MOM update on Tower Crane Collapse at NUS

Preliminary investigations by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) into the crane collapse on 22 Feb 2008 revealed that the four anchors located at the base of the crane had failed structurally. This resulted in the entire structure toppling over. Preliminary findings also suggest that the crane was not lifting any load at the time of collapse.

The accident killed three workers and injured two others. While the investigation into the cause of the crane collapse is in progress, Ministry of Manpower (MOM) inspectors have started checks on similar tower cranes.
The inspectors will also conduct spot checks on other types of tower cranes.
Companies found to have contravened safety and health laws are liable to be prosecuted under the Workplace Safety and Health Act which carries a maximum fine of $500,000.
Please see this link for the MOM press release.

The tower crane involved is a saddle-jib type (hammer head) with a mast height of 37m, boom length of 60m, and having a maximum lifting capacity of 12 tons.

The Workplace Safety and Health Advisory Committee (WSHAC) has issued a press release to remind all stakeholders, including employers and employees, to take all necessary measures to safeguard the lives of everyone at work. WSHAC has also introduced measures to improve crane operations.

(Extracted from OSH Alert, 28 Feb 2008)

Crane collapse kills 3 at NUS worksite

THREE construction workers died when the boom from a 72-tonne crane came crashing down at a work-site on the National University of Singapore (NUS) campus.
Two of the workers were pinned under the massive steel structure, while the third was hit on the head, according to the Singapore Civil Defence Force.
The tragedy happened at about 2.15pm and the victims were pronounced dead by paramedics who arrived about 15 minutes later.
Two of the three were Singaporeans: 46-year- old Mohamad Homsen, believed to be the crane operator, and a 41-year-old worker whose name was not released yesterday. Rescuers, using power tools and airbags, took 45 minutes to extricate the two men’s bodies.
The third man who died was found is lying on the ground beside the crane. He was a 44-year-old China national, whose name was also not made public.
Two other workers from China were hurt while trying to escape as the 60m-high crane toppled to the ground. They suffered cuts and bruises and were taken to the National University Hospital. All five workers were employed by sub-contractors on the site.
The firms were redeveloping the area around the three storey NUS Society Kent Ridge Guild House, with work scheduled for completion in April.

(Source: The Straits Times, 23 Feb 2008)

Dangerous Occurrence at a Worksite

A dangerous occurrence took place at a construction worksite recently. While lifting a bundle of rebars, a truck-mounted mobile crane toppled towards a building under construction.
The occupier was told to investigate into the dangerous occurrence and to conduct risk assessment for all lifting operations.

Lifting equipment is the second highest contributor of workplace deaths in 2006. In the first half of this year, 7 workers, accounting for 28% of total workplace fatalities, were killed in lifting equipment accidents.
Amongst these fatal cases, about half of the employers had failed to conduct risk assessment (RA).

Even those with some form of RA failed to ensure that the control measures were effective or implemented. Investigations also revealed that many of these cases lacked proper on-site supervision to ensure that proper safe work procedures had been implemented.

(Source: MOM OSH Alert, dated 21 Aug 2007)

FIRST SENTENCE UNDER THE NEW WSH ACT

The new Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Act saw its first sentence in April 2007. Leelloyds Marine Engineering Pte Ltd was fined S$100,000 and Mr. Low Lye Wah (Supervisor) was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment.

Struck by Falling Objects - Dislodged Suspended Bag Claimed Worker's Life!
5 March 2006, 11.40am - after finishing their shift duty on board a bulk carrier vessel, four workers of Leelloyd and the supervisor, Low Lye Wah (Low) were preparing to pack their work tools and transfer them onto a ferry boat alongside the vessel. Low was responsible for rigging and lowering four bags of loads from the vessel onto the boat 15 meters below.

