Struck by Falling Objects PDF

PREFACE
This compilation of case studies on fatalities in the construction industry

is initiated by the Workplace Safety and Health Council, and put together
by the WSH Construction Committee in collaboration with the Ministry
of Manpower. This booklet depicts how the accidents occurred and
provides valuable learning points on how they may have been prevented.
This is the first in a series of such booklets to be published.
As much as the next few years promise to be exciting for the construction
industry, they also pose a great challenge to the industry to maintain
workplace safety and health. Construction sites have customarily been
viewed as high-risk workplaces, which more often than not have a higher
incidence of workplace fatalities. We must address this perception and
change the reality. While construction workers strive to complete a building
or facility, it is important that they do not risk life and limb. It is crucial
that these workers go home safely after work each day.
This booklet of case studies offers insights to all in the industry on how
these tragic accidents occurred, so that we may glean important, life-
saving lessons from the experience. In learning from our past mistakes,
we can and must prevent these mishaps from happening again. Together
with your help, we can transform construction sites into safe and healthy
workplaces for our workers.
Mr Lee Tzu Yang

Chairman
Workplace Safety and Health Council
Struck by Falling Objects
Case 1 Pinned by a brick wall 64
Case 2 Pinned by a collapsed roof slab 67
Case 3 Struck by falling beams 70
Case 4 Struck by steel beams 73
Case 5 Struck by falling material in a trench 76
Case 6 Struck by a crane boom 78
Case 7 Hit by a collapsed wall 81
Case 8 Hit by steel rebars 84
Case 9 Buried under collapsed soil 87
Case 10 Crushed by a collapsing boom 90
Case 11 Struck by falling timber 92
Case 12 Struck by a falling crane boom 95
Case 13 Struck by a collapsed wall 97
Electrocution
Case 1 Electrocution by a faulty residual circuit breaker 100
Case 2 Killed by an exposed electrode holder 103
Struck By or Against Objects / Machines

Case 1 Hit by a scissors lift platform 108
Case 2 Hit by a moving vehicle 111
Case 3 Hit by a moving crane 114
STRUCK BY FALLING OBJECTS
CASE 1
PINNED BY A BRICK WALL
Description of Accident
A worker was constructing a new

drain inside an excavation in front
of a building under construction.
While he was leveling the concrete
for the new drain, a brick wall
(left behind from the old drain)
collapsed from the side of the
excavation and pinned him
1. A staircase in the worksite
under it, killing him on the spot. 2. The section of brick wall that sank
3. The excavation
4. Formwork for the second section of the
Causes and Contributing drain was to be constructed here
Factors 5. The new retaining wall
6. This side of the brick wall was removed
• The brick walls were constructed 7. Formwork for the first section of the drain
on both banks of the old drain
to retain the soil.
• Before constructing the new

drain, one bank of the old drain
was removed and the area was
excavated so as to facilitate
the construction process. The
other bank was not removed
as it did not obstruct the 1. Site of accident
construction of the new drain.
64 Struck By Falling Objects

• Investigations revealed that the not provide shoring for the
collapse of the brick wall was due existing brick wall to prevent
to soil movement in the it from collapsing into the
excavation compounded by excavation when the workers
the heavy rain prior to the were working inside the
accident. The main contractor did excavation.
Root Cause Analysis
Evaluation of loss • One worker killed
Type of contact • Caught between or under object
Immediate cause(s) • Inadequate guards or barriers
Basic cause(s) • Inadequate assessment of loss exposure

• Inadequate leadership and/or supervision
• Inadequate work standards
Failure of SMS • Hazard analysis and risk assessment
• WSH training and competence
• WSH inspections
Follow-up
A Stop Work Order was issued to the main contractor, which required
them to rectify the safety contraventions and to also engage a
professional engineer to carry out detailed soil investigations
and to develop a method statement for the construction of the
new drain as well as shoring for the excavation.
Struck By Falling Objects 65

Recommendations
Check the integrity and strength of any retaining structure prior

to an excavation.
Remove any brick wall, if present, prior to a reconstruction.
During a downpour, cover and protect all uncompleted concreting

work or brick-laying work with plastic or canvas sheets. The same
practice should apply for excavated trench sides and stockpiles
of excavated soil. No one should be allowed to be in the vicinity.

