Commuters’ Safety can be improved in MRT/LRT

 

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) allows PMAs such as mobility scooters in MRT and LRT trains as long as they do not exceed 120cm in length, 70cm in width and 150cm in height. The total weight of the PMA should also not exceed 300kg with the user.

With an ageing population, more and more people (abled and disabled) are expected to use these PMAs inside MRT and LRT trains. However, these days, our trains are often crowded during peak and non-peak hours. Commuters are fighting for space to get in and out of trains with PMA’s users who need to park them near exit doors, posing a safety hazard to commuters. Also, it’s not uncommon to see oversized prams, luggage bags, electric-bicycles inside train cabins. However, there is no enforcement actions seen at all train stations to check objects’ sizes set by LTA. When rail disruptions happened (often during peak-hours), it’s becoming chaotic as commuters rush to get out of the train with oversized PMAs and objects obstructing exit doors inside trains.

It's time that LTA and train operators review this safety topic and implement enforcement actions for commuters boarding with big objects at point of entry into train station. It should not be free-for-all entry but with some checks and controls. If Security Officers stationed inside train stations are not the right resources to execute this check and take enforcement actions, then easily-available technologies (like camera system, AI, sensors, mechanism, etc.) could be deployed at train station’s entry gates. Afterall, we are a smart nation and nothing is impossible with some imagination to improve commuter’s safety.     

Road Safety can be improved at zebra-crossings

 

This year’s Singapore Road Safety Month 2024 may have concluded with the two day “Carnival for Families” at Toa Payoh HDB Hub Mall Atrium from 1 – 2 June 2024. The campaign’s slogan “Road Safety Begins with You and Me” highlighted that all of us have a part to play in making our roads safer.

As a pedestrian who often uses zebra-crossings at turning road lanes, I observed that 99.99% of the beacon pole spherical yellow blinking lights at these zebra-crossings does not work during the day. As far as I could remember in the past, these warning lights were working 24/7, rain or shine, day and night to warn motorists to slow down at these crossings. 

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) replied to my feedback that all beacon pole blinking lights at zebra-crossings are timed to work from 7pm to 7am other than those lights managed by HDB and town councils in some estates. I ponder if there are more users of these crossings at night or during the day?   

For the improved safety of pedestrians and motorists at zebra-crossings, perhaps the authority should consider turning-on these warning lights 24/7 instead of during the night where there are much less users at these crossings. Besides, the energy consumptions for these blinking lights are low with energy-saving bulbs. Also, to facilitate motorists to slow down at these zebra-crossings, humps should be added in front.

At the time of this post, LTA has not replied to my suggestions.

Enhance Home Improvement Programme to improve safety of air-con workers

 

Scorching heat and rising temperature are becoming a norm these days in Singapore. It’s a well-known fact the earth’s temperature is rising globally due to greenhouse emissions, effects of El Nino and climate change. According to the latest national climate change study, Singapore is facing the wrath of climate change. In the past, the daily average was 27.9°C to 32.9°C. Now, the average daily temperature is reaching a sweltering 36°C. This potential rise will have a profound impact on the health of different groups, especially the vulnerable, including the elderly, young children and outdoor workers.

With 80% or more of our households living in public flats, it’s a common sight to see almost every HDB unit is installed with big air-conditioners. Although they further increase our greenhouse emissions, there is really no short-term solutions in sight to cope with the ever rising temperatures. However, many of our HDB housing were designed and built in the 60s, 70s, 80s without any provision for air-con ledge, unlike new BTO flats these days. Some old HDB flats have just a small rectangle hole for small air-conditioners that are to be installed from the inside. These days, it’s again a common sight to see many air-con workers hang precariously and dangerously from the flat’s windows of these old HDB flats to install new air-con units or repairing them. While some safety-conscious workers would wear safety harness and restraint equipment for their high-risk work activities, some workers don’t. Other than heat stress, the hazards and risks of falling from height are very high for these workers.

