WSH (Medical Examinations) Regulations 2011

Under the Workplace Safety and Health (Medical Examinations) Regulations 2011, PART II MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS OF PERSONS

EMPLOYED IN HAZARDOUS OCCUPATIONS

Persons to be medically certified fit for employment

4.—(1)  It shall be the duty of the responsible person of a person who is to be employed in any hazardous occupation described in regulation 3(a) to (e) to ensure that the person shall undergo a pre-placement medical examination by a designated workplace doctor and be certified fit to work in such occupation, not later than 3 months after the date he commences his employment in such occupation.

(2)  It shall be the duty of the responsible person of a person who is to be employed in the hazardous occupation described in regulation 3(f) to ensure that the person shall be medically examined by a designated workplace doctor and certified fit to work in such occupation within 30 days before the date he is to commence his employment in such occupation.

(3)  The medical examination referred to in paragraph (1) or (2) shall —

(a)consist of the examinations and investigations specified in the Schedule and such other examinations or investigations as the Commissioner may require from time to time in any particular case; and

(b)include —

(i)a clinical examination of the person for symptoms and signs of any diseases that may result from exposure to the hazards of the occupation in which the person is employed; and

(ii)an assessment as to whether the person who is to be employed in a hazardous occupation is fit to work in that occupation.

Periodic medical examinations

5.—(1)  It shall be the duty of the responsible person of a person employed in any hazardous occupation to ensure that the person shall be periodically examined by a designated workplace doctor.

(2)  The periodic medical examinations referred to in paragraph (1) shall —

(a)consist of the examinations and investigations specified in the Schedule;

(b)include —

(i)a clinical examination of the person for symptoms and signs of any diseases that may result from exposure to the hazards of the occupation in which the person is employed; and

(ii)an assessment as to whether the person who is employed in a hazardous occupation is fit to continue working in that occupation; and

(c)take place at the intervals specified in the Schedule.

(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (2), the Commissioner may, in cases where he considers expedient, require any person to be examined at intervals other than or in addition to those specified in the Schedule.

Other medical examinations

6.—(1)  The Commissioner may require any person or category of persons employed in any hazardous occupation to undergo a medical examination other than or in addition to the medical examinations referred to in regulations 4 and 5.

(2) Where a person employed in any hazardous occupation is required to undergo any audiometric examinations under these Regulations, it shall be the duty of the responsible person of that person to ensure that the audiometric examinations shall be carried out by persons who have undergone a course of training in audiometric screening acceptable to the Commissioner (as specified by the Commissioner at the Ministry of Manpower website).

(3) Any responsible person who contravenes paragraph (2) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 and, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $2,000.

Medical expenses to be borne by responsible person

7.—(1)  It shall be the duty of the responsible person of a person who is employed or to be employed in any hazardous occupation —

(a)to arrange, at the expense of the responsible person, all medical examinations and investigations that the person employed or to be employed in any hazardous occupation is required to undergo under these Regulations; and

(b)to grant paid leave of absence to that person required to undergo any medical examination or investigation under these Regulations.

(2) It shall be the duty of any person who is required to undergo any medical examination or investigation under these Regulations to ensure that he shall submit himself for such medical examination and investigation.

(3) Any person who contravenes paragraph (2) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 and, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $2,000.

Registers of employees in hazardous occupations

8.—(1) It shall be the duty of the responsible person of a person or persons employed in any hazardous occupation in a workplace to keep registers of such persons.

(2)The responsible person shall ensure that the registers referred to in paragraph (1) are —

(a)kept in such form and manner as may be required by the Commissioner;

(b)updated at all times such as to show at any time, the particulars of all persons who are currently employed in any hazardous occupation in the workplace and all the persons who had or have been employed in the hazardous occupation in the workplace in the last 5 years; and

(c)be produced for inspection upon request by an inspector.

(3) Any person who contravenes paragraph (1) or (2) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 and, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $10,000.

Designated workplace doctor to report results of medical examinations to employers

9.—(1) It shall be the duty of the designated workplace doctor to report the results of the medical examination of a person employed in any hazardous occupation in a workplace to the responsible person of that person.

(2) The report under paragraph (1) shall be submitted by the designated workplace doctor in a form determined by the Commissioner.

(3) The responsible person of a person employed in any hazardous occupation shall —

(a)keep the report of every medical examination of that person employed in a hazardous occupation for a period of at least 5 years from the date of the medical examination; and

(b)whenever required by the Commissioner within the period referred to in sub-paragraph (a), make available to the Commissioner the report or a summary of the report, as the Commissioner may specify.

(4)Any person who contravenes paragraph (1), (2) or (3) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 and, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $10,000.

Designated workplace doctor may recommend suspension from work

10.—(1)  Where a designated workplace doctor, having regard to the results of the medical examination carried out under these Regulations, is satisfied that the health of a person is likely to be or has been injuriously affected by the person’s employment in a hazardous occupation, it shall be the duty of the designated workplace doctor to advise the person that he —

(a)should not continue to be employed in that occupation; or

(b)be suspended from his work in such hazardous occupation temporarily for such period of time, as may be determined by the designated workplace doctor or permanently.

(2) Where the designated workplace doctor advises that a person employed in a hazardous occupation be suspended from employment in such hazardous occupation, it shall be the duty of the designated workplace doctor to —

(a)complete a certificate of suspension in such form and manner as may be determined by the Commissioner; and

(b)give a copy of the certificate of suspension to that person who is to be suspended from employment in a hazardous occupation, the responsible person concerned and the Commissioner.

(3) It shall be the duty of the responsible person of the person named in the certificate of suspension referred to in paragraph (2) to suspend the person from his work in the hazardous occupation.

(4) Any person named in the certificate of suspension referred to in paragraph (2) or the responsible person may, within 14 days from the date of the certificate of suspension, appeal to the Commissioner against it and the Commissioner’s decision shall be final.

Designated workplace doctor may inspect place of work

11.—(1)  It shall be the duty of the occupier of a workplace to provide all facilities to the designated workplace doctor to inspect the premises of the workplace and any process or work in or on which a person being examined by the designated workplace doctor under these Regulations is or is to be employed.

(2)It shall be the duty of the responsible person of a person who is employed in any hazardous occupation in a workplace and the occupier of that workplace to provide the designated workplace doctor with all information which is relevant and within their joint knowledge to enable the designated workplace doctor to carry out a proper medical examination of such person under these Regulations.

These are just some of the legal requirement for medical examinations. To learn more refer to the Singapore Statues Online and update your organization compliance obligation procedure

WSHC (Workplace Safety and Health Committees) Regulations 2008

Workplace Safety and Health (Workplace Safety and Health Committees) Regulations 2008

PART II

FORMATION OF WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE

Appointment of workplace safety and health committee and chairman

4.—(1) For the purposes of section 29(1) of the Act, a workplace safety and health committee shall be appointed in respect of every factory to which these Regulations apply.

(2) It shall be the duty of the occupier of such a factory to appoint, in respect of the factory —

(a)a workplace safety and health committee; and

(b)a person as a chairman of the workplace safety and health committee, being a person whom the occupier reasonably believes is competent to perform the functions and duties of its chairman.

Appointment of secretary

5.—(1)PART III

MEETINGS OF WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE

Meetings

7.—(1) It shall be the duty of the occupier of a factory to take, so far as is reasonably practicable, such measures to ensure that the workplace safety and health committee of the factory meets at least once a month to discuss matters relating to the safety and health of persons at work in that factory.

(2) No person shall prevent any member from attending any meeting of his workplace safety and health committee that is held during working hours.

(3) No person shall make any deduction from the salary of any member for being absent from work for the purpose of attending any meeting of his workplace safety and health committee.

