Singapore legislation
Section 33
Section 33
Safe means of access and safe place of employment
(1)
All places of work, floors, steps, stairs, passages, gangways and means of access shall —
be of sound construction and properly maintained; and
so far as it is reasonably practicable, be kept free from any obstruction and from any substance likely to cause persons to slip.
(2)
All openings in floors shall be securely fenced except in so far as the nature of the work renders such fencing impracticable.
(3)
There shall, so far as is reasonably practicable, be provided and maintained safe means of access to and egress from every place at which any person has at any time to work and every such place shall, so far as is reasonably practicable, be made and kept safe for any person working there.
(4)
For every staircase in a building or affording a means of exit from a building, a substantial handrail shall be provided and maintained, which, if the staircase has an open side, shall be on that side, and, in the case of a staircase having two open sides, such a handrail shall be provided and maintained on both sides. Any open side of a staircase shall also be guarded by the provision and maintenance of a lower rail or other effective means.
(5)
All ladders shall be —
soundly constructed and properly maintained; and
securely fixed, or held by a person, to prevent them from slipping.
(6)
Sufficient clear and unobstructed space shall be maintained at every machine while in motion to enable the work to be carried on without unnecessary risk.
(7)
Where any person has to work at a place from which he would be liable to fall a distance of more than 3 metres or into any substance which is likely to cause drowning or asphyxiation, a secure foothold and handhold shall be provided so far as practicable at the place for ensuring his safety.
(8)
Where it is not practicable to provide a secure foothold and handhold as required under subsection (7), other suitable means such as a safety belt and fencing shall be provided for ensuring the safety of every person working at such places.
(9)
Where a safety belt is provided pursuant to subsection (8), there shall be sufficient and secured anchorage, by means of life line or otherwise for the safety belt, and the anchorage shall not be lower than the level of the working position of the person wearing the safety belt.
(10)
No person shall require, permit or direct any person to work at a place from which he would be liable to fall a distance of more than 3 metres or into any substance which is likely to cause drowning or asphyxiation unless the requirements of subsection (7) or (8) have been complied with.
(11)
Every teagle opening or similar doorway used for hoisting or lowering goods or materials, whether by mechanical power or otherwise, shall be securely fenced, and shall be provided with a secure handhold on each side of the opening or doorway. The fencing shall be properly maintained and shall, except when the hoisting or lowering of goods or materials is being carried on at the opening or doorway, be kept in position.
(12)
All goods, articles and substances which are stored or stacked in a factory shall be stored or stacked —
in such manner as not to interfere with the adequate distribution of natural or artificial light, the proper operation of machines or other equipment, the unobstructed use of passageways or traffic lanes, and the efficient functioning of sprinkler systems or the use of other fire-fighting equipment;
on firm foundations not liable to settle and in such manner as not to overload the floors;
in such manner as will best ensure stability and prevent any collapse of such goods, articles or substances or their supports,and shall not be stored or stacked against a wall or partition unless the wall or partition is of sufficient strength to withstand the pressure.
(13)
The foundation and floor of every factory shall be of sufficient strength to sustain the loads for which it is designed and no foundation or floor shall be overloaded.
(b)
The roof of every factory shall be of sufficient strength to carry where necessary suspended loads.
(14)
Where persons are exposed to the risk of falling into water and of drowning, there shall be provided —
equipment and means of rescuing and resuscitating drowning persons; and
suitable life jackets or other equipment for keeping such persons afloat in the event that they fall into the water.
(15)
The equipment referred to in subsection (14) shall be properly maintained and kept free from defects at all times.