THE SAFE INSTALLATION OF PRECAST CONCRETE FLOORING … · Precast Flooring Federation Code of...
Transcript of THE SAFE INSTALLATION OF PRECAST CONCRETE FLOORING … · Precast Flooring Federation Code of...
Precast Flooring Federation Code of Practice for:
THE SAFE INSTALLATION OF PRECAST CONCRETE FLOORING AND ASSOCIATED COMPONENTS
2016
PREFACE ThisPrecastFlooringFederationCode of Practice for the safe installation of precast concrete flooring and associated components hasnowrunforseveraleditionsandsincethefirsteditionin2001therehavebeenmanydevelopments,notonlyinHealthandSafetylegislation,butalsoinbestpracticewithintheindustry.
TheCodegivesaguidetothecurrentbestpractice,but inanever-changingsituation,canonlybetotallyup-to-dateatthetimeofitspublication.
ThePFFiscommittedtoachievingahighstandardanduniversalapproachto HealthandSafetywithinitsmembership,andpartofthisistheprovisiontoemployees,customersanddesignersalikeofclearlypresentedinformationaboutthesystemsofworkemployedandattendancesrequired.
ThiseditionoftheCodeofPracticehasbeensometwoyearsinpreparationandthepatienceofthemembershipandoftheHealthandSafetyExecutive,whohaveprovidedinvaluableassistancewithitsdevelopment,ismuchappreciated.
ThiseditionwillbepublishedalmostexclusivelyasadownloadfromthePFFwebsite,althoughanumberofprintedcopieswillbemadeavailabletomembers,trainingorganisationsandtheHealthandSafetyExecutive.Thisdocumentwillbeupdatedonline.
Installationofprecastflooringcomponentsisacknowledgedtobeapotentiallyhigh-riskactivity,asitinvolvestheuseofheavyplant,cranesandpersonnelworkingatheight.ThisCodeofPracticeis,therefore,usedasthebasisforthetrainingofInstallers,Foremenandsupervisorstoensurethatallhavetheskillsandcompetencetocarryouttheirrolesinasafemanner.
TheCouncilofthePrecastFlooringFederationgratefullyacknowledgesthehelp andguidanceprovidedbytheHealthandSafetyExecutiveinthepreparationofthisCodeandispleasedtobeabletoincludethefollowingForewordfromHeatherBryantofHSE.ThePFFhasalsoreceivedsupportandcommentfromtheMajorContractorsGroup.
PublishedanddistributedbythePrecast Flooring Federation TheOldRectory,MainSt,Glenfield,LeicesterLE38DGTel:01162325170Fax:01162325197Email:[email protected]
Firstpublished2001ISBN0953677311Secondedition2007ISBN0953677354Thirdedition2013ISBN978-0-9536773-6-8Thiseditionpublished2016ISBN978-0-9536773-X-XAcataloguerecordforthisbookisavailablefromtheBritishLibrary
Everyefforthasbeenmadetoensurethatthestatementsmadeandadvicegivenprovideasafeandaccurateguide;however,noliabilityorresponsibilityofanykind(includingliabilityfornegligence)canbeacceptedinthisrespectbythepublishersortheauthors
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FOREWORD HSEencouragesandwelcomesindustrycodesofpracticesuchasthisproducedbythePrecastFlooringFederation(PFF),whichreceivecarefulconsiderationandinputfromkeyplayerswithintheindustrywhohavethehealth,safetyandwelfareofthoseinvolvedinprecastflooringworkforemostintheirmind.Fallshavealwaysbeen,andremainthebiggestcauseofdeathsandseriousinjuriesinconstruction.Ifworkatheightisplanned,includingselectingthecorrectequipmentandusingitproperly,thenmostaccidentsinvolvingfallscanbeprevented.Aswithpreviouseditionsofthiscodeandothersimilarindustrycodesofpractice,iftheguidancewithinitisproperlyfollowedbytheindustry,thentherisksofdeathandinjuryfromfallsandotherfactorsshouldbegreatlyreduced.IampleasedtoacknowledgetheworkofthePFFandthoseinvolvedinrevising thiscodeofpractice.Itbringstogetherbestpracticewithintheindustryandhastheinterestofthoseinvolvedinthedesign,specification,useanderectionofprecast flooringproductsatheart.Itisonlybytheindustryshowingleadership,workinginpartnership,andtakingownershipofthemanagementofriskthatimprovementswillbemade,andIcommenditsusetoallconcerned.Heather Bryant ChiefInspectorofConstructionHealthandSafetyExecutive
Message from PFF Chairman
ThisisthethirdeditionofthePrecastFlooringFederationCodeofPracticesupportedbyHSE.Weadviseyoutotakeadetailedlookatthecontentwheneveryouareinvolvedinaprecastflooringproject.ThisneweditioncoincideswiththelaunchofthePFFCharterwhichhasbeensignedbyallmembercompanies.EachofthempledgestoworktotheCodeboththroughtheirin-houseconstructionteamsandwithallappointedfixingsubcontractors.ConformitywiththePFFCodeofPracticeissubjecttoanindependentauditsystemwhichwillstarton1April2013.
Thisisafurthersignificantstepinreducingtheriskofaccidentsandinjuriesintheinstallationoffloorsandstaircases-weanticipateincreasinguseofprecastflooringsystemsintheupperfloorsofhousesasdemandforquietanddurablefloorsgrows.