Minutes of meeting

8.—(1) It shall be the duty of the secretary of the workplace safety and health committee of a factory to furnish a copy of the minutes of every meeting of the workplace safety and health committee of the factory to every member thereof and to the occupier of the factory.

(2)It shall be the duty of the occupier of a factory to —

(a)keep a copy of such minutes in the factory for inspection by any inspector; and

(b)furnish a copy of such minutes to the Commissioner at any time when required by the Commissioner.

Non-member may attend meetings

9.A workplace safety and health committee of a factory may invite any person employed in the factory who has suffered bodily injury as a result of any accident or dangerous occurrence which took place in the factory to attend any meeting of the committee to discuss the accident or dangerous occurrence.

Matters to be discussed at meetings

10.  At any meeting of a workplace safety and health committee of a factory, only matters relating to the safety and health of persons at work in the factory shall be discussed.Where there is a person appointed as the workplace safety and health officer of a factory, he shall be deemed to be appointed as the secretary of the workplace safety and health committee of that factory.

(2) Where no person is appointed as the workplace safety and health officer of a factory, it shall be the duty of the occupier of the factory to appoint, from among the members of the workplace safety and health committee of the factory, a person to be its secretary.

Composition of workplace safety and health committee

6.It shall be the duty of the occupier of a factory to ensure that —

(a)the workplace safety and health committee of the factory consists of members who are representatives of persons at work in the factory and of the management of the factory; and

(b)at all times, the number of members who are representatives of the persons at work in the factory is not less than those who are representatives of the management of the factory.

PART IV. FUNCTIONS OF WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE

General inspection of factory

11.—(1)  It shall be the duty of the occupier of a factory to take, so far as is reasonably practicable, such measures to ensure that the workplace safety and health committee of the factory inspects the factory at least once a month to see if necessary measures are taken to ensure the safety and health of persons at work in the factory.

(2) Following every inspection of the factory under paragraph (1), it shall be the duty of the chairman of the workplace safety and health committee of the factory to ensure that the workplace safety and health committee —

(a)discusses the observations of the members during the inspection at its next meeting; and

(b)records in a report —

(i)its opinion in respect of the lack of any measure, or any deficient measure, taken to ensure the safety and health of persons at work in the factory; and

(ii)its recommendations on the actions to be taken in the factory to ensure the safety and health of persons at work in the factory.

Inspection of factory after accident or dangerous occurrence

12.—(1) Where any accident or dangerous occurrence has taken place in any factory —

(a)it shall be the duty of the occupier of the factory to take, so far as is reasonably practicable, such measures to ensure that the workplace safety and health committee of the factory immediately carries out an inspection of the factory; and

(b)it shall be the duty of the workplace safety and health officer appointed in respect of the factory (if one has been appointed) to immediately conduct an investigation into the accident or dangerous occurrence and furnish the chairman of the workplace safety and health committee of the factory with a report of the findings of his investigation.

(2) After an inspection has been carried out in accordance with paragraph (1)(a) of a factory where an accident or a dangerous occurrence has taken place, it shall be the duty of the chairman of the workplace safety and health committee of the factory to ensure that the workplace safety and health committee of the factory —

(a)holds a meeting to discuss the observations of the members during the inspection and the report of the workplace safety and health officer referred to in paragraph (1)(b), if any; and

(b)records in a report —

(i)its opinion in respect of the lack of any measure, or any deficient measure, taken to ensure the safety and health of persons at work in the factory so far associated with the condition of the factory and the cause of the accident or dangerous occurrence; and

(ii)its recommendations on the actions to be taken in the factory to ensure the safety and health of persons at work in the factory.

Action to be taken on report of workplace safety and health committee

13.—(1) It shall be the duty of the chairman to furnish every report of his workplace safety and health committee referred to in regulation 11(2)(b) or 12(2)(b) to the occupier of the factory.

(2)  It shall be the duty of the occupier of the factory, as soon as is reasonably practicable after receiving any report furnished under paragraph (1), to do the following:

(a)discuss the recommendations of the workplace safety and health committee with the workplace safety and health officer (if one has been appointed) or the chairman;

(b)record in the report the occupier’s decision; and

(c)direct any person at work in the factory to take such action as the occupier thinks necessary in the interests of the safety and health of persons at work in the factory.

(3) It shall be the duty of the occupier of the factory to keep a copy of every report furnished under paragraph (1) in the factory.

Workplace safety and health committee to assist in organising certain activities to promote safe conduct of work in factory

14. The workplace safety and health committee of a factory may assist in organising any contest, competition or other activity for the purpose of promoting the safe conduct of work in the factory.

Guidelines to promote safe conduct of work in factory

15.—(1) The workplace safety and health committee of a factory shall, with the approval of the occupier of the factory, issue a set of guidelines to promote the safety and health of persons at work in the factory.

(2) The guidelines may, with the approval of the occupier of the factory, be amended or revoked by the workplace safety and health committee.

(3) It shall be the duty of the occupier of the factory to publish a copy of the guidelines, and all amendments made to the guidelines, in such manner as will secure adequate publicity at the factory for the guidelines.

Basic knowledge of members of workplace safety and health committee

16. It shall be the duty of the occupier of a factory to take, so far as is reasonably practicable, such measures to ensure that the members of the workplace safety and health committee have a basic understanding and knowledge of the functions and duties of a workplace safety and health committee under the Act.

Powers of workplace safety and health committee

17. The workplace safety and health committee of a factory shall, for the purposes of discharging its functions and duties under the Act, have the power to do all or any of the following:

(a)to enter, inspect and examine the factory at any reasonable time;

(b)to inspect and examine any machinery, equipment, plant, installation or article in the factory;

(c)to require the production of factory records, certificates, notices and documents kept or required to be kept under the Act, including any other relevant document, and to inspect and examine any of them;

(d)to make such examination and inquiry of the factory and of any person at work in that factory as may be necessary to execute its duties;

(e)to assess the levels of noise, illumination, heat or harmful or hazardous substances in the factory and the exposure levels of persons at work therein;

(f)to investigate any accident, dangerous occurrence or occupational disease that occurred within the factory.

These are just some of the function of Workplace Safety and Health Safety Committee. To learn more refer to the Singapore Statutes Online and add this requirement into  your organization compliance obligation procedure

WSH (Noise) Regulations 2011

Workplace Safety and Health (Noise) Regulations 2011

PART II
NOISE CONTROL

Measures to reduce or control noise

4.—(1) It shall be the duty of the occupier of a workplace to take, so far as is reasonably practicable, such measures to reduce or control the noise from any machinery or equipment used, so that no person at work in the workplace is exposed or is likely to be exposed to excessive noise.

(2) It shall be the duty of the responsible person to take, so far as is reasonably practicable, such measures to reduce or control the noise from any process, operation or work carried on by him in a workplace, so that no person at work in the workplace is exposed or is likely to be exposed to excessive noise.

(3) The measures referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2) may include one or more of the following:

(a)replacing noisy machinery, equipment, processes, operation or work with less noisy machinery, equipment, processes, operation or work;

(b)locating noise sources away from hard walls or corners;

(c)isolating noise sources, so as to minimise the number of persons at work in the workplace who are exposed to the noise;

(d)constructing suitable acoustic enclosures to contain noise emitted by machinery, equipment, processes, operation or work;

(e)erecting an effective noise barrier larger in size than the noise source to provide acoustic shielding;

(f)operating pneumatic machinery, equipment or tools at optimum air pressure to minimise noise emission and installing suitable pneumatic silencers at pneumatic line outlets;

(g)installing mufflers at intake and exhaust openings that emit noise;

(h)mounting vibrating machinery on vibration isolators or separate foundations;

(i)isolating persons at work in the workplace in an acoustically shielded room or enclosure, where reduction of noise at the noise source is not practicable;

(j)lining hard surfaces with acoustically absorbent materials to reduce noise reverberation;

(k)isolating or reducing the size and vibration of vibrating surfaces or applying damping materials to vibrating surfaces;

(l)reducing the height from which objects are allowed to fall or applying a resilient material at the point of impact or at the point of interaction of moving objects;

(m)maintaining machinery and equipment at regular intervals to reduce noise emission.

