Competency Unit: Manage WSH in Construction Industry

Competency Code: WP02-PR-506E-1

Section1: Manage Compliance Issues in Construction Industries

1.Identify and apply the relevant and appropriate clauses stated in the
legal and other requirements to formulate control measures of WSH risks
on site (with reference to item 1)

1.1 Erection of metal scaffolds

S/
N

Legislation/CP

Clause

Control measures

WSH Act
(Cap.354A)

WSH
(Construction)
Regulations 2007

Part VII, Safety

and Health
Management
arrangements
Clause 31
Part IV , General
Provision
Regulation 20

i)Employees/workers must attend the

relevant course required for the job
before work commences by
accredited centre.
i) Ensure sound design, good
construction in accordance with the
design, adequate strength for its
intended use. Erected by approved
scaffold contractors, PE design when
applicable.
ii) Properly maintained- check
periodically.

Workplace Safety
& Health(Scaffold)
Regulations 2011

-Part II General
Provision,
Clause 4,5,6

iii) Safely withstand any foreseeable

load likely to impose on it. use
within the safe working load
i) Erected by approved scaffold
contractors only.
ii) Erectors and supervisor need to
attend training course.

-Clause 9

-Clause 20, and

Part III Metal
Scaffold
Clause 30

-Clause 26, 27,

28
4

SS CP 14: 1996
Code of Practice
for Scaffolds
SS CP 20: 1999

ii) Erected by approved scaffold

contractor and check that the scaffold
material are strong, free from defects
and safe to use.

iv) PE design when applicable ie. If

metal scaffold exceed 30m in height
in any factory and in a shipyard
exceed 15m.
v) Inspection of scaffold every 7 days
or after bad weather and labelling,
posting of warning signs
As stated in CP

As stated in CP

Code of Practice
for Suspended
Scaffold

1.2 Excavation a 5m long, 300 mm and 4m deep trench for laying a 200 mm
diameter sewer pipe
S/
N
1

Legislation/CP
WSH Act
(Cap.354A)

WSH
(Construction)
Regulations 2007

Clause
Part VII, Safety
and Health
Management
arrangements
Clause 31
Part XI ,
Excavation and
tunneling
-Clause 77,78

i)Employees/workers must attend the

relevant course required for the job
before work commences by
accredited centre.

-Clause 79

-Provide Access and Egress from

excavation.

-Clause 82

-Provide ventilation, do gas check to

ensure safe for entry

Part III, Permit to

work system
3

Control measures

WSH ( Risk
Management)
Regulation 2009

-Shoring design by PE required for

4m depth and PE designed.

-Implement PTW
-To conduct RA, carry out
underground services detection
before start of excavation

1.3 Working in confined space

S/
N

Legislation/CP

Clause

Control measures

WSH Act
(Cap.354A)

WSH ( Confined
Space) Regulation
2009

Part VII, Safety

and Health
Management
arrangements
Clause 31
Part II General
Provisions
-Clause 5
-Clause 7
-Clause 8

Part III Control of

Entry -Clause 9
-Clause 12, 16

-Clause 15
Monitoring of
safety & health of
worker enter into
confined space
3

WSH ( Risk
Management)
Regulation 2009
SS CP84: 2000
Code of Practice
for Entry into and
Safe Working in
Confined Space
2010 Technical
Advisory:
Work Safely
in Confined
Spaces

i)Employees/workers must attend the

relevant course required for the job
before work commences by
accredited centre.
i)Provide safe means of access and
egress
ii) Provide sufficient lighting in
confined space
iii) Provide adequate ventilation and
ensure air supply is free of
contaminants
iv) Implement entry permit
v) Carry out gas check to ensure safe
for entry and conduct periodic gas
testing
vi) Monitor entry by an attendant to
record worker in and out of the
confined space and maintained
communication

-To conduct RA, establish emergency

rescue plans
As stated in CP

As stated in TA

1.4 Demolition of a reinforced concrete residential building

S/
N

Legislation/CP

Clause

Control measures

WSH Act
(Cap.354A)

WSH
(Construction)
Regulations 2007

WSH ( Risk
Management)
Regulation 2009

SS CP11:
Code of Practice
for Demolition
WSH Councils
Technical Advisory
for Demolition

Part VII, Safety

and Health
Management
arrangements
Clause 31
Part X,
Demolition
Clause 69 -76

i)Employees/workers must attend the

relevant course required for the job
before work commences by
accredited centre.

Part III. Permitto-work System

-Implement PTW

-Carry out pre-demolition surveys,

planning work by experience person
on demolition methods and
equipment required and safety
measures.
-Structural stability and the safe
working load during the demolition
process should be determined by a
PE.