The first three loads were lowered to a reasonable height of about 1m from the boat deck before the boat was steered near the vessel for the workers on the boat to pull the load onto the boat. However, Low did not wait for the boat to move away from the shipside as he lowered the fourth load. Instead he started to lower the fourth load while a worker was trying to untie the third load. This put the workers on the boat beneath a suspended load and exposed them to the risk of being struck by falling objects. Subsequently, the fourth load weighing about 15 kg came loose from the rope's knot and fell a distance of about 10m, hitting a worker James Balang on the head. James Balang succumbed to his injuries in hospital on the same day.

Findings of Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) Investigation
1. The method of lowering the fourth load from 15 m above the boat deck was unsafe as it was carried out using the other end of the rope while another worker on the boat was trying to untie the third load on the same rope. This exposed the workers on the boat beneath to the risk of being hit by falling object.
2. The supervisor Mr. Low Lye Wah is a trained lifting supervisor and a qualified rigger. He was therefore, fully aware of the safe work procedures and precaution needed and understood the danger that his actions posed to the workers. Instead, his reckless act had endangered the safety of the workers, when it was incumbent upon him as the supervisor to look out for their safety. This reckless act of him has resulted in the death of his worker.
3. The company Leelloyds had previously implemented safe work procedures when working on another similar project. Even though it was familiar with the safe work procedure, it did not take reasonably practical measures to ensure the safety of the workers in this incident.

Summary of the case
While lowering work tools using a rope tied to a bag from a bulk carrier vessel onto a boat, the 15 kg load came loose from the rope's knot and fell a distance of about 10m, hitting a worker James Balang on the head. He succumbed to his injuries in hospital on the same day.

The Sentence
Leelloyds Marine Engineering Pte Ltd was fined S$100,000 and Mr. Low Lye Wah (Supervisor) was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment under the new WSH Act in April 2007.

Advisory Note(Please note that the advisory note is provided for the benefits of enhancing workplace safety and health, in no way the information is to be misconstrued as implying any liability on any party)

1. Investigations into the accident revealed that one of the root causes of the accident was the lack of proper planning and supervision of the tasks being performed. All employers and contractors are advised not to be complacent during any lifting operation. All lifting operations should be properly planned by a competent person before the actual execution.
2. Under the WSH (Risk Management) Regulations, comprehensive risk assessment shall be conducted for all work processes to eliminate or control risk through detailed plans/procedures for work to be carried out. Arising from the risk assessment, appropriate safe work procedures shall be developed and implemented. Risk Assessment guidelines and other relevant references are available at the MOM Website and WSHAC Website.
3. It is essential for risks to be eliminated or reduced “at source”. If a risk cannot be controlled completely by engineering measures, it is necessary to protect the employees by administrative control or personal protection. The control of hazards and reduction of risks for the above accident can be accomplished by following the Hierarchy of Control.
a) Engineering Controls
Engineering controls are physical means to limit the hazard. These include structural changes to the work environment or work processes, erecting a barrier to interrupt the transmission path between the worker and the hazard.
- All tools and other items should be lifted or lowered using the ship’s crane or derrick or other safe and effective means. These loads and items should be placed in sling bags that are designed to carry loads of specific capacity.
- The sling bag can be anchored directly onto the crane’s hook or attach to the hook by proper lifting gear, thereby eliminating the need for a tying knot.
- All statutory lifting equipment and lifting gears must be inspected and certified safe for use by an Authorised Examiner for lifting equipment. Lifting equipment must not be loaded beyond its safe working load under any circumstances except for the purpose of testing and examination by the Authorised Examiner.
b) Administrative Controls
These reduce or eliminate exposure to a hazard by adherence to procedures or instructions. Documentation should emphasize all the steps to be taken and the controls to be used in carrying out the activity safely.
- Workers who are on board the ferry should stay in the cabin until the load is lowered at the deck level. Enforce the ruling that no one is allowed to stand below any suspended load.
- Effective communication through hand signals, voice communication, loud hailers or sign languages must be maintained at all times between the parties concerned during lowering or hoisting of any load.
- Qualified Lifting supervisors who have successfully completed a training course approved by MOM must be appointed by the occupier before the commencement of any lifting operations involving the use of any cranes.
c) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
This should be used only as a last resort, after all other control measures have been considered, or as an additional protective measure.
- Suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be provided and used by the workers. Safety helmet approved by an accredited testing body must be worn whenever there are hazards of falling objects.

