Learner's Guide for Supervise Construction Work for WSH PDF

Official (Open) Learner’s Guide for Supervise Construction Work for WSH [formerly known as Building Construction Supervisors’ Safety (BCSS)] Version 2 Copyright 2024, Singapore Polytechn...

Official (Open) Learner’s Guide for Supervise Construction Work for WSH [formerly known as Building Construction Supervisors’ Safety (BCSS)] Version 2 Copyright 2024, Singapore Polytechnic All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise is strictly prohibited. Page 1 of 17  Official (Open) Competency Unit Overview This Competency Unit: Supervise WSH in Construction Industry is one of the elective units in the Construction industry. It specifies the skills and knowledge required by people to work safety in construction worksite. The performance expectations covered in this competency unit are: Conduct incident investigation and prepare report in accordance with legal requirements and other organisational requirements Carry out WSH inspections in accordance with organisational inspection procedures Identify WSH hazards, evaluate and control risks in construction industry in accordance with risk management process Assist in safety and health planning and organisation at worksite Describe the WSH duties and responsibilities of a supervisor in construction industry Explain and interpret salient WSH legislations and other requirements relevant to construction industry Page 2 of 17  Official (Open) Learning Unit 1 Establish and manage incident investigation and preparation report in accordance with legal requirements and other organisational requirements Page 3 of 17  Official (Open) 1.1 Learning Outcomes At the end of Learning Unit, you will be able to: Follow the incident investigation and reporting procedures Identify the unsafe acts or conditions present and recommend corrective and preventive actions Conduct a tool box meeting to highlight the hazards and control measures to be taken in relation to risk assessment 1.2 Introduction The main of this Learning Unit is on describing the procedures to conduct incident investigation and prepare report in accordance with legal requirements and to prevent accident from reoccurrence. 1.3 Conduct incident investigation and reporting Objectives of incident investigation Determine incident roots cause Prevent recurrences Determining compliance with the relevant safety regulations Compliance with the legal obligation Determining the cost of an incident Work injury compensation claims Accident Causation Theories 1. Heinrich’s Domino Theory What causes “Accident”? “The occurrence of an injury invariable results from a completed sequence of factors, the last one of these being the injury itself”. Page 4 of 17  Official (Open) Figure 1 The five factors in the accident sequence The fall of one of the dominos on the left will start a chain of reaction resulting in the fall of other dominos. Figure 2 The injury is caused by the action of preceding factors The fall of one domino will start a chain reaction, resulting in the fall of other dominoes. Page 5 of 17  Official (Open) Figure 3 The removal of the central factor makes the action of preceding factors ineffective To stop an accident from occurring, one needs to break the chain of reaction and the most appropriate way to do so would be to remove the domino labeled “unsafe act and unsafe condition.” 2. Frank Bird’s Model Page 6 of 17  Official (Open) Immediate Causes Examples of Substandard Act removing machine guarding operating defective machine servicing equipment in operation horseplay failure to use PPE Examples of Substandard Condition inadequate guards/barriers inadequate ventilator defective tools/equipment poor housekeeping excessive noise Basic Causes Personal Factors Inadequate Physical Capability Lack of Knowledge Lack of Skill Improper Motivation Job Factors Inadequate Leadership/Supervision Inadequate Maintenance Inadequate Work Standards Abuse or Misuse, e.g. unsafe act condoned by supervisor Lack of Control Inadequate Standard 1. Programs 1. Who? 2. Program Standards 2. What? 3. Compliance to Standards 3. When/How Often? Page 7 of 17  Official (Open) Incident Investigation Process (conduct ASAP) Collection of data - Phase I – Take photos/ video footage of the incident scene – Conduct interview (witness) and take statement from those involved in the incident Event Investigation - Phase II – Objective evaluation of the data collected to identify any causal factors that may have led to the event failure. Resolution of occurrence - Phase III – Realistic assessment of the viability of the corrective action that is revealed in the previous phase (Phase II). – The phenomenon must then be monitored periodically to verify that it is effective. Root Cause Analysis Fish Bone Diagram (Cause & Effect Diagram) Fish Bone Analysis (Also known as Ishikawa diagram) Man - Have the operators gone for the appropriate training course, was there any at-risk behavior? Method - Was there a safe work procedure (SWP) developed for the operations involved? Machine - What are the possible machine issues that contribute to the accident? (e.g., defective machine guards, and etc.) Material - Was the material used suitable for the functions or was there substandard material used? Environment – When was the lighting changed? Page 8 of 17  Official (Open) Figure - Example of Fishbone Diagram Activity Form a small group. Identify a problem statement (e.g. a power failure at the food bazaar area during SP Open house), use the fish bone diagram