(4) Where it is not practicable to reduce the noise, it shall be the duty of the occupier of a workplace or the responsible person to limit the duration of time persons at work in the workplace are exposed to the noise so that such persons are not exposed to excessive noise.

(5) Any person who contravenes paragraph (1), (2) or (4) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable —

(a)on conviction, to a fine not exceeding $10,000; and

(b)in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.

Appointment of competent person to advise on noise control

5.—(1) Where there are 50 or more relevant persons employed or working in a workplace, it shall be the duty of the occupier of the workplace to appoint a competent person to advise on all proper noise control measures.

(2) It shall be the duty of the competent person to take, so far as is reasonably practicable, such measures as are necessary to ensure that his advice on the noise control measures is adequate, suitable and effective.

(3) It shall be the duty of the occupier of a workplace to, so far as is reasonably practicable, implement such measures as advised by the competent person.

(4) Any person who contravenes paragraph (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 and, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $10,000.

(5) Any competent person who contravenes paragraph (2) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000 and, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $5,000.

(6) Any person who contravenes paragraph (3) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable —

(a)on conviction, to a fine not exceeding $10,000; and

(b)in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.

Duty of manufacturers and suppliers of noisy machinery or equipment

6.—(1) It shall be the duty of any person who manufactures or supplies, for use in any workplace, any machinery or equipment which is likely to expose any person to excessive noise to —

(a)furnish, to the person to whom the machinery or equipment is supplied, such information as the Commissioner may require concerning the sound level which is likely to be generated by the machinery or equipment; and

(b)indicate, by means of a sign or label on the machinery or equipment —

(i)the need to wear hearing protectors when exposed to the noise from the machinery or equipment; and

(ii)such other information as the Commissioner may require.

(2) Any person who contravenes paragraph (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 and, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $10,000.

PART III
NOISE MONITORING, HEARING PROTECTORS AND TRAINING

Noise monitoring

7.—(1) Where there are 10 or more relevant persons employed or working in a workplace, it shall be the duty of the occupier of the workplace to cause noise monitoring to be carried out at least once every 3 years, or earlier if any change in machinery, equipment, process, operation, work, control or other condition is likely to cause any such person to be exposed to excessive noise.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Commissioner may require the occupier of the workplace to cause noise monitoring to be carried out at such other intervals as the Commissioner may determine.

(3) For the purposes of paragraphs (1) and (2), it shall be the duty of the occupier of the workplace to —

(a)appoint a competent person to carry out noise monitoring;

(b)not later than 14 days after receiving the report referred to in paragraph (4)(c) from the competent person, communicate the contents of the report to all relevant persons;

(c)not later than 30 days after the carrying out of the noise monitoring, submit a copy of the report referred to in paragraph (4)(c) to the Commissioner; and

(d)keep the report available for at least 10 years.

(4)  It shall be the duty of the competent person referred to in paragraph (3)(a) to —

(a)carry out noise monitoring using —

(i)recognised methods;

(ii)accepted standard procedures; and

(iii)suitable equipment which is properly calibrated to ensure accuracy;

(b)properly interpret the results of noise monitoring;

(c)prepare a report of the results of noise monitoring; and

(d)submit the report to the occupier of the workplace not later than 14 days after the carrying out of noise monitoring.

(5) Any person who contravenes paragraph (1) or (3) or fails to comply with the requirement of the Commissioner referred to in paragraph (2) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to fine not exceeding $5,000 and, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $10,000.

(6) Any competent person who contravenes paragraph (4) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000 and, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $5,000.

Hearing protectors

8.—(1) It shall be the duty of the responsible person to provide suitable hearing protectors to every relevant person.

(2) It shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensure that any hearing protectors provided under paragraph (1) shall —

(a)correctly fit the user;

(b)attenuate the exposure of the user to sound pressure levels below 85 dB(A);

(c)be compatible with the job requirements of the user; and

(d)not prejudice the health and safety of the user.

(3)  It shall be the duty of the responsible person to establish and implement procedures to ensure that —

(a)hearing protectors are properly issued and maintained; and

(b)every relevant person —

(i)uses hearing protectors; and

(ii)is instructed in the proper use of the hearing protectors.

(4) It shall be the duty of the occupier of a workplace to ensure that warning signs that comply with paragraph (5) are posted at all entrances to or at the periphery of all areas of the workplace in which any person is exposed or is likely to be exposed to excessive noise.

(5)  Every warning sign referred to in paragraph (4) shall clearly indicate that hearing protectors must be worn in the areas referred to in paragraph (4).

(6) Any person who contravenes paragraph (1), (2), (3) or (4) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 and, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $10,000.

Training programme

9.—(1)It shall be the duty of the responsible person to institute a training programme for every relevant person.

(2)  It shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensure that the training programme includes instruction in the following:

(a)the relevant provisions of the Act and these Regulations;

(b)the effects of noise on hearing;

(c)the purpose of hearing protectors;

(d)the advantages, disadvantages and attenuation of various types of hearing protectors;

(e)the selection, fitting, use and care of hearing protectors; and

(f)the purpose of hearing tests and the appropriate procedures and requirements of such tests.

(3) It shall be the duty of the responsible person to conduct the training programme for every relevant person —

(a)within 3 months of that person first commencing work in the workplace; and

(b)at least once every 12 months.

(4) Any person who contravenes paragraph (1), (2) or (3) shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000 and, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $5,000.

These are just some of the workplace noise control legal requirement. To learn more refer to the Singapore Statues Online and update your organization compliance obligation procedure

WSH (Design for Safety) Regulations 2015

Workplace Safety and Health (Design for Safety) Regulations 2015

PART 2
DUTIES OF DEVELOPER

Design of structure for safety and health of affected persons

4.—(1) The developer of a project must, as far as it is reasonably practicable, ensure that all foreseeable design risks in the project are eliminated.

(2)Where it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate a foreseeable design risk, the developer must ensure that the design risk is reduced to as low as is reasonably practicable, taking into account the following factors as far as reasonably practicable:

(a)the design risk must be reduced at its source;

(b)collective protective measures must be used instead of individual protective measures.

Developer’s duties in respect of designers and contractors

5.—(1)The developer of a project may appoint a person as —

(a)a designer for a structure required in the project only if the developer reasonably believes that the person is competent to perform the duties of a designer under these Regulations and any other regulation made under section 65 of the Act; or

(b)a contractor for a structure required in the project only if the developer reasonably believes that the person is competent to perform the duties of a contractor under these Regulations and any other regulation made under section 65 of the Act.

(2)The developer must plan and manage the project in a manner that ensures that all designers and contractors appointed under paragraph (1) for the project have sufficient time and resources to perform their duties under these Regulations and any other regulation made under section 65 of the Act.

(3)The developer must ensure that all relevant information is given to every designer and contractor appointed under paragraph (1) to enable the designer or contractor, as the case may be, to perform the duties of a designer or contractor, as the case may be, under these Regulations and any other regulation made under section 65 of the Act.

Design‑for‑safety review meeting

6.—(1)The developer of a project must convene such design‑for‑safety review meetings as are necessary to —

(a)identify all foreseeable design risks in the project; and

(b)discuss how each of the foreseeable design risks can be eliminated or reduced.

(2)A developer must ensure that each design‑for‑safety review meeting is attended by all the relevant designers and contractors appointed under regulation 5(1), 9(6)(a) or 10(2)(a) or (3)(a).

Design‑for‑safety register

7.—(1)The developer of a project must keep a design‑for‑safety register containing information and records on —

(a)every design‑for‑safety review meeting convened under regulation 6; and

(b)every residual design risk in the project.

