Note: Going to be history soon.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Requirement for RSO
Based on Factories (Safety Officer) Order / Factories (Reg. & Duties of Safety Officer) Reg.
Note: Going to be history soon.
Note: Going to be history soon.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Construction Worker Died of Heat Stroke
A construction worker, collapsed while dismantling the timber formwork at a construction worksite under the hot sun. He came from a temperate country and had started work two days after arrival. He was admitted to hospital and died of complications from heat stroke the following day.
What is heat stroke?
Heat stroke is an acute life-threatening condition that can be fatal if not promptly treated. It occurs when the body’s ability to maintain its temperature within the normal range fails under severe heat stress conditions. As a result, the core body temperature may rise to dangerous levels above 41ºC (normal temperature is 37ºC).
Heat stroke can occur in workers doing “hot work”, or work requiring physical exertion under hot and humid conditions. Presenting symptoms may include headache, nausea, vomiting and weakness. This may progress to mental confusion, drowsiness and unconsciousness.
Unacclimatized workers are at higher risk. Other risk factors include older age, diabetes, obesity, alcohol consumption and certain medications.
Emergency first aid
Workers suspected of succumbing to the heat should receive immediate first aid treatment which includes moving the worker to a shady area, removing the clothing, applying cool water to the skin and fanning to promote evaporative skin cooling. Ice packs may also be placed under the armpits and groins while awaiting the arrival of the ambulance
Advisory Note for prevention of heat related illnesses (Please note that the following advisory note is provided for the benefit of enhancing workplace safety and health and in no way should the information be misconstrued as implying any liability on any party)
1. Schedule heavy physical work or work under the sun to the cooler part of the day (early morning or late afternoon) where possible.
2. Provide workers with cool drinking water at convenient locations and encourage frequent drinking, e.g. one glass every 15 to 20 minutes.
3. Encourage the use of mechanical or work-saving devices to reduce physical work demand.
4. Encourage alternate work and rest periods e.g. 5 minutes rest with 25 minutes of work under moderately hot conditions. Under severe conditions, the duration of rest period should be increased. Provide a cool rest area for the workers to have their breaks away from heat.
5. Ensure that new workers are acclimatized over at least one week by gradually increasing the workload and time spent in the hot environment. The schedule can begin with 50% of the anticipated work load and working time on the first day followed by daily 10% increments building up 100% total exposure on the sixth day.
6. Encourage workers to wear loose-fitting clothing while working in the hot environment.
7. Educate workers on presenting symptoms of heat related illnesses, the preventive measures they can take and the importance of seeking medical help early.
8. Workers who are feeling unwell, such as having fever or diarrhoea should consult a doctor before continuing work under the hot sun.
Extracted from MOM OSH Alert, dated 16 April 2007
What is heat stroke?
Heat stroke is an acute life-threatening condition that can be fatal if not promptly treated. It occurs when the body’s ability to maintain its temperature within the normal range fails under severe heat stress conditions. As a result, the core body temperature may rise to dangerous levels above 41ºC (normal temperature is 37ºC).
Heat stroke can occur in workers doing “hot work”, or work requiring physical exertion under hot and humid conditions. Presenting symptoms may include headache, nausea, vomiting and weakness. This may progress to mental confusion, drowsiness and unconsciousness.
Unacclimatized workers are at higher risk. Other risk factors include older age, diabetes, obesity, alcohol consumption and certain medications.
Emergency first aid
Workers suspected of succumbing to the heat should receive immediate first aid treatment which includes moving the worker to a shady area, removing the clothing, applying cool water to the skin and fanning to promote evaporative skin cooling. Ice packs may also be placed under the armpits and groins while awaiting the arrival of the ambulance
Advisory Note for prevention of heat related illnesses (Please note that the following advisory note is provided for the benefit of enhancing workplace safety and health and in no way should the information be misconstrued as implying any liability on any party)
1. Schedule heavy physical work or work under the sun to the cooler part of the day (early morning or late afternoon) where possible.
2. Provide workers with cool drinking water at convenient locations and encourage frequent drinking, e.g. one glass every 15 to 20 minutes.
3. Encourage the use of mechanical or work-saving devices to reduce physical work demand.
4. Encourage alternate work and rest periods e.g. 5 minutes rest with 25 minutes of work under moderately hot conditions. Under severe conditions, the duration of rest period should be increased. Provide a cool rest area for the workers to have their breaks away from heat.