to identify the 5Ms. Do a presentation to your class. See link on how to use the fish bone diagram, https://asq.org/quality-resources/fishbone Reflection What is one major thing you learn from your classmate’s presentation? Factors to consider for the implementation of corrective and preventive measures: ‒ Resources (What is to be done?) ‒ Timeline (objectives and targets – when/how often?) ‒ Roles and responsibilities of the persons (who?) Incident reporting procedures – Report to designated personnel such as; ‒ WSH Committee (Project Manager for Construction) ‒ WSH personnel ‒ WSH officer ‒ WSH coordinator ‒ WSH Manager ‒ Management ‒ Production Manager ‒ Operation Manager ‒ Risk assessment team Page 9 of 17  Official (Open) Corrective actions and preventive actions (CAPA) − effectiveness of corrective actions − monitoring corrective actions implemented − discuss findings on monitoring − results fulfill expectations − further improvement Note: Corrective action prevents recurrence, while preventive action prevents occurrence. Corrective action is carried out after a nonconformity has already occurred. Preventive action is planned with the goal of preventing a nonconformity in its entirety. Incident Reporting procedures Legal Requirement for Reporting: ‒ Work Injury Compensation Act ‒ Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Act 2006 ‒ WSH (Incident Reporting) Regulations Format for Incident Reporting General: – Report No. – Particulars of the accident – Date, Time, ‒ Location – Address, Factory Registration No. – Particulars of the Victim – Name, NRIC/WP/Fin No, Occupation – Name of the Employer Format for Incident Reporting Information required: – Injury/ Body Parts Affected: – Involvement of Machinery/ Equipment/ Tools/ Material/ Hazardous Substances: – Interview – Name, occupation of interviewee and details – Photos, Drawing Details: – Description of Accident: – Causes of Accident: – Recommendations to prevent recurrence (Authorization Name) Page 10 of 17  Official (Open) – Designation and Signature of the Investigator: – Date of Investigation Do you know? Do you know that you can make an Incident Report on Ministry of Manpower’s website? Go to: https://www.mom.gov.sg/eservices/services/wsh-incident-reporting to find out more. Typical Approaches in Accident Prevention There is a switch from reactive mode to proactive mode in preventing accidents from happening. The approaches (or development) for accident prevention may include: Factors to consider for effective accident prevention Management’s commitment to company safety programme Non-punitive environment to foster effective incident and hazard reporting Application of risk assessment and safe work methods Competent investigation of accidents, identifying systemic safety deficiencies (rather than just targets for blame) READ: WSHC website, “Incident Investigation”, https://www.tal.sg/wshc/Topics/General- Safety/Incident-Investigation A Guide to Investigating Workplace Incidents, May 2003, https://umanitoba.ca/admin/vp_admin/risk_management/ehso/media/AIguideWSH. pdf 2 Case studies below. Page 11 of 17  Official (Open) Case Study 1 – Falling from Fixed Ladder Description of Incident The deceased and his co-worker were tasked to install filters at existing air-conditioning units on the rooftop of a building. Upon reaching the rooftop, the co-worker climbed two fixed ladders to access the upper level of the rooftop and waited for the deceased. After waiting for about 5 minutes, the 1 coworker walked back to look for the deceased. He found the deceased lying on the rooftop about 1m away from the fixed 2 ladder with a trash bag of filters beside him. The deceased was pronounced dead at the scene. Findings Mission The first of two fixed access ladders that workers use to access the upper levels of It was the first time the deceased and his co- the rooftop. worker attempted to carry out the installation of filters. Height of the first vertical fixed access ladder is about 4.3 m. Man A trash bag with six pieces of filters, about 4.7 kg, was found close to the deceased. The deceased had probably carried the trash bag of filters and lost his footing while climbing the first fixed vertical ladder. Management The Occupational Safety and Health Management System (OSHMS) did not cover maintenance works at the rooftop. The risk assessment (RA) conducted did not address the installation of filters at the upper level of the roof top that could only be accessed by use of fixed vertical ladders. The RA and safe work procedure (SWP) conducted were not relevant to the ad-hoc work activities carried out by the deceased and his co-worker. Machine The first fixed ladder was 4.31 m in length and was not installed with any fall prevention measures. Page 12 of 17  Official (Open) The first fixed ladder did not extend sufficiently at the intermediate landing to allow users sufficient handhold. Medium The edges of the intermediate landing were not protected to prevent persons from falling over the edge. Causal Analysis Evaluation of loss - One worker killed. Type of contact - Fall from heights. Immediate cause(s) - Lost footing while climbing vertical access ladder. Basic cause(s) - Lack of additional control measures for fixed ladders that rise a vertical distance of more than 3 m. Failure of WSH management system - OSHMS failed to cover maintenance activities on rooftop. Recommendations Risk Assessment Conduct proper RA before start of any work activity to ensure that all work activities are covered and any foreseeable