(2)The developer —

(a)must ensure that the design‑for‑safety register is kept up to date;

(b)must ensure that all the designers and contractors appointed under regulation 5(1), 9(6)(a) or 10(2)(a) or (3)(a) for the project have access to the design‑for‑safety register; and

(c)must make the design‑for‑safety register available for inspection by an inspector upon the inspector’s request.

(3)Where a developer disposes of the developer’s interest in any structure for which the project is undertaken, the developer —

(a)must ensure that the design‑for‑safety register is given to —

(i)the person who acquires the developer’s interest in the structure; or

(ii)where the structure is a subdivided building, the subsidiary management corporation of the subdivided building; and

(b)must inform the person who next acquires the developer’s interest in the structure or the subsidiary management corporation, as the case may be, of the nature and purpose of the design‑for‑safety register.

(4) It shall be an offence for a developer to contravene paragraph (2)(c) and the developer shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000.

Delegation of developer’s duties

8.—(1)A developer may delegate any of the developer’s duties under regulations 6 and 7(1) and (2) to a person whom the developer reasonably believes is competent to perform those duties (called in this regulation the design‑for‑safety professional).

(2) A developer must provide the design‑for‑safety professional with all the information necessary for the performance of the duties delegated to the design‑for‑safety professional under paragraph (1).

(3) Where the developer’s duties under regulation 6 are delegated to the design‑for‑safety professional, the design‑for‑safety professional must, as soon as reasonably practicable after each design‑for‑safety review meeting, provide the developer with all relevant information on each foreseeable design risk identified at the meeting and how each design risk can be eliminated or reduced.

(4)Where the developer’s duties under regulation 7(1) or (2) are delegated to the design‑for‑safety professional, the design‑for‑safety professional must, as soon as reasonably practicable after any information or record is added to the design‑for‑safety register, provide the developer with an updated copy of the design‑for‑safety register.

(5)A developer who delegates a duty under regulation 6 or 7(1) or (2) is not liable for the performance of that duty.

PART 3
DUTIES OF DESIGNER AND CONTRACTOR
Duties of designer

9.—(1)The designer of a structure must, as far as it is reasonably practicable, prepare a design plan for the structure that eliminates all foreseeable design risks.

(2)Where it is not reasonably practicable for the designer preparing a design plan to eliminate a foreseeable design risk posed by the structure, the designer must propose to the person who appointed the designer, a modification to the design plan that reduces the design risk to as low as is reasonably practicable, taking into account the following factors as far as reasonably practicable:

(a)the design risk must be reduced at its source;

(b)collective protective measures must be used instead of individual protective measures.

(3) The designer must provide all the information relevant to the design, construction or maintenance of the structure to the person who appointed the designer.

(4) The designer of a structure must, where required by the developer of the project in which the structure is required, attend a design‑for‑safety review meeting.

(5) For the purposes of paragraph (4), any reference to the developer includes a reference to the person to whom the developer’s duties under regulation 6 has been delegated.

(6) The designer —

(a)may appoint a person as a designer (called in this regulation the delegated designer) for the structure only if the designer reasonably believes that the delegated designer is competent to perform the duties of a designer under these Regulations and any other regulation made under section 65 of the Act; and

(b)must provide the delegated designer all relevant information to enable the delegated designer to perform the duties of a designer under these Regulations and any other regulation made under section 65 of the Act.

(7)To avoid doubt —

(a)any reference to a designer in this regulation includes a reference to a delegated designer and a designer appointed under regulation 10(2)(a); and

(b)a designer who appoints a delegated designer to prepare a design plan for a structure under paragraph (6)(a) remains liable for the performance of any duty under paragraph (1) or (2) in relation to the design plan.

Duties of contractor

10.—(1)  The contractor of a structure must, as soon as practicable, inform the person who appointed the contractor of any foreseeable design risk that the contractor knows the structure poses or will pose to an affected person.

(2) The contractor —

(a)may appoint a person to design a structure only if the contractor reasonably believes that the person is competent to perform the duties of a designer under these Regulations and any other regulation made under section 65 of the Act; and

(b)must provide the designer appointed under sub‑paragraph (a) all relevant information to enable the designer to perform the duties of a designer under these Regulations and any other regulation made under section 65 of the Act.

(3)The contractor —

(a)may appoint a person to be a contractor of a structure (called in this regulation the subcontractor) only if the contractor reasonably believes that the subcontractor is competent to perform the duties of a contractor under these Regulations and any other regulation made under section 65 of the Act; and

(b)must provide the subcontractor appointed under sub‑paragraph (a) all relevant information to enable the subcontractor to perform the duties of a contractor under these Regulations and any other regulation made under section 65 of the Act.

(4) A contractor of a structure must, where required by the developer of the project in which the structure is required, attend a design‑for‑safety review meeting.

(5) For the purposes of paragraph (4), any reference to the developer includes a reference to the person to whom the developer’s duties under regulation 6 has been delegated.

(6) To avoid doubt, any reference to a contractor in this regulation includes a reference to a subcontractor.

PART 4
MISCELLANEOUS
Duty of registered proprietors and subsidiary management corporations

11.—(1)Where a design‑for‑safety register has been kept under regulation 7(1) for a structure that is not a subdivided building, the registered proprietor of the structure must —

(a)ensure that the design‑for‑safety register is available for inspection by an inspector upon the inspector’s request; and

(b)where the registered proprietor disposes of the registered proprietor’s interest in the structure —

(i)ensure that the design‑for‑safety register is given to the person who next acquires the interest in the structure; and

(ii)inform the person who next acquires the interest in the structure of the nature and purpose of the design‑for‑safety register.

(2) Where a design‑for‑safety register has been kept under regulation 7(1) for a subdivided building, the subsidiary management corporation of the subdivided building must ensure that the design‑for‑safety register is available for inspection by an inspector upon the inspector’s request.

(3)It shall be an offence for a registered proprietor to contravene paragraph (1)(a) or a subsidiary management corporation to contravene paragraph (2) and the registered proprietor or subsidiary management corporation, as the case may be, shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000.

Offences

12.Except as otherwise provided in these Regulations, it shall be an offence for a person to contravene any provision of these Regulations, and the person shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.

These are just some of the legal requirement pertaining to the duties of the project developer designer and contractor. To learn more refer to the Singapore Statues Online and update your organization compliance obligation procedure

WSH (Explosive Powered Tools) Regulations 2009

Workplace Safety and Health (Explosive Powered Tools) Regulations 2009

PART II

GENERAL PROVISIONS

General duty on employer or principal

4.  It shall be the duty of —

(a) the employer of a person who uses a tool; or

(b) the principal under whose direction a person uses a tool,

to ensure that the requirements of regulations 5 to 9 are complied with in relation to the tool and any projectile or charge to be used in or with the tool.

Protective shield or device

5.  Where a tool is a direct acting tool, it shall have a protective shield or device attached to its muzzle end in such a manner —

(a) as to effectively arrest the escape of any stray projectile and any other object or particle liberated by the discharge of the tool; and

(b) that the outer edge of the shield or device is not at any point closer to the centre of the muzzle end of the barrel than a distance of 50 millimetres, except where the tool is used in the circumstances described in regulation 23.

General requirements for tools

6.  No tool shall be used unless —

(a) it is of good construction, sound material and adequate strength, is free from patent defects and is in accordance with a standard or specification acceptable to the Commissioner;

(b) a projectile cannot be discharged from it if it is dropped onto a surface from a height of 3 metres or more;

(c) it cannot be discharged accidentally while being handled; and

(d) where it is a direct acting tool, it can only be discharged —

(i) if a force of 110 newtons or more is applied by its operator to the springs of the breech and firing mechanisms; and

(ii) if the axis of its barrel or barrel extension does not deviate by more than 7 degrees from a right angle formed by the barrel and the surface into which a projectile is to be fired from it.

