WSH Alert - Worker Dies Falling From Roof

 

Worker dies after falling from roof 

On 26 February 2023, a worker was preparing to carry out water-proofing works on the roof of a factory when he fell 4.1 metres to the ground. He was sent to the hospital but died of his injuries on 1 March 2023.  

Preliminary investigations revealed that a horizontal lifeline was installed on the roof, but the worker was not wearing a safety harness or a safety helmet at the time of the accident. 

Working on roofs exposes workers to the risk of falling from height. The WSH Council calls on all companies doing work at height to ensure worker safety and undertake an urgent assessment of their safety measures. 

What companies should do

Companies should urgently assess and ensure that their WSH management system includes the following measures or checks: 

• Fall Prevention Plan (FPP): Establish and implement a site-specific FPP to reduce the risk of falling from height when working on roofs.  

• Permit-to-Work (PTW) system: Put in place a PTW system for work activities where a person could fall more than three metres. Ensure on-site checks are carried out by a competent person and risk controls are confirmed effective before authorising the work at height.

• Safe Work Procedure (SWP): Develop a SWP for carrying out the task on the roof, taking into account the roof’s characteristics (e.g. material of construction, profile, and angle of slope) and the duration and frequency of work. Provide supervision to ensure the SWP is strictly followed.  

• Open side guarding: Install temporary guardrails or erect a scaffold platform with guardrails, if feasible, to prevent workers from falling off a roof edge. 

• Worker training: Deploy only workers who have successfully completed the Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) Perform Work at Height course to work on roofs. Train workers to always anchor their safety harnesses when working at height.   

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Equip roof workers with anti-slip safety footwear and fall-arrest or travel-restraint equipment along with secure anchor point(s) or lifeline.   

Note that the use of a standard lanyard with a shock absorber cannot be used if the fall clearance distance is too short to safely stop one’s fall before striking the ground. If the fall clearance distance is too short, the use of an immediate arrest self-retracting line is recommended. 

• Behavioural Observation and Intervention: Encourage workers to look out for one another and to stop risky behaviours before an accident occurs.  

For more information, refer to WSH (Work at Heights) Regulations 2013, WSH Council’s Code of Practice for Working Safely at Heights and WSH Guidelines for Working Safely on Roofs. Additional resources for work at height include WSH Guidelines on Anchorage, Lifelines and Temporary Edge Protection Systems, WSH Guidelines on Personal Protective Equipment for Work at Heights, and Case Studies: Accidents Involving Work at Heights. 

Under the WSH Act, first-time corporate offenders may be sentenced to the maximum fine of $500,000 whilst individuals can either be sentenced to the maximum fine of $200,000 and/or an imprisonment not exceeding 2 years. Read more on the WSH Act penalties.  

During the extended Heightened Safety Period (1 September 2022 to 31 May 2023), the Ministry of Manpower will impose severe actions for serious WSH lapses, which include:   

• Debarment from hiring new work pass holders.

• Company leaders to personally account to MOM and take responsibility for rectifications, and attend a mandatory half-day in-person WSH training course.

• Engaging external auditors to conduct a thorough review of company’s WSH processes.

Access to free work at height resources here for managers, supervisors, workers and safety professionals

FSM Briefing 2023

 
Harnessing Innovation and Technology for Fire Safety

The Fire Safety Managers’ Association Singapore (FSMAS) is instituted on 17 March 1989. Its objective is to promote continual development, excellence and professionalism in the arena of fire safety. FSMAS also works or partners with relevant Governmental Agencies in the development and enhancement of standards and programs relating to fire safety. 

Through briefings, seminars and workshops, FSMAS shares the latest professional development and technology, valuable information and applicable practices that will enhance Fire Safety Managers” (FSMs) professionalism. As part of this objective, FSMAS is organizing the FSM Briefing 2023 which is a significant event not to be missed and a great platform for FSMs to receive latest professional development and technology, valuable information and applicable practices. 