Whetheryouareaclient,adesigneroracontractor,byworkingwithPFFmembersyoucanhelptoensuresafetyonyoursites.FordetailsofthePFFCharter,itssignatoriesandtheauditsystempleasevisitwww.precastfloors.info whereyoucanalsodownloadthisCodeofPractice.
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Acknowledgements
The members of the Precast Flooring Federation and stakeholders have made this publication possible. Whilst many individuals have contributed, the following are amongst those who deserve particular mention:
Chris Allan – Creagh Concrete
Steve Bonshor – Charcon Construction Solutions
Mark Bradley – Arrow Safety Services UK Ltd
Paul Feeley – Creagh Concrete
Nick Gorst – British Precast
Glenn Holt – Forterra Building Products Ltd
Lee Pumfrey – Acheson & Glover
Shaun Thorpe – Acheson & Glover
Mick Weedall – Longley Concrete
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Code of Practice for: The safe installation of precast concrete flooring and associated components
CONTENTS See over for detailed contents
0.1 DEFINITIONS 1
0.2 BIBLIOGRAPHY 3
1 MANAGEMENT OF HEALTH AND SAFETY 5
2 SAFE WORKING METHOD STATEMENTS AND PRE-START CHECKS 13
3 TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION 17
4 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS 19
5 CONTRACTOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES 29
6 COMPANY REPRESENTATIVE’S ROLE 31
7 FOREMAN’S ROLE 33
8 TRANSPORTATION OF COMPONENTS AND ACCESS TO SITE 35
9 ON-SITE STORAGE OF COMPONENTS 37
10 SAFE USE OF CRANES, FORK LIFTS AND OTHER LIFTING EQUIPMENT 39
11 MOVEMENT OF UNITS BY OTHER MEANS 65
12 ADDITIONAL ON-SITE WORKS 67
13 ACCESS TO WORKING AREA , WORK AT HEIGHT ETC 71
14 PROTECTION OF THIRD PARTIES 85
15 SUPPLIER AND SUB-CONTRACTOR COMPETENCY ASSESSMENT 87
APPENDIX A HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE ATTENDANCES 89
APPENDIX B CONSTRUCTION (DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT) REGULATIONS 93
APPENDIX C SAFETY 97
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DETAILED CONTENTS
1.1 ManagementofHealthAndSafetyatWorkRegulations and.........................................5ApprovedCodeofPractice
1.2 Workatheight..................................................................................................................71.3 Liftingoperations..............................................................................................................71.4 Manualhandlingoperations............................................................................................71.5 Noiseatwork....................................................................................................................81.6 Vibrationatwork....................................................................................................................81.7 Personalprotectiveequipmentat work.................................................................................91.8 ProvisionanduseofWorkEquipment Regulations.......................................................101.9 Welfarefacilities....................................................................................................................101.10 ControlofSubstancesHazardoustoHealth (COSHH)....................................................101.11 Occupationalhealth.......................................................................................................111.12 SiteSafetyAudits............................................................................................................11
2.1 Introduction....................................................................................................................132.2 ContentofSafeWorkingMethodStatement................................................................132.3 CommunicationoftheSafeWorkingMethod Statement.............................................142.4 AdditionstotheSafeWorkingMethod Statement.......................................................142.5 Specialconsiderations....................................................................................................152.6 Pre-startdailychecks.....................................................................................................15
3.1 Introduction....................................................................................................................173.2 Scope..............................................................................................................................173.3 Responsibility..................................................................................................................173.4 Generalprocedure.........................................................................................................173.5 Training...................................................................................................................................173.6 Certification/competency...............................................................................................18
4.1 Theexistingenvironment...............................................................................................194.2 Designandplanning.......................................................................................................194.3 Constructionphase.........................................................................................................204.4 Lifting,placingandsafehandlingof units......................................................................214.5 Installationofprecastconcretefloorsontosteelwork..................................................224.6 Installationofprecastconcretefloorsontomasonry....................................................224.7 Imposedloadsduringtheconstructionphase...............................................................264.8 Stabilityofsupportingstructureduring installation......................................................264.9 TheHealthandSafetyFile..............................................................................................274.10 Otherconstructionmethods..........................................................................................27
0.1 DEFINITIONS 1
0.2 BIBLIOGRAPHY 3
1 MANAGEMENT OF HEALTH AND SAFETY 5
2 SAFE WORKING METHOD STATEMENTS AND PRE-START CHECKS 13
3 TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION 17
4 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS 19
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5.1 Attendances....................................................................................................................295.2 Managementofconstructionworks.....................................................................................295.3 Preventionofdamagetoprecastunits..........................................................................295.4 Handrailingtoprecaststairunits...................................................................................29
6.1 Agreedsequenceofinstallation.....................................................................................316.2 Methodoflifting.............................................................................................................316.3 Siteaccess.......................................................................................................................326.4 Attendancesliaison........................................................................................................326.5 Supervisionofinstallation..............................................................................................32
7.1 Workingtosequence......................................................................................................337.2 Pre-startchecks..............................................................................................................337.3 Supervisionofinstallation..............................................................................................337.4 Workmanship.................................................................................................................34
