A HEALTHLY WORKFORCE IN A SAFE WORKPLACE
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY & HEALTH DIVISION
YEAR IN REVIEW 2015
A HEALTHLY WORKFORCE IN A SAFE WORKPLACE
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY & HEALTH DIVISION
YEAR IN REVIEW 2015
A data logger records crane operational data such as the load’s weight and lifting radius, and provides information on unsafe operations like overloading. It allows crane owners and occupiers to review lifting operations and improve planning for subsequent lifting activities. Following a two year feasibility study on installing data loggers in mobile cranes, the MOM announced in April 2015 that all mobile cranes registered with MOM on or after 1 August 2015 would have to be equipped with data loggers. Existing mobile cranes registered before 1 August 2015 will have to be retrofitted with data loggers by 1 August 2018.
To help companies defray the cost of retrofitting data loggers, WSH Council introduced a funding assistance scheme called the ‘Data Loggers Fund for Cranes’ on 1 August 2015. The fund covers up to 50% of the cost of installation, capped at $5,000 per mobile crane.
OPERATION HERO
A string of seven crane-related incidents occurred within a span of two months between 19 January and 9 March 2015. To ensure that contractors remain vigilant and that lifting operations are carried out in a safe and sound manner, an island-wide special enforcement operation codenamed Operation Heron was launched between 16 March and 2 April 2015. Operation Heron also focused on ensuring that cranes deployed and lifting gears used at workplaces were properly maintained. The operation uncovered 147 crane-related contraventions to the WSH Act.
The operation uncovered 147 crane-related contraventions to the WSH Act. A total of 236 enforcement actions were taken against 55 companies where 2 stop work orders were also issued.
TOP 5 CONTRAVENTIONS:
ENHANCED MEDICAL EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS FOR CRANE OPERATORS
From 1 April 2016, crane operators will be required to undergo health checks if they are 50 years old and above. Those aged 70 years and above will have to undergo additional medical tests. Undergoing health checks at an earlier age will improve the employability of crane operators by helping them detect early signs of ill health and manage the medical conditions accordingly. Early detection of ill health not only prevents future health risks and enable crane operators to remain in the profession for a longer time, it also leads to a more meaningful and productive life.
FROM 1ST APRIL, CRANE OPERATORS 50 YEARS OLD AND ABOVE ARE REQUIRED TO UNDERGO HEALTH CHECKS.
CRANE OPERATORS 70 YEARS OLD AND ABOVE ARE REQUIRED TO UNDERGO ADDITIONAL MEDICAL TESTS.
MINI CRANE
Mini cranes are mobile cranes with safe working load that does not exceed 5 tonnes and are significantly smaller than the typical mobile cranes. They boast several operational advantages such as compactness, versatility and great manoeuvrability in tight spaces. The risks involved when operating mini cranes were evaluated to be lower than that of typical mobile cranes as they are less complex, designed to lift significantly lighter loads and have shorter reach distance. As such, with effect from 7 January 2016, mini crane operators will no longer be required to register with MOM.
Mini cranes are gaining popularity in recent years due to their many benefits. In ensuring the competency of mini crane operators, a specialised training course will be introduced in 2016. Aspiring mini crane operators will be required to pass the course before operating these machines.
