Working at Height. Thomas CHAN Deputy Chief Occupational Safety Officer

Transcription

1 Working at Height Thomas CHAN Deputy Chief Occupational Safety Officer LABOUR DEPARTMENT

2 WORK-AT-HEIGHT SAFETY Over half of fatal accidents in recent years fall of person

3 Fatal Accidents - Work-at-Height ( ) Non-construction 4 cases (13%) Construction 27 cases (87%) Total: 31 cases

4 Occupational Safety Performance in Construction Industry Year stQ Fatal accidents Almost half of 2013, 4 cases involving work-at-height

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6 + A highway enhancement project + A worker was working on platform erected along the slope + Decking of platform was formed by sheet piles + An opening was made for transfer of materials, and cover was provided, with sheet piles loosely laid on I-beam structure 6

7 + A crawler crane moving in the vicinity triggered the sudden dislodgement of the cover + A worker working on top fell together with the fallen sheet piles to the pile cap underneath + Two workers working at the pile cap were hit by the sheet piles (1 fatal and 2 seriously hurt) 7

8 A safe system could prevent the tragedy? Safe system of work related to workers working on platform? Measures to prevent displacement of platform decking? Permit-to-work system? Training of workers, supervisor? 8

9 A building site While climbing up a metal scaffold for erection of wooden formwork, a formworker fell about 2m onto some projecting steel starter bars and was impaled to his death 9

10 A safe system could prevent the tragedy? Competent person to conduct risk assessment and formulate appropriate safe working procedures? Adequate safe access to and egress from place of work? Suitable scaffold/working platform for the work? Effective monitoring and supervision? 10

11 + A building site + Deceased was required to stitch surfaces of nylon nets onto the hoistway frame of material hoist + No suitable working platform provided Simulated diagrams 11

12 Simulated diagrams 12

13 Causes of system failure? Risk assessment? Method statement? Competent person to monitor the work? Suitable and adequate steps to prevent a worker working at height from falling? 13

14 A RMAA site A worker fell to his death through an opening used for transferring materials An elevated bamboo working platform for ceiling works The opening at the platform was close to worker s place of work

15 Thorough, task specific, risk assessment to identify risks of fall from height? Adequate method statement and safe working procedures?

16 A 1 hotel renovation site worker was killed and 16 workers injured when the bamboo scaffold thereat suddenly collapsed

17 The bamboo scaffold was erected for removal of existing wall finishing, application of new finishing / paint to external facades of the building surrounding open courtyard of the hotel

18 Complete design, drawings and specifications for the bamboo scaffold? Risk assessment to identify hazards for working on the bamboo scaffold? Safe system of work in relation to construction debris clearing work? Competent person to check the scaffold? Coordination of various work activities being carried out simultaneously on the scaffold?

19 Renovation of a flat on upper floors of a residential building A worker fell to his death when he was erecting a truss-out bamboo scaffold along external wall of the flat 19

20 While deceased was tying ledgers on a metal bracket installed at external wall, the bracket suddenly dislodged Deceased had not attached his safety belt to any anchorage He fell with the fallen metal bracket from 5/F to the G/F backyard 20

21 Tragedy preventable? Proper design of scaffold / safe working procedures? Risk assessment to identify hazards associated with scaffold erection work? Brackets securely fixed to wall? Safety belt attached to suitable anchorage? 21

22 Commonalities No task-specific risk assessment conducted No safe system of work devised / safe system not fully implemented (no safe means of support provided) Ad-hoc, convenient but improper means of support e.g. folding ladder No hazard communication to worker conducting hazardous job No monitoring / supervision

23 LD will continue the multipronged approach: Stepped-up Enforcement against unsafe environment and practice Education and Training Publicity and Promotion 23

24 STEPPED-UP ENFORCEMENT Apart from over regular site inspections each year, special enforcement operations (SEO) to deter work practices contravening statutory requirements on work safety Targeting at high-risk activities such as work-at-height on new works and RMAA sites Immediate enforcement actions, without prior warning on discovery of breaches of safety legislation

25 STEPPED-UP ENFORCEMENT Stepped up site inspections and vigorous enforcement actions in past 2 years, including area patrols during office / non-office hours In 2013, around inspections under SEO Year 2013 SNs/INs issued Prosecution initiated 340 SNs INs 640 % change compared with 2011 over 100%

26 WORK-AT-HEIGHT SAFETY Year 2013 % change compared with 2011 SNs/INs issued over Prosecution initiated %

27 Good safety management is crucial to systemic prevention of construction accidents 1. Strengthen monitoring of work safety of mega works projects: Urge contractors to strengthen their SMS in respect of high risk processes, e.g. those involving work at height activities, through strengthening the liaison with mega / major works projects clients (e.g. DevB, MTRCL)

28 Enhanced measures by project clients to eliminate potential work hazards : Strengthen participation of professional resident site staff in monitoring work safety Step up site safety audits for mega / major works projects to eliminate potential work hazards

29 2. Tackle systemic safety issues in a more effective way: Urge contractors and site management staff to timely incorporate safety consideration in work method statements during design, tendering and preparatory stages of construction process

30 Additional dedicated teams established to promote and monitor SMS both at corporate and site levels of contractors These teams participate in project preparatory meetings and site safety management committees to urge contractors to implement effective SMS Monitor closely on site implementation of SMS by contractors Step up scrutiny of safety audit reports

31 Enhance contents of Green Card course Revalidation course revised by introducing case studies, analysis of serious accidents involving fall of persons from height, etc., adopting interactive teaching method and using clear and easy to understand illustrations Issue work safety alerts As early as possible after occurrence of fatal / serious work accidents Give brief account of accidents & precautionary measures required, through its website, s and mobile applications to contractors, workers unions, professional organizations, etc.

32 Advisory letter to contractors and sub contractors to remind them to take effective precautionary measures to prevent accidents related to work at height Collaborate with the property management sector to produce safety leaflets and disseminate the safety message to property owners

33 Work at Height Safety Forum (April 2013) to explore with industry measures to enhance work at height safety, with an exhibition of efficient and practical safety equipment

34 Apart from regular promulgation of safety messages through mass media: Collaborate with construction industry trade associations and workers unions to conduct visits to construction sites and organize safety talks to disseminate safety message of safeguarding workers for their own good as well as their families

35 Collaborate with workers organizations to conduct roving exhibitions in different districts to disseminate safety message on RMAA works to workers Produce simple and easy tounderstand OSH promotional leaflets in languages of ethnic minorities for workers concerned

36 Continue to launch the Construction Industry Safety Award Scheme in collaboration with OSHC and the industry Record experience of award winning sites in DVD for dissemination to construction sites and broadcast in mobile media

37 Operate jointly with OSHC various sponsorship schemes: Sponsorship Scheme for Work at height Fall Arresting Equipment for Renovation and Maintenance Work for SME Mobile Working Platform Sponsorship Scheme for SME Funding $4.8 million 994 applications approved out of applicants (early March 2014) Subsidy of $4,000 for each applicant Benefit around workers

38 RMAA safety accreditation The Employees Compensation Insurance Residual Scheme Bureau undertook to offer insurance premium discount (up to 50%) to accredited contractors 16 applicants accredited out of over 70 applicants (early March 2014) Save up to $ in insurance premium for every scaffolding worker

39 THANK YOU