OTGV #10 - Scaffolding Laws
Broadcast Date: 19/08/2002
Every now and then, a horrific accident happens in a construction site and reports of it is splashed across all news media in a gory and sensationalistic manner.
There may be some public debate about why the accident occurred.
And then there's silence as it fades from public minds.....
that is... until another accident happens and the cycle repeats itself.
Hi Welcome to On the Grapevine with me Chong Ching Liang as I look at the Manpower Ministry's or MOM efforts to keep worksite fatalities to a minimum.
A couple of weeks ago, M-O-M invited members of the media to one its worksite safety inspection.
Senior Safety Officer Hashim Mansoor explained why the media is invited.
"In 1997, the number of fatalities hit a record high of 72 cases, When the debarment scheme was introduced; there was a sudden dip to 27 cases in 2001, last year. However, this year so far, we have already recorded 27 cases it could be as the result that the contractors are not taking the safety as seriously as they should have. That's one of the reasons why we call for this media visit to highlight to them, that they must always renew their vigor in ensuring a safe workplace."
Mr Hashim acknowledged that there might be some correlation between tough economic times and bad safety records.
But he said negative reinforcement works.
When contractors find that they are accumulating demerit points that may lead to them being banned from construction work, they shape up pretty fast.
"That's one of the reasons why we are going to step up our enforcement. Debarment points are accrued through contraventions that are uncovered during our interventions. So we will step up our inspections, we will step up our enforcement and we will take strict actions against contractors found flouting the rules."
So how does M-O-M receive news about contractors flouting safety regulations?
Mr Hashim said the public sometimes reports construction workers being put through unnecessary risks.
He also said workers themselves can report to M-O-M if the workers are subjected to unreasonable risk.
But Mr Hashim acknowledged that this channel is rarely utilised.
This was confirmed by an illegal construction worker from China that I spoke with.
"We know we have to report them. But it’s also better for us to look the other way. One less problem, one less worry. Even though the laws are very strict in Singapore, there are still rule bending. We are not saying that Singapore is not good. But we do not necessary have any security here. All this irreputable employment agents, they get us here. Spend several tens of thousands dollars. But once here, they just abandon us. Not caring we live or die. If you can find work, you go ahead. If you have the ability you find work. Can't find work, you rest."
Most foreign workers pays huge sums of monies to recruitment agents to get to Singapore.
This may result in them trying to avoid being sent back home before they can recoup their investments.
As the Chinese construction worker said, this includes infuriating bosses even though they may be unreasonable.
Relooking at the grim statistics.
Mr Hashim said some 50 percent of all construction accidents results are from falls from high places.
At the worksite, he showed us why this is so.
"Well, you can see how, how dangerous it is, eh? You can see the worker up there doing the work... can you see, far back there? See how dangerous it gets? There's no protection at all. There's nothing there to prevent him from falling. There's nothing to catch him if he falls then he goes phoom! All the way down."
This is why the Manpower Ministry will be enacting a law against extended use of the traditional wooden scaffolds by the end of the year.
"Timber scaffolds, ah, we’re going to restrict the height to 15 m and it must be double layer. Previously 15 m single layer is okay but now no more already."
Mr Hashim said the scaffold is important equipment in all construction projects, and from next year onwards, only the safe aluminum double layered scaffolds will be used.
He gave me an update on the act.
"It’s already up now; we've already referred to the industry. We've got feedback from the industry. We've put it together. I would think that by the end of the year, the regulations will be up. All contractors that use scaffolds. Scaffolds is a very important piece of equipment in the construction industry. This particular regulation will not only affect contractors, it will affect anyone using scaffolds whether it is in the construction industry, shipyard, marine, petrochemical, R&R whatever the job is."
Back at the site visit in Kampung Chantek, Bukit Timah, Mr Hashim explained what is the procedure after a safety inspection had uncovered safety trespasses.
"We will follow-up with a follow-up inspection in a week or two's time. Depending on the situation lah. If it is a minor non-compliance we may not you see. But if it is a major non-compliance we will. [And usually the problem?] Yes, usually. Except for those recalcitrant ones lah. [In that case do they get demerit points event though they don't go to court?] The quantum of the fines will be higher. And after the third time they commit the same offence, we'll charge them in court. And then they will acquire demerit points you see?"
There has already been 27 fatal accidents in the construction sites in the last 7 months.
That is the total for the whole of last year.
This means that for Mr Hashim Mansoor and his crew, the work goes on to ensure the safety of foreign workers so that their families won't be receiving the cruel news that their loved ones won't be returning.
This is Chong Ching Liang, for Newsradio 938.
Related Websites:
Newsradio938
http://newsradio.mediacorpradio.com/
Manpower Ministry's Scaffolding Act
http://www.mom.gov.sg/MOM/ManpowerNews/mpn0304/pg7.htm
Every now and then, a horrific accident happens in a construction site and reports of it is splashed across all news media in a gory and sensationalistic manner.