CASE 2
PINNED BY A COLLAPSED ROOF SLAB
The accident occurred during the

demolition of an automated teller
machine (ATM) kiosk. After the
supporting walls of the kiosk
had been largely demolished,
the roof slab collapsed under its
own weight and a worker was
pinned underneath it.
Causes and Contributing

Factors
• The roof slab was resting on and 1. The collapsed roof slab
supported by three brick walls 2. The remaining rear portion of the
of the ATM kiosk. left brick wall
• Demolition of the brick walls

was carried out without providing
any shoring to support the
weight of the roof slab and
prevent it from collapsing.
• After the brick walls were

demolished, the roof slab was
left without any support and it 1. The roof slab of the ATM kiosk involved
crashed down under its own in the accident
2. The deceased was pinned under the
weight. slab here
3. The front end of the roof slab (marble
• The worker was standing under cladding removed)
the roof slab when it collapsed
on him.

Root Cause Analysis
Type of contact • Caught between or under object

Basic cause(s) • Inadequate leadership and/or supervision
• Lack of knowledge
• WSH practices and procedures
Follow-up
The main contractor has to engage a professional engineer to

conduct a hazard analysis and develop a method statement for the
outstanding reinstatement work.
The bank concerned indicated that they will engage a professional

engineer to develop the method statement for all future demolition
of ATM kiosks.
A circular was sent to all banks with ATMs to alert them of the
circumstances leading to this accident and to urge them to play a
more proactive role to provide relevant information to their
contractors before work commencement.

Recommendations
Shore the roof slab prior to the demolition of brick walls.
Alternatively, demolish or remove the roof slab first before

the walls.
Carry out a thorough inspection by a competent person to determine

the ATM kiosk’s structural arrangement prior to work commencement
especially if there are no construction drawings of the ATM kiosk.
Conduct continuous inspection by a competent person during the

demolition of the ATM kiosk to detect the hazards of any collapsing
structure (roof slab) resulting from weakened supporting brick walls.

CASE 3
STRUCK BY FALLING BEAMS
A stack of steel beams were

placed near an excavated area.
The beams toppled and landed
into the excavated area where
two workers were working.
One worker was killed and
another was injured.
1. The injured worker was tasked to clean
mud on the sheet pile
Causes and Contributing 2. The deceased was tasked to weld a
Factors metal plate onto the sheet pile
3. Sheet pile
• Steel beams were to be installed
as supporting structures for the
excavation.
• The beams were placed about

350mm away from the excavated
area and each beam weighed
about 500kg.
• The steel beams were not placed
1. Excavation started from here
in a stable manner and were 2. The 24 ‘I’ beams that were stored
very close to the edge of the directly above the place of work
excavated area. 3. Place of accident
4. Toppled beams
5. Excavation ended here
6. Excavator was shifting these metal
plates prior to accident

• Digging work within the • The main contractor did not
excavated area might have engage a site safety supervisor
destabilised the stack of steel as required by regulation.
beams and vibrations from the
excavators further contributed
to the instability.
Root Cause Analysis
Evaluation of loss • One worker killed and one injured
Type of contact • Struck by object
Immediate cause(s) • Improper placement

• Failure to secure
Basic cause(s) • Inadequate leadership and/or supervision

• Lack of experience


Follow-up
A Stop Work Order (SWO) was issued to the main contractor which
required them to put in place a safety organisational structure and
management system to better manage the project as well as rectify
the unsafe site condition.
The SWO also required the project management staff of the main
contractor to attend a safety training workshop organised by OSHD.
Workers of the worksite were also required to attend the “Safety

