Most lorries follow rules
The following story was published in the Straits Times on Sep 2, 2009
MOST LORRIES FOLLOW RULES
Workers in 49 cases are seated higher than the side railings of lorries
By Teh Joo Lin & Wendy Hui
Seated too high from the cargo deck? In many lorries, the workers were seated too high - higher than the side railings, the side boards or even the roof of the front cabin. -- ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
COMPANIES transporting their workers on the back of lorries seem to be following the stricter rules which kicked in on Tuesday.
Four in five of 215 lorries observed over 30 minutes from 7.30am had workers seated on the floor of the cargo decks or on low planks, which reduced the risk of their being flung out in a collision.
These lorries were plying the Bukit Timah Expressway near the Rifle Range flyover and the Pan Island Expressway outside Catholic Junior College during the morning rush hour.
But The Straits Times counted 49 suspicious cases. In many, the workers were seated too high - higher than the side railings, the side boards or even the roof of the front cabin.
They were perched on metal crates, plastic chairs or work equipment, and looked to be seated more than 1.1m from the cargo deck. This could result in a fine of $200.
The height limit is one rule which took effect on Tuesday. The changes aimed at improving the safety of workers riding on the back of lorries were unveiled two weeks ago, following public discussion and government deliberation.
Another new rule requires passenger cabins to be filled up before workers can occupy the cargo decks. Heavier fines have also been put in place for breaching pre-existing rules, such as ferrying more workers than is allowed. The carrying capacity of each lorry is derived by allotting 0.372 sq m of space to each worker. Those who flout this rule may be fined $500, up from $200 in the past.
Along with the tighter rules and higher fines has come stringent enforcement. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) did not disclose the number of summonses issued on Tuesday, but its spokesman confirmed that enforcement was being stepped up.
She added that employers should take these measures seriously, and that the drivers of these lorries should look out for their charges.
Anyone who spots workers being ferried in a dangerous manner can call the LTA hotline on 1800-CALL-LTA.
This story is an abridged version of the full story published in Wednesday's edition of The Straits Times
joolin@sph.com.sg
wendyhui@sph.com.sg
MOST LORRIES FOLLOW RULES
Workers in 49 cases are seated higher than the side railings of lorries
By Teh Joo Lin & Wendy Hui
Seated too high from the cargo deck? In many lorries, the workers were seated too high - higher than the side railings, the side boards or even the roof of the front cabin. -- ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
COMPANIES transporting their workers on the back of lorries seem to be following the stricter rules which kicked in on Tuesday.
Four in five of 215 lorries observed over 30 minutes from 7.30am had workers seated on the floor of the cargo decks or on low planks, which reduced the risk of their being flung out in a collision.
These lorries were plying the Bukit Timah Expressway near the Rifle Range flyover and the Pan Island Expressway outside Catholic Junior College during the morning rush hour.
But The Straits Times counted 49 suspicious cases. In many, the workers were seated too high - higher than the side railings, the side boards or even the roof of the front cabin.
They were perched on metal crates, plastic chairs or work equipment, and looked to be seated more than 1.1m from the cargo deck. This could result in a fine of $200.
The height limit is one rule which took effect on Tuesday. The changes aimed at improving the safety of workers riding on the back of lorries were unveiled two weeks ago, following public discussion and government deliberation.
Another new rule requires passenger cabins to be filled up before workers can occupy the cargo decks. Heavier fines have also been put in place for breaching pre-existing rules, such as ferrying more workers than is allowed. The carrying capacity of each lorry is derived by allotting 0.372 sq m of space to each worker. Those who flout this rule may be fined $500, up from $200 in the past.
Along with the tighter rules and higher fines has come stringent enforcement. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) did not disclose the number of summonses issued on Tuesday, but its spokesman confirmed that enforcement was being stepped up.
She added that employers should take these measures seriously, and that the drivers of these lorries should look out for their charges.
Anyone who spots workers being ferried in a dangerous manner can call the LTA hotline on 1800-CALL-LTA.
This story is an abridged version of the full story published in Wednesday's edition of The Straits Times
joolin@sph.com.sg
wendyhui@sph.com.sg
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