Action Plan
Friday, June 21, 2013
PROTECTION OF EMPLOYEES AGAINST THE EFFECTS OF HAZE
GUIDELINES FOR THE PROTECTION OF EMPLOYEES
AGAINST THE EFFECTS OF HAZE AT WORKPLACES
Introduction
The main pollutant of concern to health during a smoke haze
is the fine particulate matter or PM10 (particulate of size 10 micron and
below). The health effect depends on the severity of the smoke haze as
described by the PSI (Pollutant Standards Index) reading. At PSI > 100, the
air quality is deemed unhealthy.
2 Under the Workplace Safety & Health Act (WSH Act),
employers have a duty to protect their employees’ safety and health at work.
When PSI levels exceed 100, employees will be exposed to higher levels of
safety and health risk due to poor visibility and/or ill effects of haze.
Hence, it is incumbent upon employers to carry out a proper risk assessment and
to implement appropriate measures, including specifying when to stop work, so
as to ensure that risks identified are minimised or mitigated. In situations
where haze poses imminent danger to the safety and health of workers and
measures have not been taken to mitigate those risks, the Ministry of Manpower
(MOM) may order the affected work to stop. If any person (individual or
corporate bodies) fails to comply with a stop work order, under the WSH Act he
shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $500,000 or to
imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.
3 The objective of these guidelines is to help both
employers and employees to be better prepared in minimising or mitigating the
effects of haze. The PSI levels stated in these guidelines refer to the 24-hour
average level issued by the National Environment Agency (NEA).
Preparation
4 Following announcement of an increased risk of haze by
NEA, employers should initiate the following preparations to protect the safety
and health of employees against the effects of haze:
a) Identify susceptible employees1
b) Identify types of outdoor work2 to be reduced when there
is haze
c) Determine criteria for stopping outdoor work
d) Conduct respirator fit testing for employees who need to
work outdoors
Ensure sufficient stock of
disposable N95 respirators
f) Improve efficiency of air
cleaning devices
g) Implement haze communication
system between employer and employees.
Management of susceptible
employees
5 Employees with existing heart
or respiratory illness are more susceptible to the effects of haze. When PSI
levels exceed 100, these susceptible employees must use respiratory protective
devices (or respirators) if working outdoors. If they experience breathing
difficulty from wearing respirators while working outdoors, employers should
deploy them to work indoor where the pollutant concentration is lower. When PSI
levels exceed 200, all susceptible employees should be deployed to work indoor,
preferably in work that is not physically strenuous.
Minimising outdoor work
6 At PSI > 100, outdoor work
involving strenuous activity should be minimised. Any employee who has
difficulty using respirators while working outdoors should be deployed to work
indoor.
7 At PSI > 200, outdoor work
involving strenuous activity should be avoided.
8 At PSI>300, risk
assessments should be conducted to determine whether outdoor lifting operations
involving tower and mobile cranes should cease due to the foreseeable risk of
poor visibility, so as not to compromise safety of persons at work. Such work can
only be carried out when appropriate precautions have been taken to reduce the
risk. Employers are reminded of their duties under the WSH Act to provide and
maintain for their employees a work environment which is safe, without risk to
health, and adequate as regards facilities and arrangements for their welfare
at work. In addition to the Workplace Safety and Health Act, failure to
implement effective risk management to eliminate or minimise WSH risks is also
an offence under the WSH (Risk Management) Regulations. The penalty for the
first offence is a maximum fine of $10,000 . For a second or subsequent
offence, the penalty is a fine of up to $20,000 or imprisonment for a term not
exceeding 6 months or to both.
9 At PSI > 400, there will
be an increased risk of ill health for all persons, including employees
conducting non-strenuous outdoor work. Hence, the risk assessment will need to
include the impact of haze on the health of all employees, especially those
working outdoors. If the risk of ill health cannot be mitigated, the work
activity should stop. For those engaged in emergency and essential services,
the risk should be mitigated by wearing suitable respirators.
Provision of suitable respirators
10 It is the duty of employers
to provide suitable respirators to employees when required (please refer to
Table A). The correct type of respirator is one which is capable of filtering
out about 95% of very fine particles. Disposable N95 respirators, commonly
called N95 masks, are preferable as they are more comfortable than cartridge
respirators.