Online Registration and Online Payment: 

Online registration is solely and strictly at https://www.fsmas.org.sg/index.php/events?view=eventdetails&cid=96 and will open at 8.00am on 13 March 2023 and close at 11.59pm on 10 April 2023 and is on a first-comefirst-served-basis, subject to availability of seats and shall close when all seats are taken up. 

Participation fee payment is by local bank issued credit or debit card via PayPal. 

Fee Per Participant (No GST; FSMAS is not a GST Registered Entity): 

FSMAS Members $65.00 

Non-FSMAS Members $90.00 

Pre-requisites for FSM: 

SCDF will award 10 FSM-CPD points to FSM who

a. is registered in the e-FSM Portal and has furnished correct information in the online registration 

b. has attended entire duration of the event and attendance is confirmed by electronic signin before event starts and electronic sign-out at end of event 

FSM who fails to comply to above-mentioned will be deemed as absent and FSM-CPD points will not be awarded by the SCDF.

 Attendance Sign-in and Sign-out: Participant will sign-in attendance by scanning his bar code ID card via barcode reader before the event starts or latest by 2.30pm. 

Attendance sign-out is by scanning his bar code ID card via barcode reader and will start after the last speaker has completed his topic presentation.

Program Itinerary: 

1.30 pm All Participants to be seated 

1.50 pm Showing of Emergency Evacuation Video by venue provider 

1.55 pm Welcome Address - by Mr. Benedict Koh, BBM President Fire Safety Managers’ Association Singapore 

2.00 pm Key Note Address - by Guest of Honour SAC Ling Young Ern Deputy Commissioner (Future Technology & Public Safety) Singapore Civil Defence Force 

2.05 pm (20 Minutes) SCDF Annual Fire Statistics 2022 and Case studies on Recent Fire Incident - by CPT Ang Li Feng Fire Investigator Operations Department Singapore Civil Defence Force

2.25 pm (20 Minutes) Common Fire Safety Enforcement Findings - by CPT Ong Kok Ping Staff Officer Enforcement Fire Safety Department Singapore Civil Defence Force How FSMs Mitigate Fire Hazards within Premises - by Ms. Nurasyikin Amir Senior FSM Jewel Changi Airport 

2.45 pm (15 Minutes) Revised Fire Certificate Audit Inspection Regime - by LTA Muhammad Staff Officer Fire Safety Department Singapore Civil Defence Force 

3.00 pm Q and A Session (Part One) (20 Minutes) - Moderator LTC Eugene Png Senior Assistant Director, Enforcement Branch Fire Safety Department Singapore Civil Defence Force 

3.20 pm (30 Minutes) Break 

3.50 pm (15 Minutes) Utilising Internet of Things (IoT) to complement FSM duties - by Mr. George Wu Fire Certificate Inspection Officer Fire Safety Department Singapore Civil Defence Force 

4.05 pm (15 Minutes) Updates to FSMs - by MAJ Neo Jin Xiang Senior Staff Officer Fire Safety Department Singapore Civil Defence Force 

4. 20 pm (15 Minutes) Sharing by FSMs - by Mr. Jose Mari Atos Senior FSM, Marina Bay Sands - by Mr. Thulasidas Vasudevan FSM, Hotel JEN Singapore 

4.35 pm (25 Minutes) What FSMs Need to Do When Taking Over a Building (New/Old) - by Mr. Lim Shien Ming Fire Safety Managers’ Association Singapore Management Committee member 

5.00 pm (20 Minutes) Q and A Session (Part Two) - Moderator LTC Winson Cheung Senior Assistant Director, Fire Safety Management Branch Fire Safety Department Singapore Civil Defence Force 

5.20 pm End of briefing 

Please be informed that the organiser reserves the right to effect changes in the event program; including but not limited to, cancellation of presentations or replacing scheduled speakers due to unforeseen circumstances, without prior notice to the participant

SCDF MyResponder App Community Response

2,336 emergency cases attended to through SCDF’s community response app last year

SINGAPORE: Community heroes here responded to a total of 2,336 emergencies through the Singapore Civil Defence Force’s (SCDF) myResponder app last year.

