144
44% since 2007
140
130 24
120 102 100 29
100 44
19 23
80 34
11
60 38 15
39
40
20 11 65
52
20
25 27
0
2006 2007 2008 2009
Construction Marine Manufacturing Others
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 A Great Workforce A Great Workplace

Crane-related DOs by Industry

2006 - 2009

Crane-related DOs on
25 uptrend since 2007 ↑ by
21
24% since 2007

20 2
17 18
0 2
2 4 3
15
2 1
2
10

13 14
5 11

0
2007 2008 2009
Construction Marine Manufacturing Others
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WSH 2018
A National Strategy for WSH in Singapore

Strategic Outcome 1 Strategic Outcome 2 Strategic Outcome 3 Strategic Outcome 4

Reduction in Workplace WSH is an Singapore is Renowned A Progressive and
Fatality and Integral Part of as a Centre of Excellence Pervasive
Injury Rates Business for WSH WSH Culture

Strategy 1 Strategy 2 Strategy 3 Strategy 4

Build Implement Promote Develop
Strong Capabilities an Effective Benefits of WSH Strong Partnerships
to Manage WSH Regulatory Framework and Recognise Locally and
Best Practices Internationally

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WSH Construction Sectoral Plan

Implementing WSH 2018 for the Constriction Sector in Singapore

Strategy 1 Strategy 2 Strategy 3 Strategy 4

Building Developing a Promoting Creating and Building
Strong Capabilities Performance-based Benefits of WSH Partnerships
to Better Manage WSH Regime And Integrating WSH into
Business

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 A Great Workforce A Great Workplace

National Crane Safety Taskforce

Three-pronged Approach to Improve Crane Safety Standards

About the Taskforce

• Formed by MOM and WSHC in July 2009 to improve safety of crane
operations
•Led by Mr. Tan Wee Seng, MD of Bovis Lend Lease Pte Ltd
•Comprised members from various stakeholder groups including govt,
industry and suppliers

Terms of Reference

 Provide industry leadership & work with the MOM and WSHC to make recommendations
to improve the safety of crane operations;
 Provide industry inputs when developing the implementation plan for the
recommendations;
 Garner buy-in & support from industry for effective implementation of the
recommendations to reduce work-related fatality & injury rates involving crane incidents;
and
 Represent as industry spokesperson at relevant engagement events.
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 A Great Workforce A Great Workplace

National Crane Safety Taskforce

Three-pronged Approach to Improve Crane Safety Standards

Crane Safety Analysis and Recommendation Report 2009

(CSAR)
• Taskforce worked with WSHC and MOM to review 40 past crane
incidents. Findings published in CSAR.
•Based on these findings, Taskforce made its recommendations and
embarked on three-pronged strategy to raise Crane Safety standards

Strategy 1 Strategy 2 Strategy 3

Enhancing Competencies Enhancing Awareness of Strengthening Codes of
and Capabilities Key Issues Practices and Legislation

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Role of Crane Stakeholders

Stakeholders
•The whole spectrum of industry players from
upstream Manufacturers to downstream Crane
Operators need to come together to ensure WSH is
integral part of business.