5. Ensure that new workers are acclimatized over at least one week by gradually increasing the workload and time spent in the hot environment. The schedule can begin with 50% of the anticipated work load and working time on the first day followed by daily 10% increments building up 100% total exposure on the sixth day.
6. Encourage workers to wear loose-fitting clothing while working in the hot environment.
7. Educate workers on presenting symptoms of heat related illnesses, the preventive measures they can take and the importance of seeking medical help early.
8. Workers who are feeling unwell, such as having fever or diarrhoea should consult a doctor before continuing work under the hot sun.
Extracted from MOM OSH Alert, dated 16 April 2007
140 sick in China from chemical pollution
About 140 children and teachers were hospitalised in southwest China after a fertilizer plant discharged a "huge amount" of sulfur dioxide, state media reported late Tuesday. The incident took place early Monday in Guizhou province, the Xinhua news agency reported, quoting a local official.
The colorless gas, which can cause respiratory problems, remained in the air due to heavy fog in the area, the report said. Five teachers and some 135 students from two primary schools and a middle school complained they were having trouble breathing and were hospitalised, according to Huang Yonghui, executive deputy head of Xifeng county in Guizhou.
Six children were in "serious but not critical condition," Huang said, adding that some of those affected were still being treated. He declined to say how many people were still in hospital.
Local authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, Xinhua said.
Source: http://sg.news.yahoo.com/070418/1/47wdn.html
The colorless gas, which can cause respiratory problems, remained in the air due to heavy fog in the area, the report said. Five teachers and some 135 students from two primary schools and a middle school complained they were having trouble breathing and were hospitalised, according to Huang Yonghui, executive deputy head of Xifeng county in Guizhou.
Six children were in "serious but not critical condition," Huang said, adding that some of those affected were still being treated. He declined to say how many people were still in hospital.
Local authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, Xinhua said.
Source: http://sg.news.yahoo.com/070418/1/47wdn.html
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Ergonomics
Ergonomics is increasingly becoming an occupational concern in today's workplace. With increased awareness, problems related to ergonomic issues can be reduced.
For tips on how to reduce injuries related to ergonomics, click on this UCLA link: http://www.ergonomics.ucla.edu/index.html
For tips on how to reduce injuries related to ergonomics, click on this UCLA link: http://www.ergonomics.ucla.edu/index.html
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Painter killed at work
The fatal accident took place in 2006 while a painter was carrying out spray painting work under a flyover using a boom lift.
An on-coming double-deck bus hit the basket of the boom lift. The painter fell off from the basket and landed onto the pedestrian pavement where he succumbed to his injuries.
Advisory Note(Please note that the following advisory note is provided for the benefit of enhancing workplace safety and health and in no way should the information be misconstrued as implying any liability on any party)
An on-coming double-deck bus hit the basket of the boom lift. The painter fell off from the basket and landed onto the pedestrian pavement where he succumbed to his injuries.
Advisory Note(Please note that the following advisory note is provided for the benefit of enhancing workplace safety and health and in no way should the information be misconstrued as implying any liability on any party)
1. Aerial work platforms (AWPs) such as scissor lifts, boom lifts and cherry pickers shall be inspected and certified safe for use by an MOM Authorized Examiner once every 6 months.
2. Safety measures such as putting up warning signboards/lightings, barricades or pylons should be implemented at the vicinity to warn motorists of the painting work to prevent accidental collision between the boom lift and the vehicles traveling on the road. Click HERE to download the Code of Practice for Traffic Control at Work Zone issued by the Land Transport Authority (LTA).
3. Safety belt or harness with two lanyards should be worn by the worker working at height. The lanyards should be securely anchored to a suitable anchorage point or static line; in this case the basket of the boom lift to prevent the worker from being ejected or pulled from the basket.
4. The persons working on AWPs should be protected by physical barricades to prevent falls. Most platforms are also fitted with a safety interlock system to prevent accidental toppling.
5. All AWPs should only be used on a solid level surface and within the load limit. It should not be used in high wind conditions or on uneven ground.
6. Click HERE for safety tips of Aerial Lifts developed by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
(Extracted from MOM OSH Alert, dated 2 April 2007)
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