Notably, more than 40 lives have been saved in cases attended through the community response app since it was launched in 2015, an SCDF spokesperson told CNA.

The app will be updated at the end of this year to include new features such as a wider alert range and a video call function, the spokesperson said.

An update to the myResponder app will widen the alert radius from 400m to a maximum of 1.5km, and let users choose to respond either on foot or vehicle.

SCDF myResponder app serves to notify the more than 130,000 registered community first responders of emergencies occurring within their vicinity so they can intervene swiftly.

These include cardiac arrests and minor fires happening within a 400m radius.

The “Call 995” button in the app also lets users send their location to the SCDF’s operations centre, so that emergency resources can be deployed to the scene more quickly.

THE GREATEST SATISFACTION

One such community first responder, 48-year-old Daniel Lim, helped to save a cardiac arrest victim in May last year.

The former security system analyst was out on a regular Sunday morning, when he received a notification on the app at about 11.15am, alerting him to a suspected cardiac arrest case nearby.

Using an automated external defibrillator (AED), Mr Lim helped to resuscitate the victim while waiting for the SCDF rescue team to arrive.

The victim, a man in his 50s, survived due to their collective efforts, and Mr Lim received a community award for playing his part.

"I think the greatest satisfaction is that I managed to bring hope and smiles to the affected family members,” he told CNA.

NEW FEATURES

To further improve the public’s emergency response capabilities, the SCDF will update the app with new features at the end of this year. 

Its Volunteer and Community Partnership Department’s director Wesley Lim said the force is working on “myResponder 2.0”, which will widen the alert radius from 400m to a maximum of 1.5km, and let users select their mode of response, either on foot or vehicle.

“In addition, a video call function will be added, so that the SCDF operations centre can have a live view of the situation, and if needed, provide live guidance on how to perform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation),” he said.

“These enhancements to the myResponder application are targeted to roll out from end-2023.”

One fire safety expert said that even more features can be introduced to help community first responders who may fumble during an emergency.

Fire safety contractor Fiready’s general manager Mak Ka Weng suggested that one such feature could be an audio prompt for users to press a button on the app, which then activates step-by-step instructions on how to use a fire extinguisher or an AED.

Beyond the myResponder app, the Home Affairs Ministry has announced that it is planning to install a fire extinguisher at the ground floor of every two blocks of HDB flats.

The move will benefit 1.1 million HDB households over the next five years. 

Minister of State for Home Affairs Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim said in Parliament in September last year, that the extinguishers will be placed at lift lobbies and be maintained by the SCDF.

He added that the SCDF educates residents on the use of fire extinguishers through public engagement programmes.

Work at Heights Symposium 2023

Held on 21 February 2023, the Work at Heights Symposium 2023 highlighted best practices and emerging trends affecting the future of work at height.  Participants also learnt how to mitigate work at height risks through process improvement and technology adoption.

In his opening address, Mr Abu Bakar Mohd Nor, Chairman of the WSH Council (National Work at Heights Safety) Taskforce, shared on Singapore’s work at height performance. He expressed grave concern over falls from ladders and falls from roofs – the former having been consistently one of the top contributors to fatal falls over the years, and the latter having new cases last year when there were none from 2019 to 2021. 

Amongst the new initiatives announced by Mr Abu Bakar were the formation of a Ladder Safety Work Group to look into the safe use of ladders at workplaces, and the release of a new set of roof safety infokit to guide workers on working safely on roofs.

The Symposium also showcased various exhibits for participants to gain insights on good practices, such as the correct usage of portable ladders and tips for inspecting ladders. Other exhibits included virtual reality technology used in training for workers to better understand work at height safety, a display of roofing systems and work at height personal protective equipment, fall protection, and fall prevention systems. 

