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PREFACE

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.

Mr Lee Tzu Yang Chairman Workplace Safety and Health Council

Struck by Falling Objects


Case 1 Case 2 Case 3 Case 4 Case 5 Case 6 Case 7 Case 8 Case 9 Pinned by a brick wall Pinned by a collapsed roof slab Struck by falling beams Struck by steel beams Struck by falling material in a trench Struck by a crane boom Hit by a collapsed wall Hit by steel rebars Buried under collapsed soil 64 67 70 73 76 78 81 84 87 90 92 95 97

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

Struck By or Against Objects / Machines


Case 1 Hit by a scissors lift platform Case 2 Hit by a moving vehicle Case 3 Hit by a moving crane 108 111 114

STRUCK BY FALLING OBJECTS

CASE 1

PINNED BY A BRICK WALL


Description of Accident A worker was constructing a new drain inside an excavation in front of a building under construction. While he was leveling the concrete for the new drain, a brick wall (left behind from the old drain) collapsed from the side of the excavation and pinned him under it, killing him on the spot. Causes and Contributing Factors

The brick walls were constructed


on both banks of the old drain to retain the soil.

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

Before constructing the new


drain, one bank of the old drain was removed and the area was excavated so as to facilitate the construction process. The other bank was not removed as it did not obstruct the construction of the new drain.

1. Site of accident

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Struck By Falling Objects

Investigations revealed that the


collapse of the brick wall was due to soil movement in the excavation compounded by the heavy rain prior to the accident. The main contractor did

not provide shoring for the existing brick wall to prevent it from collapsing into the excavation when the workers were working inside the excavation.

Root Cause Analysis Evaluation of loss Type of contact

One worker killed Caught between or under object

Immediate cause(s) Inadequate guards or barriers Basic cause(s)

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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Struck By Falling Objects

CASE 2

PINNED BY A COLLAPSED ROOF SLAB


Description of Accident The accident occurred during the demolition of an automated teller machine (ATM) kiosk. After the supporting walls of the kiosk had been largely demolished, the roof slab collapsed under its own weight and a worker was pinned underneath it. Causes and Contributing Factors

The roof slab was resting on and


supported by three brick walls of the ATM kiosk.

1. The collapsed roof slab 2. The remaining rear portion of the left brick wall

Demolition of the brick walls


was carried out without providing any shoring to support the weight of the roof slab and prevent it from collapsing.

After the brick walls were


demolished, the roof slab was left without any support and it crashed down under its own weight.
1. The roof slab of the ATM kiosk involved in the accident 2. The deceased was pinned under the slab here 3. The front end of the roof slab (marble cladding removed)

The worker was standing under


the roof slab when it collapsed on him.

Struck By Falling Objects

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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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Struck By Falling Objects

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

STRUCK BY FALLING BEAMS


Description of Accident A stack of steel beams were placed near an excavated area. The beams toppled and landed into the excavated area where two workers were working. One worker was killed and another was injured. Causes and Contributing Factors
1. The injured worker was tasked to clean mud on the sheet pile 2. The deceased was tasked to weld a metal plate onto the sheet pile 3. Sheet pile

Steel beams were to be installed


as supporting structures for the excavation.

The beams were placed about


350mm away from the excavated area and each beam weighed about 500kg.

The steel beams were not placed


in a stable manner and were very close to the edge of the excavated area.

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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Struck By Falling Objects

Digging work within the


excavated area might have destabilised the stack of steel beams and vibrations from the excavators further contributed to the instability.

The main contractor did not


engage a site safety supervisor as required by regulation.

Root Cause Analysis Evaluation of loss Type of contact Immediate cause(s)

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.

It was also found that the boom


hoist wire rope was not of the type that the manufacturer had specified.
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Struck By Falling Objects

CASE 4

STRUCK BY STEEL BEAMS


Description of Accident Two workers were standing on the deck of a lorry to unload steel beams. The lorry which was unmanned and parked on a slope, rolled down the slope. The steel beams swung off the moving lorry and hit the workers. One worker died while the other suffered some cuts. Causes and Contributing Factors

1. Crawler crane 2. Lorry involved in the accident 3. Slope 4. Steel beams 5. The deceased

The lorry loader driver had


switched off the engine and engaged the hand brake of the lorry. However, he did not place stoppers behind the wheels of the lorry which would have prevented the lorry from rolling down the slope.

1. Crawler crane 2. Lorry 3. Steel beams

The slope was cut at a gradient of


one to seven which is considered steep for a workplace. Despite its steepness, the occupier did not impose the necessary safety precautions before allowing lifting operations to be carried out.
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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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Struck By Falling Objects

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

STRUCK BY FALLING MATERIAL IN A TRENCH


Description of Accident Worker A was supervising the excavation of a trench. The bank of the trench collapsed and Worker A was found inside the trench, partially covered with the granite rocks and quarry dust that slid from the bank. He had suffered severe head injury and was pronounced dead at the scene. Causes and Contributing Factors

Prior to the accident, the project


manager checked the excavation work and saw that the depth of the trench had not met requirements.