-To conduct RA, associated with the

demolition process such as falling
from height, falling objects, electrical
hazards etc
As stated in CP

As stated in TA

1.5 Lifting operations

S/
N
1

Legislation/CP
WSH Act
(Cap.354A)

WSH
(Construction)
Regulations 2007

Clause

Control measures

Part VII, Safety

and Health
Management
arrangements
Clause 31
Part XV, Cranes,
Employees Lifts
and Material
Handling

i)Employees/workers must attend the

relevant course required for the job
before work commences by
accredited centre.
i)Ensure regular maintenance of the
crane, examined by authorized
examiner and certified good for use.

Machinery
Clause 134
136
Clause 137 - 139

WSH ( Operation
of Cranes)
Regulations 2011

Part III, Permit to

work system
Part II, General
Provisions
-Clause 4

ii) Ensure SWP is in place and

practiced such as suspended load is
not moved over any person.
iv) Implement PTW
i)Establish and implement a lifting
plan.

Part III,
Registration of
crane operator

ii) Engaged only registered crane

operator.

Part IV,
Appointment &
Duties of
Personnel

iii) Rigger, signalman, lifting

supervisor must attend the certified
course accepted by the
Commissioner and fulfil the
experience requirement before being
appointed.
To conduct RA.

WSH( Risk
Management)
Regulations 2006
Workplace Safety
Part III, -Clause
& Health(General
20,21 & 22
Provisions)
Regulations
SS536 :2008 Code
of practice for Safe
use of Mobile
Cranes
SS559 :2010 Code
of practice for Safe
use of Tower
Cranes
CP 63: 2005
Code of Practice
for Lifting of
person in work
platforms
suspended from

Lifting Gears, Lifting Appliances,

Lifting Machines need to be
examined by authorised examiner
and certified good for use.
As stated in CP

As stated in CP

As stated in CP

cranes
CP35: 1996
The selection, care
and maintenance
of steel wire ropes
for hoisting
SS297 : 1996
Steel wire ropes
for Hoisting
SS343-1 : 2001
Lifting Gears
SS343-2 : 1989
Hooks
SS343-3 : 1990
Shackles
Guidebook for
Lifting Supervisor
Workers Safety
Handbook for
Crane Operator
Workers Safety
Handbook for
Rigger and
Signalman

As stated in CP

As stated in SS

As stated in SS
As stated in SS
As stated in SS
As stated in Guidebook
As stated in Handbook

As stated in Handbook

2. Planning for/ administering the mandatory training in WSH for the

relevant personnel at the workplace
The table below listed the mandatory trainings and the accredited
external provider.
S/
N
1

Personne
l
Managers

Mandatory
Training
Construction Safety
for Project
Managers

Training
provider
Absolute
Kinetics
Consultancy
Pte Ltd

Certification
validity
No expiry

Develop a Risk
Management
Implementation
Plan

Supervisor Building
Construction
Supervisors Safety
Course
Building
Construction
Supervisors Safety
(Tunnelling) Course
Work at Height
course for
Supervisor
Supervision of Metal
Scaffolding erection
course
WSQ Supervise
Safe Lifting
Operations Course

Workers

Construction Safety
Orientation Course
Metal Scaffold
Erection Course

WSQ Performing
Rigger & Signalman
Task
Safety Orientation
Course (Tunneling)
for workers
Work-at-Height
Course

NTUC learning
hub

No expiry

NTUC learning
hub

No expiry

Absolute
Kinetics
Consultancy
Pte Ltd
NTUC learning
hub

No expiry

Absolute
Kinetics
Consultancy
Pte Ltd
Absolute
Kinetics
Consultancy
Pte Ltd
Achieve Safety
Training Pte
Ltd
Safetech
Training
Services Pte
Ltd
Absolute
Kinetics
Consultancy
Pte Ltd
Absolute
Kinetics
Consultancy
Pte Ltd
Absolute
Kinetics

No expiry

No expiry

No expiry

2 years

No expiry

No expiry

2 years

No expiry

Site Safety
Induction Course

Emergency
Response
Procedure

Consultancy
Pte Ltd
In-house
training by
main-con,
occupier
In-house
training by
main-con,
occupier

Every new site

requires to attend

Every new site

require to attend

Schedule of the training is to be arranged before the worker perform the task.
Eg. Rigger must complete the Rigger course before he can be appointed as
Rigger.
All the training records need to be kept by the Human Resource department.

