Tali flying fox putus - tanpa penyenggaraan pasti kemalangan

Tali flying fox putus - tanpa penyenggaraan pasti kemalangan

Tragedi yang berkaitan dengan riadah persekolahan berulang kembali. Pada 26 Oktober 2009 tiga pelajar mati akibat Jambatan Gantung yang merintangi Sungai Kampar itu runtuh semasa mereka bersama 298 murid dari 60 sekolah rendah dari Kampar, Tronoh dan Batu Gajah yang menyertai aktiviti kokurikulum Perkhemahan 1Malaysia anjuran Pejabat Pelajaran Daerah (PPD) Kinta Selatan di situ.

(Setelah menunggu hampir dua bulan, hasil dari jawatankuasa yang dipengerusikan oleh Ketua Pengarah Pelajaran Tan Sri Alimuddin Mohd Dom yang menyiasat kes jambatan gantung runtuh di Pusat Ko-kurikulum Pejabat Pelajaran Daerah Kinta Selatan mendapati sebab utama keruntuhan adalah berpunca daripada kegagalan blok konkrit tambatan di "Pylon A" untuk menampung beban tambahan dari "back-stayed cable". Titian gantung yang dibina hasil sumbangan pihak swasta itu didapati tidak berasaskan kepada kod rekabentuk kejuruteraan dan spesifikasi kerja yang baik. )

Semalam, 9 Januari 2011, Goh Swee Khin 14 tahun pelajar Tingkatan Dua mengetuai sekumpulan pengakap di sekolahnya mengadakan latihan flying fox menemui ajalnya apabila dia maut dihentam takal besi pada tali yang sedang dipasang.

Goh Swee Khin adalah pelajar yang aktif dengan aktiviti kokurikulum, ketika itu bersama kira-kira 40 rakannya di Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SMJKC) Hua Lian, di Taiping, menyertai program perkhemahan pengakap.

Apakah tragedi ini sama dengan dengan tragedi jambatan gantung runtuh di Sungai Kampar?

Seperti biasa kita kena menunggu untuk tempoh tertentu bagi membolehkan pihak yang berkenaan membuat siasatan bagaimana kemalangan ini boleh terjadi.

Bolehkah kemalangan (tali flying fox putus) sebegini boleh atau mampu dielakkan? Bagaimana dan kenapa tali flying fox tersebut boleh putus?

Saya akui saya tidak biasa dengan spesifikasi tali flying fox ini tetapi pengalaman saya berurusan dengan “material handling” menggunakan sling belt (juga dikenali dengan Tie Down Straps) boleh dikongsi sama oleh pengusaha-pengusaha tempat riadah yang mempunyai tali flying fox dan seumpamanya.

Kebanyakan tali sling belt diperbuat dari flexible, durable materials seperti kulit, nylon, polyester, atau resin-coated polymers. Kesemua bahan ini mempunyai hayatnya tersendiri. Hayat sesuatu sling belt ini biasanya dinyatakan oleh pengeluar masing-masing mengikut beban selamat digunakan (Safe Work Load). Biasanya tempoh hayat sling belt adalah sekitar 2 tahun. Namun begitu banyak pengeluar yang telah meningkatkan tempoh hayatnya (safety factor) sehingga 5 tahun tetapi bergantung kepada keputusan pemeriksaan sebelum penggunaannya. Tempoh hayat ini pula akan merosot jika sling belt ini dibiarkan terdedah kepada persekitaran. Seperti tali flying fox dan tali jambatan gantung yang dibiarkan terdedah kepada persekitaran panas dan hujan setiap hari.

Sling belt perlu menjalani pemeriksaan setiap kali sebelum penggunaan. Pemeriksaan ini perlu dan penting untuk mengesan sebarang tanda kegagalan akibat kecacatan pengeluar dan penggunaan (wear and tear).

Di samping pemeriksaan sebelum pengunaan, pemeriksaan berkala (atau penyenggaraan berkala – preventive maintenance) juga perlu dilakukan. Pemeriksaan sebegini perlulah dilakukan secara pemeriksaan visual dan juga pemeriksaan mengikut spesifikasi dalam buku panduan (manual).

