Stay Safe at Heights: Effective Planning & Control Measures

Make good decisions for selection, evaluation and approving of control measures before allowing work-at-heights activities

Falls from heights have been a major contributor towards work-related injuries and fatalities for many years to come, both locally and worldwide. While there have been great advancements in technology and knowledge for the past 10 years, much is not widely shared and understood on the correct considerations and applications to improve effectiveness. Locally, with the enactment of the WSH (Work-At-Heights) Regulations in 2013, and the amendments as well as the circular on the recognition of competent persons announced in 2014, many concerns are raised on how much we understand, know and are able to apply to ensure that working at heights in our workplaces can be effective. Much emphasis have been placed on the documentation requirements to ensure safe work, such as the Fall Prevention Plan and the Permit-to-Work System. However, do we know whether the information reflected on these documents are in fact representing effective means of control measures? What do we need to look at, consider, and how do we evaluate whether it is sufficient? Are we in fact really protected from the implemented control measures, or are we just plain lucky that we did not fall, only to realise that the measures were not effective.

Course Objective

This 3-hour workshop aims to provide general and basic understanding towards planning for work-at-height activities, and the factors contributing to making it safe and effective. Participants will appreciate how the general concepts should be looked at, putting them together, and thus enabling them to be able to make good decisions for selection, evaluation and approving of control measures before allowing work-at-heights activities to commence.

Course Outline

• WSH Act and relevant subsidiary legislations related to lifting operation

• Considerations when planning for working at height

• Process top-down from planning to execution

• Understanding factors governing a fall

• Understanding the consequences of a fall

• Understanding equipment and systems

Who should attend?

Design and engineering professionals, technical and professional engineers, safety professionals and practitioners, project management and decision makers, project and safety executives who are involved in the selection, evaluation and implementation of work-at-height requirements for any and all workplaces.

Course Fees (Incl GST)

SCAL Member Fee: $165.00

CIJC Member Fee: $200.00

Non-Member Fee: $200.00

Trainer Profile

MR. GERALD TAN

Gerald Tan is currently employed as Assistant Director (Campus Audits & System Safety) with the Office of Health & Safety, Nanyang Technological University. He received his BEng(Hons) in Mechanical Engineering from UMIST in 2004, and MSc in Health, Safety and Environmental Technology with the National University of Singapore in 2021. He has been certified as a Fall Protection Engineer (CSA Z259.16) from the United States in 2012, LEAN Six Sigma (Black Belt) in 2021, and Appointed Persons for Lifting Operations with IES Academy in 2022.

Gerald has held various roles from project management to operations, and health & safety for the past 20 years, spanning across different industries including shipyards, manufacturing, as well as construction, logistics and warehouse-related businesses. He also serves as competent person in operations or safety assessor roles for working-at-height, lifting operations, entry and working in confined spaces, including heavy lift operations for both on and off-shore; mobile crane erection services, and tugboat towing operations.

Gerald is an accredited trainer for ministry-approved safety courses, such as work-at-heights, first aid, safety supervisors for various trades and industries. He has participated with and conducted various pilot run programs, such as the WAH Train-the-Trainer and WAH Authorised Manager in 2013; and Managing Work-At-Height in 2015 under the new LSP scheme.

Gerald has also provided consultancy services coupled with customised in-house trainings, internal audits as well as inspection services. After receiving his WSH Auditor and CultureSAFE Consultant accreditation in 2015, he further expanded his scope of services to include developing, implementing, reviewing, auditing and enhancing workplace health and safety practices and adoption of positive safety culture in the workplaces.

Gerald is currently a member of the Fire Safety Managers’ Association (FSMAS) and a member of the HSE Technical Committee of The Institute of Engineers, Singapore (IES). He is also currently representing IES in the WSH Council (Crane and Lifting) Taskforce and is the Appointed Lead for the Lorry Crane Workgroup in 2025.