A worker was pinned under the base of a water tank in a recent incident. He was working directly below the suspended base of the water tank, applying a layer of cement grout onto the floor slab to prepare for installation of the water tank. The suspended base dropped suddenly and fatally pinned the worker under it.
Recommendations
1. Risk assessment must be carried out before starting any work.
2. All persons involved in the work must be adequately trained to be competent for the job, as well as be aware of the risks and the safety precautions required on-site. It is important to engage trained and competent personnel to carry out the lifting operation. For example, the machine operator, lifting supervisor, rigger and signalman.
3. Prior to any lifting operation, the appointed lifting supervisor must ensure that there is a set of safe lifting procedure for the lifting operation. The lifting supervisor has to brief all crane operators, riggers and signalmen on the safe lifting procedure. It is also important to test the effectiveness of the communications plan and the communication means, such as the use of walkie-talkie before conducting the operation to ensure proper communication and coordination amongst workers when performing the task.
4. During the lifting operation, there must be constant and adequate supervision of the workers to ensure that works are being carried out in a safe manner. A lifting supervisor is to be present for the entire duration of the lifting operation. His duty includes ensuring the signallers maintain continuous visual contact with the crane operator.
5. At all times, the crane operator shall not lift a load above any person.
6. Do not allow any person from entering into the lifting zone where they may be hit by the falling load or objects.
7. Maintain sufficient clearance to minimize the potential hazard of collision between the load and people or other objects in a lifting operation.
8. Barricade the area to prevent unauthorized entry. Only the lifting supervisor, the signalman and the operator should be present within the lifting area.
(Reference: WSH Alert dated 24 March. Recommendations are not exhaustive. Control measures should be determined during disk assessment.)
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