WAH Regulations Working Safely on Roofs

Choong Chang Thai

Senior Manager, Programme Management, Occupational Safety & Health Division, Ministry of Manpower

A Great Workforce A Great Workplace

WSH STATISTICS WORKPLACE FATALITIES

Falls still stands as top contributor (27%) of total workplace fatalities in 2013
40 35 30 25 20 50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 25%

17
15 10 5 0

24

22 19

24

20%

17 14 13 3 2013

15% 10% 5%

1 2006

3 2007

2 2008

3 2009

5 2010

9 3 2011 2012

0%

Slips, Trips and Falls

Falls from Heights

Falls as % of total fatalities

Based on preliminary data as of 31 Dec 2013

WSH STATISTICS WORKPLACE INJURIES

MAJOR INJURIES 2013: FALLS FROM HEIGHTS

5%
Compared to 2012

78
= 10 injuries

MINOR INJURIES 2013: FALLS FROM HEIGHTS

534
18 %
Compared to 2012

= 10 injuries

Based on preliminary data as of 30 Nov 2013

WSH STATISTICS TOP FFH ACCIDENT AGENCIES

Fatalities

2013 Structures Roof Formwork

2012 Structures Means of access Formwork

Fall from Structures Fall from Roofs Fall from Formwork

Major injuries

2013 Means of access Structures Roof

2012 Means of access Structures Roof

Minor injuries

2013 Means of access Structures Lifting equipment

2012 Means of access Structures Lifting equipment

ACCIDENT CASE STUDIES

ACCIDENT CASE STUDIES

Fatal Accident #1 Fall through Skylight

7 workers assigned to remove asbestos roof sheets from a pitched roof A worker tasked to remove the screws stepped on and fell 11m through a skylight to his death The workers were equipped with restraint belts with no anchorage

ACCIDENT CASE STUDIES

Fatal Accident #1 Recommendations

Consider alternative safer work platform (e.g. MEWP) to eliminate the need to stand on fragile roof surfaces Identify fragile surfaces and communicate to all personnel Provide safe means of access to work areas (e.g. crawler boards) Implement Personal Fall Arrest System including sufficient and adequate anchorage

ACCIDENT CASE STUDIES

Fatal Accident #2 Fall through Roof Opening

In Jul 2013, worker was tasked to install a canopy roof in front of the office building Deceased was supposedly working alone when he fell through a roof opening Fell 4 m to the ground and succumbed to his injuries

ACCIDENT CASE STUDIES

Fatal Accident #2 Recommendations

Where possible, work from below the roof instead of deploying workers on roof top Safe and proper means of access and egress should be provided Provide sufficient and adequate anchorage for any personal fall arrest system or travel restraint system

ACCIDENT CASE STUDIES

Fatal Accident #3 Fall from Roof Edge

In Oct 2013, 2 workers went up to the roof of a link bridge for a painting job The workers gained access to the roof top via a boom lift, and utilise rope access for the painting task During the course of his work, the Deceased fell off the roof and landed on the ground about 15m below

ACCIDENT CASE STUDIES

Fatal Accident #3 Recommendations

Provide safe access and egress for workers to reach their work areas and perform their work safely If its not reasonably practicable to barricade all open sides, ensure all persons are able to utilise 100% tie off on their fall arrest/ travel restraint system Provide sufficient supervision

ACCIDENT CASE STUDIES

Fatal Accident #4 Fall through Fragile Roof

In Jan 2014, 2 workers were tasked by their supervisor to clear up leaves on the warehouse roof The workers climb out from a window on the 2nd floor and used a ladder to access the higher level of the roof While clearing up the leaves, a skylight gave way and the deceased fell straight through

ACCIDENT CASE STUDIES

Fatal Accident #3 Recommendations

Apr 2013
Consider alternative safer work platform (e.g. MEWP) to eliminate the need for to stand on fragile roof surfaces Identify fragile surfaces and communicate to all personnel Provide safe means of access to work areas (e.g. crawler boards)

Are we learning from others mistakes?

