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Safety
This compilation of case studies on fatalities in the construction industry is initiated by the Workplace Safety and Health Council, and put together by the WSH Construction Committee in collaboration with the Ministry of Manpower. This booklet depicts how the accidents occurred and provides valuable learning points on how they may have been prevented. This is the first in a series of such booklets to be published. As much as the next few years promise to be exciting for the construction industry, they also pose a great challenge to the industry to maintain workplace safety and health. Construction sites have customarily been viewed as high-risk workplaces, which more often than not have a higher incidence of workplace fatalities. We must address this perception and change the reality. While construction workers strive to complete a building or facility, it is important that they do not risk life and limb. It is crucial that these workers go home safely after work each day. This booklet of case studies offers insights to all in the industry on how these tragic accidents occurred, so that we may glean important, lifesaving lessons from the experience. In learning from our past mistakes, we can and must prevent these mishaps from happening again. Together with your help, we can transform construction sites into safe and healthy workplaces for our workers.
Case 10 Crushed by a collapsing boom Case 11 Struck by falling timber Case 12 Struck by a falling crane boom Case 13 Struck by a collapsed wall
Electrocution
Case 1 Case 2 Electrocution by a faulty residual circuit breaker Killed by an exposed electrode holder 100 103
CASE 1
1. A staircase in the worksite 2. The section of brick wall that sank 3. The excavation 4. Formwork for the second section of the drain was to be constructed here 5. The new retaining wall 6. This side of the brick wall was removed 7. Formwork for the first section of the drain
1. Site of accident
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not provide shoring for the existing brick wall to prevent it from collapsing into the excavation when the workers were working inside the excavation.
Inadequate assessment of loss exposure Inadequate leadership and/or supervision Inadequate work standards Hazard analysis and risk assessment WSH training and competence WSH inspections
Failure of SMS
Follow-up A Stop Work Order was issued to the main contractor, which required them to rectify the safety contraventions and to also engage a professional engineer to carry out detailed soil investigations and to develop a method statement for the construction of the new drain as well as shoring for the excavation.
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Recommendations Check the integrity and strength of any retaining structure prior to an excavation. Remove any brick wall, if present, prior to a reconstruction. During a downpour, cover and protect all uncompleted concreting work or brick-laying work with plastic or canvas sheets. The same practice should apply for excavated trench sides and stockpiles of excavated soil. No one should be allowed to be in the vicinity.
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CASE 2
1. The collapsed roof slab 2. The remaining rear portion of the left brick wall
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Root Cause Analysis Evaluation of loss Type of contact Immediate cause(s) Basic cause(s)
One worker killed Caught between or under object Inadequate guards or barriers Inadequate leadership and/or supervision Inadequate work standards Lack of knowledge Hazard analysis and risk assessment WSH practices and procedures
Failure of SMS
Follow-up The main contractor has to engage a professional engineer to conduct a hazard analysis and develop a method statement for the outstanding reinstatement work. The bank concerned indicated that they will engage a professional engineer to develop the method statement for all future demolition of ATM kiosks. A circular was sent to all banks with ATMs to alert them of the circumstances leading to this accident and to urge them to play a more proactive role to provide relevant information to their contractors before work commencement.
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Recommendations Shore the roof slab prior to the demolition of brick walls. Alternatively, demolish or remove the roof slab first before the walls. Carry out a thorough inspection by a competent person to determine the ATM kiosks structural arrangement prior to work commencement especially if there are no construction drawings of the ATM kiosk. Conduct continuous inspection by a competent person during the demolition of the ATM kiosk to detect the hazards of any collapsing structure (roof slab) resulting from weakened supporting brick walls.
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CASE 3
1. Excavation started from here 2. The 24 I beams that were stored directly above the place of work 3. Place of accident 4. Toppled beams 5. Excavation ended here 6. Excavator was shifting these metal plates prior to accident
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One worker killed and one injured Struck by object Improper placement Failure to secure Inadequate leadership and/or supervision Lack of experience Inadequate work standards Hazard analysis and risk assessment WSH practices and procedures
Basic cause(s)
Failure of SMS
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Follow-up A Stop Work Order (SWO) was issued to the main contractor which required them to put in place a safety organisational structure and management system to better manage the project as well as rectify the unsafe site condition. The SWO also required the project management staff of the main contractor to attend a safety training workshop organised by OSHD. Workers of the worksite were also required to attend the Safety Orientation Course for Construction Workers conducted by OSHD. This was to increase their awareness and knowledge about site safety.