Orientation Course for Construction Workers” conducted by OSHD.
This was to increase their awareness and knowledge about site
safety.
Recommendations
Conduct risk assessment prior to job commencement.
Stack materials properly so as to prevent materials from falling and

practice good housekeeping to prevent accidents.
Do not conduct multiple hazardous activities at the same time or

in the same place. In this case, heavy materials were stored near
a deep excavation.
• It was also found that the boom

hoist wire rope was not of the type
that the manufacturer had specified.
CASE 4
STRUCK BY STEEL BEAMS
Two workers were standing on the

deck of a lorry to unload steel
beams. The lorry which was
unmanned and parked on a slope,
rolled down the slope.
The steel beams swung off the

moving lorry and hit the workers.
1. Crawler crane
One worker died while the other 2. Lorry involved in the accident
suffered some cuts. 3. Slope
4. Steel beams
5. The deceased
Factors
• The lorry loader driver had
switched off the engine and
engaged the hand brake
of the lorry. However, he did
not place stoppers behind
the wheels of the lorry which
would have prevented the
1. Crawler crane
lorry from rolling down 2. Lorry
the slope. 3. Steel beams
• The slope was cut at a gradient of

one to seven which is considered
steep for a workplace. Despite its
steepness, the occupier did not
impose the necessary safety
precautions before allowing lifting
operations to be carried out.

Root Cause Analysis
Evaluation of loss • One worker killed and one injured
Immediate cause(s) • Failure to secure
Basic cause(s) • Lack of experience

Follow-up
The occupier reviewed and improved the lifting operations on

the slope area.
The lifting personnel were instructed that no lifting operation is

to be carried out on the slope area.
If lifting operations are to be carried out on the slope area due to

an unavoidable situation, the following precautions are to be taken:
• To reduce the amount of load to be unladed onto the lorry.

• The lorry driver is to place stoppers to prevent the lorry from
sliding down the slope.

Recommendations
Place stoppers behind the wheels of the lorry before any loading
and unloading.
Provide regular safety briefings to drivers on loading and

unloading procedures.
Take extra care to ensure the safety of personnel working near

crane operations.

CASE 5
STRUCK BY FALLING MATERIAL IN A TRENCH
Worker A was supervising the

excavation of a trench. The bank
of the trench collapsed and Worker
A was found inside the trench,
partially covered with the granite
rocks and quarry dust that slid
from the bank. He had suffered
severe head injury and was 1. The deceased was found here
pronounced dead at the scene. 2. The “changkol”
3. The crow-bar
4. The collapsed quarry dust and
Causes and Contributing granite rocks
Factors 5. The tarmac
6. The granite rocks
• Prior to the accident, the project 7. The quarry dust
manager checked the excavation
work and saw that the depth
of the trench had not met
requirements.
• He told Worker A to install

shoring for the trench before
further excavation.
• Worker A then tasked two other 1. The new substation

workers to carry out shoring 2. The excavator used for excavating
the trench
work for the trench. 3. The timbers to be used for shoring
4. The trench was located here
• While the workers went to fetch
the timbers, Worker A was seen
going into the trench to check
for any underground services
that might be located near the
trench. This was to ensure the • The trench collapsed and
services would not be damaged granite rocks and quarry dust
when the timbers (shoring landed on Worker A.
support) were inserted into
the ground.
Root Cause Analysis
Basic cause(s) • Inadequate work standards

• Lack of experience
Follow-up
A Stop Work Order was issued.
Recommendations
Provide shoring prior to allowing entry into an excavation.
Conduct risk assessment of hazards prior to work commencement.
Conduct regular safety briefings/tool box meetings before entry

into an excavation.

CASE 6
STRUCK BY A CRANE BOOM
A crane operator was operating

a crawler crane to install a pre-cast
staircase. He hoisted the pre-cast
staircase from the ground to a
height just above the building
that was still under construction.
As his view of the unloading 1. The pre-cast staircase

was partially obstructed by the
building column, he inched the
crane forward causing the crane
to tilt forward and collapse.
The crane operator was trapped in

the cabin but subsequently freed
himself with the help of other
workers.
A worker who was working at

about 33m away from the crane,
was hit by the boom when the
crane collapsed.
1. Location where the deceased was hit
by the falling boom
Causes and Contributing 2. The second piece of the pre-cast staircase
Factors
• When the crane operator’s vision

