Circular on Safe Storage of Combustible Materials in Construction
On 3 Mar 2016, a fire broke out at a construction worksite after sparks from hot works carried out at an elevated structure ignited polyfoam boards placed at the ground level. On 27 Nov 2015, polystyrene boards that were used to fill up the void under a concrete slab at the ground caught fire when sparks from welding works at a higher storey dropped onto the boards. A year before, on 3 Mar 2015, reinforcement bars were being removed from a parapet wall using a cutting torch when sparks landed on the planter box fitted with polyfoam which subsequently caused a fire.
On 1 June 2016, Ministry of Manpower issued a circular on “Safe Storage of Combustible Materials in Construction” to remind Occupiers of their duties under Regulation 37(1) of the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) (General Provisions) Regulations and Section 11 of the Workplace Safety and Health Act to ensure that combustible materials are safely stored at the worksite.
The circular can be viewed here.
Summary of Response to Feedback from Public Consultation on Proposed WSH (Major Hazard Installations) Regulations
In January 2016, MOM conducted a public consultation on the proposed Workplace Safety and Health (Major Hazard Installations) Regulations via the government’s REACH portal. MOM has deliberated on the feedback and refined the draft Regulations.
MOM’s response to the key feedback has been posted at the Government’s
e-engagement platform, REACH portal and can be accessed here for viewing