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

He told Worker A to install


shoring for the trench before further excavation.

Worker A then tasked two other


workers to carry out shoring work for the trench.

While the workers went to fetch


the timbers, Worker A was seen going into the trench to check for any underground services that might be located near the
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Struck By Falling Objects

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.

The trench collapsed and


granite rocks and quarry dust landed on Worker A.

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

Follow-up A Stop Work Order was issued.

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

STRUCK BY A CRANE BOOM


Description of Accident A crane operator was operating a crawler crane to install a pre-cast staircase. He hoisted the pre-cast staircase from the ground to a height just above the building that was still under construction. As his view of the unloading was partially obstructed by the building column, he inched the crane forward causing the crane to tilt forward and collapse. The crane operator was trapped in the cabin but subsequently freed himself with the help of other workers. A worker who was working at about 33m away from the crane, was hit by the boom when the crane collapsed. Causes and Contributing Factors
1. Location where the deceased was hit by the falling boom 2. The second piece of the pre-cast staircase 1. The pre-cast staircase

When the crane operators vision


was partially obstructed, he did not wait for the signalman to get to the top of the building to give him further instructions
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Struck By Falling Objects

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.

Investigations also revealed


that the maximum safe working load of the collapsed crane (i.e. 5880kg) as certified by the approved person was exceeded. The pre-cast staircase weighed 7200kg.

Investigations concluded that


the collapse of the crane was due to the crane moving beyond the steel plates which caused the cranes crawler 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 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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Struck By Falling Objects

CASE 7

HIT BY A COLLAPSED WALL


Description of Accident A worker was demolishing a partition brick wall inside a toilet at the third floor of a building. He was hit by a wall that collapsed on him. He was subsequently sent to hospital where he passed away on the same day. Causes and Contributing Factors

1. The 10-pound hammer that was used for the hacking operation

Investigations revealed that the


worker had hacked the partition wall from the bottom section using a 10-pound hammer. The collapsed wall weighed about 300kg.

The partition wall was simply


resting on the ground and abutted against the adjacent main wall. There was no interlocking joint between the partition wall and the main wall.

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

Hacking of walls should start


from the top section and should be extended down progressively so as to maintain its stability.

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In this case, a wrong sequence of demolishing the partition wall was employed (i.e. from bottom section first).

Coupled with the weak design


of the partition wall, it resulted in the structural collapse of the wall.

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:

Prior to demolition work, the supervisor should check the


site and brief the workers properly to ensure that they fully understand the safe work procedures and sequencing of work. Interpretation from native workers should be employed when necessary.

Workers should be grouped into teams of two or more when


carrying out demolition work.

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Struck By Falling Objects

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

HIT BY STEEL REBARS


Description of Accident A lorry driver had delivered two bundles of rebars to a worksite. Two other workers assisted him in the unloading of rebars. While the lorry driver and other workers were unloading a bundle of steel rebars from the lorry using the lorry crane, the bundle of rebars fell onto the lorry driver. Causes and Contributing Factors

1. Rebars bundles

The rebars measured 12m long


and 10mm in diameter.

One end of the bundle of rebars


was lifted from the lorry and placed on the ground.
1. The deceased was operating the lorry crane in this position

The other end of the same


bundle, which was placed on the top of a bracket above the front of the lorry, slid down from the lorry and hit the lorry driver who was operating the lorry crane at the time of accident.

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Site investigations indicated


that the boom length of the crane was about 7.5m in which the recommended safe working load was about 1730kg. However, the weight of the bundle of rebars was more than 2000kg. Hence the workers had to lift the bundle of rebars at one end

as the lorry crane could not withstand the full load of the bundle.

The lorry driver and the two


workers had not undergone any training course in rigging operations. The lifting supervisor was also not informed of the lifting activity.

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:

To review their lifting procedures and improve the communication


channels between the lifting supervisor and the trade foremen.

To increase the manpower stationed at the entrance of the


worksite to ensure that the cranes coming into their worksites are properly attended to.

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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Struck By Falling Objects

CASE 9

BURIED UNDER COLLAPSED SOIL


Description of Accident Worker A and his co-workers were working inside an excavation in a multistorey carpark. Worker A was trimming the side of the excavation when the soil suddenly collapsed and pinned him down up to his chest level. Worker A was rescued from the collapsed soil and sent to the hospital where he subsequently passed away. Causes and Contributing Factors

1. Collapsed soil 2. Timber planks 3. Ladder

The depth of the excavation


measured 2.9m.

The sides of the excavation


were almost 90. They were not shored. The adjacent excavations were also not even partially shored.

1. Shovel 2. Timber planks 3. The deceased was found underneath this chunk of soil 4. Pile heads 5. Lean concrete

The senior resident engineer of


the worksite confirmed that hacking and placing of lean concrete work were carried out inside the excavation before it was shored.
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The operator of the excavator


confirmed that hacking work to the pile-caps was carried out by a breaker deployed at the edge of the excavation before it was shored.

The accident occurred because


the factory occupier did not provide shoring to the excavation before allowing the workers to work there.