was partially obstructed, he did
not wait for the signalman to
get to the top of the building
to give him further instructions

and proceeded to move the “track” to dip into the ground
crane forward with the and tilt to an extent that the
suspended load in order to crane was unstable.
obtain an unobstructed view
of the unloading position. • Investigations also revealed
This was not a safe practice. that the maximum safe working
load of the collapsed crane
• Investigations concluded that (i.e. 5880kg) as certified by
the collapse of the crane was the approved person was
due to the crane moving exceeded. The pre-cast
beyond the steel plates which staircase weighed 7200kg.
caused the crane’s crawler
Root Cause Analysis
Type of contact • Caught between or under object (crushed)
Immediate cause(s) • Improper lifting
Basic cause(s) • Improper attempt to save time
Failure of SMS • WSH practices and procedures
Follow-up
The occupier was instructed not to exceed the maximum safe

working load as verified by the approved person (authorised
examiner) when operating the lifting machines (cranes).
The occupier was also instructed to review and enhance the Safety
Management System (SMS).

Recommendations
Check the crane base/foundation prior to lifting.
Conduct proper risk assessment to ensure that the risk exposure is

reduced to as low as reasonably practicable.
Crane operators should not take ad-hoc decisions without

assessing the overall situation.
Ensure continuous supervision for all lifting operations.

CASE 7
HIT BY A COLLAPSED WALL
A worker was demolishing a

partition brick wall inside a toilet
at the third floor of a building.
He was hit by a wall that collapsed
on him. He was subsequently
sent to hospital where he passed
away on the same day. 1. The 10-pound hammer that was used
for the hacking operation
Factors
• Investigations revealed that the
worker had hacked the partition
wall from the bottom section
using a 10-pound hammer.
The collapsed wall weighed
about 300kg.
• The partition wall was simply

resting on the ground and
abutted against the adjacent
main wall. There was no
interlocking joint between 1. Partition wall that had collapsed and
the partition wall and the hit the deceased on the head
2. The concrete breaker that was used
main wall. for removing the wall tiles
• Hacking of walls should start

from the top section and should
be extended down progressively
so as to maintain its stability.

In this case, a wrong sequence of • Coupled with the weak design
demolishing the partition wall of the partition wall, it resulted
was employed (i.e. from bottom in the structural collapse of
section first). the wall.
Root Cause Analysis
Type of contact • Caught between or under object (crushed)
Immediate cause(s) • Improper position for task
Basic cause(s) • Lack of knowledge
Follow-up
The occupier was instructed to undertake the following

improvements to the work practices/conditions at the site:
• Prior to demolition work, the supervisor should check the

site and brief the workers properly to ensure that they fully
understand the safe work procedures and sequencing of work.
Interpretation from native workers should be employed
when necessary.
• Workers should be grouped into teams of two or more when

carrying out demolition work.

Recommendations
Provide proper design and shoring of the wall.
Follow proper sequence of demolition.
Provide supervision during demolition to ensure that the worker

works safely.

CASE 8
HIT BY STEEL REBARS
A lorry driver had delivered two

bundles of rebars to a worksite.
Two other workers assisted him in
the unloading of rebars.
While the lorry driver and other

workers were unloading a bundle
of steel rebars from the lorry using 1. Rebars bundles
the lorry crane, the bundle of
rebars fell onto the lorry driver.

Factors
• The rebars measured 12m long
and 10mm in diameter.
• One end of the bundle of rebars

was lifted from the lorry and
placed on the ground. 1. The deceased was operating the
lorry crane in this position
• The other end of the same
bundle, which was placed on
the top of a bracket above the
front of the lorry, slid down
from the lorry and hit the lorry
driver who was operating the
lorry crane at the time of
accident.

