BEING SAFE

1.What is a "Green Card"?

1.1 Why do I need a Green Card?

From 1 May 2001 onward, only persons who have been trained in basic safety and hold valid certificates (commonly known as "Green Card") are allowed to be employed to carry out construction work or container handling in industrial undertakings.

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1.2 Green Card Renewal

Green Card" is valid for a period from 1 year to 3 years. Workers should renew their green card 6 months before or not more than 3 months after it expires, as mentioned under section 6BA(6) of the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance, Chapter 59.

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2.The 5 Major Risks & Precautions

Working in the construction site is risky and may cause many accidents with injuries, fatalities and property loss if the workers do not have adequate safety training. According to the statistics from the Labour Department, there are five major accident which results in serious body injury or even fatality.

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-Fall of person from height

-Struck by falling objects

-Contact with electricity

-Contact with moving machinery and Drowning.

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2.1 Falling From Height

The activity being carried out when a person fell depended on the place from which they fell. For example falls from scaffolds, roofs and ladders were usually associated with construction and maintenance. To prevent this, you should always use the personal protective equipment provided by your employer, wear necessary protective gear for example harness, helmet and goggles.

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OSHC has launched the “Three safety bubbies” for working at height below two meters - mobile working platform, step platform and hop-up platform - to encourage employers to provide employees with all-round fall prevention equipment for the promotion of good work practices.

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2.2 Getting Struck by Falling Objects

One of the main risk factors of these accidents is working or walking below an elevated work surface, which could make you more prone to being hit by falling objects.

 

To prevent any workers from being struck by falling objects, contractors/employers should:

• conduct risk assessments and formulate appropriate safe working procedures for the work;

• safeguard any floor edges or openings by suitable barriers, fencings, covers or toeboards so as to prevent any materials from falling over or through the edges or openings;

• ensure that no loose materials are put at or near the floor edges or openings where they are liable to fall;

• fence off the areas where hazards of falling objects are foreseeable, so as to prohibit any workers from entering the hazardous areas;

• display prominent warning notices to alert workers of the work being conducted aloft and hazards of falling objects;

• ensure that every worker on the site is wearing a suitable safety helmet;

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2.3 Contact with Electricity

Electrocution was the second highest cause of construction worker employment-related fatality which also poses these specific risks to construction workers: explosions, fires, electrocution, shock and burns.

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Before using an electric tool, check the tool and its plug and connecting cable. Do not use a damaged tool. Do not repair or alter any electrical installation unless competent to do so. If you meet any fault or problem, report it to your supervisor immediately.

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At one time under his immediate supervision, a qualified electrician can only supervise electric helpers: Pre energisation - 1:2 (Supervisor:Helpers); Post energisation - 1:1

When doing electrical works we should always remember to turn off power supply, lock the power supply and put up notices.

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2.4 Contact with Moving Machinery

When operating Lorry crane, it is important to know the Derating factors of the truck.

The amount of load the truck can carry differs as the angle and length of jibs change. Depending on the position of the jib on the lorry truck base, the number and length of outriggers, the Derating factors would be different. It can be referenced from the derating chart.

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To prevent any mishaps while operating the Lorry crane, Users should :

• Not operate a lifting appliance unless trained and certificate is required.

• Before using lifting gear such as hook, shackle or chain sling, check whether there is any wear and tear.

• Check the weight of the load to be lifted.

• Do not exceed the safe working load of a lifting appliance or lifting gear.

• Adopt the correct lifting method.

• Do not use a lifting appliance or lifting gear unless it has been examined and certified safe by a competent examiner.

• Do not use a lifting appliance unless it has been regularly repaired and maintained by a competent person. No unauthorized repair is allowed.

• Follow the safe working instructions of the manufacturer of a lifting appliance.

• Do not work beneath any suspended load.

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2.5 Drowning

Workers are at constant risk of injury or death from falls and or drowning, in addition to the typical construction site accidents. There were accidents where Worker drowns in bridge construction.

 

In this occasion, we may also need to apply for a “Blue Card” and learn “Safe System of Work, Safe Use of Lifting Appliances/Mobile Plant, Safe Use of Lifejackets/Buoyancy Aids, Working at Height, Safe Means of Access and Egress. All those involved shall increase the awareness and concerns for the risk of working at height by implementing adequate safety precautions.

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3.Practical Q+A & Written Exam

At the end of the course, there will be a simple exam in MC format, participants should get at least 60% of the questions correct in order to pass the exam. Green Card will be distributed on the spot to those who successfully pass. Participants are allow to re-take the exam once if they failed at their first try.

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