Singapore legislation
Clause 33
Clause 33
Safe means of access and safe place of employment
(1)
All floors, steps, stairs, passages and gangways shall be of sound construction and properly maintained and shall, so far as 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 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.
(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 is to work at a place from which he will be liable to fall a distance more than three metres, then unless the place is one which affords secure foothold and, where necessary, secure handhold, means shall be provided so far as is reasonably practicable, by fencing or otherwise for ensuring his safety.
(8)
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.
(9)
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.
(10)
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.