11 Employees who are required
to wear respirators should be fit-tested to ensure good fit of the respirator.
Employers should ensure sufficient stock of respirators for these employees.
Training and supervision should be conducted to ensure correct usage of
respirators. Respirators should be changed when soiled/physically damaged or
when the wearer finds it hard to breathe.
Smoke Haze
Effect
of Smoke Haze
The main pollutant of
concern to health during a smoke haze is the fine particulate matter or
PM10 (particulate of size 10 micron and below). The health effect depends
on the severity of the smoke haze as described by the PSI (Pollutant Standards
Index) reading. At a PSI of 101 and above, the air quality is deemed
unhealthy.
During a smoke haze,
the fine particulates enter an air-conditioned building through the fresh
air intake and by infiltration through openings and gaps. The particulate
levels indoor can thus build up to unacceptable levels. This could have
undesirable health effect on the occupants of the building and adversely
affect the efficiency of the air-conditioning system.
1) What is PSI?
How is the index
measured?
PSI stands
for 'Pollutant Standards Index'. It is an index developed by the
United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to provide
accurate, timely and easily understandable information about daily
levels of air pollution.
The ambient air
in Singapore is monitored through a telemetric network of air
monitoring stations strategically located in different parts of Singapore.
Air pollutants such as
sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide and particulate
matter called PM10 (particulate matter of 10 microns or smaller in size) are
used in the determination of the index.
The PSI
value gives an indication of the air quality as shown:
PSI Value
|
PSI Descriptor
|
0 to 50
|
Good
|
51 - 100
|
Moderate
|
101 - 200
|
Unhealthy
|
201 - 300
|
Very unhealthy
|
Above 300
|
Hazardous
|
2) How
will NEA issue health advisories during times of poor air quality?
Health advisories pegged to PSI and PM2.5 are
tabulated below. NEA will issue advisories based on either the PSI or PM2.5,
whichever is more stringent.
Health Advisories Pegged to PSI
PSI Value
|
Health Advisory
|
0 to 50
(Good)
|
None for the
general population
|
51 to 100
(Moderate)
|
None for the
general population
|
101 to 200
(Unhealthy)
|
Persons with
existing heart or respiratory ailments should reduce physical exertion and
outdoor activity.
The general population should reduce vigorous outdoor activity.
|
201 to 300
(Very unhealthy)
|
Elderly and persons with existing heart or lung disease should stay
indoors and reduce physical exertion and outdoor activity.
The general
population should avoid vigorous outdoor activity.
|
301 to 400
(Hazardous)
|
Children, elderly
and persons with existing diseases should stay indoors and avoid outdoor
activity.
The general population should avoid unnecessary outdoor activity.
|
> 400
(Hazardous)
|
Children, elderly
and persons with existing diseases should stay indoors, keeping the windows
and doors closed and avoiding physical exertion as far as possible
Outdoor activity
should be avoided.
The general
population should keep physical exertion and outdoor activity to as low a
level as possible.
|
Health Advisories Pegged to PM2.5
24-hr PM2.5 concentration (µg/m3)
|
Health
Advisory
|
||
0 to 15
|
None
|
||
>15 to 40
|
None for the general population.
Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion. |
||
> 40 to 65
|
Following groups should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion:
Everyone else should limit prolonged or heavy exertion.
|
||
> 65 to 150
|
Following groups should avoid all physical activity outdoors:
Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.
|
||
|
|||
Air Cleaning Devices for Buildings (with Central
Air-Conditioning System)
For buildings with
central air conditioning systems, air cleaning devices can be fitted so
that the particulate level in the indoor air can be kept within
acceptable levels during a prolonged smoke haze period. The devices
include electrostatic precipitators and media filters.
Electrostatic
precipitators operate by electrically charging dust particles as they
pass a set of electrodes. The charged particles are subsequently
collected by charged collector plates (with an opposite charge)
downstream of the charging electrodes. They have minimal effect on
airflow.
Media Filters are
mats of fine fibres oriented perpendicular to the direction of airflow.
Particulates are intercepted and trapped in the fibres. They are
available in a wide range of capture efficiencies. For smoke haze,
filters manufactured for more efficient removal of fine particulate
should be used. The conventional medium to high efficiency media filters
that can trap fine particulate are typically dense and may hinder air flow
if the fans are not designed to match them. There is another type of
medium efficiency filter that is less dense and therefore exerts a lower
resistance to air flow. This type of filter contains electrostatically
charged fibres that attract and retain fine particles.