© 2010 Government of Singapore 21


1. Enhancing Capability & Competency
Strategy 1
• To build strong Capability
and Competency of various
individuals in value chain to
better manage safe
operation of Cranes at
workplaces.
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New Initiatives
Enhancing Capability and
Competency of Crane Operators
1. Development Workshop to Enhance
Safety of Crane Operations (WESCO)
2. Development of Training Curriculum
for Operators of Lorry Loaders
3. Enhancing Training Curriculum for
Lifting Team – Lifting Supervisors,
Riggers and Signalman
4. Development of Generic Training
Curriculum for Approved Crane
Contractors (ACC) for Tower Cranes.
5. Facilitation of attainment of bizSAFE
level 3 for all ACCs
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2. Enhancing Awareness of Key Issues
Strategy 2
• To establish programmes to
enhance outreach and engagement
efforts to top management, crane
manufacturers, crane service users
and lifting teams to enhance good
crane safety best practices.
• To promote crane safety messages
through the various platforms to
heighten awareness of key issues.
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New Initiatives
1. Development of Safe Lifting
Operations at Workplaces Kit.
2. Creation of industry-led Networks
and Interest Group on Crane Safety –
Tower, Mobile and Lorry Loaders IG
3. Creation of Engagement Platforms on
Crane Safety – Forums, Seminars,
Workshops and Dialogues
4. Dissemination of Crane safety
messages, information and advisories
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3. Enhancing Legislation & Standards
Strategy 3
• To review and enhance WSH
Regulations governing Crane Safety
regularly to ensure regime
continue to remain robust and
relevant to changing operating
conditions.
• To make available various
compliance assistance resources on
Crane Safety such as Codes of
Practices, Standards, Technical
Advisories and Toolkits to help
stakeholders implement the
requirements and initiatives.
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New Initiatives
1. Review of CP62: Code of Practice for
Safe Use of Tower Cranes.
2. Review of Factories (Operation of
Cranes) Regulations
 Extending coverage of Regulations
 Enhancing Roles and Responsibilities
of Lifting Supervisors
 Enhancing Management of Lifting
Operations thru implementation of
Lifting Plans
3. Development of Approved Code of
Practice on Safe Lifting Operations at
Workplaces
4. Mandatory training requirements for
operators of Lorry Cranes
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Strategic Enforcement & Targeted Intervention
Strategic Enforcement &
Targeted Intervention
• To priotise enforcement efforts
and resources and focus on areas
that matters most eg Crane Safety.
• To leverage on Mass Media to
publicise and communicate
Enforcement efforts and results to
share learning points.
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Key Focus Areas
1. Conduct of thematic and targeted
Enforcement Operations such as:
 Tower Cranes Special Ops – Apr 2010
 ProBE Cranes - ongoing
 Cluster Ops (COPs)
 Business under Surveillance (BUS)
 Media Ops
2. Conduct Accident Investigations into
accidents involving failures of Cranes
3. Organize joint Enforcement exercises
with other agencies such as NParks, LTA,
HDB eg. Operations Woodpecker on
Lorry Loaders in Aug 2010
4. Issuance of Technical Circulars and
Advisories on specific technical issue
5. Leverage on Mass Media to publicize
and communicate Enforcement efforts
and results of Prosecution cases to
share learning points
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Creating and Building Partnerships
Creating and Building
Partnerships
• To leverage on platforms such as
the National Crane Safety
Taskforces and the Industry
Committees and Associations to
encourage cross-fertilisation of
ideas and coordination of efforts to
improve Crane Safety.
• To establish strong networks in the
international arena to keep abreast
of latest developments in Crane
Safety and updated on new
hazards and risks identified in other
countries.
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Key Focus Areas
1. Collaborate with local and
international partners on Crane
Safety:
 National Crane Safety Taskforce
 WSHC Industry Committees
 Industry and Trade Associations
 International WSH Authorities
 International Bodies and
Associations
2. Represent in Technical Committees
and Working Groups
3. Present technical papers at Local
and International Forums on Crane
Safety
4. Keep abreast of latest
developments in Crane Safety such
as publication of new Codes and
Legislation
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Growth Forecast
In Construction Industry

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Growth Forecast
In Construction Industry

Construction Demand (Contracts Awarded) $Billions Construction Output (Certified Payments) $Billions

40 35.7
35
30.8
35 30
26.2
30
24.5 25
25 20.20
21.0 17.9 20.76
20
20 16.8 18.44
12.9
7.50 15
15 18.76
12.36
10 13.05 10 7.60
15.48
13.51
5 5 7.77
10.10
5.70 5.33 5.51
3.74
0 0
2006 2007 2008 2009 2006 2007 2008 2009

Source: BCA Public Private Public Private

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Greater Push for Productivity

In Construction Industry

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Greater Push for Skills Upgrade

In Construction Industry

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 A Great Workforce A Great Workplace

CRANE SAFETY TOTAL SYSTEM APPROACH

Building Partnerships
Capability & To leverage on platforms such
Competency
It is critical that
stakeholders be
Crane Safety as the National Crane Safety
Taskforces and the Industry
Committees and Associations
equipped with the
to encourage cross-
relevant skills and
competencies to fertilisation of ideas and
better comprehend, coordination of efforts to
control and deal with improve Crane Safety.
Crane Safety risks. .

Awareness Legislation & Strategic Enforcement

To encourage Standards Targeted interventions and
businesses to enforcement actions
Beyond capability building, we
adopt Crane Safety developed to ensure that
need to establish and
Best practices priority areas and critical gaps
maintain an effective
which can bring on Crane Safety are
regulatory framework for
business benefits. addressed.
Crane Safety to implement the
desired outcomes such that
they remain relevant to
industry trends.
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