Sharing footpaths = Accidents waiting to happen

  

I’m shocked to learn that our transport ministry and Government have accepted the full recommendations made by a panel last month to allow cyclists on footpaths by the end of this year. It was said the panel’s recommendations are “fair and balanced, with sensible rules and guidelines” to ensure the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and personal mobility devices (PMD) users. Really?

By opening this floodgate, we are just waiting for more accidents to happen on our narrow footpaths already shared by many users.

I wonder those people advocating this has ever used our footpaths before?

When a pedestrian is being knocked down by a cyclist who speeds away, what recourse does the injured pedestrian has?

It’s unclear how the authorities are to enforce the speed limit of 15kmh on footpaths and relying on enforcement teams and community volunteers are just not sustainable in the long term.  

And how are the authorities going to handle incidents and accidents on footpaths?

We want to mimic the cycling culture of Amsterdam and Copenhagen but our infrastructure is not yet ready for this. Both Amsterdam and Copenhagen have clear and separated cycling paths and footpaths. I saw that cycling paths are being built along footpaths in some estates but it would take 5-10 years to integrate them fully on this small island.    

Cycling is a good way to exercise and to keep fit and is great for the environment.

Electric-bicycles are not. Users are not licensed, have no insurance coverage, no speed-limiter on their bicycles and they are really bad for the environment as batteries on such e-bikes are not charged with clean energy source.

With this implementation, we are subjecting pedestrians to unnecessary risks and little recourse. Sigh!

SMRT rail accident points to more than safety lapse

Source:
MOM and LTA issue interim safety procedures to SMRT amidst ongoing investigations
http://www.msn.com/en-sg/news/singapore/mom-and-lta-issue-interim-safety-procedures-to-smrt-amidst-ongoing-investigations/ar-BBr9LGg?li=BBr8Cnr

As reported, the findings to the SMRT train accident will be reviewed by a panel comprising independent safety experts and the members of the SMRT Board Risk Committee, says the transport operator. Let’s hope that the “real” findings and recommended actions are published for learning purposes.

LTA and MOM had issued strict requisites for SMRT staff to follow when they carry out maintenance works during service hours. Anyone could read about these interim safety procedures mandated but three key areas come to my mind:

Who is  the Boss?                                                     
                                                                                                                                          
I believe there would be a slew of recommended safety actions by independent safety experts but how many would be accepted for implementation? The question to ask is who is the real boss who ultimately makes all the decisions : to do or not to do?  Can we stop service, repair and maintenance works during service hours and run the risks of being penalized for disruptions and complaints? Most likely this is not going to happen. Everyone knows our train services cannot stop because there is no alternative. If you have been relying on trains to get from point A to B, you pray that service is not disrupted because there is no alternative. There is no bus service that runs parallel to each network line. If you are taking the bus routes to reach your destination, you have to spend hours waiting and make multiple bus transfer. Nobody does this unless you are a tourist here for sigh-seeing and has hours to spare.

Safe Work Procedures                                                                                                                                                        
I strongly believe SMRT has tons of safe work procedures or safe operating procedures for every work activity. Any non-compliances should have been raised during periodic internal audits and actions taken. The question to ask is : are staff adhering to these procedures and what leading indicators have be tracked to show any trend?

In this accident where a team was dispatched to check on the faulty monitoring device near the track, does it comply to procedures to send a team of 15men? Who had authorized this entry (who puts 15 men at risk) onto the tracks while the trains were still running?

Risk Assessments                                                                                                                                                     
I hope the Safety Managers would seriously review this and all existing risk control measures for their work activities. Priority should be given on those activities that need to be performed during service hours. The most effective risk control measures is by elimination of risks (i.e. perform work after service hours). The next control is through substitution (can we use robots or remote means to check things instead of deploying men physically on the tracks?). Next alternative is via engineering controls where technology could be deployed to isolate trains moving into work zones. Relying on administrative controls is one of the least effective to prevent accidents or near misses. When such controls are forgotten or not complied with, it becomes “safety lapses” as mentioned in this case.    

 

Fall Prevention Plan (FPP)

Fall Prevention Plan (applies to Singapore context)  

Background:

WSH(Work at Height) Regulations applies to all factories and all workplaces effective from 01May2015.

I often get asked by SMEs, Contractors and Service Providers why they did not have a Fall Prevention Plan (FPP) when their clients / customer ask them.