Monitor and manage WSH legal compliances issues by getting updates from:
I)

WSH Council website

This is a free service provided by WSH Council. Subscriber can subscribe

to WSH bulletin is a free electronic newsletter published by WSH Council.
The council will send updated news, information via email to subscribers
on WSH related matters and developments including the publishing of new
legislations and guidelines within the industry.
II) Subscription to legislation publisher such as SPRING.
SPRING is an approved legislation publisher and it will update the
subscriber the changes in legislation and send them the updated copies.
Subscriber will be able to access their online database to check the latest
requirements on WSH Act, NEA and SCDF etc.

II)

Singapore Law Watch

This is a free daily legal news service for the law community in Singapore
and abroad by the Singapore Academy of Law. It provides the latest
Singapore Law headlines, commentary, judgement, legislations, notices &
directions and listings of seminars.
Subscribers will get free updates via email.

IV) Other sources of getting updates

Newspaper
Media such as TV and radio
Professional bodies such as Singapore Institute of Safety Officer (SISO),
Institute of Engineers of Singapore (IES)

Section 2: Control WSH Risks in Construction Industries

1. Analyse the control measures to address WSH hazards and risks in construction.
S/
N

Hazards &
Risks

Control measures
Eliminatio
Substitution
n

Engineering

Administrative

PPE

Fall from Height

-Safe means of roof

access
- Guards for openings
-Proper erection of
scaffolds
-Industrial Rope Access
System

-Workers are reminded to put

on their PPE during the daily
toolbox meeting.
-Implement PTW

-Safety Harness, Travel

Restraint Systems

Struck by falling
objects

-Designated path to site

access and sheltered
walkways

-Workers are reminded to put

on their PPE and use the
designated site access only
during the daily toolbox
meeting.
-Control material storage.
-Ensure workers follow the SWP
and store materials safely.
-Regular inspection &
maintenance of machinery

-Wear safety helmets

-Secure items to a lanyard

whenever possible

Plant &
machinery
(Metal cutting)

Electrical
hazards

-Machine Enclosure to
reduce noise level
-Install guarding

-Install Earth Return

Circuit
-Install Residual Current

-Wear ear plugs

-Wear gloves

-Ensure only trained workers

operate the machinery
-Regular inspection &
maintenance of machine and
equipment.

-Wear good insulated safety

shoes
-Wear eye protection

Device
-Machine set to operate at
lower voltage

Chemical
hazards

Fire hazards

-Use less harmful

chemicals

-Use less
flammable
chemicals (ie. With
higher flashpoint)

-All parts are adequately

insulated
-Install local exhaust
ventilation

-Temperature control
system
-Effective ventilation
system

-Ensure only trained workers

operate the machine.
- Implement LOTO procedure

-MSDS communicated to the

user
-Ensure proper label.
-Ensure only trained personnel
handle the chemicals
-Control combustible material
storage and disposal
-Isolation of incompatible
materials
-PTW for hot works
-Non-smoking Policy

Use of chemical resistant

gloves, eye protection and
respiratory masks (if
applicable).

PPE such as helmet, safety

shoes and eye protection etc.

-Designated area for hot

works

Explosion
hazards

-Temperature control
system
-Effective ventilation
system

-Control combustible material

storage and disposal
-Isolation of incompatible
materials
-PTW for hot works

-Designated area for hot

works

-Non-smoking Policy

PPE such as helmet, safety

shoes and eye protection etc.

-Only trained personnel allowed

to handle explosive chemicals
8

Noise hazards

Atmospheric
contaminants

-Use less noisy

machine or
equipment

-Install noise barriers

-Install local exhaust

ventilation to the source of
the contaminants

-Noise monitoring program.

-Regular maintenance of the
equipment
-Medical surveillance
-Air quality monitoring program
-Training for workers to work in
such environment

-Wear ear plugs or muffs.

-Respiratory masks, eye

protection

Control the hazards and risk to ALARP (As Low As Reasonably Practicable) by getting information through meetings, feedback
session, site inspection, document review (SWP, method statement) and continuous monitoring methods. Regular maintenance
and testing of emergency response procedures and equipment are conducted to ensure that they are in good condition and
preparedness eg. Monthly checks on the fire equipment, fire evacuation drill twice yearly.

2. Formulation of control measures implementation plan

Firstly, the management need to set up a working committee to carry out the implementation plan. The committee members may
happen to be the same as the same safety committee. The members should comprise of personnel from the management staff,
supervisory, operations and administrative staff.