Selain buku panduan atau helaian panduan yang dibekalkan oleh pengeluar, setiap sling belt juga dilengkapkan dengan tag maklumat dan data keselamatan.

Pihak berkenaan atau pihak berkuasa akan mengeluarkan laporan siasatan berkaitan dengan kemalangan maut flying fox ini. Apa yang pasti kemalangan sebegini (jika disahkan berpunca dari tali flying fox yang putus) sudah pasti antara penyumbangnya ialah kegagalan pihak pengusaha tempat riadah ini untuk menyenggarakan tali flying fox ini, kecuali jika ada unsur-unsur kianat atau sabotaj.

Bolehkan kita atau waris kepada mangsa ini mengambil tindakan (atau menyaman) pengusaha tempat riadah ini dengan berpandukan Akta Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pekerjaan 1994 (OSHA 1994) Seksyen 15 kerana kegagalan majikan (pengusaha tenpat riadah) ini menyediakan dan meyenggarakan tempat kerja yang selamat untuk pekerjanya (dan orang lain selain dari pekerjanya)?

Di bawah ini saya sertakan beberapa makluman berkaitan sling belt dan juga peralatan “material handling” seumpamanya,



When should you inspect chain slings?

• Inspect chain slings every working day. Check for visible faults in links and hooks.

How should you check chain slings during the periodical inspection?

A competent person should inspect chain slings periodically, according to the manufacturer's recommendations. For record keeping purposes it is useful if each chain has a metal tag with an identification number and load limit information. Information about the chain length and other characteristics and a inspection schedule should recorded in a log book.

• Clean sling before inspection.
• Hang the chain up or stretch the chain out on a level floor in a well-lighted area. Remove all twists. Measure the sling length. Discard if a sling has been stretched.
• Make a link-by-link inspection and discard if:



• Check master link, load pins and hooks for any of the above faults. Hooks should be removed from service if they have been opened more than 15% of the normal throat opening, measured at the narrowest point, or twisted more than 10?from the plane of the unbent hook.

• Manufacturers' reference charts show sling and hitch capacities. Record manufacturer, type, load limit and inspection dates.

How should you use chain slings safely?

• Find out load weight before lifting.
• Lower working a load limit if there may be severe impact.
• Balance the load to avoid overstress on one sling arm or the load slipping free.
• Pad sharp corners to prevent bending links.
• Replace broken safety latches.
• Reduce the load limit when using chain in temperatures above 425.
• Keep hands and fingers from between load and chain.
• Store chain sling arms on racks in assigned areas.

What should you avoid using chain slings?

• Avoid impact loading: do not jerk the load when lifting or lowering the sling. This increases the actual stress on the sling.
• Do not drag chains.
• Do not splice a chain by inserting a bolt between two links.
• Do not shorten a chain with knots or by twisting.
• Do not force a hook over a link.
• Do not use homemade connections. Use only attachments designed for the chain.
• Do not heat treat or weld chain links: the lifting capacity will be reduced drastically

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND INSPECTION CRITERIA FOR SLINGS

Safe operating practices (OSHA 1910.184) - Whenever any sling is used the following practices shall be observed

1. Slings that are damaged or defective shall not be used.
2. Slings shall not be shortened with knots or bolts or other makeshift devices.
3. Sling legs shall not be kinked.
4. Slings shall not be loaded in excess of their rated capacities.
5. Slings used in a basket hitch shall have the loads balanced to prevent slippage.
6. Slings shall be securely attached to their loads.
7. Slings shall be padded or protected from the sharp edges of their loads.
8. Suspended loads shall be kept clear of all obstructions.
9. All employees shall be kept clear of loads about to be lifted and of suspended loads.
10. Hands or fingers shall not be placed between the sling and its load while the sling is being tightened around the load.
11 Shock loading is prohibited.
12. A sling shall not be pulled from under a load when the load is resting on the sling.

Inspections - Each day before being used, the sling and all fastenings and attachments shall be inspected for damage or defects by a competent person designated by the employer. Additional inspections shall be performed during sling use where service conditions warrant. Damaged or defective slings shall be immediately removed from service.

