The Labour Department published a revised code of practice in the Government Gazette today to require proprietors or contractors to adopt technology to record videos at the entrance and exit of confined spaces starting November 30.

The department explained that such video recording must be done throughout the entire work period in an effort to monitor relevant personnel's compliance with the safety precautions.

Considering the time required for the industry to furnish suitable equipment and make necessary arrangements for implementing all safety precautions, there will be a six-month grace period.

Other major revisions of the Code of Practice for Safety & Health at Work in Confined Spaces (CoP) include the enhancement of requirements for proprietors' or contractors' supervision on confined space work and highlighting the factors for assessing whether a particular job constitutes underground pipework.

Adding a detailed template of the risk assessment form and listing out the setting of an air-monitoring alarm along with updating the Permit-to-work Certificate template are also contained in the revised CoP.

Noting that this CoP has a special legal status, the department pointed out that in criminal proceedings, if a relevant person fails to observe any provision of this code, that failure may be taken by the court as a relevant factor in determining whether or not a person has breached the relevant safety and health legislation.

Click here for the revised CoP.