Worker fell into passenger hoistway

Recently, a worker fell to his death from the 11th floor of a building under construction while he was transferring building materials between a passenger hoist and the landing slab. It was likely that he had fallen through an unguarded gap between the hoist and the landing slab. The worker was found not to be wearing any personal protective equipment (PPE) including fall arresting devices.
The exit platform for the passenger hoist at the 11th was not guarded with any side barricades

Recommendations
1. Prior to the start of any work, conduct an adequate risk assessment to identify all potential hazards and the risks involved. Control measures and safe work procedures must be established and implemented.
2. Openings or gaps that create risk of persons falling through must be effectively guarded or barricaded. This shall include installing guardrails or side barricades at the exit platform of the passenger hoist.
3. Every worker working at height with a risk of falling must be provided with suitable and individual fall arresting device such as a safety harness with lanyard attached to a shock absorbing device. The safety harness must be worn correctly and secured to an anchor point or an independent lifeline at all times.
4. All personal protective equipment (PPE) provided to the workers, including safety harnesses, must be in good condition and be without any obvious indication of wear and tear.
5. Provide adequate lighting at the workplace to reduce risk of falls.
6. Workers must be constantly and adequately supervised to ensure that works are being carried out in a safe manner.
7. When using hoists and lifts, the Workplace Safety and Health (General Provisions) Regulations specified that:
a. every hoist shall be thoroughly examined by an authorised examiner at least once every 6 months or at such other intervals as the Commissioner may determine.
b. every hoistway or liftway used shall be efficiently protected by a substantial enclosure fitted with gates that will, when the gates are shut, prevent any person from falling down the way or coming into contact with any moving part of the hoist or lift.
c. every gate shall be fitted with efficient interlocking or other devices to ensure that: (i) the gate cannot be opened except when the cage or platform is at the landing; and(ii) the cage or platform cannot be moved away from the landing until the gate is closed. d. owner or occupier must not modify the hoist system after the 6 monthly inspection.


(Extracted from WSH Alert dated 5 Jan 2009)