WSH (Scaffolds) Regulations 2011

Workplace Safety and Health (Scaffolds) Regulations 2011

PART II
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Only approved scaffold contractor to construct, erect, install, re-position, alter, maintain, repair or dismantle certain scaffolds

4.—(1) No person shall construct, erect, install, re-position, alter, maintain, repair or dismantle any scaffold, not being an excluded scaffold, in any workplace unless he is an approved scaffold contractor.

(2)  For the purposes of paragraph (1), “excluded scaffold” means —

(a)a tower scaffold;

(b)a trestle scaffold; or

(c)a scaffold (other than a suspended scaffold, hanging scaffold or a scaffold erected on cantilever or jib supports) which, when completed and excluding the handrails and their supports at the uppermost lift of the scaffold, is less than 4 metres in height.

Scaffold erectors

5. It shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensure that no person is involved in the construction, erection, installation, re‑positioning, alteration, maintenance, repair or dismantling of a scaffold in a workplace unless he has successfully completed a training course acceptable to the Commissioner, to equip him to perform the work of a scaffold erector.

Scaffold supervisor

6.—(1) It shall be the duty of the responsible person to appoint a scaffold supervisor before any construction, erection, installation, re-positioning, alteration, maintenance, repair or dismantling of a scaffold in a workplace.

(2) The responsible person shall not appoint any person as a scaffold supervisor unless the person is one —

(a)who has successfully completed a training course acceptable to the Commissioner, to equip him to be a scaffold supervisor; and

(b)whom the responsible person reasonably believes is competent to perform the functions and duties of a scaffold supervisor.

Personal protective equipment for scaffold erectors

7.—(1) It shall be the duty of the responsible person to provide to every scaffold erector involved in the construction, erection, installation, re-positioning, alteration, maintenance, repair or dismantling of any scaffold in a workplace —

(a)a safety harness attached with a shock absorbing device; and

(b)sufficient and secured anchorage by means of an independent life line or other equally effective means.

(2)  It shall be the duty of the scaffold erector who is involved in any work referred to in paragraph (1) to use the safety harness attached with a shock absorbing device provided to him.

(3)  Any person who contravenes paragraph (2) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 and, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $2,000.

Supervision of construction, erection, installation, re‑positioning, alteration, maintenance, repair or dismantling of scaffolds

8. It shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensure that no scaffold is constructed, erected, installed, re-positioned, altered, maintained, repaired or dismantled in a workplace except under the immediate supervision of a scaffold supervisor.

Construction and materials

9.—(1)  It shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensure that every scaffold, and every member or component thereof, in a workplace shall be —

(a)of sound material, good construction and adequate strength;

(b)free from patent defects; and

(c)suitable and safe for the purpose for which it is intended.

(2) It shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensure that every scaffold erected at a building under construction, so far as is reasonably practicable, be erected such that it precedes the construction of the uppermost permanent floor of the building by not less than one metre above that floor.

(3) Where the height of the scaffold referred to in paragraph (2) extends beyond the uppermost permanent floor by 2 metres or more, it shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensure that the scaffold shall be adequately supported to prevent its collapse.

Foundation of scaffolds

10.—(1) It shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensure that the requirements of paragraphs (2) to (5) are complied with.

(2) Every scaffold in a workplace shall be constructed, erected or installed on structures or foundations of adequate strength.

(3) Where a scaffold in a workplace is to be founded on soil, the soil shall be adequately consolidated.

(4)  In the case of a scaffold in a workplace exceeding 15 metres in height or being erected on poorly drained soil, base plates shall bear upon sole plates that are —

(a)of strength not less than 670 kgf per square metre; and

(b)of a length suitable to distribute the load.

(5) There shall be no cavity under the sole plate immediately below any standard of a scaffold in a workplace.

Scaffolds supported by buildings, ships or other structures

11.—(1) It shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensure that the requirements of paragraphs (2) and (3) are complied with.

(2) No part of a building, ship or other structure shall be used as support for any part of a scaffold in a workplace unless it is sufficiently stable, and of sound material and adequate strength to afford safe support.

(3) Overhanging eaves gutters shall not be used as supports for any part of a scaffold in a workplace unless they have been specially designed as walkways and are of adequate strength.

Designated access point for scaffolds

12.—(1) It shall be the duty of the occupier of a workplace where a scaffold is constructed, erected or installed to ensure that every scaffold shall have at least one designated access point from which a person may gain access onto the scaffold.

(2) It shall be the duty of the occupier of a workplace where a scaffold is constructed, erected or installed to ensure that every designated access point is —

(a)clearly marked with a sign or label; and

(b)made safe for use by any person.

Stairs and ladders

13.  It shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensure that stairs or ladders —

(a)are provided to enable persons to gain access from one level of any scaffold in a workplace to another level; and

(b)so far as is reasonably practicable, are installed within the scaffold.

Standards and ledgers

14.—(1) It shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensure that the requirements of paragraphs (2) to (8) are complied with.

(2) The standards of a scaffold in a workplace shall be —

(a)plumb where practicable;

(b)fixed sufficiently close together to secure the stability of the scaffold, having regard to all the circumstances;

(c)in the case of a timber scaffold, spaced not more than 1.5 metres apart; and

(d)in the case of a metal scaffold, subject to paragraph (3), spaced not more than 2.5 metres apart.

(3) No metal scaffold with standards spaced more than 2.5 metres apart shall be constructed or erected in a workplace unless it has been approved in writing by the Commissioner.

(4) Subject to paragraph (5), a standard of a scaffold in a workplace shall be placed on an adequate and secured sole plate in order that the foot of the standard does not rest directly on the ground or supporting surface, so as to prevent any vertical displacement of the foot.

(5) Where the floor or supporting structure is of sufficient rigidity to evenly distribute the load imposed upon it by the standard without causing any vertical displacement of the standard, the provision of a sole plate under the standard shall not be necessary.

(6) The foot of a standard of any frame or modular scaffold in a workplace shall be secured to a base plate so that it does not rest directly on the ground or supporting surface.

(7) The ledgers of a metal scaffold in a workplace shall be spaced at vertical intervals of not more than 2 metres.

(8) The ledgers of a timber scaffold in a workplace shall —

(a)as far as possible, be horizontal;

(b)be spaced at vertical intervals of not more than 1.8 metres; and

(c)be securely fastened to the standards.

Transoms

15. It shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensure that transoms are located at or near the intersections of standards and ledgers of a scaffold in a workplace.

Bracing

16.—(1) It shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensure that the requirements of paragraphs (2) to (8) are complied with.

(2) Every scaffold in a workplace shall be effectively braced by means of longitudinal and transverse bracing systems which shall extend from the base to the top of the scaffold.

(3) The joints in bracing members shall be lapped or spliced.

(4) Longitudinal bracing members shall be continuous and fixed at approximately 45° to the horizontal.

(5) Each lift shall be crossed by at least one longitudinal bracing member in every 10 metres length of the scaffold.

(6) Subject to paragraph (7), a transverse bracing system shall be provided at each end of the scaffold and at intervals of not more than 10 bays.

(7) A transverse bracing system need not be provided where —

(a)vertical transverse frames are provided for the full height of the scaffold and at each pair of standards; and

(b)the frames are type-tested by a recognised testing body in accordance with a standard or specification acceptable to the Commissioner.

(8) Every frame scaffold in a workplace shall be provided with horizontal bracings or lacings at intervals of not more than every 5 lifts.

Gear for suspension of scaffolds

17.—(1) It shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensure that the requirements of paragraphs (2) to (4) are complied with.

(2) Every chain, rope and lifting gear used for the suspension of a scaffold in a workplace shall be of sound material, adequate strength and suitable quality, and in good condition.

(3) Any chain, rope and metal tube used for the suspension of a scaffold in a workplace, other than a suspended scaffold, shall be —

(a)properly and securely fastened to safe anchorage points and to the scaffold ledgers or other main supporting members;

(b)positioned so as to ensure stability of the scaffold;

(c)approximately vertical; and

(d)kept taut.

(4) Every scaffold in a workplace that is suspended by means of chains or ropes shall be secured to prevent undue horizontal movement while it is used as a work platform.

Work platforms

18.—(1) It shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensure that the requirements of paragraphs (2) to (6) are complied with.

(2) Work platforms in a workplace shall be provided —

(a)at any place of work which does not afford a proper and secure foothold; and

(b)in the case of a building under construction, around the edge of the building at every uppermost permanent floor which is under construction.

