| |
SINGAPORE : The shipping industry received an email alert on safety measures for spray painting work carried out in confined spaces, in the wake of Sunday's accident at a Tuas shipyard.
This accident saw one worker dead after suffering 90 percent burns, another three in intensive care and two others in high dependency wards. Three crew members were also admitted for observation for smoke inhalation while six others were given outpatient treatment.
At the time of the accident, four workers were inside four separate ballast tanks carrying out spray painting works while another four workers were on the deck of the vessel to assist them.
The safety alert was issued by the newly-established Workplace Safety and Health Council. Several key council members also visited the accident site on Monday.
The council is working with the Ministry of Manpower to develop a Technical Advisory on the prevention of fire and explosion - which will be shared with the industry through a seminar within the next three months. Educational materials such as manual and videos will also be distributed to educate workers on key safety issues.
The council's chairman, Lee Tzu Yang, said the accident showed that spray painting work in confined areas can be dangerous. He added that there is a need for companies to understand both the risks and safety measures required, and for workers to be briefed properly. - CNA /ls
|