Projectiles to meet requirements

7.  No projectile shall be used in a tool unless —

(a) in the case of a smooth shanked projectile, the projectile can be bent through an angle of 40 degrees;

(b) in the case of a knurled shanked projectile, the projectile can be bent through an angle of 30 degrees; and

(c) the projectile, in a bend test for ductility, is able to bend about a pin with a diameter equal to the diameter of the shank of the projectile.

Projectiles and charges to be compatible with tools

8.  No projectile or charge shall be used with a tool unless it is of a standard or quality that is compatible with the specifications of the manufacturer of the tool.

Colour to indicate strength of charge

9.  No charge shall be used in a tool unless the charge is marked, either at the top or at the bottom, with a colour indicating the strength of the charge in accordance with a standard or specification acceptable to the Commissioner.

Record of tools

10.  It shall be the duty of the occupier of a workplace to keep and maintain a record of —

(a) the type and serial number of every tool in use in the workplace; and

(b) the names and addresses of each of the respective owners and users of the tools.

Information to be engraved, embossed, printed or placed on tools

11.  It shall be the duty of the owner of a tool to ensure that —

(a) the following notice is permanently embossed, printed or placed on the tool:

“DO NOT REMOVE THIS TOOL FROM THE WORK SURFACE FOR AT LEAST 10 SECONDS AFTER IT HAS FAILED TO FIRE.”; and

(b) the serial number and model identification of the tool are permanently and legibly engraved or embossed upon the tool.

PART III

OPERATION AND SAFE USE OF TOOL

General duty on employer or principal

12.  It shall be the duty of —

(a) the employer of a person who uses a tool; or

(b) the principal under whose direction a person uses a tool,

to ensure that the requirements of regulations 17(1), 18, 20 and 27 are complied with in relation to the tool and any projectile or charge to be used in or with the tool.

Only operator to use tool

13.  It shall be the duty of —

(a) the employer of a person who uses a tool; or

(b) the principal under whose direction a person uses a tool,

to ensure that the person is qualified to be an operator.

Inspection of tools

14.—(1)  It shall be the duty of the owner of a tool to ensure that the tool is not used unless —

(a) it has been inspected, examined and maintained by an authorised person in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations;

(b) it is free from any patent defect; and

(c) it has been inspected and tested by a recognised testing body, in accordance with a standard acceptable to the Commissioner, at least once in every 3 years.

(2)  It shall be the duty of the operator of a tool to inspect the tool in accordance with its manufacturer’s instructions before use.

Repair of tools

15.—(1)  No person, other than an authorised person, shall repair a tool.

(2)  It shall be the duty of the owner of a tool —

(a) to ensure that he does not employ, cause or permit any person, other than an authorised person, to repair the tool;

(b) knowing that the tool has been repaired by a person other than an authorised person, to ensure that he does not use and does not employ, cause or permit any other person to use the tool; and

(c) to ensure that he does not, at any time, repair or modify the tool in such a way that it does not conform with its manufacturer’s specifications.

(3)  If an inspector has reason to believe any tool is unsafe, he may direct the owner, purchaser or operator of the tool not to use or not to employ, cause or permit any person to use the tool until —

(a) the tool has been repaired; and

(b) a certificate certifying that the tool is safe for use has been issued by a recognised testing body or an authorised person.

Personal protective equipment

16.  It shall be the duty of —

(a) the employer of a person who uses a tool in a workplace; or

(b) the principal under whose direction a person uses a tool in a workplace,

to ensure that —

(i) the person;

(ii) any other person who assists in the use of the tool; and

(iii) any other person in the workplace who is subject to the risk of injury from the tool,

are provided with suitable eye protection, suitable head protection and such other personal protective equipment or devices as are capable of protecting a person from injury.

Defective tools, projectiles and charges not to be used

17.—(1)  No tool, projectile or charge shall be used unless it complies with a standard or specification acceptable to the Commissioner.

(2)  It shall be the duty of any person who knows that a tool, projectile or charge is defective to ensure that he does not use, and that he does not cause or permit any other person to use, that tool, projectile or charge.

Projectiles, charges, etc., to be suited to tool

18.—(1)  No projectile, charge, breech plug, barrel extension or adaptor shall be used with a tool unless it is of a type suitable for use with the tool.

(2)  No tool shall be used for any purpose other than that for which it was made, adapted or intended.

Compliance with manufacturer’s instructions

19.  It shall be the duty of both the owner of a tool and the operator of the tool to comply with any instruction, advice or recommendation which appears on the tool or its container, or in any document supplied by the manufacturer of the tool, unless such instruction, advice or recommendation is contrary to these Regulations.

Barrel extensions

20.  No barrel extension shall be used on a direct acting tool unless there is attached to the extension a protective shield or device referred to in regulation 5.

Limitation on use of charges

21.—(1)  It shall be the duty of any person who loads a charge in a tool to ensure that the charge is not any charge that he knows, or ought reasonably to know from testing, to be —

(a) in excess of that necessary for the purpose for which the tool is to be used; or

(b) of such strength as will cause the whole of the projectile to pass through the substance on which the tool is to be used.

(2)  Paragraph (1)(b) shall not apply where the substance is backed by a material that is capable of absorbing the energy of the projectile fully.

Use of tools in dangerous environment

22.  It shall be the duty of any person who uses a tool to ensure that the tool is not used —

(a) in the presence of any explosive or flammable gas, dust or vapour;

(b) in any compressed air environment; or

(c) in any place where the charge is likely to explode or be rendered dangerous by the presence of heat.

Use of tools on roof

23.  It shall be the duty of any person who uses a tool to ensure that the tool is not used on any roof unless the area beneath the person —

(a) has been cleared; and

(b) is kept clear for a distance of 6 metres in every direction from the spot beneath the place where the person is working.

Handling of tools

24.  It shall be the duty of any person who uses, carries or handles a loaded tool to —

(a) keep every part of his body clear of the muzzle end of the tool;

(b) keep the muzzle end of the tool pointed away from any other person; and

(c) exercise the utmost care to avoid injury to himself and others.

Discharging of tools

25.—(1)  It shall be the duty of any person who uses a tool to ensure that the tool is not discharged unless —

(a) he is in a safe, well-balanced position that will prevent tilting or misalignment of the tool at the time of firing; and

(b) the tool is placed on the substance into which a projectile is to be driven in such a manner that the protective shield or device referred to in regulation 5 will effectively arrest the escape of stray projectiles and any other object or particle discharged by the firing of the tool.

(2)  It shall be the duty of any person who uses a direct acting tool that is fitted with an interchangeable or adjustable protective shield or device referred to in regulation 5 to ensure that the distance between any part of the outer edge of that shield or device and the centre of the muzzle end of the barrel is less than 50 millimetres, unless the escape of a projectile into any area outside the shield but within a radius of less than 50 millimetres from the centre of the barrel will effectively be arrested by other surrounding material.

Free flying projectile prohibited

26.  It shall be the duty of any person who uses a tool to ensure that the tool is not fired in such a manner as to cause a projectile to fly free.

Firing into certain materials forbidden

27.  No tool shall be used for driving a projectile —

(a) into high tensile steel, steel hardened by heat treatment, cast iron or any other substance of a hardness that a projectile is not designed to penetrate;

(b) into tiles, terracotta, glazed brick, glass, marble, granite, thin slate or any other substance that is readily shattered;

(c) into concrete or reinforced concrete, where any initial trial has shown that the aggregate is of such hardness, or the reinforcing is so positioned, that the use of the tool is unsafe;

(d) so close to the edge of any substance, or to any hole in the substance, as either to risk cracking or breaking the substance or to risk the escape of the projectile from the substance;

(e) within 15 millimetres, in the case of a direct acting tool, or within 10 millimetres, in the case of an indirect acting tool, of the edge of any exposed steel reinforcement; or

(f) into any brick, concrete or similar substance that is within 75 millimetres, in the case of a direct acting tool, or within 50 millimetres, in the case of an indirect acting tool, of an edge of a structure of which the brick, concrete or substance forms a part.