(3)  Notwithstanding paragraph (2) —

(a) work platforms shall be provided at intervals of not less than every alternate lift of any scaffold, except a tower scaffold or a trestle scaffold, used in any premises where building operations are being carried on; and

(b) unless approval is given in writing by the Commissioner, the vertical distance between any 2 work platforms shall not exceed 4 metres.

(4)  Every work platform provided under paragraph (3) shall cover the lift of a scaffold throughout its entire length.

(5) Every work platform provided under this regulation shall —

(a)be closely boarded, planked or decked;

(b)be at least 500 millimeters wide; and

(c)not have any opening except to allow access to that work platform.

(6) The distance between a work platform and any building, ship or other structure shall be as narrow as is reasonably practicable and shall not exceed 300 millimetres.

Loading requirements for scaffolds

19.—(1) It shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensure that signboards stating the maximum permissible weight of tools and materials and the maximum number of persons permissible on each bay are prominently displayed at suitable locations on the scaffold in a workplace.

(2) It shall be the duty of the occupier of the workplace to ensure that the signboards referred to in paragraph (1) are displayed at all times until the scaffold is dismantled.

(3) It shall be the duty of the occupier of a workplace in which a scaffold is constructed, erected or installed to ensure that the requirements of paragraphs (4) to (8) are complied with.

(4) Subject to regulation 45, a scaffold in a workplace shall not be overloaded and, so far as is reasonably practicable, the load thereon shall be evenly distributed.

(5)When any material is transferred to or from a scaffold in a workplace, the material shall be moved or deposited without imposing any violent shock.

(6) The maximum loading for persons and materials allowed on any work platform in any bay of a scaffold in a workplace shall be —

(a)in the case of a timber scaffold, 75 kgf per square metre; or

(b)in any other case, 220 kgf per square metre.

(7) The maximum number of persons allowed on any work platform in any bay of a timber or metal scaffold in a workplace shall be —

(a)in the case of a timber scaffold, not more than 2 persons; and

(b)in the case of a metal scaffold, not more than 4 persons.

(8) The maximum number of persons allowed in any bay of a timber or metal scaffold in a workplace shall be —

(a)in the case of a timber scaffold, not more than 4 persons; and

(b)in the case of a metal scaffold, not more than 8 persons.

Design by professional engineer

20.—(1) It shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensure that the requirements of paragraphs (2) and (3) are complied with.

(2) Subject to regulation 19(6) and (7), a work platform and any support thereof in a workplace shall be constructed in accordance with the design and drawings of a professional engineer where the work platform is used —

(a)to provide footing for more than 2 persons in each bay; or

(b)to support tools or materials exceeding 25 kgf in each bay.

(3) Subject to regulation 19(8)(b), where a metal scaffold is used in a workplace to support more than 4 persons in any bay, the scaffold shall be constructed in accordance with the design and drawings of a professional engineer.

(4)It shall be the duty of a professional engineer who designs any work platform or support referred to in paragraph (2) or any metal scaffold referred to in paragraph (3) to —

(a)take, so far as is reasonably practicable, such measures to ensure that his design can be executed safely by any person who constructs or uses the work platform, support or metal scaffold according to his design; and

(b)provide to any person who constructs or is to construct the work platform, support or metal scaffold, all design documentation (including all relevant calculations, drawings and construction procedures) as is necessary to facilitate the proper construction of the work platform, support or metal scaffold according to his design.

(5) It shall be the duty of the occupier of the workplace in which a scaffold is erected or installed to ensure that no work platform or support referred to in paragraph (2) or metal scaffold referred to in paragraph (3) is used unless the design and drawings certified by the professional engineer are kept available at the workplace for inspection by an inspector.

(6) Any person who contravenes paragraph (5) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000.

Boards, planks and decking

21.—(1) It shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensure that the requirements of paragraphs (2) to (4) are complied with.

(2) All boards, planks or decking used in the construction of work platforms in a workplace shall —

(a)be of uniform thickness;

(b)be capable of supporting a load of 670 kgf per square metre with due regard to the spacing of the supports; and

(c)be flushed along their lengths and effectively secured to prevent tipping or uplift.

(3) Any metal decking which forms part of a work platform in a workplace shall be provided with non-skid surfaces.

(4) Any board or plank which forms part of a work platform in a workplace shall project beyond its end support to a distance of not less than 50 millimetres and not more than 4 times the thickness of the board or plank.

Toe-boards and guard-rails

22.—(1) It shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensure that the requirements of paragraphs (2) to (6) are complied with.

(2)  Every side of a work platform or workplace from which a person is liable to fall more than 2 metres shall be provided with toe-boards and 2 or more guard-rails.

(3)  The toe-boards and guard-rails provided under paragraph (2) shall —

(a)be of sound material, good construction and adequate strength to withstand the impact during the course of work;

(b)be placed on the inside of the uprights and secured so as to prevent any accidental displacement; and

(c)be placed so as to prevent the fall of any person or material.

(4) The uppermost guard-rail provided under paragraph (2) shall be at least one metre above the work platform or workplace for which the guard-rail is provided.

(5) The height of the toe-boards provided under paragraph (2) shall not be less than 90 millimetres.

(6) The vertical distance —

(a)between any 2 adjacent guard-rails provided under paragraph (2); and

(b)between any work platform or workplace and the guard-rail immediately above it,

shall not exceed 600 millimetres.

Overlay and screening nets

23.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), it shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensure that overlay or screening nets shall be used to envelope any timber or metal scaffold in a workplace which is erected on the outside of a building.

(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a tower scaffold.

Scaffolds to be free of material which endanger safety

24. It shall be the duty of the occupier of a workplace in which a scaffold is constructed, erected or installed to remove any material, including waste material or debris, from the scaffold which may endanger the safety of any person.

Measures against electrical hazards

25.It shall be the duty of —

(a)the employer of any person who uses or is to use any scaffold in a workplace; or

(b)the principal under whose direction any person uses or is to use any scaffold in the workplace,

to ensure that all practicable measures shall be taken to protect the person from electric shock by electrical wires or equipment when using the scaffold.

Inspection of scaffolds

26.—(1) Subject to paragraph (4), it shall be the duty of the occupier of a workplace in which a scaffold is constructed, erected or installed to ensure that no scaffold is used unless it has been inspected by a scaffold supervisor —

(a)upon completion of its construction, erection or installation, as the case may be;

(b)thereafter, at intervals of not more than 7 days immediately following the date of the last inspection by the scaffold supervisor; and

(c)after exposure to weather conditions likely to have affected its strength or stability or to have displaced any part.

(2) It shall be the duty of the scaffold supervisor to —

(a)enter the results of every inspection referred to in paragraph (1) into a register containing such details as may be required by the Commissioner; and

(b)provide the register to the occupier of the workplace.

(3) Subject to paragraph (4), it shall be the duty of the occupier of the workplace in which a scaffold is constructed, erected or installed to —

(a)keep the register referred to in paragraph (2) at the workplace; and

(b)produce the register for inspection upon request by an inspector.

(4) This regulation shall not apply to —

(a)a trestle scaffold; or

(b)a scaffold, from no part of which a person is liable to fall more than 2 metres.

(5) Any person who contravenes paragraph (3) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000.

Labelling of scaffolds after inspection

27.—(1)It shall be the duty of the scaffold supervisor who carries out the inspection of a scaffold under regulation 26 to, immediately after such inspection, display a notice or label indicating whether the scaffold is safe for use or otherwise.

(2) The notice or label referred to in paragraph (1) shall —

(a)be in a form readily understood by the persons employed in the workplace; and

(b)be displayed at every designated access point.

(3) Subject to paragraph (4), it shall be the duty of —

(a)the employer of any person who uses or is to use any scaffold in a workplace to which regulation 26 applies; or

(b)the principal under whose direction any person uses or is to use any scaffold in a workplace to which regulation 26 applies,

to ensure that the person does not use the scaffold unless a notice or label is displayed at the designated access point indicating that the scaffold is safe for use.

(4) Paragraph (3) shall not apply in relation to a person who is —

(a)a scaffold supervisor carrying out any inspection of a scaffold under regulation 26; or

(b)a scaffold erector carrying out the repair of a scaffold under regulation 28.

Construction, erection, maintenance, repair and dismantling of scaffolds

28.—(1)  It shall be the duty of the occupier of a workplace in which a scaffold is, or is being, constructed, erected or installed to ensure that the requirements of paragraphs (2) to (8) are complied with.

(2)  No scaffold or part thereof which is partially constructed, erected, installed or dismantled shall be allowed to be used unless it is made safe.

(3) Where any scaffold referred to in paragraph (2) is unsafe for use, a prominent warning notice or signs in a form readily understood by all persons indicating that the scaffold or part thereof is not to be used shall be affixed near any point at which the scaffold or part, as the case may be, is liable to be approached for the purpose of use.