The recommended personnel to sit in this committee are:

-

Project Manager (Management staff)

Supervisor, Engineer (Supervisory)
Foreman, worker (Operations)
HR officer (Administrative staff)

The roles and responsibilities of the working committee are listed in the table below.
S/N Committee member
1
Project Manager

Supervisor, Engineer

Supervisor, Engineer

HR officer

Roles & responsibilities

-Providing resources such as financial, time and manpower
-Plan, manage and control the implementation plan
-Delegate roles and responsibilities to the members
-Review of control measures and risks
-Communicate the progress of the plan to the senior management (director)
-Implementation of control procedures
- Communicate the plan to the workers, employee
- Monitor and report the effectiveness of control measures
- Conduct inspection and audits to ensure effectiveness
- Getting feedback from the workers, employees
-Implementation of control procedures
- Communicate the plan to the workers, employee
- Monitor and report the effectiveness of control measures
- Conduct inspection and audits to ensure effectiveness
- Getting feedback from the workers, employees
-Arrange training for relevant employee ( mandatory and in-house)
-Coordinate with external party such as government agencies and consultant
-Keeping and updating records.

Remarks

The prioritization of action items and schedule are based on the risk level,
availability of resources and impact on production schedule. Therefore list
down all the action items first, then put down their risk level if it is not done and
how big is the impact if it is not done. The management should schedule to
work on those action items that provide the highest impact on reducing the risk
first.
In some companies, production schedule may be hindering the regular
maintenance of electrical appliances as any shutdown will cause great impact
in the output. For such cases, it is recommend to have minor shutdown for
example every quarter for half a day and major shutdown for one week of
schedule maintenance.
Nevertheless, financial resources may be a factor that slow down the progress
of the control measures implementation plan, eg. Installing machine enclosure
may be quite costly.
It is important to monitor the effectiveness of the control measures so that it can
be review and improved when necessary. Monthly review meeting to be
conducted to discuss on the inspection finding, feedback and data collected.
The timeframe given to implement the action plans need to be reasonable. Eg.
Training of the worker to operate a new machine may need 1 week at least.

3. Describe how to raise attention (using flowchart) to the stakeholder on

the hazards identified in different stages of construction projects.
KH Pte Ltd to construct an underground valve chamber at PUB West
Waterworks. The chamber dimension is 6m length X 4m width X 5m height.

Fig. Flowchart of the construction stages, hazards and process actions

Stage

Hazards Analysis /
Process
i)Require deep excavation

PRECONSTRUCTIO
N

ii) Require cable detection

iii) Require formwork
iv) Require soil
investigation
v) Design of chamber
require PE design
vi) Design of shoring
required PE design due to
excavation trench 4.5m
depth

Action plans
i)Define stakeholders, in this case
they are: Occupier (PUB), PE,
Formwork Subcontractors, LCDW,
Pre-con surveyor, Land surveyor,
Employees of contractor KH (project
manager, supervisor, engineer,
foreman, WSHC, workers).
ii) Meeting with the occupier together
with the PE on the location, design
and features of the chamber required.
iii) Meeting with the occupier on the
schedule and administrative issue
such as temporary pass and contact
persons

vii) Environmental control

measures

iv) Safety induction course and ERP

to be done by the occupier to all
personnel carrying out work in the
premises

viii) Occupier site safety

rules and Emergency
Response Plan (ERP)

v) Risk assessment conducted by

KHs RA team.
vi)Cable detection by the LCDW
vii) PE design of the trench shoring
and chamber by the PE considering
geotechnical factors
viii) Pre-con survey by the pre-con
surveyor on existing conditions of the
surrounding
ix) Land surveying by the land
surveyor on the location and chamber
gradient

x) Contractor responsible to ensure

that the relevant stakeholders carrying
out the task has the relevant
competency qualifications.
xi) Meeting on ECM: KH project
manager, Supervisor, WSHC with the
PUB officer, PUB WSHO on the ECM
matters.

DURING
CONSTRUCTIO
N

i)Scheduling and
planning work

i)Project Manager responsible

to plan and schedule the work

ii) Pre-mobilization
meeting, appointment
of the team

ii) Pre-mobilization meeting: KH

Project manager, supervisor,
WSHC and PUB personnel
(officer, PUB-WSHO) about the
machinery entry permits,
resources required from PUB
such as voltage, storage space.

iii) Work process

sequence/method
statement
communication
iv) RA, SWP
communication
v) PTW
implementation
vi) Site inspection and
reporting

iii) Operations briefing

conducted by KH supervisor to
KH workers and formwork
subcontractor on the work
process / method statement.
iv) Safety briefing conducted by
KH WSHC on RA, SWP to
workers and subcontractor.
iv) WSHC ensures PTW
application is in place
Supervisor to apply, Safety
assessor to endorse, PUB
officer to approve.
v) Regular site inspection by
the WSHC to ensure
compliance to the RA control
measures stated. Inspection
report to be submitted to project

manager and PUB officer.