Overview of WAH Regulations

NATIONAL WAH TASKFORCE STRATEGIC OUTCOMES

Revised Code of Practice for Working at Heights
1. Building Strong Capabilities

2. Promoting Benefits of WAH Safety

3 WSHC Guidelines on WAH Safety published

3. Compliance Framework Enhancing Intervention Framework for WAH

Dedicated Work at Heights Regulations

Overview of WAH Regulations

I. Preliminary II. General Provisions III. PTW System IV. Industrial Rope Access V. Misc./ Schedule

Part I

- Preliminary

Part II - General Provisions Part III - Permit-to-work System Part IV - Industrial Rope Access System Part V - Miscellaneous The Schedule

Overview of WAH Regulations

I. Preliminary II. General Provisions III. PTW System IV. Industrial Rope Access V. Misc./ Schedule

1. Citation and commencement 2. Definitions 3. Application

Commencement
1 May 2013 Factories where work at heights is carried out

1 May 2014 All workplaces where work at heights is carried out FPP and PTW requirements will come in force

Overview of WAH Regulations

I. Preliminary II. General Provisions III. PTW System IV. Industrial Rope Access V. Misc./ Schedule

Application of PTW System

PTW system applies only to hazardous work at heights where a person could fall from a height of more than 3m
Workplaces Workplaces specified in the Schedule Workplaces not specified in the Schedule Duty-holder Occupier

1 May 2014

> 3m

Responsible Person

Overview of WAH Regulations

I. Preliminary II. General Provisions III. PTW System IV. Industrial Rope Access V. Misc./ Schedule

The Schedule
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Any worksite Any shipyard Any factory processing/ manufacturing petroleum/ petrochemicals products Any premises with bulk storage/ capacity of toxic/ flammable chemicals Any factory manufacturing F, Cl, HF, CO or synthetic polymers Any factory manufacturing pharmaceutical products/ intermediates Any factory manufacturing semiconductor wafers Any factory not falling within 1-7, in which 50 or more persons are employed

Overview of WAH Regulations

I. Preliminary II. General Provisions III. PTW System IV. Industrial Rope Access V. Misc./ Schedule

Stage 1 - Application

Supervisor

Implementing PTW System

Stage 2 - Evaluation

WAH Assessor

Stage 3 - Issue

Authorised Manager

Stage 4 - Posting

Monitoring Daily review

Overview of WAH Regulations Resources for Compliance Assistance

WSHC guidelines to promote and generate awareness of the various safe practices pertaining to working at heights Revised ACOP launched in Apr 2013 WAH competency courses for Workers, Supervisors, Assessors and Managers

WAH Regulations

WAH ACOP

WSHC Guidelines

SCALs RoofSAFE Scheme

RoofSAFE Scheme

Current Situation

Contractors of various trades may access roof tops Very low roof safety awareness To enhance engagement of roofing contractors

RoofSAFE Scheme

Current Situation

FM Builders Roofing Contractor

Engineering Contractor

Roofing Contractors in Singapore

Installers* Landscaping Contractors

* - Installers include: Solar panel Lightning rod Mech ventilation

Waterproofing Contractors

RoofSAFE Scheme Overview of the RoofSAFE Scheme

SUPPLIERS ROOF WORK CONTRACTORS OCCUPIERS

Enhancing communication with Roof Work Contractors FM Setting standards for Metal sheets PC Skylights Installers/ Engineering In collaboration with BCA

Raising WSH Awareness - FRSP

Information for Principals Industrial Landlords

Roofing Contractors

SCAL website: SLOTS Members

Industry Association Membership

bizSAFE PTW Level 3 Competency Certification

Onsite Audit

iWSH Portal

RoofSAFE Scheme Benefits of the Scheme

WSH Consultant to help enhance your roof work safety management system Occupiers have easy access to list of certified companies Certified companies will have a competitive edge as they have demonstrated compliance to the WAH Regulations

RoofSAFE
Working Safely on Roofs

RoofSAFE Scheme

For More Information on RoofSAFE Scheme Email: enquiry@scal.com.sg

Phone: 6278 9577

THANK YOU