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MOM takes action against 61 companies for crane safety lapses

Workplace safety and health
29 October 2013

  1. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) took action against 61 companies for crane safety lapses following inspections of 90 workplaces between July and September this year.

    Results of Operation Skylark
  2. The inspections were part of “Operation Skylark”, an enforcement operation that involved officers from MOM’s Occupational Safety and Health Division (OSHD). The enforcement operation focused on the safety of crane operations in the construction and manufacturing sectors. The enforcement operation is part of MOM’s ongoing enforcement efforts to correct poor Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) practices at various workplaces.
  3. In total, OSHD officers uncovered 189 contraventions of the WSH Act at the workplaces inspected, and issued 107 Composition Fines to 61 companies. OSHD officers also issued 82 Notices of Non-Compliance and two Stop-Work Orders. (Refer to Annex A for the enforcement results.)
  4. Common contraventions uncovered included the failure to maintain cranes in good working condition (47 contraventions), failure to implement safe lifting plans (42 contraventions) and using either defective lifting gears or lifting gears not examined by an Authorised Examiner (28 contraventions). (Refer to Annex B for more information about these contraventions.)

    Ongoing enforcement efforts
  5. Crane safety remains a high priority for MOM, as the sheer size of cranes and nature of lifting operations mean that crane accidents can have serious consequences for workers and the public. This is especially so for worksites in the vicinity of residential and commercial areas where people live and work. Officers from OSHD conduct enforcement operations throughout the year to enforce safety regulations and engage stakeholders to emphasise the importance of safety.
  6. Speaking on the importance of ensuring that crane operations are carried out safely, Mr Go Heng Huat, Deputy Director, Engineering Safety, OSHD, said: “The recent accidents are a stark reminder that poorly managed crane operations can lead to deaths. Companies must implement safe lifting plans and put in place a robust crane maintenance regime to ensure that crane operations are kept safe for our workers.”
  7. Mr Go also reminded companies of their obligations under the WSH Act: “Occupiers and employers must take their obligations to ensure the safety and health of their workers seriously. Companies and individuals alike who are liable for safety lapses can be prosecuted under the Workplace Safety and Health Act.”

Annex A - Results of Operation Skylark

Annex B - Information about main contraventions