8.1 Thestackingandmakingsecureof loads.......................................................................358.2 Loadingsequence...........................................................................................................358.3 Siteaccess.......................................................................................................................358.4 Off-loading......................................................................................................................358.5 Inspectionofprecastconcreteflooringandothercomponentspriortoinstallation.......36
9.1 Stackingatgroundlevel.................................................................................................379.2 Temporarystorageoninstalledflooring........................................................................37
10.1 Introduction...................................................................................................................3910.2 Managementoftheliftingoperation............................................................................3910.3 Controloftheliftingoperation.....................................................................................4010.4 Cranehireorcontract lift....................................................................................................4110.5 Planningtheliftingoperation........................................................................................4210.6 Selectionanddutiesofpersonnel.................................................................................4310.7 Selectionofcranes........................................................................................................4510.8 Safety.............................................................................................................................4510.9 Sitingofcranes..............................................................................................................4810.10 Hardstandingpreparation.............................................................................................5010.11 `Permittolift'system/confirmationto process..................................................................5210.12 Proximityhazards..........................................................................................................5210.13 Typesofcrane................................................................................................................5410.14 Startoftheliftingoperation..........................................................................................5610.15 Examplesofsafeworkingpracticeindicatedbyuseoftypical trigonometry...............6010.16 OtherLiftingDevices......................................................................................................62
5 CONTRACTOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES 29
6 COMPANY REPRESENTATIVE’S ROLE 31
7 FOREMAN’S ROLE 33
8 TRANSPORTATION OF COMPONENTS AND ACCESS TO SITE 35
9 ON-SITE STORAGE OF COMPONENTS 37
10 SAFE USE OF CRANES, FORK LIFTS AND OTHER LIFTING EQUIPMENT 39
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11.1 Barring...........................................................................................................................6511.2 Jacking......................................................................................................................6511.3 Othermeansofinstallingormoving components........................................................66
12.1 Temporarystructuralsupport.......................................................................................6712.2 Propping........................................................................................................................6712.3 In-situconcrete..............................................................................................................6712.4 Formingholes................................................................................................................6812.5 Cuttingunitsonsite......................................................................................................69
13.1 Introduction...................................................................................................................7113.2 Generalprinciplesforcontrolmeasures.......................................................................7113.3 Safeaccesstotheworkingarea....................................................................................7113.4 Workingatheight–controlmeasures..........................................................................7213.5 T-beamandblockabovegroundfloor level..................................................................7813.6 Staircases.......................................................................................................................7813.7 Fallsfromdeliveryvehicles...........................................................................................8213.8 Useofladders................................................................................................................8213.9 Rescueprocedures........................................................................................................83
14.1 Othertradesorpersonson site....................................................................................8514.2 Membersofthepublic..................................................................................................85
15.1 Introduction...................................................................................................................8715.2 Assessmentcriteria.......................................................................................................87
C1HSEGeneralGuidanceonManualHandling,Parts1,2,and 3...................................97C2ExampleSafeWorking Statement.................................................................................99C3Examplesite-specificCOSHHAssessmentandControlPlan- Petrol..........................102C4Examplesite-specificCOSHHAssessmentandControlPlan-Wet concrete..............104C5Examplesite-specificCOSHHAssessmentandControlPlan-Curedconcrete..........106C6ExampleguidanceonminimumstandardsforPPE.....................................................108C7Exampledailypre-startchecklist..................................................................................109
11 MOVEMENT OF UNITS BY OTHER MEANS 65
APPENDIX A HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE ATTENDANCES 89
APPENDIX B CONSTRUCTION (DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT) REGULATIONS 93
APPENDIX C SAFETY 97
12 ADDITIONAL ON-SITE WORKS 67
13 ACCESS TO WORKING AREA , WORK AT HEIGHT ETC 71
14 PROTECTION OF THIRD PARTIES 85
15 SUPPLIER AND SUB-CONTRACTOR COMPETENCY ASSESSMENT 87
1.1 DEFINITIONS
Mostof thetermsused in thisdocumentare incommonuse.However, the followingdefinitionsareintendedtoremoveany ambiguity:
Appointed Person: Thepersonemployedbythe‘Company’tohaveoverallcontroloftheliftingoperationandtoactonbehalfofthe‘Company’.TheAppointed Personmusthaveadequatetrainingandexperiencetoensuretheimplementationofasafesystemofwork.
As Installed Drawing: Thelayoutdrawingsconfirmingactually‘asinstalled’positionsofprecastflooring/componentpositions,issuedfortheclient’ssafetyfile.
Attendances: ThestandardPFFHealth,SafetyandWelfareAttendances,acopyofwhichisincludedasAppendixAtothisCodeofPractice.
Banksman: Apersonwhohasbeensuitablytrainedingivingsignalstodirectandcontrolsitetraffic.
Building Designer: Thedesignerofthebuildingorstructurereceivingtheprecastflooringcomponents.
Certificated: Havingbeentrainedandqualifiedtofulfilaparticularrole.Generally,holdingavalidlicence/certificateoftraininggainedbyattendingarecognised courseofinstructionforthetaskinquestion.
Company: Thesupplierand/orinstallerofprecastconcretecomponentsandassociateditemsandservices
Company Representative: ASupervisor/ContractsManager(usuallytravelling)intheInstallationCompany’semploywitharesponsibilityforanumberofcontracts.ACompetentPersontrainedtoassessallhealth,safetyandwelfarearrangementsinrelationtocompanyoperations.
Competent Person: Thepersonisregardedascompetentiftheyhave'sufficientskills,knowledge,experience,trainingandotherqualitiestoproperlyassisttheemployertomeethissafetyobligations'.