Find out more about work at height resources below:

1)Roof Safety Kit

2)Animated Video on Worker Falling Through Skylight

3)Work at height resources for Managers, Supervisors & WSHOs

4)Work at height resources for Workers

Ubi Audi Service Centre Explosion

SINGAPORE: A person was taken to hospital and about 100 people were evacuated after an explosion at the Audi service centre in Ubi on Tuesday (Mar 7).

The Singapore Civil Defence Force was called to 55 Ubi Road 1 at about 8.55am after the explosion caused a section of the wall at the side of the building to collapse. A person was taken to Raffles Hospital after sustaining a fall in the area, and there were no other reported injuries.

An Audi spokesperson said that the building has been closed off to facilitate ongoing investigations.

The service centre will also remain shut until further notice.

"Audi Singapore is working with the relevant authorities to identify the cause," added the spokesperson.

Workers’ Dormitory Application Approval

Safety Considerations for Workers’ Dormitories

For companies planning to handle/store hazardous substances and flammable materials, agencies (SCDF, NEA) may require a Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) study to be carried out. Based on the QRA study, Health & Safety (H&S) buffer may be generated based on the projected consequence of potential fire, explosion and/or release of toxic gases from the said company.

 

Due to safety reasons, agencies (SCDF, NEA, MOM, JTC, URA) do not allow workers’ dormitories to be sited within existing H&S buffer because workers may not be in a state of alertness at night (e.g. sleeping) to carry out the necessary protective actions such as evacuation or In-Place-Protection (IPP), when a major incident occurs.

 

For applications that are not supported due to H&S buffer, applicant is advised to look for alternative accommodation for your workers at other locations. You may refer to MOM’s website on Housing for Foreign Workers for more information on the various types of housing available such as secondary Factory Converted Dormitories (FCDs) and Purpose Built Dormitories (PBDs).

 

SCDF’s Application Flow Chart for Workers’ Dormitory

 

 

To seek SCDF’s approval on the Health & Safety (H&S) buffer, please email to SCDF_Landuse@scdf.gov.sg

 

Click on the links to find out more on SCDF’s Plan Approval and Fire Safety Certificate.

Various types of housing and their specific requirements

There are various types of housing that your foreign employees can live in, each with its own set of requirements. Employers must carry out due diligence to ensure these requirements are met. Employers who fail to do so may be prosecuted, and disallowed to hire foreign employees.

Announcement of New Dormitory Standards

The new dormitory standards aim to strengthen resilience against future pandemics and improve living conditions of migrant workers.

• It applies to all new dormitories, including:
• Purpose-Built Dormitories (PBDs)
• Factory-Converted Dormitories (FCDs)
• Construction Temporary Quarters (CTQs)
• Temporary Occupation Licence Quarters (TOLQs)

Which dormitories must comply with the new dormitory standards?

For	The dormitory
Existing or upcoming dormitories approved before 18 September 2021	Can continue to operate based on past approved standards until further plans are announced by MOM. We are also working with various stakeholders to review the improvements that are feasible within current built infrastructure constraints. To convert to the new dormitory standards, you can apply to relevant agencies to seek approval. Dormitories must meet all requirements under the new dormitory standards to be granted approval for the conversion.
New dormitories that have applied to relevant agencies for approval on or after 18 Sep 2021	Must comply with the new dormitory standards.

Purpose-Built Dormitories (PBDs)

What are PBDs	PBDs are specially designed and built with features to meet the needs of foreign employees: Amenities, e.g. minimarts, dedicated cooking areas, etc. Services, e.g. laundry, remittance, etc. Recreational facilities, e.g. gym, outdoor games courts, etc.
Allowed to house	All foreign employees.

We highly recommend you to:

• Sign a written tenancy agreement with the dormitory operator.
• Provide ways for employees to highlight problems with the housing to the dormitory operator, and work with the dormitory operator to rectify them.

