A Glimpse to the Revision of WSH Guidelines for Landscape and Horticulture Works By Mr Goh Eng Lam, Chairman of Landscape Guidelines Workgroup and Immediate Past Chairman of Landscape Industry Association of Singapore (LIAS) 11 Nov 2017
Development of the WSH Guidelines on Landscape & Horticulture Work 1 st issue: 2008 1 st revision: 2012 on going An industry led WG was formed by the Construction & Landscape Sub- Committee to review the current Guidelines to ensure that the contents stay relevant and up-to-date Industry is encouraged to provide feedback to WSHC via email at : contact@wshc.gov.sg
The WG Composition Capacity Rep Organisation Chairman Goh Eng Lam Landscape Industry Association Singapore (LIAS) Members Ms Cynthia Lee John Tan Lee Ming Kwang Lee Guek Hoon Dr Joshua Wong Joseph Chua Abdul Hamid Rick Thomas Boo Ghim Yew Han Kin Sew Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council Institute of Engineers Singapore Land Transport Authority Ministry of Manpower NParks Singapore Arboriculture Society (SAS) WSH Council
Confined Spaces hazards (New) Focus areas for review Risk Management (RM2) - enhancement to section 2 : Risk Assessment Operations of MEWP, Crane & Excavators - enhancement to section 3.2 to 3.4 Tree transplanting - lifting, rigging, securing and transporting using trailer / lorry crane - enhancement to section 3.6 Management of OH hazards (e.g Noise, Heat stress, Hazardous Chemicals, Ergonomics etc) - enhancement to section 8 & 9 Contact with Poisonous / Venomous / Stinging / Biting Animals enhancement to section 9.1
Focus areas RM 2.0 ISSUES RM 2.0 RM is a paper exercise Effective on-site RM implementation Over-reliance on procedures & PPE RM does not consider human factors Driving risk controls upstream Consideration for health hazards & human factors
Effective On-Site RM Implementation Outcome: Work gets done in a safe manner Monitor and review effectiveness of risk control - Seek feedback from users on adequacy and effectiveness of risk controls Risk management initiatives communicated to all stakeholders RA documents should be accessible to all stakeholders, including workers
Focus areas - Operations of MEWPs, Cranes and Excavators - enhancement to section 3.2 to 3.4 Truck mounted MEWP must be stably positioned to avoid hazards such as toppling - outrigger fully out. - cordon off area follow LTA s requirements. Lorry crane (More will be shared by the last speaker from MOM later on Safe Use of Lorry Cranes / Loaders) Excavator - not designed primarily for lifting purposes - If it was to be used as a lifting machine, some conditions must be met
Focus areas Tree transplanting Questions to address include : Estimation of tree weight Capacity of lifting equipment, lifting gear Width of transported tree Length of transported tree Height of transported tree Tree load on trailer and Capacity of trailer
The focus areas of review - Lifting, rigging, securing and transporting of trees using lorry crane / trailer Proposal by WG: Lifting Plan should be developed with following consideration: Estimate loads with FoS (Factor of Safety) Type of equipment, machine & gear with the correct capacity Transportation guide adhere to LTA CoP
The focus areas - Management of OH hazards (e.g Noise, Heat stress, Hazardous Chemicals, Ergonomics etc) there were concerns raised by MOM OH/OM branch on related OH hazards for workers in the landscape sector. Audit were conducted and the findings were shared at a landscape forum in 2014. Section 8 & 9 will be enhanced based on the audit findings.
The focus areas - Management of OH hazards (e.g Noise, Heat stress, Hazardous Chemicals, Ergonomics etc) 9.5 Noise The work activities for landscaping can be noisy. New Insert Prolonged exposure to excessive noise can lead to noise-induced deafness. The following table shows the typical noise levels of work activities measured using a sound level meter. To understand the actual noise levels that workers are exposed to, noise monitoring of the full work process should be conducted by a competent person using suitably calibrated equipment.
The focus areas - Management of OH hazards (e.g Noise, Heat stress, Hazardous Chemicals, Ergonomics etc) Activity Noise Level (dba) Exposure limits per day (mins) Tree pruning 91 107 3 120 Shrub trimming ~ 92 95 Leaf/grass clippings blowing 86 90 150 380 Grass cutting 85 90 150 480 Lawn mowing ~ 86 380 N.B. For noise levels that are above 100 dba, workers should be provided with both ear plugs and ear muffs, as stipulated in Singapore Standards SS 549 : 2009 Code of practice for selection, use, care and maintenance of hearing protectors
The focus areas - Management of OH hazards (e.g Noise, Heat stress, Hazardous Chemicals, Ergonomics etc) Correct way of wearing disposable ear plugs
Other new addition include: Contact with Poisonous / Venomous / Stinging / Biting Animals etc : Confined spaces hazards and control measures Tank Giant honeybees may act like a collective lung to beat the heat Manholes Encountering red ants are a common work hazard Silo
Concluding Remarks Let s build a sustainable SAFE WORK CULTURE! No job is so important that it cannot be done safely! UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ARE PERSONS WORKING ON THIS SITE TO PUT THEMSELVES AND OTHERS IN DANGER!
Go to http://wshc.sg for these resources Email: contact@wshc.gov.sg 17
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