(Extracted from OSH Alert dated 11&12 June, 2007)

Fire on Storage Tank

A flash fire occurred at the ground level of two storage tanks containing marine slop oil. This resulted in a flashback which ignited one of the tanks and ruptured its tank top.
A worker who was working within the proximity of the tanks suffered serious burns and subsequently succumbed to his injuries.

Advisory Note- tips for safe storage of flammable chemicals(Please note that the advisory note is provided for the benefits of enhancing workplace safety and health, in no way the information is to be misconstrued as implying any liability on any party)

1. All storage tanks designed and constructed for containing flammable liquids shall conform to acceptable Singapore or International Standards.
2. Fixed storage tanks containing flammable liquid should be equipped with pressure-vacuum vents to allow for changes in pressure due to filling or withdrawal of product and to breathing of the tank due to atmospheric changes. This minimises vapour emission to the environment.
3. Floating roof tanks can be used for storage of flammable liquid to minimise product loss and fire and explosion hazards.
4. Storage tanks should be earthed. This helps prevent a static electrical discharge which might start a fire during filling or decanting.
5. No source of ignition (e.g. open flames, hot surfaces and sparks) shall be allowed at the storage area. Electrical installations and appliances in such area shall be of explosion-proof type.
6. Suitable fire fighting equipment or facilities shall be readily available to contain or mitigate any possible fire.
7. A risk assessment (RA) shall be conducted and safe work procedures (SWP) shall be developed for all work activities.
8. Workers shall be informed about the risk and hazards involved, and shall be trained in RA and SWP. They shall also be trained on and drilled in emergency response and spillage control.
9. Appropriate personal protective equipment (e.g. respirators, goggles, gloves and aprons) may be required to ensure the health and safety of workers working in such premises.

(Extracted from OSH Alert dated 25 June 2007)

Three workers died in flash fire at a heat exchanger

A fatal workplace accident took place this year while a group of workers were de-blinding a pipe of a heat exchanger when flammable liquid suddenly flowed out from the pipe. The workers attempted to dilute the liquid with water but a fire broke out and engulfed the area near the heat exchanger. 3 workers were killed.

Advisory Note for blinding or de-blinding work(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)

De-blinding is the process of removing metal plates inserted in-between pipe segments. The metal plates are usually inserted to prevent flow of substances from one part of the piping system to another part of the system.
1. Conduct risk assessments and establish safe work procedures for blinding and de-blinding of pipes during maintenance of process equipment. Factors such as valve leakages should be considered in the risk assessment. Click HERE to download the Fire Risk Assessment Guide produced by the National Fire Prevention Council of Singapore (NFPC).
2. Establish effective emergency procedures in response to events such as unintended chemical release or fire.
3. Ensure that fire escape routes are readily accessible.
4. Ensure that fire fighting equipment and containment for chemical spillage are readily available.
5. Ensure that sources of ignition such as hot surfaces or hot work are not present in the vicinity where blinding, de-blinding or pipe dismantling work is carried out.

(Extracted from OSH Alert dated 2 July 2007)

Fatal Accidents Involving Roof Works

Many workers have been seriously injured and even lost their lives while carrying out repair and maintenance work on rooftops. The majority of fatal accidents involving such works occurred as a result of workers falling through rooftops made from fragile material such as glass, plastics or acrylic.

Case 1 : Worker Fell While Installing Sun-Louvre
A worker was tasked to install frames for the sun-louvre on a roof extension at the second floor of a factory. He stepped on a plastic skylight which was meant to allow natural sunlight into the building. The skylight gave way under the worker's weight and he fell to the ground. He subsequently died from injuries in the hospital.