(4) Every scaffold shall be properly maintained and every part thereof shall be fixed, secured or placed in position so as to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, any accidental displacement.

(5) Any scaffold, and any member or component thereof, that has been damaged or weakened shall be repaired as soon as is reasonably practicable.

(6)No person shall be permitted on a scaffold that is damaged or weakened except a scaffold erector who is carrying out the repair of the scaffold.

(7)All reasonably practicable measures shall be taken to ensure the safety of the persons carrying out the repairs referred to in paragraph (6).

(8)Where ties of a scaffold to a permanent structure have to be removed, the portion of the scaffold from which the ties are removed shall be dismantled unless adequate measures are taken to ensure the stability of the scaffold.

PART III
METAL SCAFFOLDS
Approved metal scaffolds

29.  It shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensure that no metal scaffold shall be erected or installed in a workplace unless —

(a)it has been type-tested by a recognised testing body in accordance with a standard or specification acceptable to the Commissioner; and

(b)it complies with such conditions as the Commissioner may think fit to impose.

Design of certain metal scaffolds by professional engineer

30.—(1)  It shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensure that every metal scaffold —

(a)exceeding 15 metres in height in any shipyard; or

(b)exceeding 30 metres in height in any workplace other than in a shipyard,be erected or installed in accordance with the design and drawings of a professional engineer.

(2) It shall be the duty of a professional engineer who designs any metal scaffold referred to in paragraph (1) to —

(a)take, so far as is reasonably practicable, such measures to ensure that his design can be executed safely by any person who erects, installs or uses the scaffold according to his design; and

(b)provide to any person who erects or installs or is to erect or install the scaffold, all design documentation (including all relevant calculations, drawings and construction procedures) as is necessary to facilitate the proper erection or installation of the scaffold according to his design.

(3) It shall be the duty of the occupier of a workplace in which a metal scaffold referred to in paragraph (1) is erected or installed to ensure the scaffold is not used unless —

(a)the scaffold has been examined by the professional engineer after its erection or installation, and a certificate stating that the scaffold is safe for use has been obtained from the professional engineer;

(b)the design and drawings certified by the professional engineer and the certificate referred to in sub-paragraph (a) are kept available at the workplace for inspection by an inspector; and

(c)the scaffold has been inspected by a professional engineer at least once every 3 months to ensure that it is safe for use.

(4) It shall be the duty of the professional engineer, when he discovers any defect in a metal scaffold in the course of his examination or inspection referred to in paragraph (3), to immediately inform the occupier of the workplace in which the scaffold is erected or installed.

(5)  It shall be the duty of the occupier referred to in paragraph (4), upon being informed of any defect in a scaffold under that paragraph, to immediately take action to rectify the defect before the scaffold is used.

(6)  Any person who contravenes paragraph (3)(b) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000.

Ties for metal scaffolds

31.—(1) It shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensure that the requirements of paragraphs (2) to (7) are complied with.

(2)  Every alternate lift and every uppermost lift of an independent tied metal scaffold in a workplace shall be effectively tied to the building or structure by means of ties.

(3)  Ties shall be located no further than one bay from the ends of the independent tied metal scaffold and thereafter, at intermediate spacing of not more than 3 bays or 7.5 metres apart, whichever is the lesser.

(4) Ties other than tie tubes and couplers shall not be used without the approval in writing of the Commissioner.

(5) Every tie under this regulation shall conform with the following:

(a)tie tubes shall be attached by right angle couplers to the outside ledger or standard or, in the case of an independent scaffold, to both the inside and outside standards as close as possible to the junction of the standards and ledgers; and

(b)the ends of the tie tubes shall be attached to the building or structure by one of the following methods:

(i)the tie tubes shall form part of a yoke constructed of tubes and couplers which passes around and bears hard against the sides of a column, pier, beam or similar structural members;

(ii)each tie tube shall pass through the wall and be secured with 2 pieces of tube of minimum length of 300 millimetres and shall be attached one on each side of, and bear hard against, the wall;

(iii)each tie tube shall be attached to a reveal tie not greater than 1.5 metres in length but reveal ties shall not be used where a horizontal diagonal plan bracing is used; or

(iv)each tie tube shall pass through ring bolts which shall be secured by casting in or being anchored in the wall.

(6) Every tie tube shall be perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of the scaffold and, where this is not practicable, the deviation from the perpendicular shall not exceed 15°.

(7) Every tie shall be capable of withstanding a force of 1,000 kgf applied in either direction along the length of the tie.

Transoms for modular or tube-and-coupler scaffolds

32. It shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensure that every modular scaffold or tube-and-coupler scaffold in a workplace is provided with transverse horizontal members or transoms for each lift.

Spigots, jointpins or sleeves

33.—(1) It shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensure that the requirements of paragraphs (2) to (6) are complied with.

(2) Spigots, jointpins or sleeves shall be used to connect one standard of a metal scaffold in a workplace to another standard.

(3) Where spigots, jointpins or sleeves are used to locate and connect one standard to another, such spigots, jointpins or sleeves shall —

(a)permit full bearing over the whole bearing area at the ends of the standards; and

(b)have such external or internal dimensions that the maximum difference of mating diameters in any part between the spigot, jointpin or sleeve and the other standard does not exceed 1.6 millimetres.

(4) Spigots and jointpins shall engage in the ends of the standards by at least 70 millimetres.

(5) Sleeves shall cover the end of the standard by at least 70 millimetres.

(6) The standards shall be securely held if they are connected by the spigots, jointpins or sleeves.

Adjustable base plates

34.  Where an adjustable base plate is used on a standard of a metal scaffold in a workplace and the adjustment exceeds 150 millimetres, it shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensure that the standard is tied longitudinally to the adjacent standard or standards at a height of not more than 460 millimetres above the supporting surface by right angle or swivel couplers.

Frame or modular scaffolds to be erected in one plane

35. It shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensure that every frame or modular scaffold in a workplace is erected such that every lift is horizontal and in one plane.

Cross brace not to be used as means of access or egress

36. It shall be the duty of —

(a)the employer of any person who uses or is to use any frame scaffold in a workplace; or

(b)the principal under whose direction any person uses or is to use any frame scaffold in a workplace,

to ensure that no cross brace on the frame scaffold shall be used as a means of access or egress by the person.

PART IV
TIMBER SCAFFOLDS
Timber scaffolds not to be used in shipyards

37. It shall be the duty of the occupier of a shipyard to ensure that no timber scaffold shall be used in the shipyard.

Materials for timber scaffolds

38.—(1) It shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensure that the requirements of paragraphs (2) to (7) are complied with.

(2) Timber used for any scaffold in a workplace —

(a)shall be of a suitable quality;

(b)shall be in good condition;

(c)shall have the bark completely stripped off; and

(d)shall not be painted or treated in any way such that defects in the wood cannot be seen easily.

(3) Timber used for any scaffold in a workplace shall comprise —

(a)Bintangor rollers; or

(b)other species of timber rollers which are of similar strength, durability and resilience as Bintangor rollers and which are approved in writing by the Commissioner.

(4) Every standard of a timber scaffold in a workplace shall have a diameter of at least 50 millimetres throughout its length.

(5) Every timber roller used as a ledger or horizontal bracing, transom or putlog in a scaffold in a workplace shall have a diameter of at least 38 millimetres at the tip.

(6) The members or components of a timber scaffold in a workplace shall be lashed using rattan strips or other material approved in writing by the Commissioner.

(7) The lashing required under paragraph (6) shall be done with strips not less than 1.8 metres in length with a minimum of 6 turns per strip.

Construction of timber scaffolds

39.—(1) It shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensure that the requirements of paragraphs (2) to (5) are complied with.

(2) Every timber scaffold in a workplace shall not exceed 15 metres in height.

(3) No timber scaffold with a single row of standards shall be erected in a workplace.

(4) Every timber scaffold in a workplace shall be —

(a)securely tied and braced at the corners; and

(b)rigidly anchored to the building or other structure at regular close intervals.

(5) Transverse and longitudinal braces of a timber scaffold in a workplace shall be securely placed and lashed to the standards.

Ties for timber scaffolds

40.—(1) It shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensure that the requirements of paragraphs (2) to (5) are complied with.

(2) A timber scaffold in a workplace shall be tied to a building or other structure by horizontal ties.

(3)  ubject to paragraph (4), each tie shall —

(a)pass through an opening or hole in the wall in the building or structure; and

(b)be secured at a right angle to another pole which shall be fixed firmly inside the building or structure.

