#038/2024 – Learning from Incidents

HSSE Information
LSR Violation – Working at Height (EV Canopy)
Detail Photos
What happened Two workers were caught violating working at height (WAH) requirements by
accessing the EV Canopy top without any body harness and without any fall
protection system. The incident took place at a PKDR (Partial Knock-Down
Rebuild) site which was towards the completion end of the program.

One of the workers was spotted on the top of the canopy top (roughly 3m from
ground level) while the other was found standing on the scaffold (photo on the
right). The scaffold used by the workers was also non-compliant to statutory
requirements - without access ladder, guardrails, outriggers etc. The workers
were carrying out some minor rectification works on the fascia capping panel of
the EV Charging canopy.

The act was committed by L4 Contractor workers at approximately 1:00pm while

the L3 Contractor was away for lunch break. Further investigation revealed that
the L4 Contractor workers arrived at site late that day and started works without Workers were caught assessing the
top of the EV Canopy without body
the required toolbox briefing and without adhering to the Permit-to-Work
harness and any fall protection
system. system.

Why it happened The investigation concluded the following:

• Poor L4 Contractor Management by the L3 Contractor (PCC)
o There was a lack of control in managing and communicating to the L4 Contractor to meet the necessary
HSSE requirements prior to start work. The PCC left it to the L4 Contractor to carry out the rectification
works without ensuring that all the Permit-to-Work system was adhered to and that the scaffold and the
rectification method by the L4 Contractor was safe.

• Negligence by PCC
o The PCC has been in the Mobility system for more than 2 years. However, in this case they were ignorant
towards the risk from the L4 Contractor’s scope of work which they deem to be minor, quick, and
insignificant. The PCC failed to realise that a major incident / severe consequence may arise from working
on the EV Canopy top.
o This also reflects the PCC’s poor appreciation of the risk when they blatantly decided to disregard the pre-
start work requirements with the mindset of just getting the job done.

Key Lessons Below are the key learnings and improvement measures:
Learned
❖ The importance of cultivating safety awareness and culture among the L3 Contractors through constant and
effective Boots-on-Ground engagement with Permit Holders and frontline workers. Equally as important for the
L3 Contractor to cascade the same culture towards their L4 Contractors.
❖ Conduct regular on-site engagements and audits, ensuring compliance to the Permit-to-Work system.
❖ Enforce Consequence Management on L3 Contractors who deliberately choose to violate and neglect the
safety requirements. To revoke and remove non-cooperative L3 Personnel / Contractor organisation from the
system.

Further info Muganthan Raj, Sr. Project Manager - muganthan.raj@meinhardtgroup.com

Nurfarah Aini, Project Manager - nurfarah.zaini@meinhardtgroup.com
Kunaselan Krishnan, HSEQ Deputy Manager - kunaselan.krishnan@meinhardtgroup.com

Disclaimer
The contents of this document is made available for information purposes only and on the condition that: (i) it may not be relied upon by anyone; and (ii) neither Meinhardt or its clients or contractors can be held liable
for its accuracy or completeness, or for any recommendations given within, or any omission from, this document; and (iii) nothing in this document constitutes advice and in no way does it relieve any contractor from
their responsibility for carrying out their work in a safe and professional manner. Readers should obtain their own professional advice in regard to the subject matter.

© Meinhardt 2016. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior written permission of Meinhardt.

Author: PM HSSEQ Team Page 1 of 1 Issue Date: 14/03/2024

LSR Violation – Working at Height (EV Canopy)