Case 2 : Worker Fell While Removing Roof Sheets
A similar fatal accident took place late last year while a worker was dismantling roof sheets on the pitched roof of a vacant 1-storey factory building.
While doing his work, the worker stepped onto a plastic skylight which gave way. The worker fell through the broken skylight onto the ground and died on the spot.


Case 3 : Worker Fell Through Roof Opening
Another fatal accident occurred last year while a worker was installing new glass panel on a steep roof. He fell through a roof opening created by the removal of a glass panel. Subsequently, the worker passed away in the hospital.


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. Study other alternative work method to eliminate the need to work on roof. For example, replace roofing material from below the roof.
2. DO NOT step directly onto rooftops at anytime. More than one roof ladder or crawl board must be provided to eliminate the possibility of the worker stepping directly onto the roofing material when shifting the ladder or crawl boards. The ladder and crawl board must be securely fixed to prevent any movement.
3. Safety belt or harness with two lanyards should be provided and worn by the workers working at height. The lanyards should be securely anchored to a suitable anchorage point or static line.
4. Warning notices should be placed at conspicuous positions such as walkways and all points of access to the roof to remind persons not to step directly onto the roof sheeting.
5. No persons other than the roofers should be permitted to any area over which the roof sheeting is being laid. Proper means of access to and egress from rooftops shall be made available.
6. Do not allow your workers to work on rooftops if they are physically unwell or under medication.
7. Rooftop works should not be carried out if there is strong wind and at rainy days where the surfaces are slippery.
8. Precautions such as installations of safety nets shall be taken to prevent people from being struck by materials or tools falling from rooftops when roofing works are being carried out.
9. Employers must ensure that the work area is inspected and necessary precautions have been taken before allowing roofing works to be carried out.
10. Fragile roof surfaces such as plastic skylight panels should be clearly demarcated and best barricaded, where practicable, to prevent persons from accidentally stepping on them.
11. Click HERE to read about some important information involving roof work safety published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), UK.
(Extracted from MOM OSH Alert, dated 5 June 2007)

Accidents Involving Improper Rigging

Within a short span of two days, there were two accidents involving lifting operations, that resulted in the death of one worker and injuring another two.

Case 1
A horizontal lifting clamp was used to lift a web frame. During the lifting operation, the web frame slipped out of the lifting clamp and crushed a worker who was standing next to the web frame.

>> The Web frame

Case 2
Steel plate hooks were used in conjunction with a spreader bar to lift metal plates. While lifting, the spreader bar suddenly swung out and struck two workers thereby injuring them.
<< Steel plate hook used to lift a few pieces of metal plates

>> Spreader bar involved in the accident

"Struck by Falling Object" accounted for the second highest number of fatal accidents (26%), after "Falls from Height" (34%) of all fatal industrial accidents from 2002-2005.

All lifting operations must have a lift plan supported by an analysis of the hazards and risks.

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. Prior to any lifting operation, a lifting plan must be developed by a competent person with the relevant lifting operation personnel. The lifting plan should comprise of hazard identification and risk assessment to eliminate or reduce the risks associated with the hazards.
2. The lifting plan should, though not limited to, address the following :

• The personnel required;
• Their roles, responsibilities and competencies;
• Nature and weight of load;
• Type and location of lifting points;
• Selection of the appropriate lifting gears and equipment;
• Assessment of the need for tagline to control movement of suspended load;
• Means of communication during lifting operations;
• Restrictions to the lift operations such as weather and illumination;
• The provision of safe place of work for all personnel during lifting operations.

3. In the lifting plan, there should be a set of written safe work procedures. If the lifting operation deviates from the plan, the lifting operation should stop immediately.
4. The manufacturer or supplier of lifting equipment and gears has a duty to make available to the users, the necessary information on the safe use and maintenance of the lifting equipment and gears.
5. The employer should ensure that the appropriate personnel are adequately instructed, trained and supervised in the use of lifting equipment and gears.
6. Lifting equipment and gears must be inspected and certified safe for use by an Authorised Examiner. Lifting gears must not be modified and should only be used in such a manner as specified by the manufacturer.
7. As a safety precaution, no personnel shall be positioned beneath a suspended load during lifting operations.