(4) Where it is not practicable to install any tie referred to in paragraph (3), the timber scaffold shall be tied to a building or other structure —

(a)using ties which are constructed and installed in accordance with the design and drawings of a professional engineer; or

(b)by such other means which are approved in writing by the Commissioner.

(5) Ties made up of wires shall not be used.

(6) It shall be the duty of a professional engineer who designs any tie of a timber scaffold referred to in paragraph (4)(a) to —

(a)take, so far as is reasonably practicable, such measures to ensure that his design can be executed safely by any person who constructs, installs or uses the tie according to his design; and

(b)provide to any person who constructs or installs or is to construct or install the tie of the timber scaffold, all design documentation (including all relevant calculations, drawings and construction procedures) as is necessary to facilitate the proper construction or installation of the tie according to his design.

(7) It shall be the duty of the occupier of a workplace in which a timber scaffold is erected to ensure that no scaffold with ties referred to in paragraph (4)(a) is used unless the design and drawings certified by the professional engineer are kept available at the workplace for inspection by an inspector.

(8)  Any person who contravenes paragraph (7) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000.

Duration of use of timber scaffolds

41.It shall be the duty of the occupier of a workplace in which a timber scaffold is erected to ensure that the timber scaffold shall be dismantled within a period of 9 months after its erection.

PART VI
OTHER SCAFFOLDS
Tower scaffolds

51.—(1) It shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensure that the requirements of paragraphs (2) to (5) are complied with.

(2) The height of a tower scaffold erected or installed on board a ship in a shipyard shall not exceed 4 times the lesser of the base dimensions of the scaffold.

(3) The height of a tower scaffold in a workplace, other than a tower scaffold referred to in paragraph (2), shall not exceed 8 times the lesser of the base dimensions of the scaffold.

(4)  Where the height of a tower scaffold in a workplace, excluding the handrails and their supports at the uppermost lift of the scaffold, exceeds 3 times the lesser of the base dimensions of the scaffold, the scaffold shall be effectively tied to the building or a rigid structure so as to prevent toppling.

(5)  Any tower scaffold which can be moved on casters shall —

(a)be constructed with due regard to its stability and, if necessary, adequately weighted at the base;

(b)be used only on a firm and even surface; and

(c)be provided with a positive locking device on each caster to hold the scaffold in position.

(6) It shall be the duty of —

(a)the employer of any person who uses or is to use any tower scaffold in a workplace; or

(b)the principal under whose direction any person uses or is to use any tower scaffold in a workplace,

to ensure that no more than 2 work platforms shall be used on a tower scaffold in the workplace at any one time.

(7) It shall be the duty of —

(a)the employer of any person who uses or is to use any tower scaffold in a workplace; or

(b)the principal under whose direction any person uses or is to use any tower scaffold in a workplace,

to ensure that —

(i)no tower scaffold is moved except by applying force at or near the base;

(ii)the casters are locked to hold the tower scaffold in position while the person is on the tower scaffold; and

(iii)no person remains on the tower scaffold when it is being moved.

Scaffolds and work platforms erected on cantilever or jib supports

52.—(1)  It shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensure that the requirements of paragraphs (2) to (4) are complied with.

(2)  A scaffold in a workplace that is erected on cantilever or jib supports shall be adequately supported, fixed and anchored on the supports to prevent displacement.

(3) The cantilever or jib supports used to support the scaffold shall —

(a)have outriggers of adequate length and cross section; and

(b)be constructed in accordance with the design and drawings of a professional engineer.

(4) Where a work platform in a workplace rests on bearers that let into a wall at one end and it does not have other support, the bearers shall —

(a)pass through the wall;

(b)be of adequate strength; and

(c)be securely fastened on the other side of the wall.

(5) For the purposes of this regulation and regulation 53, “cantilever or jib support” includes any structure, including a bracket or beam, that projects beyond a fulcrum or point of attachment and that is not supported directly from the ground or floor below.

Design of cantilever or jib supports by professional engineer

53.—(1)  It shall be the duty of a professional engineer who designs a cantilever or jib support referred to in regulation 52(3)(b) to —

(a)take, so far as is reasonably practicable, such measures to ensure that his design can be executed safely by any person who constructs or uses the cantilever or jib support according to his design; and

(b)provide to any person who constructs or is to construct the cantilever or jib support, all design documentation (including all relevant calculations, drawings and construction procedures) as is necessary to facilitate the proper construction of the cantilever or jib support according to his design.

(2) It shall be the duty of the occupier of a workplace in which a scaffold is erected on cantilever or jib supports to ensure that the scaffold is not used unless —

(a)the scaffold (including the cantilever or jib support) has been examined by the professional engineer after its erection or installation, and a certificate stating that the scaffold is safe for use has been obtained from the professional engineer;

(b)the design and drawings certified by the professional engineer and the certificate referred to in sub-paragraph (a) are kept available at the workplace for inspection by an inspector; and

(c)the scaffold has been inspected by a professional engineer at least once every 3 months to ensure that it is safe for use.

(3)It shall be the duty of the professional engineer, when he discovers any defect in a scaffold in the course of his examination or inspection referred to in paragraph (2), to immediately inform the occupier of the workplace in which the scaffold is erected or installed.

(4)It shall be the duty of the occupier of the workplace referred to in paragraph (3), upon being informed of any defect in a scaffold under that paragraph, to immediately take action to rectify the defect before the scaffold is used.

(5)Any person who contravenes paragraph (2)(b) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000.

Hanging scaffolds

54.—(1)It shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensure that the requirements of paragraphs (2) to (4) are complied with.

(2) A hanging scaffold in a workplace shall be —

(a)constructed before being hung into position on a building, ship or other structure;

(b)securely anchored to the hull or any other part of the building, ship or structure to prevent lateral movement or sway;

(c)constructed so that the work platform is in a horizontal plane; and

(d)provided with safe means of access to and egress from its platform by means of stairs or ladders.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(d), stairs or ladders —

(a)shall be placed in such a manner as to prevent any person from falling; and

(b)shall not rise to a vertical distance of more than 3 metres between landings.

(4)  A hanging scaffold from which a person may fall more than 2 metres shall be constructed and installed in accordance with the design and drawings of a professional engineer.

(5)  It shall be the duty of a professional engineer who designs a hanging scaffold referred to in paragraph (4) to —

(a) take, so far as is reasonably practicable, such measures to ensure that his design can be executed safely by any person who constructs, installs or uses the hanging scaffold according to his design; and

(b) provide to any person who constructs or installs or is to construct or install the hanging scaffold, all design documentation (including all relevant calculations, drawings and construction procedures) as is necessary to facilitate the proper construction or installation of the hanging scaffold according to his design.

(6)  It shall be the duty of the occupier of a workplace in which a hanging scaffold is constructed or installed to ensure that no hanging scaffold referred to in paragraph (4) is used unless the design and drawings certified by the professional engineer are kept available at the workplace for inspection by an inspector.

(7)  Any person who contravenes paragraph (6) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000.

Personal protective equipment for users of hanging scaffolds

55.—(1)  It shall be the duty of —

(a)the employer of any person who uses or is to use any hanging scaffold in a workplace; or

(b)the principal under whose direction any person uses or is to use any hanging scaffold in a workplace,

to provide to the person —

(i) a safety harness attached with a shock absorbing device; and

(ii) sufficient and secured anchorage by means of an independent life line or other equally effective means.

(2)  It shall be the duty of the person who uses any hanging scaffold in a workplace to use the safety harness attached with a shock absorbing device provided to him.

(3)  Any person who contravenes paragraph (2) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 and, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $2,000.

Trestle scaffolds

56.—(1)  It shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensure that the requirements of paragraphs (2), (5) and (6) are complied with.

(2)  Subject to paragraph (3), no trestle scaffold in a workplace shall —

(a)be constructed with more than 3 tiers; or

(b)have a work platform more than 4.5 metres above the ground or floor or other surfaces upon which the scaffold is erected.

(3) Paragraph (2) shall not apply to a trestle scaffold constructed in accordance with the design and drawings of a professional engineer.

(4) It shall be the duty of a professional engineer who designs a trestle scaffold referred to in paragraph (3) to —

(a) take, so far as is reasonably practicable, such measures to ensure that his design can be executed safely by any person who constructs or uses the trestle scaffold according to his design; and

(b) provide to any person who constructs or is to construct the trestle scaffold, all design documentation (including all relevant calculations, drawings and construction procedures) as is necessary to facilitate the proper construction of the trestle scaffold according to his design.

(5)  No trestle scaffold shall be erected on a scaffold platform unless  —

(a) the width of the platform is such as to leave sufficient clear space for the transport of materials; and

(b) the trestles or uprights are firmly attached to the platform and adequately braced to prevent displacement.

