SAFETY MEASURES AT CONSTRUCTION SITES

Mr R. Sinnakaruppan asked the Minister for Manpower what additional safety measures will be in place in construction sites to ensure that accidents such as the toppling of a crane at a North East Line MRT station worksite, do not recur.

The Minister of State for Manpower (Encik Othman Bin Haron Eusofe) (for the Minister for Manpower): Mr Speaker, Sir, in September 1998, my Ministry introduced new regulations to enhance the safety of crane operations in Singapore. Under the new regulations, only operators registered with the Ministry are allowed to operate mobile cranes and tower cranes. The Factories (Operation of Cranes) Regulations prescribe safety rules that these operators must follow. Their registration would be suspended or cancelled if they are found not to have complied with these rules. The Regulations also require that all lifting operations using mobile or tower cranes be supervised by competent lifting supervisors who must have completed a course of training on lifting supervision. Other than these, the Regulations also specify that installation and dismantling of a mobile or a tower crane, or any repair affecting the structural integrity of such crane be carried out only by approved contractors. Crane operators who conscientiously follow the regulations will be able to avoid accidents involving their operations.

As for the case mentioned by the Member for Kreta Ayer-Tanglin GRC, where a crane had toppled and fell onto a moving vehicle, investigation is still underway. My Ministry viewed this case seriously as such an accident could take disastrous proportions. Contractors involved in the construction of the North-East MRT lines are reminded that because of their proximity to public thoroughfare, they need to take extra precautions when conducting lifting operations. This is also generally true for those contractors with projects nearby public places.

Sir, my Ministry officials have worked with LTA on the measures that could be taken to prevent recurrence. These include the tightening of the system of checks to ensure that all lifting operations are conducted safely. A standardised permit-to-lift system is currently being studied and, if found feasible, will be introduced to these contractors. Under the system, all lifting operations can only be carried out after a written permit for the lift has been endorsed by the lifting supervisor. Before endorsing such permit, the supervisor is expected to check thoroughly the suitability of the crane for the lift, the ground and environmental conditions, the qualification of the operator, the rigging of the load and so on. These checks are to be done with the help of suitably qualified persons on site, such as the site engineer. Only after these checks have been made can the lifting operation commence.

Sir, to ensure compliance with the safety requirements in lifting operations, the Ministry will continue to conduct special enforcement exercises targeted at premises which use cranes. Occupiers found flouting these safety requirements would face the issue of stop work orders and be charged in court.

Mr Sinnakaruppan: Sir, even today, there is a report in the Straits Times about another accident at a construction site. I would like to ask the Minister of State whether there is an increasing trend of accidents at construction sites this year as compared to past years.

Encik Othman bin Haron Eusofe: Sir, accidents of this nature are quite rare. In fact, for this year, there were very few cases. I do not have the details now, but if the Member needs the information, I will let him have it.