Risk Management

Since 2006, Risk Management has become mandatory for any work being carried out in manufacturing facilities, construction sites and shipyards. Since September 2011, all workplaces come under the purview of the Workplace Safety and Health Act. The implication is that all are required to conduct risk assessment for activities carried out by them, be it within their own premises or at other premises.

The requirement for risk assessment is stipulated in WSH (Risk Management) Regulations 2006. The Workplace Safety and Health Council (WSH Council) has also published a Code of Practice to provide guidance on implementing risk management, including the identification of hazards, evaluating risk, and putting in place control measures.

It is recommended that 5x5 Risk Assessment Matrix be adopted to provide more accurate assessment of risks.

Risk Assessment Form (Sample)

A Risk Assessment Form template, which is created based on the CP from WSH Council, may be downloaded here.

For assistance in developing RA, you may visit www.kavservices.sg

Gazette of WSH Subsidiary Legislations

(Received via e-mail, WSH Bulletin from WSH Council)

The following subsidiary legislations made under the WSH Act were gazetted on 9 September and will come into operation on 10 September 2011.

(a) WSH (First-aid)(Amendment) Regulations 2011
(b) WSH (General Provisions)(Amendment) Regulations 2011
(c) WSH (Medical Examinations) Regulations 2011
(d) WSH (Operation of Cranes) Regulations 2011
(e) WSH (Scaffold) Regulations 2011

The above Regulations previously only cover a limited class of workplaces. In line with the extension of the WSH Act to cover all workplaces on 1 September 2011, they were reviewed for updates and alignment to the new regime.

About the new Regulations

(a) WSH (First-aid)(Amendment) Regulations 2011

This amends the WSH (First-aid) Regulations. The key enhancements are as follows:

• Extend the coverage to all workplaces, except for hospitals and medical clinics
• Remove the prescriptive requirements on :-
- the number and types of first-aid boxes to be provided
- the content to be contained in the first-aid box
• Standardise the ratio of first-aider to persons employed across all sectors (i.e. workplaces where there are more than 25 persons employed are to appoint one first-aider to every 100 persons employed)

(b) WSH (General Provisions)(Amendment) Regulations 2011

This amends the WSH (General Provisions) Regulations. The key enhancements are as follows:
• Extend the coverage to all workplaces
• Allow the statutory inspection of pressure vessels to be extended beyond its prescribed interval
• Require warning labels and safety data sheets for hazardous substances to conform to any Singapore Standard or other such standards, codes of practice or guidance issued or approved by the WSH Council
• Reduce the minimum age (from 20 to 18 years old) for persons carrying out examination, lubrication or adjustment of moving parts of machinery while the fencing or other safeguard is removed

(c) WSH (Medical Examinations) Regulations 2011
This replaces the Factories (Medical Examinations) Regulations. The key enhancements are as follows:
• Extend to all workplaces in which persons are employed in hazardous occupation
• Assign duty-holders for the provisions relating to medical examination of persons employed in hazardous occupations
• Include provisions on registration, suspension and cancellation of approval for Designated Workplace Doctor
• Update terminologies (e.g. from Designated Factory Doctor and Chief Inspector to Designated Workplace Doctor and Commissioner respectively)
• Improve overall structure and flow of the Regulations through minor editorial enhancements

(d) WSH (Operation of Cranes) Regulations 2011
This replaces the Factories (Operation of Cranes) Regulations. They key enhancements are as follows:
• Extend to all workplaces
• Require the establishment and Implementation of a lifting plan where any lifting operation involving the use of any crane is carried out in a workplace. Previously, only safe lifting procedure is needed.
• Enhance the duties of lifting personnel (i.e. lifting supervisor and crane operator), in the light of the lifting plan
• Require lorry crane operators to attend training course conducted by accredited training providers. (Note: This requirement will only come into effect on 1 Sep 2013)

(e) WSH (Scaffold) Regulations 2011

This replaces the Factories (Scaffold) Regulations. The key enhancements are as follows:
• Extend to all workplaces
• Require all metal scaffolds to be type-tested by a recognised testing body and comply with a standard or specification that the Commissioner accepts. Currently, approval is to be sought from the Commissioner.
• Assign duties on the professional engineer to ensure that he discharges his duty with due diligence

For more details, click here or refer to MOM website.

Unsafe Conditions & Acts involving Forklift

Fire fighting Training

This video shows 2 points:

1. Importance of basic fire fighting training. The trainee had problem to remove the clip.
2. It shows that fire can be re-ignited even though it seems to have been put off.

For training in fire fighting, visit www.kavservices.sg

New Regulations to Improve Crane Safety

Enhancements to the WSH (Operation of Cranes) Regulations outlining the implementation of the Lifting Plan and appointment of a "Responsible Person" will take effect on 1 September 2011.

A new Code of Practice for Safe Lifting Operations to guide on the implementation of Lifting Plans and different checklists as references before any lifting operation is carried out. A Safe Lifting Operation info-kit and new training courses for lifting supervisors, riggers and signalmen to help improve their capabilities in performing lifting operations safely.

(Extract from e-mail from WSH Council, dated 20 July 2011)

WSH (Noise) Regulations

WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH (NOISE)REGULATIONS 2011 These Regulations shall come into operation on 1st September 2011. PART I - PRELIMINARY Regulation 1. Citation and commencement 2. Definitions 3. Application PART II - NOISE CONTROL 4. Measures to reduce or control noise 5. Appointment of competent person to advise on noise control 6. Duty of manufacturers and suppliers of noisy machinery or equipment PART III - NOISE MONITORING, HEARING PROTECTORS AND TRAINING 7. Noise monitoring 8. Hearing protectors 9. Training programme PART IV - MISCELLANEOUS 10. Revocation The Schedule Click for more details