Tools to be kept clean

28.  It shall be the duty of any person who uses a tool to ensure that after each firing of the tool, he carefully examines it and removes from it any piece of projectile or explosive charge and any other foreign matter that may be present.

Procedure in case of misfire

29.  It shall be the duty of any person who fires a tool to ensure that where the charge fails to explode —

(a) he continues to hold the tool in the firing position for at least 10 seconds; and

(b) if the charge does not explode within that time, he unloads the tool or places it in such a position as to eliminate the possibility of a person being injured in the event of the charge exploding subsequently.

PART IV
CARE AND STORAGE OF TOOLS AND EXPLOSIVE CHARGES
Storage of tools

30.—(1)  It shall be the duty of the owner of a tool to ensure that the tool is kept in a securely locked container at all times, unless the tool is required for use, inspection or repair.

(2)  No person shall take a tool out of its container unless —

(a) the tool is required for use, inspection or repair by him; or

(b) the tool is required for use, inspection or repair by another person, and he is taking the tool out of its container for delivery by him to that person.

(3)  It shall be the duty of any person who uses, inspects or repairs a tool to ensure that —

(a) the tool is kept in its container after he has used, inspected or repaired it;

(b) while the tool is being used, inspected or repaired, the tool is not left unattended, unless effective precautions are taken to ensure that it will not be removed, handled or used by any other person; and

(c) any charge intended for use in the tool is not left unattended, unless effective precautions are taken to ensure that the charge will not be removed, handled or used by any other person.

Loading and carrying of tools

31.  It shall be the duty of —

(a) the employer of a person who uses a tool; or

(b) the principal under whose direction a person uses a tool,

to ensure that —

(i) the tool is not loaded other than at the place where it is to be used; and

(ii) the tool is not carried from place to place while it is loaded, unless the tool cannot be unloaded by reason of any mechanical failure or misfire.

Storage of charges

32.—(1)  It shall be the duty of the owner of any charge intended for use in a tool to ensure that —

(a) the charge is kept in a securely locked container provided for that purpose; and

(b) the container referred to in sub-paragraph (a) is clearly marked with —

(i) the words “EXPLOSIVE CHARGES”; or

(ii) any other markings in accordance with a standard or specification acceptable to the Commissioner.

(2)  It shall be the duty of any person who has custody of any charge intended for use in a tool to ensure that —

(a) every container in which any charge in his custody is kept is securely locked, except when any charge is being kept in or removed from the container;

(b) he does not permit any person, other than a person using or assisting in the use of a tool, to open any container in which any charge in his custody is kept; and

(c) he does not use, or permit any other person to use, any container in which any charge in his custody is kept for any purpose other than the storage of charges.

These are just some of the  legal requirement for handling or working with explosive powered tools. To learn more refer to the Singapore Statues Online and update your organization compliance obligation procedure

WSH (Confined Spaces) Regulations 2009

Workplace Safety and Health (Confined Spaces) Regulations 2009

PART II
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Record of confined spaces in factory

4.Where a fixed and stationary confined space is sited in a factory, it shall be the duty of the occupier of the factory to —

(a)make a record of the description and location of the confined space; and

(b)inform persons who are liable to be exposed to the hazards of the confined space, of the existence and hazards of the confined space.

Access to and egress from confined space

5. It shall be the duty of the occupier of a workplace to take, so far as is reasonably practicable, measures to ensure that the means of entry into and egress from any confined space in the workplace are safe and without risks to the health of every person entering or leaving the same.

Opening of entrance cover of confined space

6. It shall be the duty of the responsible person of a person entering or working in a confined space which contains any substance under pressure greater than atmospheric pressure to ensure that —

(a)the entrance cover of the confined space is not removed unless the confined space is depressurised and rendered safe for opening; and

(b)when such entrance cover is removed, the opening to the confined space is barricaded or guarded by railings or other effective means, to prevent any person or object from falling into the confined space.

Lighting in confined space

7.  It shall be the duty of the responsible person of a person entering or working in a confined space to ensure that there is sufficient and suitable lighting for such entry into or work in the confined space.

Ventilation in confined space

8.—(1) It shall be the duty of the responsible person of a person entering or working in a confined space to ensure that the ventilation in the confined space complies with this regulation.

(2) Adequate and effective ventilation shall be maintained in the confined space for the purposes of entry into and work in the confined space.

(3) The air supply for the ventilation shall be —

(a)from a source free from contaminants; and

(b)directed to the area where a person is or will be present in the confined space.

(4) Where exhaust ventilation is used, the exhaust air from the ventilation system shall be exhausted to a location outside the confined space where it does not present a hazard to any person.

PART III

CONTROL OF ENTRY INTO CONFINED SPACE

Implementation of confined space entry permit

9. Before any person enters or works in a confined space, it shall be the duty of his responsible person to —

(a)appoint a person whom the responsible person reasonably believes is competent to carry out the duties of an authorised manager, as an authorised manager for the confined space;

(b)appoint a person whom the responsible person reasonably believes is competent to carry out the duties of a confined space safety assessor, as a confined space safety assessor for the confined space; and

(c)ensure that a confined space entry permit has been issued in respect of the entry into or work in the confined space which specifies —

(i)the description and location of the confined space;

(ii)the purpose of entry into the confined space;

(iii)the results of the gas testing of the atmosphere of the confined space; and

(iv)its period of validity.

No entry into or work in confined space without evaluation and confined space entry permit

10.—(1)  Subject to paragraph (2), no person shall enter or work in a confined space unless —

(a)the occupier of the workplace in which the confined space is sited has made an evaluation that it is necessary for such person to enter or work in the confined space; and

(b)a confined space entry permit has been issued in respect of such entry into or work in the confined space.

(2) Paragraph (1)(b) shall not apply if the person entering or working in the confined space —

(a)is wearing a suitable breathing apparatus;

(b)has been authorised to enter or work in the confined space by the authorised manager for the confined space; and

(c)where reasonably practicable, is wearing a safety harness with a rope securely attached and there is a confined space attendant keeping watch outside the confined space who is provided with the means to pull such person out of the confined space in an emergency.

Application for confined space entry permit

11. An application for a confined space entry permit shall —

(a)be made by the supervisor of the person who is to enter or work in the confined space;

(b)be made in such form and manner as may be required by the authorised manager for the confined space;

(c)state the measures which will be taken to ensure the safety and health of persons who enter or carry out the work in the confined space; and

(d)be addressed to the authorised manager and submitted to the confined space safety assessor for the confined space.

Evaluation of confined space entry permit

12.—(1) On receipt of the application for a confined space entry permit, the confined space safety assessor shall test the atmosphere of the confined space prior to entry by any person into the confined space.

(2) The confined space safety assessor shall, in relation to the testing of the atmosphere referred to in paragraph (1) —

(a)use a suitable and properly calibrated instrument;

(b)conduct the test in the following sequence:

(i)test for level of oxygen content;

(ii)test for level of flammable gas or vapour; and

(iii)test for concentration of toxic gas or vapour, where applicable;

(c)conduct the test in a manner that will not endanger himself or others; and

(d)record the results of the test in the confined space entry permit.

(3) If the confined space safety assessor is satisfied that entry into or work in a confined space can be carried out with due regard to the safety and health of persons who enter or work in the confined space, he shall endorse the application for the confined space entry permit and forward the endorsed application to the authorised manager for the confined space.

