MOM Steps Up Inspections on Crane Operations Following String of Accidents

1. From January 2015, there were a total of seven accidents involving crane and lifting operations. Most of these accidents occurred on construction sites. Investigations are ongoing. More details on the accidents can be found in the Annex.
2. While there had been no fatality, nor was any worker seriously hurt, such crane accidents could have had catastrophic impact on the safety of workers and the public. It is crucial to weed out unsafe crane and lifting operations.
3. To ensure that contractors remain vigilant, MOM has launched an enforcement operation targeting crane and lifting operations. The island-wide operation will be conducted over about two weeks ending in late March 2015.
4. Expressing concern about the spate of crane accidents, MOM’s Director of Occupational Safety and Health Inspectorate, Mr. Chan Yew Kwong said, "I am dismayed that we recently saw six accidents involving cranes in less than three weeks¹. This is totally unacceptable. Our preliminary findings indicated that many of these cases could have been prevented if there were proper implementation of lifting plans and regular functionality checks on crane's safety devices to ensure that they are in good working condition. Safety is paramount. Employers and occupiers ought to play their part in taking the necessary preventive measures to put an end to unsafe lifting operations."
5. MOM reminds crane owners, operators and worksite occupiers of their responsibility to ensure that crane operations do not endanger the safety of their workers and the public. Under the Workplace Safety and Health Act, companies that fail to take reasonably practicable measures to ensure the safety and health of their workers can be fined up to $500,000 for a first offence.