(Extracted from MOM OSH Alert, dated Monday, 21 May 2007)

Accidents involving Cranes and Lifting Operations

In the past 8 months, there was an increase in industrial accidents involving cranes and lifting operations which sadly, could have been prevented. Here are the summaries of three such recent accidents.

Case 1

While slewing without carrying any load, the mobile crane toppled to its side. The crane outriggers were not extended during the operation.

Case 2

Crawler crane toppled during demobilization. No one was injured in this accident.

Case 3

While being lifted, one end of a 6T pipe dropped and hit a supervisor, who subsequently 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. Risk assessments should be conducted and safe work procedures implemented for all lifting operations, not just for heavy loads. The weight of the load should not be the only determining criteria for conducting risk assessments. Many accidents involving cranes and lifting operations occur during routine lifting of light loads and even in situations where that are no loads lifted.
2. It is of vital importance to ensure that materials to be lifted are securely rigged. Under the Factories (Operation of Cranes) Regulations, riggers and signalmen engaged in lifting operations involving mobile, crawler or tower cranes must attend and pass the courses prescribed by the Commissioner for Workplace Safety and Health.
3. Occupiers shall also appoint a lifting supervisor who has successfully completed a training course approved by the Commissioner for Workplace Safety and Health to supervise any lifting operation involving the use of any crane, mobile crane or tower crane.
4. Crawler, mobile and tower cranes shall only be operated by trained and competent operators who are registered with the Commissioner of Workplace Safety and Health. 5. All lifting equipment and lifting gears must be inspected and certified safe to be used by a MOM authorised examiner for lifting equipment. Lifting gears and equipment should NOT be modified to be used in any lifting operations unless such modifications are examined and approved by the authorised examiner.
6. All lifting operations should be properly planned by a competent person before the actual execution and not left solely to the ground crew such as the crane operator or rigger.
7. Do not allow anyone to stand beneath any suspended load or within the danger zone during a lifting operation.
8. Cranes must not be overloaded under any circumstances. The weight of the load must always be made known either from specifications or through calculations. Once the overload indicator is activated, the lifting operation must be stopped immediately.

(Extracted from MOM OSH Alert dated 30 April 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

3 Collapse after inhalation of chemical

Worker Drowned in a Trench

A worker was found submerged inside a half flooded deep trench which was meant for sewage pipe installation in a building under construction. He was brought to the hospital for treatment where he succumbed to his injuries.
Ministry of Manpower (MOM) had stopped all work activities at the accident scene. The occupier was instructed to review their existing work procedures related to the sewage pipe installation. Investigation is in progress.

MOM urges all occupiers to take ownership of safety and prevent workplace accidents. The Workplace Safety and Health (Risk Management) Regulations require all workplaces to conduct risk assessments to identify the source of risks, actions that should be taken and parties responsible for doing so. Safe work procedures must be instituted, communicated and implemented to ensure the safety and health of workers.

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. No person shall be permitted to enter any excavated area unless until it has been inspected and certified safe for entry by a designated person. All necessary protective measures such as sheet piling, shoring or other safeguards that may be necessary for his protection must be provided.
2. Work in open trench and excavation should stop in the event of a downpour. A designated person should check and monitor the banks and soil condition after the downpour to ascertain that it is safe to enter before allowing workers in.
3. Tools and other materials should not be placed near the edges of the trench in a manner that would endanger persons below. This could also contribute to tripping hazards where workers may trip and fall over.
4. Open sides of excavations should be guarded by adequate barricades and suitable warning signs should be put up at prominent spots.
5. Shores and braces should be of adequate dimensions for stiffness and should be placed so as to be effective for their intended purposes.
6. Safe means of access to and exit from trenches such as ladders, stairways or ramps should be provided.
7. Occupiers should develop an effective emergency plan responding to flash flood situations in trenches. There should also be set in place, a proper set of rescue procedures in trenches during an emergency.