(4)It shall be the duty of the confined space safety assessor to exercise all due diligence when performing his functions in relation to the testing, evaluation and endorsement of an application for a confined space entry permit under paragraphs (1), (2) and (3).

Issue of confined space entry permit

13.—(1) The authorised manager for a confined space may issue a confined space entry permit in respect of entry into or work in the confined space if the authorised manager is satisfied that —

(a)the level of oxygen in the confined space is within the range of 19.5% to 23.5% by volume;

(b)the level of flammable gas or vapour in the confined space is less than 10% of its lower explosive limit;

(c)the levels of toxic substances in the atmosphere of the confined space do not exceed the permissible exposure levels as specified in the First Schedule to the Workplace Safety and Health (General Provisions) Regulations (Rg 1);

(d)the confined space is adequately ventilated;

(e)effective steps have been taken to prevent any ingress of dangerous gases, vapours or any other dangerous substances into the confined space; and

(f)all reasonably practicable measures have been taken to ensure the safety and health of persons who will be entering or working in the confined space.

(2)  If the authorised manager issues a confined space entry permit, it shall be his duty to retain a copy of the permit.

(3)  It shall be the duty of the authorised manager to exercise all due diligence when performing his function in relation to the issuance of a confined space entry permit under paragraph (1).

(4) If the entry or work in the confined space for which the confined space entry permit is issued is not completed within the validity period of the permit, a fresh application shall be made in accordance with regulation 11.

Posting of confined space entry permit

14. Where a confined space entry permit is issued to a supervisor of a person who is to enter or work in a confined space, it shall be the duty of the supervisor to —

(a)clearly post a copy of the permit at the entrance to the confined space, including where reasonably practicable, a sketch of the area within the confined space where the entry is to be made or work is to be conducted; and

(b)ensure that the copy of the permit is not removed until —

(i)the date of expiry of the permit;

(ii)the revocation of the permit; or

(iii)the person entering or working in the confined space has left the confined space after achieving the purpose of the entry or completing the work, as the case may be,

whichever is the earliest.

Monitoring to ensure safety and health of worker during entry into or work in confined space

15.—(1) It shall be the duty of the responsible person of a person entering or working in a confined space and the authorised manager for the confined space to ensure that all measures necessary to ensure his safety and health are taken and in place at all times during his entry into, stay or work in the confined space.

(2) It shall be the duty of the responsible person of a person entering or working in a confined space to inform the authorised manager for the confined space when the person entering or working in the confined space has left the confined space after achieving the purpose of the entry or completing the work, as the case may be.

Periodic testing of atmosphere

16.—(1) It shall be the duty of the responsible person of a person entering or working in a confined space to ensure that —

(a)the atmosphere in the confined space is tested by a confined space safety assessor at such intervals as is necessary to evaluate the safety and health of the person entering or working in the confined space;

(b)if there are 2 or more persons present in the confined space, at least one of them continuously monitors the atmosphere in the confined space with a suitable gas detector; and

(c)if a hazardous atmosphere in a confined space is detected by the tests or continuous monitoring referred to in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) —

(i)all persons in the confined space shall vacate the confined space immediately;

(ii)an evaluation is made to determine how the hazardous atmosphere developed; and

(iii)no person re-enters the confined space until a new confined space entry permit is issued by the authorised manager for the confined space.

(2)  It shall be the duty of the confined space safety assessor referred to in paragraph (1)(a) to record the results of the tests referred to in that paragraph.

(3)  It shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensure that each of the records referred to in paragraph (2) are kept for not less than 2 years from the date it is made.

Duty to report incompatible work

17.—(1) It shall be the duty of any person who is aware of any work being carried out in a workplace in which a confined space is sited which is incompatible with any other work being carried out in the confined space, to immediately report the incompatible work to his supervisor, the workplace safety and health officer, the workplace safety and health co-ordinator or the authorised manager for the confined space.

(2) In paragraph (1), “incompatible work” means work which is carried out at or in the vicinity of any work carried out in the confined space and which is likely to pose a risk to the safety and health of persons present in the confined space.

Review and revocation of confined space entry permit

18.—(1) It shall be the duty of the authorised manager for a confined space who has issued a confined space entry permit to review and assess the need for entry into or work in the confined space on a daily basis and revoke the permit if he thinks fit to do so.

(2) If, after issuing a confined space entry permit, the authorised manager is of the view that the carrying out of the work in the confined space poses or is likely to pose a risk to the safety and health of persons entering or working in the confined space, he may order all persons to leave the confined space immediately and all work in the confined space to cease immediately, and revoke the confined space entry permit.

(3) Without prejudice to paragraph (2), the authorised manager —

(a)may revoke a confined space entry permit in respect of a confined space if he is satisfied that —

(i)the entry or work in the confined space has been completed; or

(ii)the entry or work in the confined space cannot be continued for a significant period of time; and

(b)shall, in the circumstances described in regulation 16(1)(c), revoke the relevant confined space entry permit.

These are just some of the legal requirements for working in confined spaces. To learn more refer to the Singapore Statutes Online

and add this requirement into  your organization compliance obligation procedure

WSH (Construction) Regulations 2007

Workplace Safety and Health (Construction) Regulations 2007

PART II

SAFETY AND HEALTH MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENT

4. [Deleted by S 608/2009 wef 01/03/2010]

Site coordination meeting

5. It shall be the duty of the occupier of a worksite to —

(a)convene such site coordination meetings as are necessary with due regard to the progress of the works which are, or are to be, carried out in the worksite for the purpose of coordinating such works so as to ensure the safety, health and welfare of persons at work in the worksite; and

(b)ensure that every meeting is —

(i)presided by the project manager of the worksite; and

(ii)attended by every person (being a supervisor, an engineer, a workplace safety and health co-ordinator or a workplace safety and health officer) who is involved in any work or process being co-ordinated in the worksite and any other person who oversees any such work or process.

Workplace safety and health co-ordinator

6.—(1) For the purposes of section 28(1) of the Act, a workplace safety and health co-ordinator shall be appointed in respect of every worksite where the contract sum of the building operation or works of engineering construction carried out therein is less than $10 million.

(2) Every workplace safety and health co-ordinator shall be appointed by the occupier of every worksite referred to in paragraph (1).

(3)  The occupier of the worksite shall not appoint any person as a workplace safety and health co-ordinator unless the person is one —

(a)who has successfully completed a training course to equip him to be a workplace safety and health co-ordinator;

(b)whom the occupier reasonably believes is competent to perform the functions and duties of a workplace safety and health co-ordinator; and

(c)whom the occupier reasonably believes has at least 2 years’ practical experience relevant to the work to be performed by a workplace safety and health co-ordinator.

(4)  Any occupier of a worksite who contravenes paragraph (2) or (3) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 and, in the case of a continuing offence, to a further fine not exceeding $1,000 for every day or part thereof during which the offence continues after conviction.

Duties of workplace safety and health co-ordinator

7.—(1)  It shall be the duty of a workplace safety and health co-ordinator appointed under regulation 6(1) in respect of a worksite to —

(a)assist the occupier of the worksite to identify any unsafe condition in the worksite or unsafe work practice which is carried out in the worksite;

(b)recommend to the occupier of the worksite to implement such reasonably practicable measures to remedy the unsafe condition or unsafe work practice; and

(c)assist the occupier of the worksite to implement such reasonably practicable measures referred to in sub-paragraph (b).

(2) Any workplace safety and health co-ordinator who, without reasonable excuse, contravenes paragraph (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 and, in the case of a second or subsequent offence, to a further fine not exceeding $5,000.