Recommendations Conduct risk assessment prior to job commencement. Stack materials properly so as to prevent materials from falling and practice good housekeeping to prevent accidents. Do not conduct multiple hazardous activities at the same time or in the same place. In this case, heavy materials were stored near a deep excavation.
CASE 4
1. Crawler crane 2. Lorry involved in the accident 3. Slope 4. Steel beams 5. The deceased
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Root Cause Analysis Evaluation of loss Type of contact Immediate cause(s) Basic cause(s)
One worker killed and one injured Struck by object Failure to secure Lack of experience Inadequate work standards Hazard analysis and risk assessment WSH practices and procedures
Failure of SMS
Follow-up The occupier reviewed and improved the lifting operations on the slope area. The lifting personnel were instructed that no lifting operation is to be carried out on the slope area. If lifting operations are to be carried out on the slope area due to an unavoidable situation, the following precautions are to be taken:
To reduce the amount of load to be unladed onto the lorry. The lorry driver is to place stoppers to prevent the lorry from
sliding down the slope.
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Recommendations Place stoppers behind the wheels of the lorry before any loading and unloading. Provide regular safety briefings to drivers on loading and unloading procedures. Take extra care to ensure the safety of personnel working near crane operations.
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CASE 5
1. The deceased was found here 2. The changkol 3. The crow-bar 4. The collapsed quarry dust and granite rocks 5. The tarmac 6. The granite rocks 7. The quarry dust
1. The new substation 2. The excavator used for excavating the trench 3. The timbers to be used for shoring 4. The trench was located here
trench. This was to ensure the services would not be damaged when the timbers (shoring support) were inserted into the ground.
Root Cause Analysis Evaluation of loss Type of contact Immediate cause(s) Basic cause(s)
One worker killed Struck by object Inadequate guards or barriers Inadequate work standards Lack of experience Hazard analysis and risk assessment WSH practices and procedures
Failure of SMS
Recommendations Provide shoring prior to allowing entry into an excavation. Conduct risk assessment of hazards prior to work commencement. Conduct regular safety briefings/tool box meetings before entry into an excavation.
Struck By Falling Objects
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CASE 6
and proceeded to move the crane forward with the suspended load in order to obtain an unobstructed view of the unloading position. This was not a safe practice.
track to dip into the ground and tilt to an extent that the crane was unstable.
One worker killed Caught between or under object (crushed) Improper lifting Improper attempt to save time WSH practices and procedures
Follow-up The occupier was instructed not to exceed the maximum safe working load as verified by the approved person (authorised examiner) when operating the lifting machines (cranes). The occupier was also instructed to review and enhance the Safety Management System (SMS).
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Recommendations
Check the crane base/foundation prior to lifting. Conduct proper risk assessment to ensure that the risk exposure is reduced to as low as reasonably practicable. Crane operators should not take ad-hoc decisions without assessing the overall situation. Ensure continuous supervision for all lifting operations.
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CASE 7
1. The 10-pound hammer that was used for the hacking operation
1. Partition wall that had collapsed and hit the deceased on the head 2. The concrete breaker that was used for removing the wall tiles
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In this case, a wrong sequence of demolishing the partition wall was employed (i.e. from bottom section first).
Root Cause Analysis Evaluation of loss Type of contact Immediate cause(s) Basic cause(s) Failure of SMS
One worker killed Caught between or under object (crushed) Improper position for task Lack of knowledge WSH practices and procedures
Follow-up The occupier was instructed to undertake the following improvements to the work practices/conditions at the site:
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Recommendations Provide proper design and shoring of the wall. Follow proper sequence of demolition. Provide supervision during demolition to ensure that the worker works safely.