Components: Anymember,article,oritemcomprisedofprecastconcreteor ancillarymetalwork.
Contractor: “The‘Contractor’shallmeantheprecastconcretesub-contractor’sclient,whoisresponsible for coordinatingall PrincipalContractor requirementsandattendances for thecontract.Wherethe‘Contractor’hasoverallresponsibilityfortheConstructionPhaseoftheprojectthe‘Contractor’shallalsomeanthe‘PrincipalContractor’.”
Contractor’s Site Representative: Thepersoninchargeoftheday-to-dayrunningofaparticularsiteorproject,i.e.SiteManager,SiteAgent,GeneralForeman,Project/ContractsManager.
Crane Coordinator: Thepersonwhoplans anddirectsthesequenceofoperationsofcranestoensurethattheydonotcollidewithothercranes,loadsandotherequipment.
Crane Driver: AcompetentandtrainedpersonresponsibleforthecorrectoperationofthecraneinaccordancewiththeManufacturer’sOperatingInstructions,theSafeWorkingMethodStatementanddirectionsfromthenominatedSlinger/Signaller.TheCraneDriverisalsoknownastheCraneOperator.
Crane Supervisor: Thepersondesignatedbythe‘AppointedPerson’tosupervisetheliftingoperations,wheretheAppointedPersonhasdeemedtheoperationsasbasicorstandard,asdefinedbyBS7121–3:2000Section 4.8.
Designer: Thepersonorpersonswhoproducesspecifications,estimates,drawings,details,designsorcalculationsforaparticularcontract.
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Duty Holder: SomeonewhohasdutiesunderCDMRegulations2015.
Employing Organisation: Thepersonororganizationrequiringaliftingoperationtobecarriedoutandwhohasresponsibilityforsafeuseofthecrane.
Flooring: Theprecastconcretecomponentsthatformthestructuralelementofafloorandmayincludeassociatedprecastcomponents.
Foreman: Thepersoninchargeoftheprecastinstallationteam,undertakingthesiteworkfortheCompany.
Grouting: Fillingofvoidsbetweenadjacentunitstostabilisethefloorand/orformastructuralconnectionbetweenunits.
Hollowcore: Precastconcreteflooringsystem,whichforthepurposesofthisdocumentisdeemedtoincludetermssuchas‘wideslab’,‘solidplanks’etc.
Installer: CompetentPersonemployedbytheprecastcompanytoinstallprecastconcreteflooringandassociatedcomponents.
Operatives: Allothersitepersonnel involvedwiththeprecastworks,not includingInstallers.
Precast Company: Theprecastflooringsub-contractorengagedinthesupplyand/orinstallationofflooringorprecastcomponents
Precast Designer: Thedesigneroftheprecastflooringunits,workingfororonbehalfofthePrecast Company.
Principal Contractor: Thecontractorwithcontrolovertheconstructionphaseofaprojectinvolvingmorethanonecontractor.
Principal Designer: Theorganisationorindividual(onsmallerprojects)appointedbytheclienttotakecontrolofthepre-constructionphaseofanyprojectinvolvingmorethanonecontractor.
Precast Installer: Apersonwho,aftersuitabletraining,iscompetenttocarryoutallfunctionsofSlingerandSignaller,aswellastohoist,placeandsecureprecastconcretesections,includingallplumbing/levellingandliningup,andwhohastheabilityandtrainingtoworksafely,andhasageneralunderstandingofstructuralstabilityissues.AnInstallermaybeemployedbytheCompany,aspecialistinstallationcompanyorbeself-employed.
Site Representative: SeeCompanyRepresentative
Slinger/Signaller: Apersonwhohasbeensuitablytrainedintheproperselectionofliftingtackle,theslingingofloadstothecraneattachment,whiletakingintoaccountthecapabilitiesofthecraneemployedandhastheresponsibilities,aftersuitablecertificatedtraining,fordirectingthesafemovementofaloadattachedtoacrane,andforthemovementofthecraneonsite.
Work Area: Theareaonasiteorbuildingwhereprecastflooring/componentsarebeingerected.Thisgenerallybutnotexclusivelyincludestheareaswheremobilecranes,towercranesorotherliftingequipmentisbeingusedtoliftprecastcomponentsfromLorries(orstacks)tothefinalposition.
Work at Height: Workwherethereisasignificantriskofinjurydueto falling.
Working Drawings: Thelayoutdrawings,sectionanddetails,producedbythePrecastDesigner and issued for client approval, production and installation purposes.
Pleasenotethatwheretheterm'he'or'his'isusedthisshouldalsobetakentoinclude'she'or'her'asappropriate.
