Statute Details
- Title: Workplace Safety and Health (Explosive Powered Tools) Regulations 2009
- Full Title: Workplace Safety and Health (Explosive Powered Tools) Regulations 2009
- Act Code: WSHA2006-S325-2009
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (sl)
- Commencement Date: 1 September 2009
- Parts: Part I: PRELIMINARY
- Key Sections: Section 2: Definitions
- Related Legislation: Explosives Act, Workplace Safety and Health Act
What Is This Legislation About?
The Workplace Safety and Health (Explosive Powered Tools) Regulations 2009 are a set of regulations made under the Workplace Safety and Health Act of Singapore. These regulations establish safety requirements and operational procedures for the use of explosive powered tools in workplaces. Explosive powered tools are devices that use an explosive charge to drive a projectile, such as a nail or stud, into a surface.
The purpose of this legislation is to ensure the safe use of these potentially dangerous tools in order to protect workers from injury. The regulations cover a range of requirements related to the tools themselves, their operation, storage, and maintenance. Employers and operators of explosive powered tools must comply with these regulations to promote workplace safety.
What Are the Key Provisions?
The key provisions of the Workplace Safety and Health (Explosive Powered Tools) Regulations 2009 include:
General Duties: Section 4 places a general duty on employers or principals to ensure the safety of explosive powered tools used in the workplace. This includes providing necessary protective equipment, ensuring proper maintenance and repair of tools, and training operators.
Tool Requirements: Sections 5-11 establish requirements for the tools themselves, such as the need for protective shields or devices (Section 5), compatibility between projectiles and charges (Section 8), and information that must be marked on the tools (Section 11).
Safe Operation: Part III covers the safe operation and use of explosive powered tools. Key provisions include: only allowing trained operators to use the tools (Section 13), requirements for inspecting and repairing tools (Sections 14-15), and restrictions on the use of defective tools, projectiles, or charges (Section 17).
Storage and Handling: Part IV addresses the proper storage, loading, and carrying of explosive powered tools and charges (Sections 30-32).
Prohibited Practices: The regulations prohibit certain dangerous practices, such as firing tools into certain materials (Section 27) and allowing free-flying projectiles (Section 26).
Offences: Section 33 establishes offences for non-compliance with the regulations, with penalties specified in the Schedule.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
The Workplace Safety and Health (Explosive Powered Tools) Regulations 2009 are divided into five main parts:
- Preliminary - Includes the citation, commencement, and definitions (Sections 1-3).
- General Provisions - Covers general duties, tool requirements, and related matters (Sections 4-11).
- Operation and Safe Use of Tool - Establishes requirements for the safe use and handling of explosive powered tools (Sections 12-29).
- Care and Storage of Tools and Explosive Charges - Addresses the proper storage and handling of tools and charges (Sections 30-32).
- Miscellaneous - Includes offences and revocation provisions (Sections 33-34).
The legislation also includes a Schedule that lists current offences and their corresponding previous offences.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Workplace Safety and Health (Explosive Powered Tools) Regulations 2009 apply to every workplace in Singapore where explosive powered tools are used. This includes construction sites, manufacturing facilities, and any other workplaces that utilize these types of tools.
The regulations place specific duties and responsibilities on several key parties:
- Employers or Principals - Responsible for ensuring the safety of explosive powered tools used in the workplace, providing necessary protective equipment, and training operators.
- Operators - Individuals who use explosive powered tools and must have successfully completed a training course acceptable to the Commissioner.
- Authorized Persons - Manufacturers of tools, projectiles, or charges, as well as any persons authorized by the manufacturer to repair the tools.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
The Workplace Safety and Health (Explosive Powered Tools) Regulations 2009 are an important piece of legislation that helps to promote workplace safety and protect workers from the hazards associated with explosive powered tools. These tools, if not used properly, can pose a significant risk of serious injury or even death.
By establishing clear requirements and procedures for the use, storage, and maintenance of these tools, the regulations help to minimize the likelihood of accidents and ensure that employers and workers take the necessary precautions. Compliance with the regulations is essential, as non-compliance can result in the imposition of fines or other penalties.
The regulations also play a role in supporting the broader objectives of the Workplace Safety and Health Act, which aims to ensure the safety, health, and welfare of persons at work in Singapore. The proper use of explosive powered tools is an important aspect of maintaining a safe and healthy work environment.
Related Legislation
- Workplace Safety and Health Act (Chapter 354A)
- Explosives Act (Chapter 13)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Workplace Safety and Health (Explosive Powered Tools) Regulations 2009 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.