(Extracted from MOM OSH Alert dated 26 March 2007)

Food Mixer Kills a Worker

This tragic accident took place during a food blending process in a food and beverage factory last year.
A worker, tasked to operate a blending machine, was found with his upper body severely mutilated within the mixing tank of a blending machine.

A stop work order was issued by MOM and the occupier was instructed to conduct risk assessments for all processes in the factory including the blending process.

MOM urges all occupiers to take greater ownership to prevent workplace accidents. The Workplace Safety and Health (Risk Management) Regulations requires all workplaces to conduct risk assessments to identify the source of risks, actions that should be taken and parties responsible for doing so. Safe work procedures must be instituted, communicated and implemented to ensure the safety and health of workers involved.

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 is to be misconstrued as implying any liability on any party)
1. All dangerous parts of machinery & every part of transmission by pulley belts or gears shall be securely fenced, unless it is in such a position or so constructed as to be safe for all operators.
2. Where it is impracticable to securely fence a dangerous part of any machinery, workers must be prevented from coming into contact with the dangerous part while the machine is in operation.
3. Flywheels connected to prime movers & its moving parts must be securely fenced regardless of their positions.
4. Interlocking devices should be installed to stop the operation of the rotating mechanisms of the mixing tanks when the covers of the mixing tanks were opened.
5. Mixing tanks should be installed at a reasonable height above the walking/working platform to prevent workers from falling into the mixing tanks when the covers were opened.
6. Click HERE to download the Guide for Checking Safety Devices and Guarding for Metalworking Machinery published by the Ministry of Manpower.

(From MOM circlar,OSH Alert dated 5 March 2007)

Ferocious Detonations at the BP Texas City Refinery

A series of explosions took place at the BP Texas City refinery on 23 March 2005 when a distillation tower, overfilled with highly flammable liquid hydrocarbons and over-pressurized, caused a geyser-like release of highly flammable liquid and vapour from the vent stack onto the grounds of the refinery. This catastrophic process accident took 15 lives, injured 170 others, and was the worst industrial accident in United States (U.S.) since 1990.
On the recommendation of the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board who investigated the Texas City incident, BP Headquarters commissioned an independent safety review panel in October 2005 to make a thorough, independent and credible assessment of corporate oversight of safety management systems at the company's five U.S. refineries and of the company's corporate safety culture.
Lead by former US Secretary of State James Baker III, the independent panel released its 374-page report on 16 Jan 2007. In its report, the panel recommended a range of safety measures, including a strong safety audit system and an independent monitor to follow BP's progress for five years. The panel made the following 10 recommendations:

1. BP's executive management must provide effective leadership on and establish appropriate goals for process safety. They must articulate a clear message on the importance of safety, and match it with policies and actions.
2. BP should create a system to identify, reduce and manage safety risk.
3. BP should create a system to ensure that staff from top management to refinery workers should possess an appropriate level of process safety knowledge and expertise.
4. BP should involve relevant stakeholders to develop a positive, trusting and open safety culture within each U.S. refinery.
5. BP should define expectations and strengthen accountability for safety performance at all levels.
6. BP should provide more effective and better coordinated process safety support for the U.S. refining line organization.
7. BP should develop and maintain an integrated set of leading and lagging safety performance indicators to improve monitoring of its safety performance.
8. BP should create a system to audit safety performance at all U.S. refineries.
9. BP's Board should engage an independent monitor to report on BP's progress in applying these recommendations for at least five calendar years. BP should report publicly on its progress and safety performance.
10. BP should use the lessons learned from the Texas City explosion and the panel's report to transform the company into an industry leader in safety management.

Click HERE to read more about details about the incident in the Baker’s Panel Report.

(From MOM circlar,OSH Alert dated 12 February 2007)