1.2 BIBLIOGRAPHY
Her Majesty's Government
HealthandSafetyatWorketc.Act1974TheManagementofHealthandSafetyatWorkRegulations1999TheWorkatHeightRegulations2005TheHealthandSafety(FirstAid)Regulations1981TheControlofNoiseatWorkRegulations 2005TheElectricityatWorkRegulations1989ThePersonalProtectiveEquipmentatWorkRegulations1992TheProvisionandUseofWorkEquipmentRegulations1998TheLiftingOperationsandLiftingEquipmentRegulations1998TheManualHandlingOperationsRegulations 1992TheControlofSubstancesHazardoustoHealthRegulations2002TheConstruction(DesignandManagement)Regulations2015Construction(DesignandManagement)Regulations(NorthernIreland)2016TheReportingofInjuries,DiseasesandDangerousOccurrencesRegulations 2013TheControlofVibrationatWorkRegulations2005TheRoadandStreetworksAct1991TheControlofAsbestosRegulations2012
Health and Safety Executive
GS6 Avoidanceofdangerfromoverheadelectricallines1997
HSG141 Electricalsafetyonconstructionsites(nolongeravailable)HSG144 Thesafeuseofvehiclesonconstruction sitesHSG149 Backsforthefuture–safemanualhandlinginconstructionHSG150 Healthandsafetyinconstruction
CIS10 Towerscaffolds(Rev.4,2006)
CIS37 HandlingheavyblocksCIS36 Constructiondust.(Rev.2June.2013)CIS 54 Dustcontroloncut-offsawsusedforstoneorconcretecutting(Rev.1.Feb.
2010)GeneralInformationSheetNo.6(GEIS6)Theselection,managementanduseofmobileelevatingworkplatformsInformationSheetMISC614Preventingfallsfromboomtypemobile elevatingworkplatformsManaginghealthandsafetyin constructionHealthsurveillanceforthoseexposedtorespirablecrystallinesilica(RCS)-Supplementaryguidanceforoccupationalhealthprofessionals(amendedJanuary2016)
Thislistisnotexhaustive,butprovidesahelpfulpointertousefulpublications.Note: Pleaseensurethatyourefertothelatesteditionofthesereferences.
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British Standards Institution BritishStandardsandotherguidancenotesareissuedonacontinuingbasis andusersofthisCodeofPracticeshouldacquaintthemselveswiththelatestupdatesandrevisions.BS5975 CodeofPracticeforfalseworkBS7121 CodeofPracticeforsafeuseofcranes–Parts1,2,3and5.
BS5628 CodeofPracticeforuseofmasonry
BSEN818–4 Guidanceforthepurchaseranduserofmechanicallyassembledslings
BSEN1990 Eurocode—Basisofstructuraldesign
BSEN1991-1–1 Eurocode1:Actionsonstructures—Part1-1:Generalactions—Densities,self-weight,imposedloadsforbuildings
BSEN1992-1–1 Eurocode2:Designofconcretestructures—Part1-1:Generalrulesandrulesforbuildings
PAS59 2004 Filledcollectivefallarrestsystems
Construction Industry Research and Information Association
CIRIApublicationC669 SiteSafetyHandbookCIRIApublicationC703 CranestabilityonsiteCIRIApublicationC654 Towercranestability
The National Access & Scaffold Confederation
TG20:13 Guidetogoodpracticeforscaffoldingwithtubesandfittings.
TG20:13 Toolboxtalktrainingvideos.
1 MANAGEMENT OF HEALTH AND SAFETY
TheHealthandSafetyatWorketcAct1974placesseveralgeneralduties onemployers,employeesandothers.RegulationsaremadeunderSection16oftheAct.TheRegulationsreferredtointheintroductorynotesbelowarealegalrequirementandmustbeadheredtoatalltimes.Formoreinformation,refertothedocumentsthemselves,listedintheReferences,andwherenecessaryobtaincompetent,professionaladviceandapprovalonsafetymatters.
1.1 Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations
and Approved Code of Practice TheManagementofHealthandSafetyatWorkRegulationsrequiresallemployersandself-employedOperativestoassesstherisktothehealthandsafetyofworkersandanyotherswhomaybeaffectedbytheworkcarriedout.
Assessmentswillhelptoidentifyalltheprotectiveandpreventativemeasuresthatneedtobetakentocomplywithlegislationtoensurethathealthandsafetystandardsaremaintained.GuidanceontheproceduresforriskassessmentcanbefoundintheApprovedCodeofPracticeunderManagementofHealthandSafetyatWorkRegulations,whichincludesadviceontheselectionofpreventativeandprotectivemeasures.
Beforeanassessmentofriskcanbemadeitisimportanttounderstandthetermsused,thetwomostimportantbeing:
Hazard –issomethingwiththepotentialtocauseharm,
Risk –expressesthelikelihoodthattheharmfromaparticularhazardisrealised.
Mostemployerswillbecapableofundertakingtheriskassessmentthemselvesusingexpertisewithintheirownorganisations.Wheretherearecomplexhazardsorequipment,itmaybenecessarytoemploythehelpofexternalhealthandsafetyprofessionals.
Thekeyactionstobetakencanbesummarisedasbelow:▪ TheseRegulationsrequireanemployertomakeasuitableassessmentoftherisksto
thehealthandsafetyofemployeesandotherswhomaybeexposedtothoserisks.Thisincludescontractorsortemporarystaffengagedforspecificwork.▪ Wheretheriskisconsideredtobesignificant,theassessmentmustberecordedin
writingandshouldidentifythosepersonnelespeciallyat risk.▪ Riskassessmentsmustberegularlyreviewedandalterediftheyarenolongervalid
orcircumstances/conditionshavechangedsignificantly.▪ AnominatedCompetentPerson(orpersonsifrequired)mustbeappointedtoassist
incomplyingwiththeregulations.▪ Emergencyproceduresmustbeestablished,andCompetentPersonsnominatedto
implementthem.▪ Informationmustbeprovidedto theemployeesontherisks identified, thecontrol
measures tobe taken, thenamesof theCompetentPersonsand informationon therisksidentifiedwhereemployersshareworkareas.▪ Trainingmustbegiventoemployeesinrespectofthedutiesplaceduponthemby
theRegulations,atinductionwhenfirstemployed,whentransferred,orifthejobchanges.Thistrainingmustbeupdatedandrepeatedperiodicallytotakeaccount ofanychanges.