REMOVAL CRITERIA

Wire Rope Slings (ASME B30.9) - A wire rope sling shall be removed from service if conditions such as the following are present:

1.Missing or illegible sling identification.
2. Broken Wires:

*For strand-laid and single-part slings, ten randomly distributed broken wires in on rope lay, or
five broken wires in on stand in one rope lay.
*For cable-laid slings, 20 broken wires per lay.
*For six-part braided slings, 20 broken wires per braid
*For eight-part braided slings, 40 broken wires per braid.

3. Severe localized abrasion or scraping.4. Kinking, crushing, bird caging, or any otherdamage resulting in damage to the rope structure.
5. Evidence of heat damage
6. End attachments that are cracked, deformed, or worn to the extent that the strength of the sling is substantially affected.
7. Severe corrosion of the rope, end attachments, or fittings.
8. for hooks, removal criteria at stated in ASME B30.10.
9. Other conditions, including visible damage, that cause doubt as to the continued use of the sling.

Nylon Web Slings (ASME B30.9) - A synthetic webbing sling shall be removed from service if conditions such as the following are present

1. Missing or illegible sling identification.
2. Acid or caustic burns.
3. Melting or charring of any part of the sling.
4. Holes, tears, cuts, or snags.
5. Broken or worn stitching in load bearing splices.
6. Excessive abrasive wear.
7. Knots in any part of the sling.
8. Discoloration and brittle or stiff areas on any part of the sling, which may mean chemical or ultraviolet/sunlight damage.
9. Fitting that are pitted, corroded, cracked, bent, twisted, gouged, or broken.
10. For hooks, removal criteria as stated in ASME B30.10
11. Other conditions, including visible damage, that cause double as to the continued use of the sling.

Polyester Round Slings (ASME B30.9) - A synthetic round sling shall be removed from service if conditions such as the following are present:

1. Missing or illegible sling identification.
2. Acid or caustic burns.
3. Evidence of heat damage.
4. Holes, tears, cuts, abrasive wear, or snags that expose the core yarns.
5. Broken or damaged core yarns.
6. Weld splatter that exposes core yarns.
7. Round slings that are knotted.
8. Discoloration and brittle or stiff areas on any part of the slings, which may mean chemical or ultraviolet/sunlight damage.
9. Fitting that are pitted, corroded, cracked, bent twisted, gouged, or broken.
10. For hooks, removal criteria as stated in ASME B30.10
11. Other conditions, including visible damage, that cause double as to the continued use of the sling.

Alloy Steel Chain Slings(ASME B30.9) - An alloy steel chain sling shall be removed from service if conditions such as the following are present:

1. Missing or illegible sling identification.
2. Cracks or breaks
3. Excessive wear, nicks, or gouges.
4. Stretched chain links or components
5. Bent, twisted, or deformed chain links or components.
6. Evidence of hear damage.
7. Excessive pitting or corrosion.
8. Lack of ability of chain or components to hinge (articulate) freely.
9. Weld splatter.
10. For hooks, removal criteria as stated in ASME B30.10
11. Other conditions, including visible damage, that cause double as to the continued use of the sling.

Wire Mesh Slings (ASME B30.9) - A metal mesh sling shall be removed from service if conditions such as the following are present:

1. Missing or illegible sling identification.
2. Broken weld or a broken brazed joint along the sling edge
3. Broken wire in any part of the mesh.
4. Reduction in wire diameter of 25% due to abrasion or 15% due to corrosion.
5. Lack of flexibility due to distortion of the mesh.
6. Distortion of the choker fitting so the depth of the slot is increased by more that 10%
7. Distortion of either end fitting so the width of the eye opening is decreased by more than 10%
8. A 15% reduction of the original cross-sectional area of any point around the hook opening of the end fitting.
9. Visible distortion of either end fitting out of its plane.
10. Cracked end fitting.
11. Slings in which the spirals are locked or without free articulation shall not be used.
12. Fitting that are pitted, corroded, cracked, bent, twisted, gouged, or broken.
13. Other conditions, including visible damage, that cause doubt as to the continued use of the sling.