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Managing Safety in Lifting Operations

Tan Jway KweeLTA

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BackgroundBackground

•• Concerns over frequent DO cases in construction industry thenConcerns over frequent DO cases in construction industry then

•• Extensive consultations with MOM/contractorsExtensive consultations with MOM/contractors

• New standards for Lifting Operations introduced in 2000

Key clauses, e.g.Key clauses, e.g.

•• Appointment of Lifting EngineersAppointment of Lifting Engineers•• Appointment of Crane Maintenance SupervisorsAppointment of Crane Maintenance Supervisors•• Excavator prohibited as LM, unless fully equipped and deemed by Excavator prohibited as LM, unless fully equipped and deemed by AEAE•• Lorry loader strictly for delivery/removal of site materials, noLorry loader strictly for delivery/removal of site materials, not as mobile cranet as mobile crane•• LM age limit capped at 15LM age limit capped at 15--year oldyear old•• 22ndnd audible alarm to be installed externallyaudible alarm to be installed externally•• Lifting Plan Lifting Plan •• Doubled the frequency of LM statutory inspectionDoubled the frequency of LM statutory inspection

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Key clauses, e.g.Key clauses, e.g.

•• Appointment of Lifting Engineers Appointment of Lifting Engineers ((duties include checking cranesduties include checking cranes’’ route route access)access)

•• Expressly written that: Expressly written that: --

•• The Contractor must appoint at least one suitably qualified and The Contractor must appoint at least one suitably qualified and experienced Engineer to oversee lifting operations.experienced Engineer to oversee lifting operations.

•• Crane access route around site must be designed by a Crane access route around site must be designed by a competent Engineer and the stability of the route over which competent Engineer and the stability of the route over which cranes are to travel, certified at least once a day by him. Cracranes are to travel, certified at least once a day by him. Crane ne access checks must be repeated after inclement weather as access checks must be repeated after inclement weather as appropriate.appropriate.

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Crane sunk into soft spot

Managing Safety in Lifting Operations

Such incident would be prevented with appointment of Lifting Engineer his regular checks

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Key clauses, e.g.Key clauses, e.g.

•• Crane Maintenance Supervisors (perform checks & routine inspectiCrane Maintenance Supervisors (perform checks & routine inspections)ons)

•• The Contractor must appoint a Crane Maintenance Supervisor (CMS)The Contractor must appoint a Crane Maintenance Supervisor (CMS) to check all cranes coming on to site before they are used, andto check all cranes coming on to site before they are used, and all all existing cranes weeklyexisting cranes weekly

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Other than updating our GS, how we managed safe lifting operatioOther than updating our GS, how we managed safe lifting operations? ns?

Briefly, itBriefly, it’’s a 3s a 3--prong approachprong approach

Promotion, e.g.Promotion, e.g.Educating our contractors to:Educating our contractors to:•• have better understanding and compliance to legal and contractuahave better understanding and compliance to legal and contractual l

requirementsrequirements•• Arrest potential weakness promptly, preventing likely occurrenceArrest potential weakness promptly, preventing likely occurrence of DOof DO•• Increase safety awarenessIncrease safety awareness

Engineering, e.g.Engineering, e.g.•• Cranes to be fitted with additional stop device if SWL exceededCranes to be fitted with additional stop device if SWL exceeded•• 22ndnd audible alarm installed externallyaudible alarm installed externally•• ASLI be calibrated by Approved crane contractorASLI be calibrated by Approved crane contractor

Enforcement, e.g.Enforcement, e.g.•• Planned Group Inspection RegimesPlanned Group Inspection Regimes•• Thematic ExercisesThematic Exercises•• Special Enforcement ExercisesSpecial Enforcement Exercises

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Thematic Exercise carried out in DTL 1Thematic Exercise carried out in DTL 1•• Why? Because extensive Why? Because extensive LMsLMs used there. used there.

•• All findings were conveyed to respective contractors at end of All findings were conveyed to respective contractors at end of the day.the day.

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Key findingsKey findingsGood compliance/ practices

1. All cranes used at site are < 15 year old

a. Inspection records in order

2. Structural integrity of cranes generally acceptable, i.e. :-

a. derricking and hoisting mechanisms in good condition

b. Lifting gears & limit switches etc. in good condition

c. no deformed mast section, kinked/defective wire ropes etc.

d. Monthly re-inspection with colour-coding carried out

3. Qualified lifting personnel appointed, with appointment letters, e.g.

a. Lifting Engineer

b. Lifting Supervisor

c. Rigger and Signalman

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Good compliance/ practices….

4. All lifting machines were inspected every 6-monthly

5. Lifting personnel identified on site and actively on alert during lifting

6. No dragging of load spotted

7. Daily briefing and pre-operation check carried out every morning

8. Have a crane maintenance supervisor appointed from every crane supplier

9. Load chart kept in cabin

10. Cabin in serviceable condition

11. Crane cabin locked whenever operator leaves cabin

12. Safety messages/warning signs painted on crane’s body

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Areas for improvement:

1. Limit switches alarms to link up externally

2. Load chart in Japanese. To translate into language easily understood

3. Automatic Safe Load Indicator (ASLI) by-pass switch to be locked to prevent tampering

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Summary of Updates/ Responses from contractors

1. Agreed with findings from Safety Division and project teams

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Conclusion

No major non-compliance spotted at DTL1 project. Contractors were able to respond swiftly and rectify immediately on the 3 items highlighted.

1. Installation of external audible alarm2. Load charts translated into English/comprehensible to operator3. ASLI’s by-pass switch kept locked to prevent tampering

Recommendation for further improvement

WSHO to track preventive maintenance regime of LMsCurrently tracks routine maintenance regime. To include trackingof preventive maintenance regime, by various crane suppliers.

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The end.

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Lifting supervisor, with identification vest Steel plate used during lifting operations

Good compliance/ practices

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Boom angle indicator AS:LI locked to prevent tampering of by-pass switch

Good compliance/ practices

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Load chart inside cabin

Cabin door locked, with reminder sign

Good compliance/ practices

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Safety messages and warning sign displayed on crane’s body

Good compliance/ practices

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ASLI with switches, not locked. Tampering of by-pass switch possible

Poor compliance

Load chart in Japanese

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ASLI’s alarms not connected to this external horn

Poor compliance

Cabin’s glass damaged

Managing Safety in Lifting Operations