vi) Regular inspection by the
Project Manager together with
the Engineer, Supervisor and
Subcontractor to ensure that
the construction of the trench
and chamber erection is in
accordance to the PE design.
vii) Submit weekly report by KH
supervisor to the project
manager and PUB officer
viii) Submission of maintenance
records for machinery to PUBWSHO (eg. Excavator
maintenance records)

POST
CONSTRUCTIO
N

i)Removal of waste
material from site
ii) Mobilization out of
site which includes
machinery movement,
excavator
transportation by
trailer.

i)KH Project manager to

arrange soil disposal contractor

ii) Coordination on mob-out

process between KH supervisor
and PUB officer
iii) Project handover meeting:
KH and PUB project team

Every stakeholders involved in the construction are responsible for safety.The

various stages of the construction process, requires proper planning to ensure
integration of the safety and health control measures with the work processes,
so that construction of the underground chamber can be carried safely in a
timely manner.

4. Illustrating the appropriate ways to communicate the control measures

and implementation plan to the relevant stakeholders.

Communication of the control measures and the implementation plan to the

relevant stakeholders can be through:
1. Operations meetings (for Management personnel, Suppliers, Clients,
Consultants)
2. Consultation meetings (for government authorities)
3. Safety Committee meetings (for WSH personnel, Supervisor,
Foreman)
4. Safety briefings, daily toolbox meetings (for workers and contractors
5. Training sessions (all employees)
6. Notice board (all employees)
7. Internet, email (those employees with computer)

5. Show at least six methods to monitor the implementation of control

measures.
The following are ways to monitor the implementation of control measures:
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
v)
vi)

Physical inspection
Interview of personnel
Document review
Medical surveillance
Compliance audits
Periodic risk assessment

6. Applying the control measures effectiveness criteria to evaluate the

effectiveness of control measures
The criteria to evaluate the effectiveness of the control measures are:
-

Reduced risks (if not eliminated)

Reduced incident, accident reported
Reduced waste / unwanted materials generated
Well accepted by the user
Positive results reproducible
Reduced loss in production down time
Improved safety awareness among employees
Reduced non-compliance reported during inspection audits

7. Prepare a status report of an implementation plan.

A status of an in implementation plan for the construction an underground valve
chamber at PUB West Waterworks. The chamber dimension is 6m length X 4m
width X 5m height.

The following illustrates the status for the month of July represented during the
Operations meeting on 5th August 2015

Site work commencement date: 1/7/15

Status: As at 31 July 2015
Project: West Waterworks Excavation
Control Measures Implementation Status Report
Hazards and
Risks

Control measures
installed

Damage to
underground
services

i) Cable detection
and trial trench to
determine
underground
services

Collapse of trench

Flooding

i)PE design of the

trench shoring

i)Dewatering

Steps to be taken
to control
measures
i)Engage LCDW to
do cable detection.
ii) Carry of trial
trenching work

i)Engage PE to do
the shoring design
with consideration of
the geotechnical
conditions

i)Set up generator

Status

Maintenance and
review requirements

Status

i)Done
(2/7/2015
)

i)Review cable
detection and trial
trench report before
excavation works

i)Done
(8/7/15)

i)RTO to inspect during

the construction of
shoring to ensure it
complies to the PE
drawing.

i)Inprogress
(26/7/15)

ii)Done
(5/7/15)
i)Done
(15/7/15)

i)Done

ii) PE to endorse that

the trench shoring is put
in place and safe for
use
i) Maintenance records

ii)Not yet
i)Checke

set and water pump

(24/7/15)

(LEW endorsement) of
the generator set and
pump

d
(25/7/15)

Site work commencement date: 1/7/15

Status: As at 31 July 2015
Project: West Waterworks Excavation
Document Records and Review
Item / File

Documents check

Status

Comments after
review

Operation
Process

1) Method statement

i)Done
(30/6/2015)

i)Ok

ii)Done
(25/7/15)

ii)Ok

i)Done
(30/6/15)

i)To update SWP on

excavation Section 1:
Mobilization to site,
requires to indicate
communication methods
between Banksman and
Operator/Driver.
Section 4: PPE
requirements, require all
site worker to wear
reflective vests at site
All Ok

Risk
Register

Human
Resource

2) Equipment
Maintenance Records
i)Excavator
ii)Generator set
iii)Dewatering Pump
Safe Work Procedures Excavation

Training records
i)
CSOC
validity
ii)
Excavator
license

i)Done
(30/6/15)

REPORT REFERENCES
1) www.mom.gov.sg
2) www.wshc.sg

End of Report

Action
Status

i)Updated
on 7/7/15