COMPENDIUM OF TYPICAL HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH CLADDING WORKS AND

THEIR CONTROL MEASURES IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

CLADDING WORKS

No. Hazards Possible Control Measures Useful Links/Tips

1. Measurement

1.1 Fall from height when using • Construct proper barricades and edge protection
scaffolds and gondolas
• Conduct regular inspection and maintenance on
scaffolds and gondolas
• Provide and use adequate and appropriate access See Appendix Figure 1
• Provide, maintain and use safety harness, hard
hats and safety shoes
1.2 Struck by falling objects (debris) • Check and close gaps at toe-boards and decking
• Practice good housekeeping techniques
• Conduct regular site inspection

2. Delivery of product to site

2.1 Dropping of load due to improper • Employ qualified lifting crew for lorry crane
unloading method unloading

2.2 Failure of lorry crane due to • Get lifting supervisor to coordinate the lifting
outriggers not being fully extended activities
or improper sitting
2.3 Dropping of load due to improper • Switch to proper lifting gear
lifting gear
• Get lifting supervisor to coordinate the lifting
activities
2.4 Failure of lorry crane due to • Employ qualified lifting crew for lorry crane
overloading unloading
• Follow and use the specified safe work load
2.5 Crushing and collapse of materials • Use a proper design
or platform, due to improper
• Develop in-house guidelines on material handling
stacking of materials
(e.g. not more than a specified number of layers)
• Enforce strict supervision
• Use a leveled ground for stacking
• Cordon off the area of stacking

3. Transport materials to actual location

3.1 Material dropping from height during • Implement lifting Permit-To-Work

lifting process
• Secure material properly and tightly to lifting device
• Check that no one stands below the lifting area
3.2 Communication breakdown between • Check if communication sets are in good condition
rigger and signalman before use
 • Use standardised language
3.3 Failure of material hoist due to • Comply with material hoist safe working load
overloading
• Conduct regular inspection and proper
maintenance of material hoist
3.4 Overturning of crane due to uneven • Do not overload crane beyond its safe working load
ground at its specified radius and boom length
• Park the crane on level and firm ground with its See Appendix Figure 2
outriggers fully extended and resting on steel plates

4. Distribute materials to respective areas

4.1 Cut by sharp edges • Cover sharp edges with protective materials
• Inspect on correct usage of PPE
• Provide, maintain and use appropriate gloves
4.2 Back injuries due to lifting heavy • Provide and use mechanical devices
objects
• Conduct training on proper manual handling
techniques
4.3 Struck by falling of materials due to • Enforce in-house rules and regulations
their placement near the edge of
• Implement safe work procedures
building
• Demarcate safe storage areas for cladding during
installation
• Provide, maintain and use hard hats

5. Fixing by installer
5.1 Falling from height during handling, • Follow method statement for cladding work
due to improper installation method
• Construct barricades or other appropriate
safeguards
5.2 Falling from height due to not using • Construct appropriate safeguards
proper PPE or not using appropriate
• Implement Permit-To-Work for working at height See Appendix Figure 3
fall protection
5.3 Failure of lifting machine • Conduct regular maintenance on hoisting
equipment or lifting gear
• Conduct inspection as a preventive maintenance See Appendix Figure 4
program
5.4 Hand injury from usage of hand • Conduct inspection and proper maintenance of
tools hand tools
• Conduct training on usage of hand tools
5.5 Electrical hazards from electrical • Comply with CP88 Part 1 Refer to Circular on Socket Outlet
drills and other equipment or Assembly1
improper electrical connection
Refer to Circular on Electrical
Safety2

5.6 Collapse of scaffold due to removal • Coordinate between various trade and scaffold
of scaffold braces and tie-backs for contractors to suit nature of work
stone cladding installation
• Conduct regular inspection to check and replace
braces and ties
5.7 Fall or other injury due to removal of • Coordinate between various trade and scaffold
scaffold cross bracing or other contractor to suit nature of work
illegal modification of scaffold
• Conduct regular inspection to check and replace
components (e.g. cross-bracing and
braces and ties
toe-board)
 6. Use of Gondola

6.1 Mechanical failure • Conduct regular inspection

• Implement preventive maintenance program
• Ensure erection by Approved Scaffold Contractor
• Do not load gondola beyond its safe working load
as specified by authorised examiner
6.2 Swinging and hitting against objects • Place restrainer or tag lines on gondola
due to heavy wind
• Avoid working during strong wind conditions
6.3 Fall from height due to improper use • Conduct training on use of fall arrestor
of fall arrestor
• Conduct regular inspection
• Enforce on only trained workers can use the
gondola
• Provide, maintain and use safety harness See Appendix Figure 5

7. Use of toxic materials during touch-up and rectification

7.1 Inhalation and contact with solvents, • Review and communicate material safety data
epoxy paints, etc. sheet to all persons
• Provide and use appropriate PPE (Respirators and
gloves)
• Practise good personal hygiene

8. Patch-up
8.1 Falling from height of inexperienced • Provide training for workers
workers
• Provide, maintain and use safety harness
• Conduct training on the usage of safety harness

1
This document can be retrieved from http://www.mom.gov.sg/building_capabilities.html under Managing Workplace Hazards
ÆGuidelines Factsheets and Circulars ÆSafety

2
This document can be retrieved from http://www.mom.gov.sg/building_capabilities.html under Managing Workplace Hazards
ÆGuidelines Factsheets and Circulars ÆSafety
 Appendix

Figure 1: Proper and adequate access Figure 2: Fully extended outrigger

Return to Section 1.1 Return to Section 3.4

Figure 3: Permit-to-work Figure 4: Inspection tag

Return to Section 5.2 Return to Section 5.3

 Figure 5: Safety harness

Return to Section 6.3

*Contents of this resource are originated from the Risk Assessment workshops organised by the Singapore Contractors
Association Limited with the support of the Occupational Safety and Health Division of the Ministry of Manpower.

This material is not intended to be an exhaustive list of hazards and control measures for the above-mentioned activities.
Companies are to conduct risk assessment on the work activities specific to their workplaces by identifying the hazards,
evaluating the risk and determining suitable control measures where appropriate. References should be made to the
relevant regulations and code of practices when in doubt.