(6) No trestle scaffold shall be erected on a suspended scaffold.

(7) It shall be the duty of the occupier of a workplace in which a trestle scaffold is constructed or erected to ensure that no trestle scaffold referred to in paragraph (3) is used unless the design and drawings certified by the professional engineer are kept available at the workplace for inspection by an inspector.

(8) Any person who contravenes paragraph (7) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000.

To learn more about the Scaffolds legal requirement, check out the Singapore Statues Online and and update your organization compliance obligation procedure

WSH (Risk Management) Regulations

Workplace Safety and Health (Risk Management) Regulations

Risk assessment

3.—(1)  In every workplace, the employer, self-employed person and principal shall conduct a risk assessment in relation to the safety and health risks posed to any person who may be affected by his undertaking in the workplace.

(2) The Commissioner may determine the manner in which the risk assessment referred to in paragraph (1) is to be conducted.

Elimination and control of risk

4.—(1) In every workplace, the employer, self-employed person and principal shall take all reasonably practicable steps to eliminate any foreseeable risk to any person who may be affected by his undertaking in the workplace.

(2)  Where it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate the risk referred to in paragraph (1), the employer, self-employed person or principal shall implement —

(a)such reasonably practicable measures to minimise the risk; and

(b)such safe work procedures to control the risk.

(3) The measures referred to in paragraph (2)(a) may include all or any of the following:

(a)substitution;

(b)engineering control;

(c)administrative control;

(d)provision and use of suitable personal protective equipment.

(4) The employer, self-employed person or principal shall specify the roles and responsibilities of persons involved in the implementation of any measure or safe work procedure referred to in paragraph (2).

(5) In this regulation —

“administrative control” means the implementation of any administrative requirement which includes a permit-to-work system;

“engineering control”  —

(a)means the application of any scientific principle for the control of any workplace hazard; and

(b)includes the application of physical means or measures to any work process, equipment or the work environment such as the installation of any barrier, enclosure, guarding, interlock or ventilation system;

“safe work procedure” means any procedure for carrying out work safely, and includes any procedure which is to be taken to protect the safety and health of persons in the event of an emergency;

“substitution” means the replacement of any hazardous material, process, operation, equipment or device with less hazardous ones.

Records of risk assessment, etc.

5.—(1) Every employer, self-employed person and principal shall —

(a)maintain a record of any risk assessment conducted under regulation 3(1), and any measure or safe work procedure implemented under regulation 4(2); and

(b)submit the record referred to in sub-paragraph (a) to the Commissioner when required by him from time to time.

(2) Every record referred to in paragraph (1) shall be kept by the employer, self-employed person or principal for a period of not less than 3 years.

Provision of information

6.—(1) In every workplace, the employer, self-employed person and principal shall take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure that any person in the workplace who may be exposed to a risk to his safety and health is informed of —

(a)the nature of the risk involved; and

(b)any measure or safe work procedure implemented under regulation 4(2).

(2) The employer, self-employed person and principal shall comply with paragraph (1) whenever any risk assessment referred to in regulation 3(1) is revised, or where any measure or safe work procedure implemented under regulation 4(2) is changed.

Review of risk assessment

7.—(1)  In every workplace, the employer, self-employed person and principal shall review and, if necessary, revise the risk assessment referred to in regulation 3(1) at least once every 3 years.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the employer, self-employed person and principal shall review and revise the risk assessment referred to in regulation 3(1) —

(a)upon the occurrence of any bodily injury to any person as a result of exposure to a hazard in the workplace; or

(b)where there is a significant change in work practices or procedures.

Offences

8. Any employer, self-employed person or principal who contravenes regulation 3(1), 4(1), (2) or (4), 5, 6 or 7 shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction —

(a)for a first offence, to a fine not exceeding $10,000; and

(b)for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.

To learn more about the workplace risk management legal requirement, check out the Singapore Statues Online and and update your organization compliance obligation procedure

WSH (Operation of Cranes) Regulations 2011

Workplace Safety and Health (Operation of Cranes) Regulations 2011

PART II
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Lifting plan

4.—(1)  Where any lifting operation involving the use of any crane is carried out in a workplace by a crane operator, it shall be the duty of the responsible person to establish and implement a lifting plan which shall be in accordance with the generally accepted principles of safe and sound practice.

(2)  It shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensure that the lifting plan referred to in paragraph (1) is made available for inspection upon request by an inspector.

Requirements to operate mobile crane with safe working load exceeding 5 tonnes and tower crane

5.—(1)  A person must not operate a mobile crane with a safe working load exceeding 5 tonnes or a tower crane in a workplace unless —

(a) the person is a registered crane operator; and

(b) where required by the Commissioner, the registered crane operator has produced a current medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner certifying that the registered crane operator is medically fit to operate the mobile crane or tower crane.

(2)  A person, whether or not the person has fulfilled the requirements in paragraph (1), may drive a mobile crane with a safe working load exceeding 5 tonnes in a workplace if the person is the holder of a driving licence issued under the Road Traffic Act (Cap. 276) authorising the person to drive a mobile crane of a class or description permitted by the licence, but the person must not operate the mobile crane with a safe working load exceeding 5 tonnes in the workplace unless the person also satisfies the requirements referred to in paragraph (1).

(3)  It is the duty of the responsible person to ensure that no person is employed, permitted or made to operate a mobile crane with a safe working load exceeding 5 tonnes or tower crane in a workplace, unless that person satisfies the requirements referred to in paragraph (1).

(4)  In this regulation, “mobile crane” excludes a lorry loader.

[S 4/2016 wef 07/01/2016]

Requirements to operate mobile crane with safe working load not exceeding 5 tonnes and lorry loader

5A.—(1)  A person must not operate a mobile crane with a safe working load not exceeding 5 tonnes (called in this regulation a mini crane) or a lorry loader in a workplace unless —

(a) the person has successfully completed a training course acceptable to the Commissioner, on the operation of the mini crane or lorry loader;

(b) where required by the Commissioner, the person referred to in sub-paragraph (a) has successfully completed a retraining course acceptable to the Commissioner on the operation of the mini crane or lorry loader; and

(c) where required by the Commissioner, the person referred to in sub-paragraph (a) has produced a current medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner certifying that the person is medically fit to operate the mini crane or lorry loader.

(2)  A person, whether or not the person has fulfilled the requirements in paragraph (1), may drive a mini crane or lorry loader in a workplace if the person is the holder of a driving licence issued under the Road Traffic Act (Cap. 276) authorising the person to drive a mini crane or lorry loader of a class or description permitted by the licence, but the person must not operate the mini crane or lorry loader in the workplace unless the person also satisfies the requirements referred to in paragraph (1).

(3)  It is the duty of the responsible person to ensure that no person operates a mini crane or a lorry loader in a workplace unless that person satisfies the requirements referred to in paragraph (1).

PART III
REGISTRATION OF CRANE OPERATORS
Application for registration to be crane operator

6.—(1)  A person may apply to the Commissioner for his approval to register as a crane operator.

(2)  An application under paragraph (1) shall be —

(a) in such form and manner as the Commissioner may determine; and

(b) accompanied by the appropriate fee specified in the Third Schedule and such fee shall not be refundable.

(3)  Upon receiving an application under paragraph (1), the Commissioner may, subject to regulation 7 —

(a) issue the person with a certificate of registration to act as a crane operator subject to such conditions as the Commissioner may think fit to impose; or

(b) refuse to approve the application.

Requirements for registration as crane operator

7.—(1)  A person may register as a crane operator if he satisfies the Commissioner that —

(a) he has successfully completed a training course acceptable to the Commissioner on the operation of a mobile crane or tower crane;

(b) he has, in the opinion of the Commissioner, sufficient experience in operating a mobile crane or tower crane and has passed a proficiency test acceptable to the Commissioner; or

(c) he possesses any other equivalent qualification acceptable to the Commissioner.

(2)  The Commissioner may require an applicant to produce a current medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner which certifies that the applicant is medically fit to operate a mobile crane or tower crane.

(3)  The Commissioner shall not register an applicant who has been certified by a registered medical practitioner to be unfit to operate a mobile crane or tower crane.

Certificate of registration

8.—(1)  A certificate of registration to act as a crane operator shall, unless the registration is earlier cancelled, be valid for a period of 2 years from the date of registration or for such shorter period as the Commissioner may specify in the certificate of registration.

(2)  A certificate of registration shall not be transferable.

(3)  Where a certificate of registration is lost, destroyed or defaced, the holder of the certificate may apply to the Commissioner for a replacement certificate on payment of the appropriate fee specified in the Third Schedule.