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

CRUSHED BY A COLLAPSING BOOM


Description of Accident A crawler crane mounted on a crane barge was lifting two crates of acetylene and oxygen cylinders over to a jetty mooring dolphin. After the crane boom had swung over to the dolphin, the crane suddenly vibrated violently. The next moment, the crane boom came crashing down. A worker was crushed by the collapsing boom and died on the spot. Another worker suffered leg injury caused by the falling crates of acetylene and oxygen cylinders. Causes and Contributing Factors

1. View of the dolphin and the Emergency Safety Access

Overview of collapsed crane

Investigations revealed that


the boom hoist wire that was supporting the boom had snapped, thus causing the crane boom to collapse on the workers.

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The cause of the accident was


most probably due to the poor maintenance of the boom hoist wire rope. Excessive wear/abrasion on the wire rope surfaces might have resulted in the sudden fracture of the boom hoist wire.

The boom wire rope used on


the crane involved in the accident was of inadequate strength. The wire rope used had a breaking strength of 37 tons but according to the manufacturers specification, it should be 41.9 tons.

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

STRUCK BY FALLING TIMBER


Description of Accident Worker A and his co-worker were to dismantle formwork for the wet joint at a lift lobby of a lift shaft, from the seventh to 12th storey. Worker A had loosened a horizontal prop that was used to secure two timber formwork pieces on both sides of the wall of the nineth storey lift lobby. The timber piece on one side fell into the lift shaft opening and struck Worker A who was clearing debris at the bottom of the lift shaft. Worker A suffered serious head injuries and succumbed to his injuries on the same day. Causes and Contributing Factors
1. The new lift shaft under construction

The timber formwork for the wet


joint at the nineth storeys lift shaft lobby was supported and held in position by two horizontal and two vertical metal props.

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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Prior to the accident, one worker


had removed the two vertical props and the higher of the two horizontal props. The timber piece on one side fell into the lift shaft opening after he had loosened the lower horizontal prop, which was the last prop holding the timber formwork in position.

At the time of the accident


the lift shaft opening was not fenced or covered with any plywood or other material. The falling timber fell into the lift shaft opening and struck Worker A who was clearing debris at the bottom of the lift shaft.

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:

The foreman-in-charge is to check and ensure that lift shaft


openings are securely fenced with timber prior to assigning workers to dismantle formwork at the lift lobby.

No worker is to be assigned to work in the lift pit if any work is


carried out above.

Workers assigned to dismantle formwork are to be instructed to


check for the presence of the fencing of the lift shaft openings prior to the commencement of work. They should stop work and report to their supervisor if the lift shaft opening is not securely barricaded.

Recommendations Ensure proper supervision. Ensure that incompatible work is not carried out simultaneously at a particular location.

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Struck By Falling Objects

CASE 12

STRUCK BY A FALLING CRANE BOOM


Description of Accident A crawler crane operated by a worker was lifting a bundle of rebars from the ground floor to the second storey of an uncompleted building. When the bundle of rebars was about to be unloaded, the crane boom suddenly collapsed. Two workers were killed and another injured as a result of the collapsed boom. Causes and Contributing Factors
1. Rebars bundle 2. Main hook block 3. One of the deceased was hit and pinned under the fly jib here 4. Auxiliary hook block

Investigations revealed that the


boom hoist wire rope that was supporting the boom had snapped, causing the crane boom to collapse onto the workers.

Laboratory findings indicated


that the wire rope had failed as a result of accelerated fatigue. This means that the failure had occurred in the internal areas of the wire rope which are hard to detect during a routine visual inspection.

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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It was also found that the boom


hoist wire rope was not of the type that the manufacturer had specified. The breaking strength of the wire rope was

also lower than what the manufacturer had specified.

The crane operator did not


know how to read and interpret the load capacity chart.

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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Struck By Falling Objects

CASE 13

STRUCK BY A COLLAPSED WALL


Description of Accident Worker A and his co-worker were working in a trench at the worksite. They were laying and tightening reinforced steel wires at the bottom of the trench. The boundary wall of the adjacent house that was standing at the edge of the trench toppled into the trench. Worker A was pinned under the collapsed wall. Causes and Contributing Factors
1. The boundary wall was here before it toppled 2. The deceased was pinned here under the wall 3. The trench

The boundary wall that toppled


measured about 15.5cm in thickness, 160cm in height and 1680cm in length. It was a brick wall with plaster on its surface.

1. The deceased was pinned here under the wall

The trench where Worker A and


his co-worker worked was dug parallel to this boundary wall.

No support such as sheet piling,


bracing, shoring, underpinning or other means to ensure the stability of the boundary wall beside the trench had been put up to prevent injury to workers working in the trench.
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Excavation of the trench had


weakened the foundation of the boundary wall. As some of the earth below the cement slab on which the boundary wall was erected had fallen off into the Root Cause Analysis Evaluation of loss Type of contact Immediate cause(s) Basic cause(s) Failure of SMS

trench, the cement slabs strength to support the boundary wall was reduced.

The cement slab gave way and


resulted in the wall toppling into the trench.

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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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.

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