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CASE 8
1. Rebars bundles
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as the lorry crane could not withstand the full load of the bundle.
Root Cause Analysis Evaluation of loss Type of contact Immediate cause(s) Basic cause(s)
One worker killed Struck by moving object Improper lifting Lack of knowledge Lack of skill Inadequate supervision WSH training and competence
Failure of SMS
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Follow-up The occupier was instructed to undertake the following improvements to the work practices/conditions at the site:
Recommendations Ensure that the capacity of crane is greater than the load to be lifted. Closely supervise a lifting operation. Improve lifting procedures and ensure that it is communicated to all lifting personnel.
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CASE 9
1. Shovel 2. Timber planks 3. The deceased was found underneath this chunk of soil 4. Pile heads 5. Lean concrete
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Root Cause Analysis Evaluation of loss Type of contact Immediate cause(s) Basic cause(s) Failure of SMS
One worker killed Caught between or under (crushed) Inadequate guards or barriers Inadequate work standards WSH practices and procedures
Follow-up The occupier was instructed to submit safe work procedures for all excavation work on site and ensure that all workers follow the safe practices.
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Recommendations Provide shoring prior to any work in an excavation exceeding 1.5m. Provide close supervision for any work in an excavation. Conduct regular checks on excavation side stability.
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CASE 10
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Root Cause Analysis Evaluation of loss Type of contact Immediate cause(s) Basic cause(s) Failure of SMS
One worker killed Struck by falling object Defective tools, equipment or materials Inadequate maintenance WSH practices and procedures WSH inspection
Recommendations Ensure planned maintenance. Ensure regular inspection. Ensure the hoist wire of the crane is sufficiently strong with an appropriate factor of safety.
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CASE 11
1. This timber fell into the lift shaft opening 2. The lift shaft opening 3. The timber formwork for the wet joint 4. The plywood fencing was put up after the accident 5. The position of the lower horizontal prop 6. Deceased was squatting here when loosening the horizontal metal prop
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Root Cause Analysis Evaluation of loss Type of contact Immediate cause(s) Basic cause(s)
One worker killed Struck by falling object Inadequate guards or barriers Inadequate work standards Inadequate leadership and/or supervision Hazard analysis and risk management WSH practices and procedures
Failure of SMS
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Follow-up The occupier was instructed to implement the following safety measures:
Recommendations Ensure proper supervision. Ensure that incompatible work is not carried out simultaneously at a particular location.
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CASE 12
1. Gantry bridle 2. Boom hoist wire rope 3. A completely broken portion (about 2.5m) of the boom hoist wire rope found on the ground
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Root Cause Analysis Evaluation of loss Type of contact Immediate cause(s) Basic cause(s)
Two workers killed Struck by crane boom Defective tools, equipment or materials Inadequate removal and replacement of
unsuitable items
Inadequate maintenance
Failure of SMS
Maintenance regime
Recommendations Ensure that the wire rope used is the type specified by manufacturer. Conduct regular checks before lifting operations. Continually train the crane operator on how to read and interpret the load capacity chart. Ensure that the lifting supervisor is present for all lifting operations.
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CASE 13
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trench, the cement slabs strength to support the boundary wall was reduced.
One worker killed Struck by object Failure to secure Inadequate work standards Hazard analysis and risk assessment
Follow-up The occupier was instructed to erect supports according to the design of a professional engineer for structures adjoining any trench to prevent injury to any person working in the trench.
Recommendations Provide supports such as sheet piling, bracing, shoring, underpinning or other means to ensure the stability of a boundary wall beside a trench to prevent injury to workers working in the trench. Ensure that the integrity of the wall is checked regularly by a competent person.
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Struck By Falling Objects
Published in June 2008 by the Workplace Safety and Health Council in collaboration with the Ministry of Manpower. All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, in whole or in part, without prior written permission. The information provided in this publication is accurate as at time of printing. All cases shared in this publication are meant for learning purposes only. The learning points for each case are not exhaustive and should not be taken to encapsulate all the responsibilities and obligations of the user of this publication under the law. The Workplace Safety and Health Council does not accept any liability or responsibility to any party for losses or damage arising from following this publication.