Case Study
Worker falls through skylight during survey of asbestos roofing prior to demolition
Incident
• A worker had gone up to the roof to conduct a survey of the roof before his fellow workers proceeded to take down the asbestos roof sheets. The worker fell through the skylight after the plastic skylight sheets gave way.
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Investigation findings
• No proper work procedures were available for work on the roof where workers are liable to fall a distance of more than 3m.
1 Opening at the skylight where the deceased fell through.
Systemic failures
• Lack of safe work procedures to carry out the survey and asbestos removal works.
Case Study
Partition wall collapses on members of public
Incident
• A partition wall under demolition collapsed at a public area causing one fatality and four others to be injured. Demolition of the partition wall was carried out in a bottom-up manner.
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Investigation findings
• No proper work procedures were available for the demolition works.
• No competent person had been assigned to assess and inspect the structure to be demolished.
1 Walls being hacked from bottom up.
Systemic failures
• Lack of safe work procedures to carry out the demolition works in a systematic manner.
• Lack of continuous inspections and hazard analysis during demolition.
1
1 Part of the collapsed roof slab.
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