SINGAPORE — The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has taken action against 79 companies following a special two-month enforcement operation targeting unsafe lifting operations and crane operations.
Between July 1 and Aug 31, a total of 80 worksites were inspected by the ministry’s Occupational Safety and Health Division, and 194 crane-related contraventions of the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Act were uncovered, the MOM said today (Sept 29).
Of these violations, 98 resulted in composition fines that totalled more than S$95,000. The other contraventions saw 96 Notices of Non-Compliance issued to companies to warn them against unsafe lifting practices.
The companies involved have also been told to address the findings of the inspections, and the MOM said it will monitor their efforts closely.
The top five violations uncovered included failure to maintain cranes in good working condition; failure to establish and implement a proper lifting plan; using defective lifting gear or lifting gear that had not been examined by an authorised examiner; failure to implement a proper Permit-To-Work system; and no indication of the Safe Working Load and lifting machine number on the lifting machine.
Mr Ho Siong Hin, the MOM’s Commissioner for WSH, said the crane industry’s practices remain a serious concern, and all crane owners should put in place robust maintenance regimes and safety systems.
“Besides the safe deployment of cranes, crane owners and occupiers have the responsibility to ensure that their cranes and lifting operations do not endanger workers or the public. MOM will take stern action against errant crane companies and occupiers,” he added.
news source & image credit: todayonline.com