The capital and
operating costs vary depending on the particular type of air cleaning
devices selected and the design of the air-conditioning system. Based on
NEA's assessment, the overall annual cost range from $2,000 to $10,000
for a floor area of 1,300 sq.m. The costs are for an assumed haze period
of three months per year. The actual costs of the options will need to
be ascertained with system suppliers.
|
|||
Portable
Air Cleaners
Portable air cleaners
are compact, stand-alone appliances designed to keep the particulate levels of
an enclosed space low.
Several models of air
cleaners have been found to be able to reduce the level of fine particles in a
typical bedroom to an acceptable level during a smoke haze.
In general, there are
three main types of air cleaners available in the market. They are:
a) Ionisers which
impart negative charge to the particles that subsequently stick to surrounding
surfaces or are filtered out;
b) Electronic air
cleaners which removes particles by electrostatic precipitation; and
c) High Efficiency
Particulate Absolute or HEPA air cleaners which removes particles by mechanical
filtration and diffusion.
Friday, June 14, 2013
Everything you need to know about scaffold
Q: What is a scaffold?
A : As stipulated under the Workplace Safety and Health ( Scaffolds) Regulations 2011 “scaffold” means any temporary structure —
(a) on or from which any person performs work in any workplace; or
(b) which enables any person to obtain access to or which enables any material to be taken to any place at which such work is work is performed,
Q: Who can erect or dismantle scaffolds?
A: The Workplace Safety and Health (Scaffolds) Regulations 2011 requires companies that erect, install, reposition, alter or dismantle any scaffold
(except tower and trestle scaffolds) more than 4 metres in height to register as Approved Scaffold Contractors (ASC) with the Ministry.
The erection, alternation or dismantling of scaffolds can only be performed by scaffold erectors employed by the ASC under the supervision of a scaffold supervisor.
Q: What are the duties of Approved Scaffold Contractors?
A: It is the duty of every Approved Scaffold Contractor (ASC) who erects, installs, repositions, alters or dismantles any scaffold to ensure that requirements for the work spelt out in the Workplace Safety and Health ( Scaffolds) Regulations 2011 are complied with.
Q: How should the scaffold erectors and suspended scaffold riggers be equipped during erection and dismantling of scaffolds?
A: Every scaffold erector and every suspended scaffold rigger involved in the erection and dismantling of scaffolds must be equipped with and use a safety harness attached to a shock absorbing device.
There should also be provision of fall arresting device, sufficient and secured anchorage for each erector/ rigger.
As a best practice, harnesses with double lanyards should be used.
Q: Under what circumstances, does the construction of scaffold require design by a professional engineer (P.E)?
A: For construction sites and general factories, construction of any metal scaffolds exceeding 30 metres in height and/or with cantilever or jib support will require the design of a professional engineer.
For shipyards, construction of metal scaffolds exceeding 15 metres in height will also require the design of a professional engineer.
In addition, all hanging scaffolds (commonly used in shipyards), from which a person may fall more than 2 metres must also be constructed and installed in accordance with the design and drawings of a professional engineer. P.E design and drawings shall be kept available for inspection at worksite. It is also important to ensure that scaffolds that require P.E’s design must be erected according to that design. Any variation from the design must be endorsed by the P.E concerned.
Q: How often should the erected scaffolds be inspected?
A: All erected scaffolds (except trestle scaffolds) are to be inspected by the scaffold supervisor at least once every seven days, if a person is liable to fall more than 2 metres from any part of the scaffold. All metal scaffolds exceeding 30 metres in height and/or with cantilever or jib support are to be examined and certified safe for use by a professional engineer upon completion of scaffold construction, and subsequently at least once every three months.
Q: Do scaffolds need signage?
A: Yes, the requirement for the appropriate signage on scaffolds will apply for all circumstances.
There should be a sign on every scaffold, displayed at every designated access point to indicate the scaffold is safe to use or otherwise. A prominent warning notice must also be displayed during the process of erection and dismantling of all scaffolds. The warning signage is to inform users that the scaffold is not yet safe for use.