InadditionemployeeshavecertaindutiesundertheRegulations:▪ Tomakefullandproperuseofanythingprovidedbytheemployerinaccordance
withthetraininggiven.Thisincludessafetyequipment,machinery,substances,meansoftransport,etc.
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▪ EmployeesmustalsoinformtheEmployer(orNominatedPersons)ofanydangerousworksituationoranymatterrelatingtotheemployer’shealthandsafetyarrangements.
1.1.1 General procedure for risk assessment
1. Identifythehazardsandactivities.2. Wherepossiblethehazardsidentifiedshouldberemoved/minimisedbydesign.3. Assesstherisks,i.e.thenatureandextentofthe risks.4. Assessexistingcontrolmeasuresorprecautionsforadequacy,anddecideifany
furthermeasuresneeded.5. Checkforcompliancewithotherlegal requirements.6. Recordthefindingsandarrangements.7. Issueriskassessment.
Table 1.1 Riskassessment
Severity of harm to personnel
Likelihood of harm
Bump/scrapeNoinjury
(1)
Firstaidneeded
(2)
Reportableinjury
(3)
Majorinjury(4)
Fatality/disability
(5)
Unlikely(1)
1
2
3
4
5
Remotelypossible(2)
2
4
6
8
10
Possible(3)
3
6
9
12
15
Probable(4)
4
8
12
16
20
Certain(5)
5
10
15
20
25
Probability rating 1. There is little or no risk of injury
or ill health. Onlyunderrareandunforeseenconditions is there thelikelihoodofinjuryorillhealth.This should be the aim of all workplace activities.
2. Remote possibility; ifotherfactorswerepresent,thatinjuryorillhealthmightoccur,buttheprobability islow.
3. Possible; theincidentmayhappenifadditionalfactorsprecipitateit,butitisunlikelywithouttheotherfactors.
4. The event is probable; theeffectsofhumansorotherfactorscouldcausetheevent(injuryorillhealth),butit isunlikelywithoutadditional factors
5. If the task continues, then it is certain that an injury or ill health will occur.
Severity rating 1. Minor injury suchasaslight laceration
orbruisingrequiringlimitedmedicaltreatment
2. Injury requiring medical treatment,butunlikelytoresultinabsencefromwork
3. More serious injury,possiblyrequiringhospitalattendance,whichcouldresultinabsencefromwork
4. Fracture, dislocation and attendance orpossibleattendanceathospital fortreatment
5. Serious or fatal injury
1.2 Work at height
TheWorkatHeightRegulationsapplytoallworkatheightwherethereisariskofafallliabletocausepersonalinjury.
Theyplacedutiesonemployersandanypersonthatcontrolstheworkofothers(forexamplefacilitiesmanagersorbuildingownerswhomaycontractotherstoworkatheight).
AspartoftheRegulations,DutyHoldersmustensure:▪ Allworkatheightisproperlyplannedand organised.▪ Thoseinvolvedinworkatheightare competent.▪ Therisksfromworkatheightareassessedandappropriateworkequipmentis
selectedandused.▪ Therisksfromfragilesurfacesareproperly controlled.▪ Equipmentforworkatheightisproperlyinspectedandmaintained.
WorkatheightiscoveredfurtherinSection13.4ofthispublication.
1.3 Lifting operations
LiftingoperationsaregovernedbytheLiftingOperationsandLiftingEquipmentRegulations (LOLER). The Regulations aim to reduce risks to people’s health and safetyfromliftingequipmentprovidedforuseatwork.InadditiontotherequirementsofLOLER, liftingequipment is also subject to the requirementsof theProvisionandUseofWorkEquipmentRegulations (PUWER).
Generally,theRegulationsrequirethatliftingequipmentprovidedforuseatworkis:▪ Strongandstableenoughfortheparticularuseandmarkedtoindicatesafeworking
loads.▪ Positionedandinstalledtominimiseany risks.▪ Usedsafely,i.e.theworkisplanned,organisedandperformedbycompetent
people.▪ Subjecttoongoingthoroughexaminationand,whereappropriate,inspectionby
competentpeople.
FurtherinformationonliftingoperationscanbefoundinSection10.3ofthispublication.
1.4 Manual handling operations
1.4.1 Introduction TheseRegulationsmustnotbeconsideredinisolation,butshouldberead inconjunctionwithRegulation3(1)oftheManagementofHealthandSafetyatWorkRegulations,whichrequiresemployerstomakeasuitableandsufficientassessmentoftheriskstothehealthandsafetyoftheiremployeeswhileatwork.
1.4.2 The working environment
Theroadsandroutesaroundthesiteshouldbepreparedinadvanceofthedeliveryoftheprecastunits.Iftheyarenottobeoff-loadedintotheirlayingposition,suitablestackingareasshouldbeprepared.
Areaswhereunitsaremovedorhandledshouldbekeptclearofobstaclesandtrippinghazards.Uneven,slipperyorunstablegroundconditionsincreasetheriskofinjury.