While the Building Control Act was amended in 1999 to mandate the replacement of wooden-frames for air-conditioner to the use of stainless-steel brackets, no guidelines have been published for the safe installation of air-conditioners from the external of older high-rise HDB units. While the current HDB’s Home Improvement Programme (HIP) retrofits the interior of the older HDB unit but nothing is done externally other than to add laundry racks, re-do the toilets, re-paint the exterior walls and structures of the affected HDB blocks. HDB should consider to enhance this HIP to retrofit and extend the window’s ledges with metallic railings to protect the safety and well-being of air-con workers. There is no doubt the costs for each HIP would increase but can we afford to ignore the safety and well-being of our air-con workers and the means to prevent an accident from happening? 

04June2024

Finally, the authority and regulator have jointly announced the requirements for this high-risk activity for air-con installation on external walls of buildings.

However, the solution to this problem could be solved at the root rather than to use PPE for air-con installers who now have to obtain trainings, certifications, etc. Definitely, this would add up the costs which will be passed to the consumers.

Read MOM circular here:

https://www.mom.gov.sg/-/media/mom/documents/safety-health/circulars/2024/circular-20240603-installation-and-maintenance-of-air-con.pdf

Can Poka-Yoke work in safety?

Note: This article is written by a human, not AI.

Poka-yoke (ポカヨケ) is a Japanese term that means "mistake-proofing" or "error prevention". It is also sometimes referred to as a forcing function or a behavior-shaping constraint. It was originally called fool-proofing in Japan but was later changed to mistake-proofing to avoid being offensive (Japanese culture).

Poka-yoke was originally used mainly in the manufacturing industry to prevent costly mistakes, avoid wastes by eliminating or minimising quality mistakes that lead to rework and scraps as well as eliminating potential safety issues.

Mistake-proofing is a vital principle in Poka-yoke. It focuses on stopping the making of mistakes or detecting errors before they become defects. This involves designing systems, equipment, or processes that can either detect a mistake immediately after it is committed or forces corrective action before the next step can proceed. By implementing mistake-proofing techniques, manufacturers can mitigate the impact of errors and provide feedback so that immediate actions can be taken to avoid the cost of fatal accidents.

In the context of safety, Poka-yoke can be used to prevent accidents and injuries by placing barriers, sensors, restraints against mistakes that could lead to harm. For example, a safety switch on a machine that prevents it from operating when the guard is opened. Another example is a warning light that indicates or sounds when a machine is in operation so as to warn others to keep away or keep clear of the danger zone. Poka-yoke is an effective way to improve safety in the workplace by reducing the likelihood of accidents and injuries. By eliminating opportunities for errors to be made, Poka-yoke helps to create a safer work environment for everyone.

There are many benefits in using Poka-yoke for safety. Let’s just deep-dive into one benefit: behavior-shaping constraint.  

Behavior-shaping constraint is a form of poka-yoke that encourages desired behaviors in any context or environment by guiding users towards correct actions. This type of error-prevention can either be physical, such as using a specific tool to complete a task or deploying cognitive way like following a specific set of steps or sequence.

Current rules state that cyclists are prohibited from riding on over-head bridges. Yet it was observed that 99% of cyclists ignore these rules and continue to ride at high speeds, posing a hazard to pedestrians and other users. After several feedbacks and suggestions sent to the authority, the proposed actions taken were to “educate the cyclists” or to deploy enforcement officers at the bridge to control cyclists’ behaviors. Such solution is only as good and effective when officers are deployed at site. Most times, it’s free-and-easy for all cyclists speeding on the bridge!

This problem is not new or isolated. There were constantly many complaints and feedbacks at various locations on the island.

The solution to this island-wide problem is quite simple and easy to implement. There is no need to use any expensive or advanced technology or enforcement. The answer is the Poke-yoke way to stop incorrect behaviors of cyclists until they re-route their planned routes and away from over-head bridges. A simple barrier design installed at all entry-points on over-head bridges to create a “pain for change”. When we need to deal with ‘fools’, we just need to find a fool-proof solution to create “pains” to force changes in habits and behaviors for the good of all users. 

Note: At the time of this post’s release, the authority has not replied on this idea.