(4)  An application under paragraph (3) to the Commissioner shall be supported by such documentary proof that the certificate of registration issued earlier is lost, destroyed or defaced.

Register of crane operators

9.  The Commissioner shall keep an up-to-date register of all persons registered as crane operators.

Production of certificate of registration upon request

10.—(1)  It shall be the duty of a registered crane operator to produce his certificate of registration for inspection upon request by an inspector.

(2)  Any person who contravenes paragraph (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 and, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $2,000.

Renewal of registration

11.—(1)  An application by a person for the renewal of his certificate of registration to act as a crane operator shall be made in such form and manner as the Commissioner may determine, and shall be accompanied by the appropriate fee specified in the Third Schedule.

(2)  Any renewal fee paid under paragraph (1) shall not be refundable.

(3)  Upon receiving an application for the renewal of registration under paragraph (1), the Commissioner may —

(a) renew the certificate of registration to act as a crane operator for a period of 2 years or for such shorter period as the Commissioner may specify in the certificate of registration; or

(b) refuse the application for renewal if the Commissioner is satisfied that the applicant is no longer a fit and proper person to be registered as a crane operator.

Conditions for renewal of registration as crane operator

12.—(1)  The Commissioner may impose such conditions for the renewal of registration as a crane operator as he thinks fit.

(2)  The conditions referred to in paragraph (1) may include any one or all of the following:

(a) requiring an applicant to attend a refresher course acceptable to the Commissioner on the operation of a mobile crane or a tower crane;

(b) requiring an applicant to pass a proficiency test acceptable to the Commissioner for crane operation;

(c) requiring an applicant to produce a current medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner which certifies that the applicant is medically fit to operate a mobile crane or tower crane.

Suspension and cancellation of registration

13.—(1)  The Commissioner may suspend or cancel the registration of any registered crane operator if the Commissioner is satisfied that the registered crane operator —

(a) has obtained his registration under these Regulations by means of fraud, false representation or the concealment of any material fact;

(b) has been certified by a registered medical practitioner to be unfit to operate a mobile crane or a tower crane; or

(c) has failed to comply with any of the duties set out in these Regulations.

(2)  It shall be the duty of a registered crane operator upon becoming aware of any medical condition which may render him unfit to operate a mobile crane or a tower crane to inform the Commissioner of such medical condition without undue delay.

(3)  Any person who contravenes paragraph (2) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 and, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $2,000.

Notice of suspension and cancellation of registration

14.—(1)  When the Commissioner has suspended or cancelled the registration of a registered crane operator under regulation 13, the Commissioner shall inform the registered crane operator concerned by notice in writing of such suspension or cancellation.

(2)  The suspension or cancellation shall take effect 21 days after the date of the service of the notice on the registered crane operator or, if an appeal against the suspension or cancellation of registration has been made to the Minister under paragraph (4), on the date the Minister dismisses the appeal.

(3)  Notwithstanding that the suspension or cancellation has not taken effect, any registered crane operator whose registration is suspended or cancelled by the Commissioner shall not, between the date of the service of the notice of suspension or cancellation and the date the suspension or cancellation takes effect (both dates inclusive), operate a mobile crane (not being a lorry loader) or a tower crane.

(4)  A registered crane operator whose registration has been suspended or cancelled by the Commissioner under regulation 13 may, within 21 days of the date of the service of the notice of suspension or cancellation, appeal to the Minister whose decision shall be final.

(5)  The notice of suspension or cancellation may be served on any person by delivering it to him, or by leaving it at, or sending it by registered post to, his last known residential address.

Surrender of certificate

15.—(1)  A registered crane operator shall immediately surrender to the Commissioner his certificate of registration when the suspension or cancellation takes effect in accordance with regulation 14(2).

(2)  Any person who contravenes paragraph (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.

Duties of crane operator

16.  It shall be the duty of a crane operator —

(a) before the start of every workshift, to carry out operational tests on all limiting and indicating devices under no load conditions before any lifting operation is carried out and shall enter the results of such tests in a log book or log-sheet;

(b) to ascertain whether the ground conditions, in particular the ground surface on which a mobile crane is to be operated, are safe for travel or any lifting operation; and if he is of the opinion that it is not safe for travel or any lifting operation, he shall report this to the lifting supervisor;

(c) to ensure that any outrigger when it is required is fully extended and secured;

(d) not to carry out any lifting operation unless he has been briefed by the lifting supervisor on the lifting plan referred to in regulation 4;

(e) not to hoist any object if he is unable to ascertain the weight of the load;

(f) not to hoist any load unless he has received a clear signal from a signalman when this is required under regulation 19;

(g) not to engage in any act or manoeuvre which is not in accordance with safe and sound practice;

(h) not to hoist any load if there is any obstruction in the path of manoeuvre and if there is any such obstruction, he shall report this immediately to the lifting supervisor;

(i) not to manoeuvre or hold any suspended load over any public road or public area unless that road or area has been cordoned off;

(j) not to operate a mobile crane or a tower crane within 3 metres of any live overhead power line;

(k) not to use the crane for any operation for which it is not intended, including pulling or dragging a load;

(l) to ensure that any stationary truck mounted or wheel mounted crane is adequately and securely blocked while it is on a slope; and

(m) to report any failure or malfunction of the crane to the lifting supervisor and to make an appropriate entry of the failure or malfunction in the log book or log-sheet of the crane.

PART IV
APPOINTMENT AND DUTIES OF PERSONNEL
Appointment and duties of lifting supervisor

17.—(1)  It shall be the duty of the responsible person to appoint a lifting supervisor before any lifting operation involving the use of any crane is carried out in a workplace.

(2)  It shall be the duty of the responsible person not to appoint any person as a lifting supervisor for any lifting operation involving the use of a crane in a workplace unless the person is one who —

(a) has successfully completed a training course acceptable to the Commissioner to equip him to become a lifting supervisor; and

(b) has, in the opinion of the responsible person, such relevant experience in lifting operations for a period of not less than one year before the appointment as a lifting supervisor.

(3)  It shall be the duty of the lifting supervisor appointed under paragraph (1) —

(a) to co-ordinate all lifting activities;

(b) to supervise all lifting operation by a mobile crane or tower crane in accordance with the lifting plan referred to in regulation 4;

(c) to ensure that only registered crane operators, appointed riggers and appointed signalmen participate in any lifting operation involving the use of a mobile crane or a tower crane;

(d) to ensure that the ground conditions are safe for any lifting operation to be performed by any mobile crane;

(e) to brief all crane operators, riggers and signalmen on the lifting plan referred to in regulation 4; and

(f) if any unsatisfactory or unsafe conditions are reported to him by any crane operator or rigger, take such measures to rectify the unsatisfactory or unsafe condition or otherwise ensure that any lifting operation is carried out safely.

Appointment and duties of rigger

18.—(1)  It shall be the duty of the responsible person to appoint a rigger before any lifting operation involving the use of any mobile crane or tower crane is carried out in the workplace by a crane operator.

(2)  It shall be the duty of the responsible person —

(a) not to appoint any person as a rigger in a workplace unless the person has successfully completed a training course acceptable to the Commissioner to equip him to be a rigger; and

(b) to ensure that the rigger who is appointed under paragraph (1) is attired in such a way as would distinctively identify him as a rigger.

(3)  No person shall rig up loads for any lifting operation by a mobile crane or tower crane unless he is a rigger appointed in accordance with paragraph (1).

(4)  It shall be the duty of a rigger appointed under paragraph (1) to —

(a) check the slings to be used for slinging the loads to ensure that the slings are of good construction, sound and suitable material, adequate strength and free from patent defect;

(b) ensure that an adequate number of legs of the sling are used and that the slinging angle is correct so as to prevent the sling from being overloaded during the hoisting;

(c) ascertain the weight of the load which is to be lifted and inform the crane operator of the weight of the load;

(d) ensure that only proper lifting gears are used in conjunction with the sling;

(e) ensure that the load to be lifted is secure, stable and balanced;

(f) ensure that any loose load (which includes any stone, brick or tile) is placed in a receptacle to prevent the load or part thereof from falling during the lifting operation;

(g) place adequate padding at the edges of the load which come in contact with the sling so as to prevent the sling from being damaged; and

(h) report any defect in the lifting gear to the lifting supervisor.

Appointment and duties of signalman

19.—(1)  It shall be the duty of the responsible person to appoint a signalman before any lifting operation involving the use of any mobile crane or tower crane is carried out in a workplace by a crane operator.

(2)  It shall be the duty of the responsible person —

(a) not to appoint any person as a signalman in a workplace unless the person has successfully completed a training course acceptable to the Commissioner to equip him to be a signalman; and

(b) to ensure that the signalman who is appointed under paragraph (1) is attired in such a way as would distinctively identify him as a signalman.