There may be some public debate about why the accident occurred.
And then there's silence as it fades from public minds.....
that is... until another accident happens and the cycle repeats itself.
Hi Welcome to On the Grapevine with me Chong Ching Liang as I look at the Manpower Ministry's or MOM efforts to keep worksite fatalities to a minimum.
A couple of weeks ago, M-O-M invited members of the media to one its worksite safety inspection.
Senior Safety Officer Hashim Mansoor explained why the media is invited.
"In 1997, the number of fatalities hit a record high of 72 cases, When the debarment scheme was introduced; there was a sudden dip to 27 cases in 2001, last year. However, this year so far, we have already recorded 27 cases it could be as the result that the contractors are not taking the safety as seriously as they should have. That's one of the reasons why we call for this media visit to highlight to them, that they must always renew their vigor in ensuring a safe workplace."
Mr Hashim acknowledged that there might be some correlation between tough economic times and bad safety records.
But he said negative reinforcement works.
When contractors find that they are accumulating demerit points that may lead to them being banned from construction work, they shape up pretty fast.
"That's one of the reasons why we are going to step up our enforcement. Debarment points are accrued through contraventions that are uncovered during our interventions. So we will step up our inspections, we will step up our enforcement and we will take strict actions against contractors found flouting the rules."
So how does M-O-M receive news about contractors flouting safety regulations?
Mr Hashim said the public sometimes reports construction workers being put through unnecessary risks.
He also said workers themselves can report to M-O-M if the workers are subjected to unreasonable risk.
But Mr Hashim acknowledged that this channel is rarely utilised.
This was confirmed by an illegal construction worker from China that I spoke with.
"We know we have to report them. But it’s also better for us to look the other way. One less problem, one less worry. Even though the laws are very strict in Singapore, there are still rule bending. We are not saying that Singapore is not good. But we do not necessary have any security here. All this irreputable employment agents, they get us here. Spend several tens of thousands dollars. But once here, they just abandon us. Not caring we live or die. If you can find work, you go ahead. If you have the ability you find work. Can't find work, you rest."
Most foreign workers pays huge sums of monies to recruitment agents to get to Singapore.
This may result in them trying to avoid being sent back home before they can recoup their investments.
As the Chinese construction worker said, this includes infuriating bosses even though they may be unreasonable.
Relooking at the grim statistics.
Mr Hashim said some 50 percent of all construction accidents results are from falls from high places.
At the worksite, he showed us why this is so.
"Well, you can see how, how dangerous it is, eh? You can see the worker up there doing the work... can you see, far back there? See how dangerous it gets? There's no protection at all. There's nothing there to prevent him from falling. There's nothing to catch him if he falls then he goes phoom! All the way down."
This is why the Manpower Ministry will be enacting a law against extended use of the traditional wooden scaffolds by the end of the year.
"Timber scaffolds, ah, we’re going to restrict the height to 15 m and it must be double layer. Previously 15 m single layer is okay but now no more already."
Mr Hashim said the scaffold is important equipment in all construction projects, and from next year onwards, only the safe aluminum double layered scaffolds will be used.
He gave me an update on the act.
"It’s already up now; we've already referred to the industry. We've got feedback from the industry. We've put it together. I would think that by the end of the year, the regulations will be up. All contractors that use scaffolds. Scaffolds is a very important piece of equipment in the construction industry. This particular regulation will not only affect contractors, it will affect anyone using scaffolds whether it is in the construction industry, shipyard, marine, petrochemical, R&R whatever the job is."
Back at the site visit in Kampung Chantek, Bukit Timah, Mr Hashim explained what is the procedure after a safety inspection had uncovered safety trespasses.
"We will follow-up with a follow-up inspection in a week or two's time. Depending on the situation lah. If it is a minor non-compliance we may not you see. But if it is a major non-compliance we will. [And usually the problem?] Yes, usually. Except for those recalcitrant ones lah. [In that case do they get demerit points event though they don't go to court?] The quantum of the fines will be higher. And after the third time they commit the same offence, we'll charge them in court. And then they will acquire demerit points you see?"
There has already been 27 fatal accidents in the construction sites in the last 7 months.
That is the total for the whole of last year.
This means that for Mr Hashim Mansoor and his crew, the work goes on to ensure the safety of foreign workers so that their families won't be receiving the cruel news that their loved ones won't be returning.
This is Chong Ching Liang, for Newsradio 938.
Related Websites:
Newsradio938
http://newsradio.mediacorpradio.com/
Manpower Ministry's Scaffolding Act
http://www.mom.gov.sg/MOM/ManpowerNews/mpn0304/pg7.htm
posted by CHONG Ching-liang | 11:14 AM
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