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1.4.3 Training Installersmustbegiveninformationandtrainingonmanualhandlingrisks,theirpreventionandthesystemsofworktobeusedonthatsitetoensuresafemanualhandling.Suitabletrainingwillalsobenecessaryfordesigners,specifiersandthosemanagingcontracts.
1.4.4 Individual capability
Particularconsiderationmustbegiventoemployeeswhoareknowntohaveahistoryofbacktrouble,herniaorotherhealthproblemsthatcouldaffecttheirmanualhandlingcapability.
1.4.5 Health surveillance
Employersshouldconductappropriatehealthsurveillanceinordertoidentifyatanearlystageanyindicationsthattheemployeeissufferinginjuryduetothemanualhandling,therebyenablingfurtherharmtobeprevented.Note: Furtherguidanceandamanualhandlingassessmentchart(MAC)canbefoundatwww.hse.gov.uk/msd(searchfortoolkits).
1.5 Noise at work
TheNoiseatWorkRegulationsplacecertaindutiesonemployers,employees andmanufacturers.Thenoisecreatedbyanyoperationmaybeexcessiveandcouldcauseahealthhazardthatrequiresassessmentandcontrol.Whereverthereisnoiseatworkyoushouldbelookingforalternativeprocesses,equipmentand/orworkingmethodswhichwouldmaketheworkquieterormeanpeopleareexposedforshortertimes.Youshouldalsokeepupwithwhatisgoodpracticeorthestandardfornoise-controlwithinyourindustry,e.g.throughyourtradeassociation,ormachineryorequipmentsuppliers.
Action levels Lowerexposureactionvalue 80dB(A)Upperexposureactionvalue 85dB(A)Exposurelimitvalue 87dB(A)
Employersmust:
o Provideemployeeswithsuitablehearingprotectorsiftheyaskforthem,andtheirnoiseexposureisbetweenthelowerandupperexposureactionvalues;
o Provideemployeeswithsuitablehearingprotectorsandmakesuretheyusethemfullyand
properlywhentheirnoiseexposureexceedstheupperexposureactionvaluesTomakesureprotectorsarewornfully(allofthetimetheyareneeded)andproperly(fittedorinsertedcorrectly)willrequireyoutohavesystemsofsupervisionandtraining.Alsoconsidertheuseofspotchecksandaudits.
1.6 Vibration at work Hand-armvibration isvibrationtransmitted fromworkprocesses intoworkers'handsandarms. Itcantypicallybecausedbyoperatinghand-heldpower toolssuchasportablecutoffsaws.
Regularorfrequentexposuretohighlevelsofvibrationcanleadtopermanentinjury.Thisismostlikelytooccurwhencontactwithavibratingtoolorprocessisaregularpartofaperson'sjob.Occasionalexposureisunlikelytocauseinjury,althoughitshouldbeavoidedbypeoplewithmedicalconditionssuchasRaynaud'sDisease.
Healthandsafetylawrequiresthecompanytoassesstherisktothehealthofemployees,planforitscontrolandmanagetherisk.Thiswillincludeprovisionofsuitableequipment,correctmaintenanceofequipmentandprovidingemployeeswithinformationandtrainingonhealthrisksandsafeuseoftheequipment.
Thedocumentationsuppliedbytheequipmentmanufacturershouldwarnofrisksfromvibration.Regularuseofhand-heldpowertoolsmaygiverisetopotentialrisk.Therisksidentifiedfollowingassessmentcanbecontrolledinmanyways.Adviceandapprovalshouldbesoughtfromacompetentsafetyprofessionalandtheequipmentmanufacturers.ItisthereforerecommendedthattheCompanyshouldassessthelevelofvibrationgeneratedbyhand-heldpowertoolsandminimiseexposuretothisequipmentinlinewithguidance.
1.7 Personal protective equipment at work
1.7.1 Introduction ThePersonalProtectiveEquipmentatWorkRegulationsplacerequirementsontheuseofpersonalprotectiveequipment(PPE)intheworkplace.
TheHealthandSafetyExecutive(HSE)haspreparedspecificguidanceontheRegulationsafterwidespreadconsultationwithindustry.ReadersshouldrefertotheguidanceontheRegulationsproducedbytheHSE.
TheHSEdocumentcontainsadviceontheselectionofPPE,considersthe differenttypesofPPEavailable,andidentifiessomeoftheprocessesandactivitieswhichmayrequirePPEtobeworn.
1.7.2 Working clothes and personal protective equipment
ThePersonalProtectiveEquipmentatWorkRegulations(PPERegs.)requiretheEmployertoprovidesuitablePPEnecessaryfortheprotectionofOperatives andInstallersengagedintheinstallationofprecastconcreteflooring.TherequirementsforPPEmustbeidentifiedontheGeneralRiskAssessment.
AllOperativesandInstallers,irrespectiveofthenatureofparticularsiteconditions,mustbeprovidedwith,andmustwear,PPEtomeetgeneralneeds,inparticularsafetyfootwear,high-visibilityclothing,abrasion-resistantgloves,weatherproofclothingandsuitableheadprotection.AllPPEmustbeproperlystoredandmaintainedinaccordancewithmanufacturers’recommendations.
Thedistributionandqualityofsuchequipmentaremattersofindividualcompanypolicy.However,allprotectiveequipmentorclothingmustcarrytheCEMark,identifyingtheproductashavingpassedcertainEuropeanStandards,orbeof astandardatleastequaltothatsetbytheappropriateBritishStandard.
