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WSH Alert – Three recent accidents involving unsafe
operation of MEWPs
Incident
In the past 3 months, 3 workers were killed while carrying out work activities using mobile elevated work
platforms (MEWPs). They were crushed between structures and the MEWPs that they were operating.
Preliminary investigations revealed factors that could have contributed to the accidents:
1. Untrained operator operating the MEWP
2. Operator unfamiliar with the assigned MEWP
3. Travelling the MEWP with the platform in an elevated position
4. Lack of supervision
5. Machines were improperly or inadequately maintained
The deceased
was found
trapped between
the platform
controls of the
boom lift and the
sprinkler pipe
installed on the
ceiling.
The boom lift platform’s The deceased was
bars were bent out of crushed between the
shape by the crushing boom lift’s controls and the
force. ceiling beam.
The worker’s head was
pinned between the
scissor lift’s handrail and
an air-conditioning duct.
* Please note that the information provided is not exhaustive and for the benefit of enhancing workplace safety and health so that a similar
recurrence may be prevented. The information provided is not to be construed as implying any liability to any party nor should it be taken to
encapsulate all the responsibilities and obligations of the reader of WSH Alert under the law.
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Recommendations
1. Conduct risk assessment: A risk assessment must be carried out before starting any work.
Through the risk assessment, employers and workers can identify potential hazards and take
appropriate actions to eliminate or reduce the risks involved. Control measures and safe work
procedures must be established, communicated and implemented to ensure the safety and
health of the workers involved. Some of the issues relevant to the incidents include:
a. Consider the use of overhead protection measures if there is a risk of overhead
crushing or contact hazard, where appropriate. Such overhead protection should not
introduce other hazards, e.g. obstruction of view, risk of being caught between
overhead protection and fixed structure.
b. Provision of adequate lighting as good visibility can help reduce the chance of
accidents.
2. Implement workplace safety and health management programme: Management must put
in place an effective workplace safety and health management programme. Through this,
operations within the organisation would be guided through a safety policy, establishment of a
safety management system and proper work procedures.
3. Maintenance programme and control of usage: Workplaces must implement an effective
system to manage and control the use of MEWPs. MEWPs must be properly maintained,
certified safe to use and be operated only by authorised competent persons.
4. Periodic Examination by Authorised Examiner: MEWPs (Lifting Platforms that are used for
lifting personnel) shall be thoroughly examined and certified safe for use by an MOM registered
Authorised Examiner once every 6 months. It is strongly recommended that a MEWP be
checked daily and a weekly inspection be conducted to ensure its safe use.
5. Training for MEWP Operators: Only authorised personnel who have been properly trained
and are competent can be allowed to operate the MEWP. The training provided must not be
merely a short session on the operating controls of the MEWPs. It must be comprehensive with
an adequate number of hours on supervised hands-on operation. Training must cover at least
the following: knowledge of operation, safety features and inspection of MEWPs. Assessment
should be carried out to affirm that the person has acquired the necessary knowledge and skills
to operate a MEWP competently and safely.
6. Familiarisation of the assigned MEWP is important: Due to the varied designs of different
models of MEWP, an operator who is assigned to operate another model of MEWP different
from the model that he was trained should be given sufficient familiarisation to ensure
competency and to cover the differences. This includes manufacturer’s warnings and
instructions, features of the specific model, control functions, safety devices and emergency
lowering procedures.
* Please note that the information provided is not exhaustive and for the benefit of enhancing workplace safety and health so that a similar
recurrence may be prevented. The information provided is not to be construed as implying any liability to any party nor should it be taken to
encapsulate all the responsibilities and obligations of the reader of WSH Alert under the law.
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7. Do not move the MEWP with the platform in the elevated position: It is important to lower
the platform before travelling. This will prevent the occupants of the MEWP from being struck
against or caught in between structures or objects such as roof hoists or beams. Additionally,
greater stability is achieved and the chance of imbalance and tipping over of the MEWP is
reduced.
8. Adequate supervision is important: A supervisor must be appointed to provide close
supervision and guidance for work carried out in MEWPs. Unsafe acts and environmental
hazards can be more easily spotted and corrected.
9. Use of appropriate fall prevention equipment: A full body harness with an adjustable lanyard,
which are used to provide travel restraint and adjusted to be as short as possible to prevent
workers from climbing out of the MEWP, should be worn by workers working on MEWPs. The
lanyard should be anchored to the designated anchor point.
Further Information
1. Workplace Safety and Health Act (Chapter 354A), please click here.
http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/non_version/cgi-bin/cgi_retrieve.pl?actno=REVED-
354A&doctitle=WORKPLACE%20SAFETY%20AND%20HEALTH%20ACT%0a&date=latest&m
ethod=part&sl=1
2. Workplace Safety and Health (General Provisions) Regulations, please click here.
http://www.mom.gov.sg/publish/momportal/en/legislation/Occupational_Safety_and_Health/wor
kplace_safety_and/workplace_safety_and0.html
3. Workplace Safety and Health (Risk Management) Regulations
4. Technical Advisory for Work at Height, please click here.
http://app.wshc.gov.sg/cms/Portals/0/Technical%20Advisory%20for%20Working%20At%20hei
ght.pdf
5. Fact sheet on Safe use of Mobile Elevated Work Platform, please click here.
http://app.wshc.gov.sg/cms/Portals/0/Bulletin_MEWP_241008.pdf
6. WSH Bulletin, Training and Skills for MEWP Operators: please click here.
http://app.wshc.gov.sg/cms/Portals/0/Training_and_Skills_for_MEWP_Operators_WSH_bulletin
.pdf
7. Circular No CIF A32.4.1, INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS FOR STATUTORY LIFTING
EQUIPMENT, please click here.
http://www.mom.gov.sg/publish/etc/medialib/mom_library/Workplace_Safety/bc_machinery_an
d_equipment.Par.86608.File.tmp/Inspection%20Requirements%20for%20Statutory%20Lifting
%20Equipment.pdf
8. List of MOM registered Authorised Examiners, please click here.
http://www.mom.gov.sg/publish/etc/medialib/mom_library/Workplace_Safety/files6.Par.4876.Fil
e.dat/ListofApproved3rdPartyInspectionAgenciesforLE.pdf
9. HSE - The selection and management of mobile elevating work platforms, please click here.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/cis58.pdf
* Please note that the information provided is not exhaustive and for the benefit of enhancing workplace safety and health so that a similar
recurrence may be prevented. The information provided is not to be construed as implying any liability to any party nor should it be taken to
encapsulate all the responsibilities and obligations of the reader of WSH Alert under the law.