Here are my answers to them:

1.     What is a Fall Prevention Plan (FPP)?  

     A documented site-specific plan prepared for the purpose of eliminating or reducing the risk of falls by ensuring that all reasonable fall prevention measures and methods have been implemented, prior to the commencement of work.

2.     Which workplaces are required to have a FPP ?   

·    Worksite

·    Shipyard

·    Factory-petroleum / products, petrochemicals / products

·    Premises – bulk storage toxic / flammable liquid, storage capacity 5,000 or more cu.metres

·    Factory-pharmaceutical products / their intermediates,

·    Factory-semiconductor wafers

·    Workplaces not in above categories but with 50 or more persons employed.

 

3.     Who is responsible for the establishment & implementation of a FPP?    

WSH law : WSH(Work-at-Height) Regulations 5.(1) states that :

“It shall be the duty of the occupier of every workplace specified in the Schedule, and in which work at height is carried out to establish and implement a fall prevention plan.”

 

4.     We don’t have work-at-height activities in our workplace, do I need a FPP? 

No. 

 

5.     Who is responsible for the training of workers working-at-height (WAH)?

WSH(Work-at-Height) Regulations (6) states that :

“It shall be the duty of the responsible person of any person who carries out or is to carry out any work at height to ensure that the person shall work at height in a workplace only after he has first received adequate safety and health training to familiarize himself with the hazards associated with work at height and the precautions to be observed.”

  

6.     Who is the responsible person? 

In relation to a person who carries out or is to carry out any work at height, means :

·    His employer, or

·    Principal (under whose direction he carries out or is to carry out any such work)

Responsible Person = Occupier, SMEs, Contractors, Service Providers, etc.

 

 

 

SS 532:2016 Code of practice for the storage of flammable liquids



The revised SS 532 : 2016 Code of Practice for the Storage of Flammable Liquids was launched on 26 Feb 2016 by Singapore Chemical Industry Council (SCIC).

 

This Standard provides guidance and best practices for the safety of persons and the prevention of damage to property when storing or handling flammable liquids. It covers storage and handling of flammable liquids in installations but does not include transportation.

 

In a nutshell, this revision (from 2007 version) resulted in the exclusion of the fire safety requirements for laboratories. Changes were made to the sections on minor storage and safety cabinets, package storage and handling, storage in tanks, piping and tank auxiliaries, operations and firefighting facilities. The changes also include new requirements and the provision of more design options.

 

Changes in brief :

 

·       Exclusion of laboratories (including storage area solely supporting operations of laboratories) and petrol service stations from the scope of this standard;

·       New Table 2 Capacity limit vs type of container (Glass, metal, approved plastic, safety cans);

·       New Subclause 4.2.2 Maximum Allowable Quantity (MAQ) in Building. New Table 3 Design limitation for MAQ for better clarity on MAQ based on classification of materials;

·       Changes in 4.2.5 Non-sprinkler protected area.

·       Changes in 4.2.6 Sprinkler protected area to provide more design options;

·       Change of Table 4 Groups of packages by quantity and category, Table 5 Separation distances for groups to protected place / on-site facility;

·       New Subclause 7.10.7 Leak detection;

·       New Subclause 8.2 Pump station to ensure that fire is compartmentalized to prevent fire spread to a larger surface area;

·       Changes to 8.3.3 Fuel transfer pipe from outside storage tank to a service tank inside a building to be applicable for Category 4 liquids only;

·       Changes to 9.2.7 Leakage and spillage to ensure early leak detection;

·       Change to 9.2.12 Heated storage to include recommended action to be taken;

·       New requirements 10.5 Fire pumps to illustrate good practice;

·       New requirements 10.6 Hydrant system to address large flammable liquid storage tank area;

·       New requirements 10.10 Emergency warning and communication for fire alarm system and outdoor audible warning devices.

 

SCIC is organizing a workshop on the adoption of this revised standard. Check their website portal for registration and information.

Details for the workshop:

Date          :     23 March 2016 (Wedneday)

Time          :     2.00pm to 5.00pm (Registration starts at 1.30pm)

                                                                                                          

 

FAQ Frequently Asked Questions & Our Answers

 

1.     Why implement ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS)?

GOOD

·    This is not mandatory or required by law here to implement it.

·    It’s voluntarily and decided by Company / Organization to do it or not.