risks mitigated. In this case, the work activity is climbing fixed vertical ladder with materials. The RA should provide measures to mitigate risks involved such as carrying filters up in proper bags, splitting them into smaller loads or using hoist to bring them up. Planning and coordination Where applicable, establish and implement a Fall Prevention Plan (FPP) and Permit-to-Work (PTW) system for all WAH activities where a worker is liable to fall. Provide workers with suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for WAH and training if additional control measures involve its usage, such as a anchoring to a vertical lifeline. Install guardrails on open sides to prevent persons from falling over edge of a building or roof. Safe Work Procedure The design of fixed ladder should be improved through provision of safety cages, extending the ladder to provide sufficient handhold or equipping it with lifelines with fall arresting devices. Develop SWP for safe use of ladder, such as maintaining three-point contact when climbing a ladder. Page 13 of 17  Official (Open) Training and awareness Ensure that all personnel (including workers and supervisors) involved in WAH activities have received adequate safety and health training with regards to hazards associated with working at heights. Ensure that workers understand the importance of following recommended risk control measures with regards to use of fixed ladders. Legislative requirements Ensure that fixed ladder complies with requirements stated in Regulation 18 of the WSH (WAH) Regulations. Page 14 of 17  Official (Open) Case Study 2 - Fall Off Storage Rack Description of Incident The deceased was standing on the second tier of a storage rack in a 1 warehouse. He was likely to be reaching out to an A-frame ladder to descend from the second tier of a storage rack to the warehouse floor when he lost his balance and fell off the edge of the rack. He succumbed to his injuries on the same day. 2 Findings 1. Location deceased was last seen. Man 2. Location deceased had landed. Three A-frame ladders of height 2.4 m, 2.9 m and 5.5 m were found near the accident scene. It was likely that the deceased chose to use the 2.9 m A-frame ladder to access and egress from the second tier of the storage rack. Management Risk assessment (RA) with regards to the use of ladders were developed however, risk control measures recommended were not followed. Some risk control measures included ensuring that ladder was in good working condition, ladder must be held by another worker and worker should not stand on the last two rungs of a ladder. Machine This 2.9 m A-frame ladder only extended about 0.4 m above the second tier rack, which is insufficient for a handhold. The 2.9 m A-frame ladder was not secured while the deceased was using the ladder. The 2.9 m A-frame ladder appeared worn out. Causal Analysis Evaluation of loss - One worker killed. Type of contact - Fall from heights. Immediate cause(s) - Deceased fell from an A-frame ladder. Page 15 of 17  Official (Open) Basic cause(s) - Wrong choice of ladder; Inappropriate use of ladder (ladder not secured). Failure of WSH management system - Improper work method. Recommendations Risk Assessment Conduct proper RA before start of any work activity. In this case, the work activity is use of ladders. Ensure that risk control measures recommended in the RA are properly implemented and strictly adhered to. Safe Work Procedure Ensure that an appropriate ladder is provided and used for the intended task. For example, ladder must be high enough for a worker to reach his work area without having to stretch and stand on its top rung. Ladders used for access to another level should have at least 1 meter above landing point to provide a secured handhold. Ensure that base of ladder must be appropriately secured when in use. Ensure that all ladders are maintained and stored in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. Damaged ladders must not be used. Ensure that all ladders are used on firm and stable ground to prevent toppling. Training and awareness Ensure that all personnel (including workers and supervisors) involved in WAH activities have received adequate safety and health training with regards to hazards associated with working at heights. Ensure that workers understand the importance of following recommended risk control measures with regards to use of ladders. Legislative requirements Ensure that all ladders and their use meet requirements stipulated in the WSH (WAH) Regulations. Page 16 of 17  Official (Open) Bibliography/References Books/Texts 1. Fischer Robert, Halibozek Edward, Walters David 2012 Introduction to Security 8th Edition; Permalink (eBook Full Text Online available SP library) 2. Ellis Raymond C, Stipanuk David M 2013; Security and Loss Prevention Management New Edition; Permalink 3. Charles A Sennewald, 2011, Effective Security Management, 5th Edition; Amsterdam; Boston : Butterworth-Heinemann (eBook Full Text Online available SP library) 4. Workplace Safety and Health Act, (Original Enactment 2006 Revised Edition 2009) Ministry of Manpower 5. Singapore Standard for Hotel Security; SPRING Singapore, Standardisation Department; Singapore Standard 545: 2009 6. Workplace Safety and Health Guidelines on Hospitality and Entertainment Industries 2013; WSH Council 7. Workplace Safety and Health Guidelines on Workplace Housekeeping 2016; WSH Council Websites 1. http://www.mom.gov.sg/legislation/workplace-safety-and-health 2. https://www.wshc.sg/ Page 17 of 17