(3)  No person shall give signal to the crane operator unless he is a signalman appointed in accordance with paragraph (1).

(4)  It shall be the duty of the signalman appointed under paragraph (1) to —

(a) ensure or verify with the rigger that the load is properly rigged up before he gives a clear signal to the crane operator to lift the load; and

(b) give correct and clear signals to guide the crane operator in the manoeuvre of the load safely to its destination.

To learn more about the operation of cranes legal requirement, check out the Singapore Statues Online and and update your organization compliance obligation procedure

WSH (Registration of Factories) Regulations 2008

Workplace Safety and Health (Registration of Factories) Regulations 2008

Register of factories

4.—(1) The Commissioner shall cause a register of factories to be kept and maintained in such form as he may determine.

(2)The register of factories shall contain the building names (if any) and addresses of all factories registered under regulation 6 and such other particulars of such registered factories as the Commissioner may determine.

Duty to notify Commissioner of occupation or use of factory not falling within classes of factories described in First Schedule

5.—(1)Any person who desires to occupy or use any premises as a factory not falling within any of the classes of factories described in Part I, II or III of the First Schedule shall, before the commencement of operation of the factory, submit a notification to the Commissioner informing the Commissioner of his intention to occupy or use those premises as such a factory.

[S 57/2010 wef 01/03/2010]

[S 203/2017 wef 01/09/2017]

(2)  The duty to notify the Commissioner under paragraph (1) shall apply whether the person referred to in that paragraph is the first person to occupy or use the premises as such a factory or is taking over the occupation or use of those premises as such a factory from another person.

(3)The notification referred to in paragraph (1) shall —

(a)be submitted to the Commissioner in such form and manner as the Commissioner may require; and

(b)be accompanied by such particulars, information, statements and documents as the Commissioner may require.

(4) The occupier of a factory in respect of which a notification has been submitted to the Commissioner under paragraph (1) shall —

(a)where any change takes place in any of the particulars of the factory which have been notified to the Commissioner, furnish particulars of the change to the Commissioner in such form and manner as the Commissioner may require, not later than 14 days of the change taking place;

(b)if he intends to cease his occupation or use of the factory, notify the Commissioner thereof in such form and manner as the Commissioner may require, not less than 14 days before so ceasing; and

(c)where any change is to be made to the type of work carried out in the factory, inform the Commissioner of the proposed change in writing and provide the Commissioner with the relevant documents pertaining to the change and such other information as the Commissioner may require, not less than one month before the change is made.

(5) Any person who contravenes paragraph (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000.

(6) Any person who contravenes paragraph (4)(a) or (b) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000.

(7) Any person who contravenes paragraph (4)(c) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $3,000.

Registration of factories falling within classes of factories described in First Schedule

6.—(1) Any person who desires to occupy or use any premises as a factory falling within any of the classes of factories described in Part I or II, but not Part III, of the First Schedule shall apply to the Commissioner to register the premises as a factory.

[S 57/2010 wef 01/03/2010]

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(1A)  Any person who desires to occupy or use any premises as a factory falling within any of the classes of factories described in Part III of the First Schedule must apply to the Commissioner to register the premises as a major hazard installation under the Workplace Safety and Health (Major Hazard Installations) Regulations 2017 (G.N. No. S 202/2017).

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(2)  An application under paragraph (1) to register any premises as a factory shall —

(a)be in such form and manner as the Commissioner may require;

(b)be accompanied by such particulars, information, statements and documents as the Commissioner may require; and

(c)be made at least one month before the factory starts operation.

(3)  On receipt of an application under paragraph (1), the Commissioner may —

(a)register the premises as a factory, subject to such conditions as the Commissioner thinks fit, and enter in the register of factories such other relevant particulars pertaining to the applicant or the factory as the Commissioner thinks fit, and on payment of the fee specified in the Second Schedule, issue to the applicant a certificate of registration subject to such conditions as the Commissioner may think fit to impose; or

(b)efuse to register the premises.

(4) Where the Commissioner refuses to register the premises in respect of which an application under paragraph (1) has been made, he shall give the applicant notice in writing of the reasons for his refusal.

(5) A certificate of registration that is issued under paragraph (3)(a) in respect of any factory described in Part I of the First Schedule —

(a)shall be valid for a period of 5 years, or for such other period as the Commissioner may determine in a particular case, unless it is earlier revoked or cancelled in accordance with these Regulations; and

[S 203/2017 wef 01/09/2017]

(b)may, on payment of the appropriate fee specified in the Second Schedule, be renewed by the Commissioner for 5 years or such other period as the Commissioner may determine in a particular case, from the date immediately following that on which, but for its renewal, the certificate of registration would have expired.

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(6) A certificate of registration that is issued under paragraph (3)(a) in respect of any factory described in Part II of the First Schedule shall remain in force from the date of its issue until such time as it is revoked or cancelled in accordance with these Regulations.

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(6A) A certificate of registration that is issued under paragraph (3)(a) in respect of any factory pursuant to an application made by its occupier at the direction of the Commissioner under regulation 7(1)(ii) —

(a)shall be valid for a period of one year, or for such other period as the Commissioner may determine in a particular case, unless it is earlier revoked or cancelled in accordance with these Regulations; and

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(b)may, on payment of the appropriate fee specified in the Second Schedule, be renewed by the Commissioner for one year or such other period as the Commissioner may determine in a particular case, from the date immediately following that on which, but for its renewal, the certificate of registration would have expired.

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(7) Where a certificate of registration is revoked or cancelled under regulation 9 or expires, the premises to which the certificate of registration relates shall immediately cease to be registered as a factory under these Regulations.

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(8)  Where a certificate of registration is suspended under regulation 9, the premises to which the certificate of registration relates shall, during the period of suspension, cease to be registered as a factory under these Regulations.

Power to require registration of factory in certain circumstances

7.—(1) Notwithstanding regulation 5 or 6 but subject to paragraph (2), where the Commissioner is satisfied that —

(a)any factory in respect of which a notification has been submitted under regulation 5 or any machinery, equipment, plant or article being used therein is in such condition; or

(b)any process or work is being carried on in that factory in such a manner,

as to pose or be likely to pose a risk to the safety, health and welfare of persons at work in the factory, the Commissioner may, by notice in writing to the occupier of the factory concerned —

(i)specify a date as from which the notification that has been submitted in respect of that factory under regulation 5 shall cease to be valid; and

(ii)direct the occupier of that factory, within such time as may be specified in the notice, to apply to the Commissioner to register the factory under regulation 6 notwithstanding that the factory does not fall within any of the classes of factories described in Part I or II of the First Schedule.

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(2) The Commissioner shall not exercise his powers under paragraph (1)(i) and (ii) unless he has given the occupier of the factory concerned an opportunity to show cause as to why he should not be required to register his factory.

(3) Regulation 6(2)(a) and (b) and (3) to (8) shall apply to an application to register a factory made pursuant to paragraph (1)(ii).

(4) Where any notification under regulation 5 in respect of a factory ceases to be valid by virtue of paragraph (1)(i) and the occupier of the factory continues to occupy or use that factory when it is not registered pursuant to paragraph (1)(ii), he shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000.

Change in relation to occupation, use or particulars of factory

8.—(1) The occupier of a registered factory shall —

(a)where any change takes place in any of the particulars of the registered factory as entered in the register of factories by the Commissioner under regulation 6(3)(a), furnish particulars of the change to the Commissioner in such form and manner as the Commissioner may require, not later than 14 days of the change taking place;

(b)if he intends to cease his occupation or use of the registered factory, notify the Commissioner thereof in such form and manner as the Commissioner may require, not less than 14 days before so ceasing; and

(c)where any change is to be made to the type of work for which the factory is registered, inform the Commissioner of the proposed change in writing and provide the Commissioner with the relevant documents pertaining to the change and such other information as the Commissioner may require, not less than one month before the change is made.

(2) Any person who contravenes paragraph (1)(a) or (b) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000.

(3) Any person who contravenes paragraph (1)(c) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $3,000.

Revocation and suspension of registration, etc.

9.—(1) If any registered factory becomes unfit for occupation or use as a factory by reason of —

(a)any change in the type of the work for which the factory is registered;

(b)any structural change to the premises of the registered factory or any change in the layout of the premises; or

(c)any fact or circumstance not present when the factory was registered,

the Commissioner may, by notice in writing, direct the occupier of the registered factory to comply with such requirements as may be specified in the notice.

(2) Where the occupier of the registered factory to whom any notice under paragraph (1) is given fails to comply with the notice, the Commissioner may —

(a)suspend the certificate of registration of the factory for such period as he thinks fit; or

(b)revoke the certificate of registration of the factory.