·    When effectively implemented, it demonstrates to Organization’s customers / potential customers that a system is in place to ensure product/service quality in accordance to customer’s requirements and needs. 

 

BAD

·    Extra documentations and trainings of staff with added responsibilities.

·    Expanded job scope & responsibilities for appointed person in charge of QMS.

·    Extra cost of Certification and Surveillance audit fees (long-term recurring costs).

 

2.     Why implement integrated management system (IMS) to include ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS)?

GOOD

·    Same good points as in Question 1.

·    Manage as one integrated system. No need to manage separate management systems if Organization already has one or more management systems implemented.

·    Add documentations and records for ISO 9001 to meet Standards’ requirements.

·    Save time & effort to implement and train staff who are already familiar with existing management system. 

BAD

·    Extra documentations and trainings of staff with added responsibilities.

·    Expanded job scope for appointed person in charge of existing systems.

·    Extra cost of Certification and Surveillance audit fees (long-term recurring costs).

·    All Certification Bodies charge higher fees for integrated management system as they need to put in more man-days for audits. It’s their “justifications” to quote you higher fees.

 

3.     How to know if Consultant is reliable & trustworthy ?

·    Interview the Consultant in-person whom you are going to work with. Just like you are hiring an employee to work for you.

·    Check Consultant’s backgrounds, qualifications and experience for your industry.

·    Ask lots of relevant questions. Ask how many projects have been completed. What difficulties Consultant faces.

·    Ask about the consultancy process and measurable deliverables.

·    Ask how the knowledge and skills are imparted to your staff / persons to implement the systems. 

 

4.     Why is it better to use same Consultant for other system ?

GOOD

·       Consultant already knows your management systems and processes.

·       Consultant already knows your people and their style and behaviours.

·       SME / Organization already knows the quality, behaviour and style of Consultant, so it’s easier to collaborate. Success rate is guaranteed.

·       Consultant keeps confidentiality of your management system and do not sell your system documentations to other clients for quick profits (Copy & Paste money-making tactics). 

·       Consultant charges a reasonable fee, not exorbitant fees as he/she already knows what are needed to meet requirements.

·       After project completion, Consultant usually provides free consultations and support and quick response. 

BAD

None. 

 

5.     Why is it risky to take the lowest quotation ?

Never trust the lowest quote because :

·       Provider’s sales people always aim to make sales and quote lower. They take commissions for every project sign-ups. So their tactics is quantity, not quality.

·       You always meet the Sales people, not the Consultant they provide you. You do not know who you are going to get till the first project meeting.

·       Sales people do not respond to your problems and complaints. The assigned Consultant has to absorb all problems the Sales did not foresee. Consultant usually becomes frustrated and do a half-hearted job.  

·       Due to lack of time, Consultants usually use cut-and-paste method to supply you documentations that are not relevant to your operations and processes.

 

 

6.     What grants or subsidy can Organization apply ?

Innovation & Capability Voucher (ICV)

SME can claim S$5000 Voucher.

Go to Spring Singapore for more information.

 

GOOD

Free fund support for SME. 

 

BAD

·       Eligible criteria applies to SME. Check it first.

·       Spring Singapore needs to approve your application before starting project.

·       Extra paper-works / documentations to be handled by SME.

·       SME can only engage those consultants listed by Spring. These consultants usually charge higher fees due to this ICV voucher.

 

Capability Development Grant (CDG)

SME can claim up to 70% project fee and certification fee. Capped at S$30,000.

Go to Spring Singapore for more information.

GOOD

Free fund support for SME. 

BAD

·       The whole process is very tedious and long to get grant.

·       Eligible criteria applies to SME. Check it first.

·       Spring Singapore needs to approve your application before starting project.

·       There are “tons” of paper-works and documents to be submitted to Spring before approval.

·       Claim process is very tedious (Read information in website).   

·       Consultants usually charge very high fees due to Spring’s requirements for consultants to submit progressive reports to Spring.

·       SME to pay extra audit fees to Spring’s Contractor to audit your paper-works for grant (S$400 – S$2000 depending on number of documents to audit).  

 

7.     What other Claims Organization can you apply ?

Productivity and Innovation Credit (PIC)

Expenses in Staff training are eligible for PIC tax deductions / allowances. So Organization pays less taxes.

Visit IRAS website (1800-356-8622) or contact SME Centre for information.

 

Disclaimer : Information provided here is correct at time of this publication. Please check relevant website portal for latest information and developments.