HDB SAFETY - Housing and Development Board€¦ · 2 HDB SAFETY eNEWS ... Regulations and relevant standards, including the following: • SS 557: 2010 Code of Practice for Demolition

January 2013 Issue 10

HDB SAFETYenews

The safety of persons working at height has always been a concern in the construction industry. In HDB worksites, ‘Fall from Height’ incidents accounted for about 40% of the fatalities from 2007 to 2012. Our investigation revealed that the cause of the incidents were mainly due to the failures to implement control measures such as the wearing of safety harness and the installation of guard-rails. With the increase in the construction projects, all stakeholders need to work closely together to prevent a rise in workplace incidents.

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“HDB alone cannot improve safety. We need the support and commitment from all our business partners. The project team must ensure that the safety processes are in place, workers must be aware of the safety requirements, and take charge of their own personal safety.”

Mr Sng Cheng Keh, Deputy CEO (Building)

On 8 Nov 12, HDB organised the annual Safety Seminar and Award. The theme of the seminar was “Check Safety Compliances. Don’t Assume” and the focus was on the safety of supervisors and workers who carry out work activities at height.

The seminar was attended by a total of 450 participants.

HDB SAFETY SEMINAR & AWARD 2012

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Safety commitment must come from the top. The management must take a lead in the safety journey and place WSH high on their business agenda.

During the seminar, DCEO(B) and business partners pledged for their commitment to raise the safety standards in HDB worksites.


PLEDGE FOR SAFETY COMMITMENT

In conjunction with the theme and focus of the seminar, HDB launched a safety video to emphasize on the importance to check for safety compliances and ensure a safe working environment.

The video also serves to remind everyone not to assume, but instead to take personal responsibility towards safety.

Safety video distributed to all worksites

Mr Sng Cheng Keh pledged for safety commitment

LAUNCH OF HDB SAFETY VIDEO

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Mr Kevin Teoh highlighted the common safety non-compliances in the worksites. He also shared on the proposed WSH (Work at Height) regulations, which is scheduled to come into force in 2013.

Mr Wilson Wong shared on LC&T Builders’ holistic approach towards a safe working environment, including the good safety measures implemented at the worksites.


EXHIBITS ON WORKING SAFELY AT HEIGHT

Exhibits on the safe use of ladderUse of Personal Protective Equipment while working at height

Mr Wilson Wong, GM (LC&T Builders)

Mr Kevin Teoh, Director OSH Inspectorate (MOM)

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Mr Yeo Siang Thong, MD (Chip Eng Seng), receiving the award


CONSTRUCTION SAFETY AWARD 2012 WINNERS

Mr Sng Cheng Keh (4th from right) together with Construction Safety Award winners

“I would like to thank my staff and business partners for their strong belief and commitment that led us to receive this prestigious HDB Construction Safety Award.”

Mr Lim Tian Seng, ChairmanChip Eng Seng Contractors

WINNER OF 2 MAIN AWARDS

• ChipEngSengContractors(2MainAwards)• LC&TBuilders(MainAward&Merit)• Hi-TekConstruction(MainAward)• KayLimConstruction(MainAward)

• KenPal(MainAward)• HoLeeConstruction(Merit)• ThongHuatBrothers(Merit)

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HDB SAFETY PROMOTION CAMPAIGN

The HDB month-long Safety Promotion Campaign was officially launched by Group Director (Building Quality) Mr Thomas Seow on 2 Nov 12 at Yishun N4C3. The theme of the campaign was “Inculcating safety values and promoting good safety practices at work sites”.

“ I hope with today’s opening ceremony, a clear message will be sent to all parties that safety and health cannot be compromised and is always a serious business”

Mr Lim Lay Meng, Exec Director (LC&T Builders)Launch of Safety Campaign by Mr Thomas Seow

Throughout the one month, all HDB contractors scheduled a period of at least one week to promote worksite safety to workers and site supervisors via activities such as safety talk, educational video clips, display of educational banners/slogan and sharing by safety champions.

Training for workers on “Working at Height” safety

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A permit to work system shall be implemented to ensure that precautions are taken both before and during actual demolition for the:• safety of personnel on site• safety and convenience of

third parties• protection of properties

GOOD SAFETY IN DEMOLITION WORKS

Demolition is one of the high-risk construction activities. It may present a high level of risk and pose many hazards if the works are not properly carried out and supervised.

“With the increase in demolition projects, there is a need to pay more attention and focus our efforts on improving the safety standards of demolition work.”Er Cheng Kiah LimDirector (Building Services & Improvement)

Below are some safety measures and good practices when carrying out the demolition works:

1. Compliance with the Authorities’ Requirements

All demolition works shall be carried out in accordance with appropriate Acts, their Subsidiary Regulations and relevant standards, including the following:

• SS 557: 2010 Code of Practice for Demolition• WSH Act• WSH (Construction) Regulation 2007• WSH (Scaffold) Regulation

• CP 14 Code of Practice for Scaffolding• Code of Practice on Safe Lifting Operations in Workplace• Code of Practice for Working Safely at Height

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2. Development of Demolition Plan and Stability Report

• The Professional Engineer (PE) shall prepare the demolition plan and stability report incorporating the necessary calculations. The demolition plan should include a site plan, building layout plan, method statement and supervision plan.

• Prior to the commencement of the demolition work, an engineering survey should be carried out which include structural stability, existing services and the presence of hazardous substances.

3. Propping Requirements

• The propping requirements on the operation of machine depends on the minimum design imposed load of the floor slab as shown in the table:

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Coveredwalkwayandhalf-Yhoarding with warning signage


4. Hoarding, Covered Walkway, Catch Platform and Catch Fan

• Hoarding, covered walkway and/or catch platform shall be designed by a PE to suit individual site circumstances.

• Covered walkway should be provided if the building with clear space between building line and lot boundary is less than the building height or where it is deemed necessary.

• The covered walkway shall be designed to support a minimum uniformly distributed

load of:

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• Catch fan should be installed at a distance of not more than 10 meter below the working floor.

5. Debris Handling

• Debris should not accumulate against the external wall. Excessive accumulation of debris may cause overloading condition and may induce lateral loading on the walls and thus should be avoided.

• In general, the height of the debris accumulated shall not be more than 300mm at the working level.

The max height of debris indicated on the wall

Catch fan designed to support a min load of 5 kN/m2


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6. Provisions for Machine Movement and Access

• Movement of the machine should not be allowed in the following areas:

• The PE is required to design a temporary ramp using structural steel members to facilitate the movement of the machine from floor to floor.

7. Scaffolding

• Full height scaffolding and safety net shall be provided to prevent debris from flying out of the work area.

• The scaffolding shall be designed and erected in accordance with BS EN12811-1, SS280and SS CP 20

- within 2 m of the building edge; - within 1 m of any floor openings; or - any cantilever structures, unless adequately propped

Full height scaffold with safety net

Temporary ramp for machinery movement

Floor plan showing excavator travel limit

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HDB SAFETY PERFORMANCE

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.

AccidentFrequencyRate(Year2002–2012)

HDBAccidentStatistic(2012)

HDB SAFETY - Housing and Development Board€¦ · 2 HDB SAFETY eNEWS ... Regulations and relevant standards, including the following: • SS 557: 2010 Code of Practice for Demolition

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