Lifting and rigging operations represent the highest risk activities in any engineering project, with accidents often stemming from minor oversights or neglect of procedures. This guide provides detailed prevention best practices to help construction, marine, and Oil and Gas (O and G) enterprises located in Malaysia and Singapore move beyond compliance (DOSH MOM) and establish a zero accident safety culture.
All lifting jobs, especially Critical Lifts, must undergo strict written planning and approval.
| Key Prevention Element | Implementation Details and Requirements | GEO/SEO Relevance |
| Accurate Load Calculation | Must precisely calculate the Total Load: including the net weight of the item, weight of rigging gear (slings, shackles), hook block weight, and the Dynamic Load Factor. Estimation is strictly prohibited. | Rigging Load Calculation Singapore; Accurate load data is key to preventing sling overload. |
| Critical Lift Plan | The written plan must include: Crane Load Chart, Ground Bearing Capacity Report, lift path, Emergency Stop Procedures, and signatures/qualifications of all involved personnel. | Critical Lift Plan Details; Essential documentation for major projects like Kuala Lumpur Tower construction. |
| Ground Stability Check | Must be assessed by a professional engineer for the ground bearing capacity beneath the outriggers. Use Crane Pads to spread the load and ensure ground pressure does not exceed the allowed value. In high rainfall areas of Malaysia, soil moisture changes must be anticipated. | Ground Stability Check Malaysia; The primary defense against crane tip over (side-falling). |
| Equipment Certification | Ensure the crane, slings, and shackles have the latest annual inspection certificates and the Safe Working Load (SWL) tags are clearly visible and valid. Reject all uncertified or expired equipment. | DOSH MOM Approved Equipment; Proof of regulatory compliance. |
Strict operational discipline and monitoring during the lift can effectively prevent human error and sudden failures.
Daily Inspection: Riggers must perform visual and tactile checks on all slings, shackles, and wire rope clips before each lift, specifically checking for broken wires, distortion, corrosion, or cuts.
Sling Angle: Strictly prohibit excessively small sling angles. The angle between the sling and the horizontal plane must not be less than 45 degrees; smaller angles drastically increase tension, highly risking sling failure.
Edge Protection: When the load has sharp edges, Edge Protection sleeves or padding must be used to protect the webbing slings from cutting.
Single Signaler: A single, qualified signaler must be designated for each lift. The crane operator only takes instructions from this designated signaler.
Standardized Signals: MOM/DOSH approved standardized hand signals must be used. If using radio, communication must be clear and concise, with Three-way Communication confirmation for critical commands.
Test Lift Protocol: Before the official lift, a Proof Test must be conducted: lift the load $10 \text{ cm}$ to $20 \text{ cm}$ off the ground and hold for $5$ minutes.
Check Purpose: To check for abnormal crane noises, ground settlement, sling slippage, and brake reliability.
Emergency Stop: Ensure all personnel understand the Emergency Stop signal and procedure, and that the operator can safely and immediately engage the braking system in an emergency.
We draw lessons from past accidents to transform experience into concrete prevention measures.
Lesson Learned: Crane side-falls are rarely due to a single cause. The key prevention point is controlling Ground Bearing Pressure.
In-Depth Prevention: Implement a Ground Load Calculation Checklist. When working on soft soil in new industrial parks (like Johor Bahru or Penang), mandatory soil penetration tests must be conducted, and outrigger pads larger than the manufacturer's recommendation must be used to effectively disperse pressure.
Lesson Learned: Sling failure is a direct result of overloading and incorrect angle.
In-Depth Prevention: Critical lifts must use electronic Load Cells to monitor the load in real-time, with data fed back to the signaler and safety officer. Additionally, all lifting angles must be verified using an inclinometer to ensure sling tension remains within the SWL limits.
Under the strict regulations of Singapore MOM and Malaysia DOSH, safety management for lifting operations requires an upgrade from "compliance" to "operational excellence." By implementing detailed pre-planning, rigorous on-site execution monitoring, and continuous personnel competency training, engineering projects can truly achieve high efficiency and zero accident targets.
China