It is also encouraged that a notice / indication of the Approved Scaffold Contractor company name, and the relevant contact number, is displayed on the erected scaffolds.
This will promote ownership over the erected scaffolds and highlight the professional services by the respective Approved Scaffold Contractors (A.S.C), especially when there is two or more A.S.Cs at site.
Metal Scaffold Erection Course
Supervision
of Metal Scaffold Erection Course
Under the WSH Act
2006, (Scaffolds), it is mandatory for all persons who want to be a scaffold
supervisor to undergo training approved by the Commissioner for Workplace
Safety & Health from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
Metal
Scaffold Erection Course
Under the Workplace
Safety and Health (WSH) 2006 Act, all persons who perform metal scaffold
erection in the building and construction industry must take the metal scaffold
erector course and be certified to ensure safety on the job.
Scaffold Design & Safety Standards
Building & Construction:
Scaffold Design & Safety
Standards Resource Guide ---July 2011
1. CP 14: 1996
This code provides guidance on
the building, design and use of scaffolds as temporary structures in
construction, maintenance, repair and demolition work.
2. CP 20: 1999
Code of practice for
suspended scaffolds
This code specifies the safety
requirements for the construction, operation, maintenance, and use of suspended
scaffolds.
3. SS 280: Part 1: 2006
Specification for metal
scaffoldings
(Part 1: Frame scaffoldings)
This standard specifies the
minimum requirements for the usage of metal scaffoldings as temporary
structures to provide support for the materials used.
4. SS 280: Part 2: 2009
Specification for metal
scaffoldings
(Part 2: Modular scaffoldings)
(Incorporating Corrigendum No.
1, May 2011)
This standard specifies the
minimum requirements for steel modular scaffolds as temporary structures to
provide support for the materials used.
5. SS 311: 2005
Specification for steel
tubes and fittings used in tubular scaffolding
This standard specifies the
requirements pertaining to steel quality and mechanical properties of the steel
tubes and fittings, the finishes and the requisite tests for their usage in
tubular scaffolding.
Other Standards
6. BS 1139-2.2: 2009
Metal scaffolding
(Part 2: couplers- Section 2.2:
Aluminium couplers and special couplers in steel- Requirements and test
methods)
This standard covers the
requirements and test methods for aluminium couplers and steel fittings for
their usage in scaffolds.
7. BS 1139-4: 1982
Metal scaffolding
(Part 4: Specification for
prefabricated steel splitheads and trestles)
This standard covers the
requirements for steel splitheads and trestles for their usage as supports for
temporary working platforms.
8. BS EN 39: 2001
Loose steel tubes for tube
and coupler scaffolds- Technical delivery conditions
This standard covers the
requirements for steel tubes with couplers in the construction of falsework and
working scaffolds.
9. BS EN 12811-1: 2003
Temporary works equipment
(Part 1: Scaffolds- Performance
requirements and general design)
This standard covers the
performance requirements, methods and structural design for the working
scaffolds in general.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Workplace Safety & Health Act subsidiary legislation
Workplace Safety & Health Act subsidiary
legislation
|
S/no
|
|
Applicable workplaces
|
||
|
1
|
Factories
|
|||
|
2
|
All workplaces
|
|||
|
3
|
All worksites
|
|||
|
4
|
All workplaces
|
|||
|
5
|
All workplaces
|
|||
|
6
|
All workplaces
|
|||
|
7
|
Premises owned by the Singapore
Armed Forces and domestic premises
|
|||
|
8
|
All workplaces
|
|||
|
9
|
-
|
|||
|
10
|
-
|
|||
|
11
|
Factories
|
|||
|
12
|
Shipyards and ships in harbour
|
|||
|
13
|
Factories
|
|||
|
14
|
All workplaces
|
|||
|
15
|
All workplaces
|
|||
|
16
|
All workplaces
|
|||
|
17
|
Factories
|
|||
|
18
|
All workplaces
|
|||
|
19
|
All workplaces
|
|||
|
20
|
All workplaces
|
|||
|
21
|
All workplaces
|
|||
|
22
|
All workplaces
|
The
following Factories subsidiary legislation will be reviewed and promulgated
as
new Workplace Safety and Health subsidiary legislation.
|
S/no
|
Factories
Act subsidiary legislation
|
|
1
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
3
|
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)