(3) Where the Commissioner is satisfied that there has been a contravention of any condition of a certificate of registration, he may —

(a)suspend the certificate of registration of the factory for such period as he thinks fit; or

(b)revoke the certificate of registration of the factory.

(3A)The Commissioner may —

(a)on the application of the occupier of a registered factory; or

(b)on being satisfied that the occupier of a registered factory has ceased to occupy the factory,

revoke the certificate of registration of the factory.

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(3B) Where a factory is directed by the Commissioner under regulation 11(1) of the Workplace Safety and Health (Major Hazard Installations) Regulations 2017 (G.N. No. S 202/2017) to be registered as a major hazard installation, the certificate of registration of the factory is cancelled on —

(a)the date specified in the Commissioner’s direction under sub‑paragraph (a) of that regulation, unless an application to register the factory as a major hazard installation under those Regulations is made before that date; or

(b)if an application to register the factory as a major hazard installation under those Regulations has been made, the date the factory is registered as a major hazard installation or the date the application is rejected by the Commissioner.

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(3C) Where a factory’s certificate of registration is cancelled under paragraph (3B), the Commissioner must refund to the occupier of the factory a pro‑rated amount, determined in accordance with paragraph (3D), of the fee paid under regulation 6(3)(a) in respect of that factory’s registration.

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(3D) The amount mentioned in paragraph (3C) is pro‑rated according to the proportion that the remaining validity period of the factory’s registration (rounded to the nearest day) bears to the total validity period of that registration.

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(4) The Commissioner shall, before suspending or revoking any certificate of registration of a factory under paragraph (2), (3) or (3A)(b), give to the occupier of the registered factory —

(a)notice of his intention to suspend or revoke the certificate of registration; and

(b)a reasonable opportunity to submit reasons as to why the certificate of registration should not be suspended or revoked.

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(5) Where the Commissioner has, pursuant to this regulation, suspended, revoked or cancelled the certificate of registration of a factory, he shall give notice in writing of the suspension, revocation or cancellation to the occupier of the factory.

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(6) The suspension or revocation of the certificate of registration of a factory under paragraph (2), (3) or (3A)(b) shall not take effect until the expiration of 21 days from the date on which the Commissioner’s decision to suspend or revoke the certificate of registration was communicated to the occupier of the factory or, where an appeal against the decision is made to the Minister under regulation 10, until the appeal has been determined or withdrawn.

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(7)Where the certificate of registration of a factory has been suspended, revoked or cancelled, the occupier of the factory shall surrender the certificate of registration to the Commissioner within such time as the Commissioner may specify.

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(8)Any person who contravenes paragraph (7) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000.

(9)The Commissioner may at any time, and for such reason as he considers sufficient, reduce the period for which a certificate of registration has been suspended.

[S 203/2017 wef 01/09/2017]

Appeals to Minister

10.—(1)Any applicant who is aggrieved by the Commissioner’s refusal —

(a)to register any premises as a factory; or

(b)to renew the registration of any premises as a factory,

may, within 21 days after the date he is notified of the refusal, appeal in writing to the Minister against the refusal in such form and manner as the Commissioner may determine.

(2)Any occupier of a registered factory who is aggrieved by the Commissioner’s decision to suspend or revoke the certificate of registration of that factory under regulation 9(2), (3) or (3A)(b) may, within 21 days after the date he is notified of the suspension or revocation, appeal in writing to the Minister against the decision in such form and manner as the Commissioner may determine.

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(3)Any occupier of a factory who is aggrieved by any direction of the Commissioner under regulation 7(1)(ii) or 9(1) may, within 7 days after the date he receives the notice containing the direction, appeal to the Minister in writing against the direction in such form and manner as the Commissioner may determine.

(4)Where an appeal is lodged under paragraph (1)(b), the registration of the factory concerned shall continue to remain in force until the appeal has been determined or withdrawn, as the case may be.

(5)Where an appeal is lodged under paragraph (3), the direction appealed against shall not take effect until the appeal has been determined or withdrawn, as the case may be.

(6)The Minister may determine an appeal under this regulation by confirming the refusal, decision or direction of the Commissioner or substituting that refusal, decision or direction with his decision in the appeal.

(7)The decision of the Minister in any appeal under this regulation shall be final.

Power to waive or refund fees

11.The Commissioner may, as he thinks fit, waive or refund the whole or any part of the fees that are payable or that have been paid under these Regulations.

Revocation

12.The Workplace Safety and Health (Registration of Factories) Regulations (Cap. 354A, Rg 2) are revoked.

Savings and transitional provisions

13.—(1)Notwithstanding the revocation of the Workplace Safety and Health (Registration of Factories) Regulations, the Commissioner may, as he thinks fit, waive or refund the whole or any part of the fees that have been paid under the revoked Regulations.

(2)Notwithstanding the revocation of the Workplace Safety and Health (Registration of Factories) Regulations, any certificate of registration or factory permit issued under the revoked Regulations which is valid immediately before 1st November 2008 shall —

(a)if it was issued in respect of a factory not falling within any of the classes of factories described in the First Schedule, be deemed to be a notification made under regulation 5 in respect of that factory; and

(b)if it was issued in respect of a factory falling within any of the classes of factories described in the First Schedule —

(i)continue remain in force until the date on which it would have expired if these Regulations had not been made; and

(ii)be deemed to be a certificate of registration issued under regulation 6 in respect of that factory.

These are just some of the registration of factories legal requirement. To learn more refer to the Singapore Statues Online and update your organization compliance obligation procedure

WSH (Learning Report) Regulations 2019

Workplace Safety and Health (Learning Report) Regulations 2019

Invitation to interested persons to comment

3.—(1) Before the Commissioner publishes a learning report, the Commissioner may, by written notice, invite an interested person to comment on the whole or any part of any draft of a learning report that the Commissioner considers applicable to the interested person.

(2) The interested person may give a copy of the whole or any part of the draft of the learning report to any of the following persons (called in these Regulations an authorised recipient):

(a)a professional adviser of the interested person;

(b)any other person with the written consent of the Commissioner.

(3) The interested person must provide the interested person’s comments to the Commissioner —

(a)in such form and manner as the Commissioner may require; and

(b)within 21 days after the date of the written notice under paragraph (1), or within such extended periods of time as the Commissioner may allow in any particular case.

(4) The Commissioner may refuse to accept any comments not provided in accordance with paragraph (3).

Consideration of comments by Commissioner, etc.

4.—(1) The Commissioner must consider whether all or any of the comments provided by an interested person under regulation 3(3) are appropriate to be included in a learning report.

(2) If the Commissioner decides under paragraph (1) that it is appropriate to include any comment, the Commissioner may —

(a)reproduce the comment in the learning report to be published, with or without editing the comment; and

(b)set out in the learning report to be published, the Commissioner’s response to the comment mentioned in sub‑paragraph (a).

(3) The Commissioner is not required to invite further comments from the interested person on the Commissioner’s decision under paragraph (2)(a) or (b) before the Commissioner publishes the learning report.

Offences

5.—(1) A person commits an offence if —

(a)the person is, or has been, an interested person;

(b)the person discloses information to another person (other than an authorised recipient of the interested person);

(c)when disclosing the information, the person knew, or is reckless as to whether, the information is restricted information; and

(d)the information is restricted information.

(2) A person commits an offence if —

(a)the person receives information from an interested person (whether as an authorised recipient of the interested person or otherwise), or from an authorised recipient of an interested person;

(b)the person discloses information to another person;

(c)when disclosing the information, the person knew, or is reckless as to whether, the information is restricted information; and

(d)the information is restricted information.

(3) A person commits an offence if —

(a)the person obtains information in the possession of an interested person, or an authorised recipient of an interested person, without the knowledge of the interested person or authorised recipient, as the case may be;

(b)the person discloses information to another person;

(c)when disclosing the information, the person knew, or is reckless as to whether, the information is restricted information; and

(d)the information is restricted information.

(4) A person who is guilty of an offence under paragraph (1), (2) or (3) shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.

(5) In this regulation, “restricted information” means either of the following information:

(a)before the date of publication of a learning report — any information contained in a draft of a learning report;

(b)on or after the date of publication of a learning report — any information contained in a draft of a learning report that is not contained in the learning report published by the Commissioner.

(6) To avoid doubt, for the purposes of paragraph (5)(a), any information contained in a draft of a learning report is restricted information even if the same information is subsequently contained in the learning report published by the Commissioner.

These are just some of the legal requirement of public consultation on draft of a learning report. To learn more refer to the Singapore Statues Online and update your organization compliance obligation procedure