Factory-Converted Dormitories (FCDs)

What are FCDs	Industrial or warehouse developments which have been partially converted to dormitories.
Types of FCDs allowed	Ancillary FCDs: Houses workers employed by the owner or lessee of the factory or sub-contractors’ workers (whether workers are working on site at the factory or off-site) or workers who work on site at the factory. Single employer-operated secondary FCDs (i.e. new secondary FCDs set up on 22 Jun 2020 or later): Houses employer’s own workers or sub-contractors’ workers (whether workers are working on site at the factory or off-site). The employer should not be the owner or lessee of the factory.
Maximum permissible occupancy	300 Appeals for higher permissible occupancy will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. To appeal, provide these information: Need for higher permissible occupancy. Alternative housing types have been considered. Mitigating measures that will be implemented to ensure workers’ security and provision of adequate on-site amenities.

Construction Temporary Quarters (CTQ). Standalone Temporary Quarter

What are Standalone Temporary Quarters	Any structure used for housing employees within a construction site that will eventually be demolished or removed.
Allowed to house	Construction sector foreign employees working at that particular construction project
Maximum permissible occupancy	300 Appeals for higher permissible occupancy will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. To appeal, provide these information: Need for higher permissible occupancy. Alternative housing types have been considered. Mitigating measures that will be implemented to ensure workers’ security and provision of adequate on-site amenities.

CTQs already in operation before 22 June 2020 can retain your existing occupancy load (including those exceeding 300 workers) until further notice

Construction Temporary Quarters (CTQ). Quarters in Uncompleted Permanent Building

What are quarters in uncompleted permanent building	They are parts of buildings still under construction that are used for employees’ quarters.
Allowed to house	Construction sector foreign employees working at that particular construction project.
Maximum permissible occupancy	300 Up to 6 persons in residential units under construction. Appeals for higher permissible occupancy will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. To appeal, provide these information: Need for higher permissible occupancy. Alternative housing types have been considered. Mitigating measures that will be implemented to ensure workers’ security and provision of adequate on-site amenities.

CTQs already in operation before 22 June 2020 can retain your existing occupancy load (including those exceeding 300 workers) until further notice

To learn more on MOM various types of housing and their specific requirements , click here

To download URA Revised Guidelines for temporary worker's dormitories within industrial or warehouse developments, click here

Singapore Coid19 Control Order Extension

Singapore extends COVID-19 control order laws for a year to combat possible new variants

The Ministry of Health is reviewing the Infectious Diseases Act and aims to table amendments to it in the second half of this year.

SINGAPORE: Control orders to prevent the spread of COVID-19 were extended for a year for the final time on Monday (Mar 6), allowing the authorities to react quickly to new and dangerous variants if they emerge.

Parliament passed amendments to the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act 2020 in order to extend the validity of Part 7 of the Act, which gives the Government powers to make regulations in order to prevent, protect against, delay, or otherwise control the coronavirus here.

This includes movement restrictions such as the “circuit breaker” that was in place from April to June 2020.

On Monday, Senior Minister of State for Health Janil Puthucheary told the House that while Singapore now treats the coronavirus as endemic, people “must not take the current situation as a given or be complacent”.

Last month, the nation stepped down its disease alert to the lowest level since the pandemic started and lifted the final legal requirements for COVID-19 community measures - namely, the wearing of face masks on public transport as well as in indoor healthcare and residential care settings.

Dr Janil cautioned: “There is still uncertainty as to how COVID-19 will develop globally. The virus continues to circulate and will continue to mutate.

“We cannot rule out the possible emergence of new variants that can cause infection waves and strain our healthcare resources.”

He noted that the health ministry is continuing to monitor the COVID-19 situation and the evolution of the virus through its international networks and local surveillance, in order to pick up early signals of new variants that could be more transmissible or cause more severe disease.

Should such variants pop up, Singapore must continue having the necessary tools to take appropriate prevention and control measures, Dr Janil added.

“We should therefore continue to provide in our statutes the ability to implement measures used during the pandemic,” he said.

