20.12.2011

21 months to certify

Singapore’s new regulations stipulate that all loader crane operators must be trained and/ or tested and certified as competent by September 2013.

In order to meet this timetable, a new training course and test has been developed by the Workplace Safety and Health WSH Council, in consultation with the National Crane Safety Taskforce.

The new Lorry Crane Operator Course (LCOC) is a two-and-a-half day course designed to equip loader crane operators with the basic skills and competencies required for their safe operation. The new requirement comes under the Workplace Safety and Health (Operation of Cranes) Regulations.

It is estimated that there are currently around 3,500 full time loader crane operators in Singapore. Going forward all new loader crane operators will have to complete the LCOC and pass the end of course assessment before being allowed to operate a crane.

Operators with at least three years’ experience who can show relevant proof of competency or experience will be exempted from the course and be allowed to take the test directly. However, those who fail will be required to enrol for the course.

The course will be available for registration with the Building and Construction Authority Academy from next month.

The taskforce claims that there have been more than 40 loader crane incidents/accidents over the past five years that were caused by unsafe work practices, four of which resulted in fatalities.

The official investigations indicate that many of them could have been prevented if loader crane operators were better trained and adhered to proper safe work procedures.