• Site investigations indicated as the lorry crane could not
that the boom length of the withstand the full load of
crane was about 7.5m in which the bundle.
the recommended safe
working load was about • The lorry driver and the two
1730kg. However, the weight workers had not undergone
of the bundle of rebars was any training course in rigging
more than 2000kg. Hence operations. The lifting
the workers had to lift the supervisor was also not
bundle of rebars at one end informed of the lifting activity.
Root Cause Analysis
Type of contact • Struck by moving object
Immediate cause(s) • Improper lifting

Basic cause(s) • Lack of knowledge
• Lack of skill
• Inadequate supervision
Failure of SMS • WSH training and competence

Follow-up
The occupier was instructed to undertake the following

improvements to the work practices/conditions at the site:
• To review their lifting procedures and improve the communication

channels between the lifting supervisor and the trade foremen.
• To increase the manpower stationed at the entrance of the

worksite to ensure that the cranes coming into their worksites
are properly attended to.
Recommendations
Ensure that the capacity of crane is greater than the load to

be lifted.
Closely supervise a lifting operation.
Improve lifting procedures and ensure that it is communicated to

all lifting personnel.

CASE 9
BURIED UNDER COLLAPSED SOIL
Worker A and his co-workers

were working inside an excavation
in a multistorey carpark. Worker A
was trimming the side of the
excavation when the soil suddenly
collapsed and pinned him down
up to his chest level. 1. Collapsed soil
2. Timber planks
Worker A was rescued from 3. Ladder
the collapsed soil and sent to
the hospital where he
subsequently passed away.

Factors
• The depth of the excavation

measured 2.9m.
1. Shovel
• The sides of the excavation 2. Timber planks
were almost 90°. They were 3. The deceased was found underneath
this chunk of soil
not shored. The adjacent 4. Pile heads
excavations were also not even 5. Lean concrete
partially shored.
• The senior resident engineer of
the worksite confirmed that
hacking and placing of lean
concrete work were carried out
inside the excavation before it
was shored.

• The operator of the excavator • The accident occurred because
confirmed that hacking work to the factory occupier did not
the pile-caps was carried out by provide shoring to the
a breaker deployed at the edge excavation before allowing
of the excavation before it the workers to work there.
was shored.
Root Cause Analysis
Type of contact • Caught between or under (crushed)
Follow-up
The occupier was instructed to submit safe work procedures for

all excavation work on site and ensure that all workers follow the
safe practices.

Recommendations
Provide shoring prior to any work in an excavation exceeding 1.5m.
Provide close supervision for any work in an excavation.
Conduct regular checks on excavation side stability.

CASE 10
CRUSHED BY A COLLAPSING BOOM
A crawler crane mounted on a

crane barge was lifting two crates
of acetylene and oxygen cylinders
over to a jetty mooring dolphin.
After the crane boom had swung

over to the dolphin, the crane
suddenly vibrated violently. 1. View of the dolphin and the Emergency
Safety Access
The next moment, the crane
boom came crashing down.
A worker was crushed by the

collapsing boom and died on
the spot. Another worker
suffered leg injury caused by
the falling crates of acetylene
and oxygen cylinders.
Overview of collapsed crane

Factors
• Investigations revealed that

the boom hoist wire that was
supporting the boom had
snapped, thus causing the
crane boom to collapse on
the workers.

• The cause of the accident was • The boom wire rope used on
most probably due to the poor the crane involved in the
maintenance of the boom accident was of inadequate
hoist wire rope. Excessive strength. The wire rope used
wear/abrasion on the wire had a breaking strength of
rope surfaces might have 37 tons but according to the
resulted in the sudden fracture manufacturer’s specification,
of the boom hoist wire. it should be 41.9 tons.
Root Cause Analysis
Type of contact • Struck by falling object
Immediate cause(s) • Defective tools, equipment or materials
Basic cause(s) • Inadequate maintenance

• WSH inspection
Recommendations
Ensure planned maintenance.
Ensure regular inspection.
Ensure the hoist wire of the crane is sufficiently strong with

an appropriate factor of safety.

CASE 11
STRUCK BY FALLING TIMBER
Worker A and his co-worker were

to dismantle formwork for the wet
joint at a lift lobby of a lift shaft,
from the seventh to 12th storey.
Worker A had loosened a

horizontal prop that was used to
secure two timber formwork
pieces on both sides of the wall
of the nineth storey lift lobby.
The timber piece on one side fell 1. The new lift shaft under construction
into the lift shaft opening and
struck Worker A who was clearing
debris at the bottom of the lift
shaft. Worker A suffered serious
head injuries and succumbed to
his injuries on the same day.

