Case Study
Roof slab collapses on worker
A worker fell 8m to his death through an uncovered gap in a formwork while erecting the formwork on the second storey.
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Incident
• A roof slab collapsed on the worker after the supporting walls were largely demolished. The roof slab was simply rested on and supported by brick walls.
Investigation findings
• No props or supports were provided for the roof slab before demolition of the supporting walls.
• No competent person had been assigned to assess and inspect the roof slab and supporting walls prior to demolition works.
1 The underside of the staircase when the roof slab collapsed.
Systemic failures
• Lack of pre-demolition surveys and structural investigation to develop a safe method of demolition.
• Lack-of continuous inspections and hazard analysis during demolition.
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1 Collapsed roof slab.
5. Risk Assessment
Risk assessment should be carried out to identify hazards associated with the demolition process, assess such hazards and take reasonably practicable steps to eliminate or control the risks arising from those hazards.
For more information on risk assessment, please refer to the Guidelines on Risk Assessment available in MOM’ s website( www. mom. gov. sg / wsh / risk _ management).
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