29 Jan 2019
Ref No.: 290119 (1)
UEN: S97SS0046G
Dear Valued ASPRI Members,
WSH Symposium on Cranes: Making Crane Operations Safer with Technology, Capability Building and Focus on Health
More than 400 industry partners and workplace safety and health (WSH) practitioners attended the annual WSH Symposium on Cranes held at the Housing & Development Board Hub on 25 January 2019. The Symposium was jointly organised by the WSH Council and the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
In his opening address, Minister of State (MOS) for Manpower and National Development, Mr Zaqy Mohamad, identified three key areas where companies could adopt to make crane operations safer for workers.
1) Adopt technology: MOS Zaqy cited two examples of technological advances that helped to improve WSH outcomes and enhance productivity. First, companies in the landscaping sector eliminated work at height risks by using mechanised cranes to cut trees. Second, critical information captured by data loggers in mobile cranes helped companies plan for safer operations, streamline their maintenance regimes and achieve greater productivity. Since the introduction of data loggers, the number of mobile crane-related Dangerous Occurrences reduced from 11 cases in 2015 to 3 cases in 2018. MOM is currently working with industry stakeholders to test the next generation of data loggers which support real-time monitoring and alerts.
2) Invest in capability building: MOS Zaqy encouraged companies to build up the capability of their workers. He announced that an industry-led Work Group on Lifting Supervisors would be formed this year to look at ways to further enhance the capabilities of lifting supervisors. He also announced the release of three pertinent documents to guide lifting crews on safe operations:
(a) Updates to Safety Handbook for Riggers and Signalmen,
(b) Updates to Safety Handbook for Lorry Crane Operators, and
(c) First draft of the WSH Guidelines on Safe Use of Lorry Loaders for public consultation.
3) Focus on health: Chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol could pose workplace safety and health risks if not properly managed. MOS Zaqy stressed the need for crane contractors and companies to enhance care for their workers’ health by taking an integrated approach to managing work, safety and health with Total WSH.
The Symposium facilitated cross-learning with a panel of speakers from MOM, WSH Council and industry partners who presented on various related WSH topics and shared some of industry best practices. Exhibits from industry and academia were also on display to encourage adoption of technologies for safer lifting operations.
Read MOS’ speech here.
Download the presentation slides here.
Get more information on crane safety, here