Friday, March 19, 2010

OSHAS 18001 & MS 1722 & ISO 14001

OHSAS 18001 Occupational Health and Safety Management System- Requirements
This standard enables an organization to manage its occupational health and safety (OHS) risks and improve its OHS performance. The requirements of the standard are intended to address occupational health and safety for employees, temporary employees, contractors and other personnel on site rather than the safety of products and services. Conformance to this standard will provide a more effective method of protecting employees and others from workplace injuries and illnesses. It will also demonstrate the management commitment in meeting OSH legal requirements.

MS 1722 Part 1 Occupational Safety and Health Management System - Part 1: Requirements
This is a Malaysian Standard on Occupational Safety and Health Management Systems based on International Labour Organisation’s standard OSH MS 2001. As the requirements of this standard are equivalent to OHSAS 18001, auditing and certification to this standard can be carried out simultaneously.

ISO 14001 - Environmental Management System

ISO 14001 is an internationally recognized standard for the establishment of an organization’s environmental management system. The standard requires the organization to systematically identify and manage the environmental aspects and impacts resulting from its activities, products and/or services.

ISO 14001 is applicable to all types of organization, large or small, whether in the private or public sectors. The implementation of ISO 14001 can improve an organization’s environmental performance. It also enhances the public image of an organization, ensures legal compliance and facilitates access to a growing ‘green’ market.

Accident Involving Mobile Crane


On 17/01/2008 at about 3.00pm, a verbal report was received on a fatal accident case involving a 45 tonnes truck mounted crane (Model:Tadano; PMA 9284). The location was at the proposed Putra Square project, Kuantan, Pahang. On the day of the accident, several workers were undertaking relocation work involving two units of transformers within the building.
The crane had been positioned outside of the building for hoisting work, with all its legs extended and rested on wooden footings which were placed on the ground. But one of the four legs that was supported on the wooden footing was found to be placed on top of a drainage culvert.During the preparatory process for the lifting of a 4,150 kgs transformer, the ground on top of the culvert suddenly gave way causing the leg and wooden footing to
puncture through the culvert.

The forensic engineering investigation that was conducted, revealed that the culvert failed because it could not withstand the loading from the crane. Consequently,the sudden inclination of the crane body from the failure of the culvert caused the hook block to swing and struck the deceased who happened to be nearby.The deceased was caught in between the swinging hook block and the transformer to be hoisted and sustained serious injury.
It is advised that the following safety measures be upheld during any lifting operation involving the use of truck mounted crane:

1. As a safety precautionary measure, risk assessment shall be carried out on the surrounding area prior to any work activity involving hoisting of material.

2. The view of the driver must not be obstructed.He must be able to see clearly the position of the workers and the loads to be lifted.

3. The legs of the crane have to be supported on strong,secure and suitably sized footings.Any wooden footing used shall be free from any deterioration when exposed to damp environment.

4. The crane shall be supported on the solid ground which is level and properly compacted.

5. To appoint signalman who is competent and trained and able to communicate clearly with the driver in any emergency situation which arises during lifting operation.

6. The crane operator has to be registered with DOSH and in possession of a valid crane operator certificate.

7. The accident can be avoided if the employer undertakes and upholds safe system of work.