What must employers do to protect workers from fire and explosion hazards?

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Employers must conduct comprehensive risk assessments and implement appropriate controls to protect workers from fire and explosion hazards.

Employers are required to conduct thorough risk assessments to identify potential fire and explosion dangers and subsequently implement suitable control measures to safeguard their workforce. This directive follows an incident where two workers were injured in a flash fire at a sewer manhole in Tuas. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has mandated that companies review their safety protocols and reinforce them before resuming operations that involve such risks.
Comprehensive Risk Assessments and Controls

The Ministry of Manpower has stipulated that employers must undertake comprehensive risk assessments to identify potential fire and explosion hazards. Following these assessments, appropriate controls must be put in place to ensure workers are protected from these dangers. This is particularly relevant for work in environments like underground infrastructure, such as sewerage and waste pipes, which can generate flammable gases.
Worker Briefing and Supervision

In addition to implementing controls, employers are responsible for ensuring workers are adequately informed and supervised. Workers should receive proper briefings regarding identified hazards and established safe-work procedures. Adequate supervision is also a critical component in preventing incidents and ensuring adherence to safety protocols during operations.
Suspension of Works Pending Investigation

Following an incident involving a flash fire that injured two employees engaged in manhole-cover replacement works, the contractor, Hong Hock Global, was ordered to suspend all similar operations. This suspension is to remain in effect until investigations are concluded to determine the exact cause of the fire and to ensure that safety measures are sufficiently reinforced. The ministry is actively investigating the incident to ascertain the contributing factors.

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What must employers do to protect workers from fire and explosion hazards?

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