Last Thursday (15 Jul’10), the EHS team together with SC2 had conducted an EHS audit at Pinnacle, Sentosa Cove project.

Following are some important points that we have made improvements after the audit

1. 01. SWP and Activity-based RA of the following have been reviewed :
• The use of Hazardous materials (e.g. diesel, bentonite, polymer, etc)
• Pile testing and the use of Man-Cage
• The use of excavator mounted with vibro-hammer
• Assembly/disassembly of Boring machine
2. Applicable Legal register relevant to site activities.
3. ‘Daily Check and Preventive Maintenance’ is inclusive of Genset, Welding Set and Man-cage (refer to the IMS Forms).
4. For continuation of work after heavy rain; the best practice that PTW system is reviewed and machinery/equipment is re-inspected again (e.g. lifting equipment, welding set, genset and machinery).
5. Under the WHSA (Reg. 11 point b – Permit to Work System), Safety Assessor is appointed with the following duties:
• To 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;
• To 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.

General Remarks:

In our company practice, commonly Site Supervisor would prepare the PTW and submit it to the Safety Supervisor/Coordinator for assessment.

WHSO / Safety Supervisor / Coordinator shall be appointed as Safety Assessor (pls use/refer to the Project Appointment Form). He shall be competent to perform above duties.

Approval of PTW shall be done by the Project Manager / Assignee (e.g. OM / Site Mgr).

As a concluded thought from this round of audit, I strongly believe that SAFETY is neither a Top – Down nor a Bottom – Up initiatives. In fact, it lies everywhere within an organization so that we are empowered to a role to institute a ‘Pro-Active SAFETY Culture’; as Safety is a by-product of our activities.

Additionally, I would like to share the following article. For your information sharing only.

Five questions to ask before starting work — “TAKE 5”

Usually during the first toolbox meeting or “Take 5″, it’s always very natural to be awkward to start with fresh idea and good reminder on safety.

Therefore, I always use these 5 questions to translate and REMIND the safety awareness to them again and again.

I’ll begin with…

Before you start your assigned task, it’s important to ask yourself

Q1. Based on the assign task, what could go wrong?

1. Will I be caught in, on under or between?
2. Will I be in contact with chemical, heat, electricity or sharp item?
3. Will I be strike against or by item or object?
4. Will I fall from the same level or from elevation?
5. Will I overexert which led to sprain, strain, repetitive motion or excessive noise?

Q2. Why am I doing this job this way? Is there a safer way to do it?

Q3. How could doing it this way hurt me or others?

Q4. How can I do it more safely?

Q5. What am I going to do to protect myself / others?

Only by having answering all those 5 questions with positive replies, our people can be certain that the assigned task is safe to proceed. It would be the most encouraged to have an open discussion with the team; ensuring them that they have the right way to perform the jobs that would NOT endanger their/others’ life or health. Acknowledge that with reasonable reasons, they will not be penalised to give feedback and even to say NO to proceed with the unsafe assigned task. They should not work in fear as waiting for the accident to happen. As a person in-charged of the project and safety, it’s our job to ensure that EHS information are communicated and briefed to our workers so that they are able to complete their assigned tasks without compromising to their/others’ people safety.

Complacent risks one’s life; thus Let us Work safe and Be safe !

SAFETY is our FIRST, LAST and ALWAYS.