Powers of workplace safety and health co-ordinator

8. A workplace safety and health co-ordinator shall, for the purposes of discharging his duties under regulation 7, have the power to do all or any of the following:

(a)to enter, inspect and examine at any reasonable time the worksite;

(b)to inspect and examine any machinery, equipment, plant, installation or article in the worksite;

(c)to require the production of worksite records, certificates, notices and documents kept or required to be kept under the Act, including any other relevant document, and to inspect and examine any of them;

(d)to make such examination and inquiry of the worksite and of any person at work at that worksite as may be necessary to execute his duties;

(e)to assess the level of noise, illumination, heat or harmful or hazardous substances in the worksite and the exposure levels of persons at work therein; and

(f)to investigate any accident, dangerous occurrence or occupational disease that occurred within the worksite.

Safety and health training

9.—(1)  It shall be the duty of —

(a)the employer of any person who carries out manual work in a worksite; or

(b)the principal under whose direction a person carries out manual work in a worksite,

to ensure that the person does not carry out any manual work in the worksite unless the person has received adequate safety and health training for the purpose of familiarising the person with the hazards associated with such work and the precautions to be observed.

(2) It shall be the duty of —

(a)the employer of any person who carries out oversight or supervisory work in a worksite; or

(b)the principal under whose direction any person carries out oversight or supervisory work in a worksite,

to ensure that the person does not oversee or supervise any work (including any process) in the worksite unless the person has received adequate safety and health training to ensure that the work which the person oversees or supervises can be carried out safely.

PART III

PERMIT-TO-WORK SYSTEM

Application of this Part

10.  his Part shall apply only to the following types of work that form part of any building operation or works of engineering construction (referred to in these Regulations as high-risk construction work):

(a)demolition work;

(b)excavation and trenching work in a tunnel or hole in the ground exceeding 1.5 metres depth;

(c)lifting operations involving tower, mobile or crawler crane;

(d)piling work; and

[S 278/2014 wef 01/05/2014]

(e)tunnelling work.

[S 278/2014 wef 01/05/2014]

(f)[Deleted by S 278/2014 wef 01/05/2014]

(g)[Deleted by S 224/2013 wef 01/05/2013]

Implementation of permit-to-work

11.—(1)  It shall be the duty of the occupier of a worksite at which any high-risk construction work is or is to be carried out to —

(a)appoint a project manager for the worksite;

(b)appoint a safety assessor (who shall be either a workplace health and safety officer for the worksite or a competent person); and

(c)take, so far as is reasonably practicable, such measures as are necessary to ensure that a permit-to-work system in accordance with this Part is implemented for that worksite.

(2)  The permit-to-work system referred to in paragraph (1) shall provide that —

(a)any high-risk construction work at the worksite must be carried out with due regard to the safety and health of persons carrying out the high-risk construction work in the worksite;

(b)such persons are informed of the hazards associated with the high-risk construction work and the precautions they have to take; and

(c)the necessary safety precautions are taken and enforced when the high-risk construction work is being carried out in the worksite.

(3) It shall be the duty of the occupier of a worksite to ensure that no person is appointed as a safety assessor unless the person is one whom the occupier reasonably believes is competent to perform the functions and duties of a safety assessor.

No high-risk construction work without permit-to-work

12.—(1)Subject to paragraph (2), any person who carries out any high-risk construction work in a worksite without a permit-to-work first issued by the project manager of the worksite in respect of that high-risk construction work shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $20,000.

(2) Nothing in paragraph (1) shall operate to interfere with or render unlawful any rescue work or other work necessary for the general safety of life or property.

Application for permit-to-work

13. An application for a permit-to-work shall —

(a)be made by the supervisor of a person who is to carry out any high-risk construction work in a worksite;

(b)be made in such form and manner as may be required by the project manager of the worksite;

(c)state the measures which will be taken to ensure the safety and health of persons who carry out the high-risk construction work in the worksite; and

(d)be addressed to the project manager and submitted to the safety assessor for the worksite where the high-risk construction work is to be carried out.

Evaluation of permit-to-work

14.—(1) On receipt of the application for a permit-to-work, the safety assessor shall —

(a)assess whether all reasonably practicable measures have been taken to ensure the safety and health of the persons who will be carrying out the high-risk construction work in the worksite; and

(b)inspect the site (including its surroundings) where the high-risk construction work is to be carried out together with the supervisor of the person who is to carry out the work to ensure that the high-risk construction work can be carried out with due regard to the safety and health of the person or any other person at work in the worksite who may be affected.

(2) If the safety assessor is satisfied that the high-risk construction work can be carried out in the worksite with due regard to the safety and health of workers and other persons at work in the worksite who may be affected, he shall endorse the application for the permit-to-work and forward the endorsed application to the project manager of the worksite.

(3)It shall be the duty of the safety assessor to exercise all due diligence when performing his functions in relation to the evaluation and endorsement of an application for a permit-to-work under paragraphs (1) and (2).

Issue of permit-to-work

15.—(1) The project manager of a worksite may issue a permit-to-work in relation to any high-risk construction work which is to be carried out in the worksite if the project manager is satisfied that —

(a)there has been a proper evaluation of the risks and hazards involved in the carrying out of the work based on the available information;

(b)no incompatible work which may pose a risk to the safety and health of other persons at work in the worksite will be carried out at the same time in the same vicinity as the high-risk construction work;

(c)all reasonably practicable measures will or have been taken to ensure the safety and health of the persons who carry out or are to carry out the high-risk construction work; and

(d)all persons who are to carry out the high-risk construction work are informed of the hazards associated with it.

(2)The project manager of a worksite who issues a permit-to-work in respect of any high-risk construction work shall retain a copy of the permit-to-work.

(3)It shall be the duty of the project manager of a worksite to exercise all due diligence when performing his function in relation to the issuance of a permit-to-work under paragraph (1).

(4)Subject to regulation 19, a permit-to-work shall be valid for the period stated therein, and if the high-risk construction work for which the permit-to-work is issued is not completed within the validity period, a fresh application shall be made in accordance with regulation 13.

Posting of permit-to-work and supervisor’s duty

16.It shall be the duty of the supervisor of any person who carries out any high-risk construction work in a worksite to —

(a)clearly post a copy of the permit-to-work issued in respect of that high-risk construction work, including where reasonably practicable, a sketch of any area where the high-risk construction work is permitted, at the work area where the work is carried out; and

(b)ensure that the copy is not removed until the date of expiry or date of revocation of the permit-to-work or on completion of the high-risk construction work, whichever is the earlier.

Monitoring of work

17.—(1)It shall be the duty of the project manager of a worksite to continually review the progress of all high-risk construction work being carried out in the worksite to ensure that the high-risk construction work is carried out with due regard to the safety, health and welfare of the persons carrying out the high-risk construction work in the worksite.

(2) It shall be the duty of the supervisor of any person who carries out any high-risk construction work in a worksite —

(a)to ensure that the measures necessary to ensure the safety and health of the person at work are taken and are in place at all times during the validity period of the permit-to-work; and

(b)to inform the project manager of the worksite upon completion of the high-risk construction work.

Duty to report incompatible work

18.—(1)It shall be the duty of any person who is aware of any work being carried out in a worksite which is incompatible with any high-risk construction work being carried out in the worksite to immediately report the incompatible work to his supervisor, the workplace safety and health officer, the workplace safety and health co-ordinator or the project manager of the worksite.

(2)In this regulation, any work in a worksite which is carried out at or in the vicinity of any high-risk construction work and which is likely to pose a risk to the safety or health of persons at work in the worksite shall be treated as incompatible work.

Revocation of permit-to-work

19.If the project manager of a worksite who, after issuing a permit-to-work in respect of any high-risk construction work, is of the view that the carrying out of the high-risk construction work poses or is likely to pose a risk to the safety, health and welfare of persons at work in the worksite, he may order the high-risk construction work to cease immediately and revoke the permit-to-work

These are just some of the legal requirement for managing construction sites. To learn more refer to the Singapore Statues Online and update your organization compliance obligation procedure