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)

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)