PRIMEASIA PLUMBING & SANITARY PTE LTD

FALL PREVENTION & SAFE WORK PROCEDURES FOR WATER TANK CLEANING WORKS

SAFE WORK PROCEDURES FOR XXXXXX

1. PURPOSE

This Fall Prevention & Safe Work Procedures is to provide a well-structured

procedure on Working at Height consistent with the PUB’s policy and mission
statement.

2. OBJECTIVES

This procedure intends to list the necessary procedures for officers involved in Working at
Height for xxx

3. DEFINITIONS

Work at height means work: -

a) in or on an elevated workplace from which a person could fall;
b) in the vicinity of an opening through which a person could fall;
c) in the vicinity of an edge over which a person could fall;
d) on a surface through which a person could fall;
e) in any other place (whether above or below ground) from which a person could fall,
from one level to another and it is reasonably likely that the person or any other person
would be injured due to the distance of the fall;

4. PROCEDURE AND SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS

4.1 Personal Protective Equipment

i. Use proper insulation slip resistant gloves, bump cap and non-slip safety shoes
during inspection. Additional PPE that may be required (eg: Face mask, ear muff,
safety goggle & etc) if work environment changes.

ii Safety harness to be worn climbing the water tanks. Safety harness must be
inspected and of sound condition prior to use.

iii The user is to adjust the safety harness to fit them as much as possible;

iv. Lanyard, karabiner, maillons and hooks must be checked to ensure in good
working condition before use.

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 PRIMEASIA PLUMBING & SANITARY PTE LTD

FALL PREVENTION & SAFE WORK PROCEDURES FOR WATER TANK CLEANING WORKS

4.2 Preliminary Checks

i. Avoid inspection/work on roof tops during adverse weather conditions. (e.g.

Lighting, heavy rain, haze, strong wind & etc)

ii. Officer to apply insect repellent on exposed parts of body before proceeding to
site. Wear long, covered clothing whenever possible

iii. Use contactless voltage meter to test whether exposed metal surfaces on the water
tank are safe to handle (to verify voltage meter is working before use);

iv. TC/MCST/building owner or his authorised representative to inspect and

ensure the access ladder to the water tank and other means of support or
protection is in good and stable condition prior to commencement of work;

v. Visual checks should be made on accessibility and site conditions. If the water
tanks are located near the roof edge and the design of the roof is such that it
does not provide permanent and effective edge protection, officer should
inform the building owner that the premise is not safe for site inspections.

vi. Keep a lookout for ponding or stagnant water and feedback to the building
owner as potential breeding grounds for mosquito.

vii. Employees to received adequate safety and health training to familiarize with
the hazards associated with work at height and the precautions to be observed.

i. Officer is to inform supervisor if not feeling well and to stop inspection of the
water tanks immediately.

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 PRIMEASIA PLUMBING & SANITARY PTE LTD

FALL PREVENTION & SAFE WORK PROCEDURES FOR WATER TANK CLEANING WORKS

4.3 Climbing of ladder

i. For water tanks with a height of more than 2m, ensure safety harness is worn
and securely fastened before climbing the access ladder of the water tank.

ii. Check condition of access ladder before climbing.

iii. Inform TC/MCST/building owner or his authorised representative if access

ladder/water tanks/ site condition were to be found unsafe;

iv. Always maintain 3-point contact at all times while climbing up the access
ladder. Do not hand-carry any tools/materials while climbing up/down the
access ladder.

v. Ensure that the hook of the safety harness is securely hooked onto the access
ladder before you want to release your hand grip of the ladder or when taking
photos while standing on ladder.

vi. Do not lean away from the access ladder unless the hook of the safety harness
is securely hooked onto the access ladder.

vii. Constantly be vigilant of the tripping hazards while accessing/egressing the

ladder.

4.4 Inspection/water sampling/taking photos on low & high level water tanks

i. Do not touch metal conduit or wires.

ii. Do not inspect or take water samples standing on top the FRP/GRP tank if the
water tanks/site condition is not safe.

iii. Constantly be vigilant of the tripping hazards while accessing/egressing the

ladder.

iv. If really necessary to go to the top of a concrete tank, avoid free standing while
doing inspection on top of the water tanks. Officers are to ensure 100% tie-off.

v. Avoid forcing the tap to turn on/off when taking sample if the tap is hard to
turn.

vi. Avoid taking samples or taking photos in an awkward or unbalanced body

position that is not firm and stable.

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 PRIMEASIA PLUMBING & SANITARY PTE LTD

FALL PREVENTION & SAFE WORK PROCEDURES FOR WATER TANK CLEANING WORKS

vii. Ensure that flaming device are in proper working condition and flame is tune
to a reasonable volume before using.

viii. Avoid putting the flaming device near to body/face when using.

5 FLOW CHART

No The ladder installed not

align with the water tank
access cover.

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FALL PREVENTION & SAFE WORK PROCEDURES FOR WATER TANK CLEANING WORKS

6 EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND CONTACT NUMBERS

7 APPENDICES

7.1 WSH Act

7.2 WSH (Working at Height) Regulations

7.3 WSH (Risk Management) Regulations

7.4 Code of Practice for Safely Working at Height

7.5 Code of Practice on WSH Risk Management

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