Factors
1. This timber fell into the lift shaft
opening
• The timber formwork for the wet 2. The lift shaft opening
joint at the nineth storey‘s lift 3. The timber formwork for the
shaft lobby was supported and wet joint
held in position by two horizontal 4. The plywood fencing was put up
after the accident
and two vertical metal props. 5. The position of the lower
horizontal prop
6. Deceased was squatting here when
loosening the horizontal metal prop

• Prior to the accident, one worker • At the time of the accident
had removed the two vertical the lift shaft opening was not
props and the higher of the fenced or covered with any
two horizontal props. The plywood or other material.
timber piece on one side fell The falling timber fell into
into the lift shaft opening after the lift shaft opening and
he had loosened the lower struck Worker A who was
horizontal prop, which was clearing debris at the bottom
the last prop holding the timber of the lift shaft.
formwork in position.
Root Cause Analysis
Type of contact • Struck by falling object

• Inadequate leadership and/or supervision
Failure of SMS • Hazard analysis and risk management


Follow-up
The occupier was instructed to implement the following safety

measures:
• The foreman-in-charge is to check and ensure that lift shaft

openings are securely fenced with timber prior to assigning
workers to dismantle formwork at the lift lobby.
• No worker is to be assigned to work in the lift pit if any work is

carried out above.
• Workers assigned to dismantle formwork are to be instructed to

check for the presence of the fencing of the lift shaft openings
prior to the commencement of work. They should stop work
and report to their supervisor if the lift shaft opening is not
securely barricaded.
Recommendations
Ensure proper supervision.
Ensure that incompatible work is not carried out simultaneously

at a particular location.

CASE 12
STRUCK BY A FALLING CRANE BOOM
A crawler crane operated by a

worker was lifting a bundle of
rebars from the ground floor to the
second storey of an uncompleted
building.
When the bundle of rebars was

about to be unloaded, the crane 1. Rebars bundle
2. Main hook block
boom suddenly collapsed. 3. One of the deceased was hit and pinned
under the fly jib here
Two workers were killed and 4. Auxiliary hook block
another injured as a result of the
collapsed boom.

Factors
• Investigations revealed that the
boom hoist wire rope that was
supporting the boom had
snapped, causing the crane boom 1. Gantry bridle
to collapse onto the workers. 2. Boom hoist wire rope
3. A completely broken portion (about
• Laboratory findings indicated 2.5m) of the boom hoist wire rope
found on the ground
that the wire rope had failed
as a result of accelerated fatigue.
This means that the failure had
occurred in the internal areas of
the wire rope which are hard
to detect during a routine
visual inspection.

• It was also found that the boom also lower than what the
hoist wire rope was not of manufacturer had specified.
the type that the manufacturer
had specified. The breaking • The crane operator did not
strength of the wire rope was know how to read and interpret
the load capacity chart.
Root Cause Analysis
Evaluation of loss • Two workers killed

Type of contact • Struck by crane boom
Immediate cause(s) • Defective tools, equipment or materials
Basic cause(s) • Inadequate removal and replacement of
unsuitable items
• Inadequate maintenance
Failure of SMS • Maintenance regime
Recommendations
Ensure that the wire rope used is the type specified by manufacturer.
Conduct regular checks before lifting operations.
Continually train the crane operator on how to read and interpret

the load capacity chart.
Ensure that the lifting supervisor is present for all lifting operations.