“This extension will continue to allow targeted public health measures to be implemented for the purposes of preventing and controlling the spread of COVID-19, so that we can react swiftly to new and dangerous COVID-19 variants should they emerge.”

Dr Janil added that the Ministry of Health had begun a review to enhance the Infectious Diseases Act (IDA) - Singapore’s main legislation to control and prevent infectious diseases - and aims to table amendments to it in the second half of this year.

The ministry’s review includes incorporating provisions under Part 7 of the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act into the IDA, so that the latter legislation “is more robust and affords us the agility to be able to cater to different situations”.

Dr Janil said: “Now that we are heading into an endemic COVID-19 new normal and are at DORSCON Green, we should work towards stepping down Part 7 … and rely on the IDA to manage new variants of concern or new pandemics."

If amendments to the IDA are passed, Part 7 of the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act will be revoked.

Misuse of Antibiotics -Health Risks

Misuse of Antibiotics puts you at risk.

When used inappropriately, it can result in serious infections, longer recovery time, and loss of effectiveness for future treatments, due to infections becoming antibiotic-resistant. Follow your doctor's advice.

Antibiotics are used to prevent or treat bacterial infections only. They DO NOT work on viral infections such as flu or the common cold.

When are antibiotics required?

What you should do:

Common side effects of antibiotics

What is antimicrobial resistance?

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi) found in people, animals, food and the environment develop resistance and no longer respond to medication designed to kill them.

As a result, antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines become ineffective, making infections

increasingly difficult or impossible to treat.

AMR is one of the world’s most urgent public health problems, as it can affect people at any stage of life, as well as the healthcare, veterinary, and agriculture industries.

How does AMR spread?

Learn how you can protect yourself and your loved ones against AMR here

Preventing antibiotic and antimicrobial resistance

To learn more check out Singapore Health Promotion Board Website for more.

Logistics Industry Transformation Map

About

Aligned to the Logistics Industry Transformation Map (ITM), the Logistics Industry Digital Plan (IDP) is part of the SMEs Go Digital programme which aims to make going digital simple for SMEs. The Logistics IDP provides an step-by-step guide on the digital solutions SMEs can adopt at each stage of their growth. The first Logistics IDP was launched in 2017.

The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), in partnership with Enterprise Singapore (ESG) and the industry, has jointly refreshed the Logistics IDP, to introduce new solutions that meet the current and anticipated future needs of companies in the Logistics industry. A new Digital Training Roadmap helps SMEs identify relevant training programmes to upskill their workers as their businesses transform digitally. The IDP will continue to be updated over time as the industry progresses and newer, more relevant technologies are introduced.

Who is it for
Local SMEs within the Logistics industry, as well as SMEs providing support services in the Air Transport industry.

Benefits

The IDP provides a step-by-step guide on the digital solutions to adopt at each stage of your growth. For a start, you can use the IDP to find out if your business is digital-ready.

Digital Roadmap
You can refer to the Digital Roadmap of the IDP, as a guide to assess your digital readiness and identify opportunities for going digital and training to raise employees’ digital skills.

Download

Logistics IDP (3.89MB)

Logistics IDP Factsheet (367.51KB)

Understand Your Digital Readiness

Digital and Business Consultancy

• Digital Consultants

Use the Chief Technology Officer-as-a-Service to request for digital consultancy and project management services. Check your digital readiness and receive recommendations on digital solutions that best meet your business needs.

• Business Advisors

Book an appointment with the SME Centre if you require business advice.

Pre-approved Solutions with Grant Support

The Logistics IDP outlines the digital solutions that companies can adopt at each stage of their growth to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and drive business growth.

Eligible SMEs can receive funding support from the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) or other relevant grants on the Business Grants Portal to implement digital solutions in the Logistics IDP.

Feedback
Send us your feedback on the IDPs, in this form (270.54KB) (best viewed in Microsoft Word) to info@imda.gov.sg.