CASE 13
STRUCK BY A COLLAPSED WALL
Worker A and his co-worker were

working in a trench at the worksite.
They were laying and tightening
reinforced steel wires at the
bottom of the trench.
The boundary wall of the adjacent

house that was standing at the 1. The boundary wall was here before
it toppled
edge of the trench toppled into 2. The deceased was pinned here under
the trench. Worker A was pinned the wall
under the collapsed wall. 3. The trench

Factors
• The boundary wall that toppled

measured about 15.5cm in
thickness, 160cm in height and
1680cm in length. It was a brick
wall with plaster on its surface.
1. The deceased was pinned here under
the wall
• The trench where Worker A and
his co-worker worked was dug
parallel to this boundary wall.
• No support such as sheet piling,

bracing, shoring, underpinning
or other means to ensure the
stability of the boundary wall
beside the trench had been put
up to prevent injury to workers
working in the trench.
• Excavation of the trench had trench, the cement slab’s
weakened the foundation of the strength to support the
boundary wall. As some of the boundary wall was reduced.
earth below the cement slab on
which the boundary wall was • The cement slab gave way and
erected had fallen off into the resulted in the wall toppling into
the trench.
Root Cause Analysis
Immediate cause(s) • Failure to secure
Follow-up
The occupier was instructed to erect supports according to the

design of a professional engineer for structures adjoining any
trench to prevent injury to any person working in the trench.
Recommendations
Provide supports such as sheet piling, bracing, shoring, underpinning

or other means to ensure the stability of a boundary wall beside a
trench to prevent injury to workers working in the trench.
Ensure that the integrity of the wall is checked regularly by a

competent person.

Published in June 2008 by the
Workplace Safety and Health
Council in collaboration with
the Ministry of Manpower.
All rights reserved. This

publication may not be
reproduced or transmitted in
any form or by any means,
in whole or in part, without prior
written permission. The
information provided in this
publication is accurate as at time
of printing. All cases shared in this
publication are meant for learning
purposes only. The learning points
for each case are not exhaustive
and should not be taken to
encapsulate all the responsibilities
and obligations of the user of this
publication under the law. The
Workplace Safety and Health
Council does not accept any
liability or responsibility to any
party for losses or damage arising
from following this publication.

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PREFACE

This compilation of case studies on fatalities in the construction industry

Mr Lee Tzu Yang

Struck By or Against Objects / Machines

A worker was constructing a new

• Before constructing the new

64 Struck By Falling Objects

Root Cause Analysis

Evaluation of loss • One worker killed

Type of contact • Caught between or under object

Immediate cause(s) • Inadequate guards or barriers

Basic cause(s) • Inadequate assessment of loss exposure

Struck By Falling Objects 65

Check the integrity and strength of any retaining structure prior

Remove any brick wall, if present, prior to a reconstruction.

During a downpour, cover and protect all uncompleted concreting

66 Struck By Falling Objects

The accident occurred during the

Causes and Contributing

• Demolition of the brick walls

• After the brick walls were

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Evaluation of loss • One worker killed

Type of contact • Caught between or under object

Immediate cause(s) • Inadequate guards or barriers

The main contractor has to engage a professional engineer to

The bank concerned indicated that they will engage a professional

68 Struck By Falling Objects

Shore the roof slab prior to the demolition of brick walls.

Alternatively, demolish or remove the roof slab first before

Carry out a thorough inspection by a competent person to determine

Conduct continuous inspection by a competent person during the

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A stack of steel beams were

• The beams were placed about

70 Struck By Falling Objects

Root Cause Analysis

Evaluation of loss • One worker killed and one injured

Type of contact • Struck by object

Immediate cause(s) • Improper placement

Basic cause(s) • Inadequate leadership and/or supervision

Failure of SMS • Hazard analysis and risk assessment

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Workers of the worksite were also required to attend the “Safety

Conduct risk assessment prior to job commencement.

Stack materials properly so as to prevent materials from falling and

Do not conduct multiple hazardous activities at the same time or

• It was also found that the boom

Two workers were standing on the

The steel beams swung off the

• The slope was cut at a gradient of

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Evaluation of loss • One worker killed and one injured

Type of contact • Struck by object

Immediate cause(s) • Failure to secure

Basic cause(s) • Lack of experience

The occupier reviewed and improved the lifting operations on

The lifting personnel were instructed that no lifting operation is

If lifting operations are to be carried out on the slope area due to

• To reduce the amount of load to be unladed onto the lorry.

74 Struck By Falling Objects

Provide regular safety briefings to drivers on loading and

Take extra care to ensure the safety of personnel working near