Whereverpossible,theCompanyshouldconsidertheviewsandcommentsreceivedfromtheirOperativesandInstallerswhendecidinguponparticulartypesofequipment.ThephysicalstatureofOperativesandInstallersshouldbematchedascloselyas ispracticablebyanyequipment.PPEmustalsobecompatiblewithotherPPEworn, e.g.hearingprotectionwornwithheadprotection.
Thecompanymustensurethatallprotectiveclothingandequipmentisfitforuseandshouldapplyallnecessarymeasurestoensurethattheiremployeesareusingsuchitemsinpropermanner.OperativesandInstallersissuedwithsuchequipmenthaveadutyundertheHealthandSafetyatWorkActtouseandlookafterit.ThecompanymustensurethatOperativesandInstallersreceiveadequateinstructionandtrainingregardingtheproperuse,storage,maintenanceandreplacementofprotectiveequipmentandclothing.
Oncertainsites,theconditions,siterulesormethodofworkingwillnecessitatetheuseofspecialprotectiveclothingandequipment.Certainitemssuchaseyeprotection,respiratoryprotection,earprotectionandsafetyharnessesshouldbecarriedbytheinstallationteamatalltimesandusedastheneedarisesorshouldbemadeavailabletotheinstallationteampriortothecommencementofwork.Theuseofspecificprotectiveequipment,e.g.safetyharnesses,mustbeidentifiedinRiskAssessmentandMethodStatement.
Theusershouldconductdailyinspectionspriortouseofallequipmentand clothingandanyitemsfoundtobemissingordefectiveshouldbenotifiedtotheCompany forimmediatereplacementorrepair.
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1.8 Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations TheProvisionandUseofWorkEquipmentRegulations1998(PUWER)laydownimportanthealthandsafetyrequirementsregardingworkequipment.TheprimaryobjectiveofPUWERistoensuretheprovisionofsafeworkequipmentanditssafeuse.ThePUWERRegulationsmakemoreexplicitthegeneraldutiesonemployers,theself-employedandpersonsincontroltoprovidesafeplantandequipment.The PUWERRegulationsmustnotbeconsideredinisolation;inparticular,theyneedtobereadinconjunctionwiththeManagementofHealthandSafetyatWorkRegulations.
Althoughtheprimedutyforensuringhealthandsafetyrestswithemployers,employeesalsohavelegalduties,particularlyunderSections7and8oftheHealthandSafetyatWorketcAct.ThesedutieshavebeensupplementedbyRegulation14of theManagementofHealthandSafetyatWorkRegulations,whichrequirethatemployeesmustcorrectlyuseallworkitemsprovidedbytheiremployerinaccordancewiththetrainingandinstructionstheyreceivedtoenablethemtousetheitemssafely.
1.9 Welfare facilities
Onthemajorityofsites,theprovisionofwelfarefacilitieswillbeonasharedwelfarebasis,wheretheContractorprovidesthenecessaryfacilitiesthatcanbeusedbyOperatives and Installers engaged in the installation of precast concrete units.
Whennoformalwelfarearrangementsexist,theCompanyshouldensurethatthenecessaryfacilitiesareprovidedbywayofanAttendance,basedupontheHealth,SafetyandWelfareAttendances(AppendixA)issuedatquotationstage,oralternatively,theCompanymayprovidefacilitiesforusebyOperativesandInstallers.
Theultimateresponsibilityforensuringthatthefacilitiesareprovided,andthattheyareofastandardequaltothatrequiredbytheCDMRegulations,remainswiththeCompany,andtherefore,theCompany’sRepresentativemustsatisfyhimselfthatthefacilitiesprovided,fromwhateversource,areadequate.
1.10 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
1.10.1 Introduction InordertocomplywiththeControlofSubstancesHazardoustoHealthRegulations,theCompanymustensurethecollectionandissueofup-to-dateinformationonthepotentialhazardsandtoxicityofallmaterialsandsubstancesusedbytheCompanyincarryingoutitssiteactivities,andthecontrolmeasurestobeadopted.
Materialsandsubstancesincludeanythingusedorgenerated,e.g.ready-mixedconcrete,dustfromcuttingoperations,etc.
1.10.2 General procedure
AssessmentsheetsforallproductsusedonsitearetobeissuedtotheCompanyRepresentative.
AllOperativesinvolvedintheuseofthesematerials,e.g.cement, ready-mixedconcrete,etc.shouldbeinstructedonthehazardsfromtheparticularmaterialabouttobeused,willbeinstructedinallnecessaryprecautions,andanyPPErequiredwillbeprovidedandused.Thisequipmentwillbeputintousebeforeanysubstanceis usedonsite.
AllsubstancesreceivedonsiteshouldbestoredinaccordancewiththeinstructionscontainedintheAssessmentSheets,andintheeventofanyspillage, appropriateactionmustbetakentoretrievethematerial,inaccordancewithinstructionscontainedintheAssessmentSheet.TheCompanyRepresentativeshouldmonitor theseprocedures.
Emptycontainersandwastematerialmustbedisposedofinaccordancewiththeapprovedprocedures,asnotedontheAssessmentSheetfortheproductorproductsconcerned.
ThematerialsusedintheinstallationofprecastconcretefloorsaregenerallyoflowtoxicitybutallOperativesmustbemadeawareofthehazardsatalltimesbytheCompany.Checksthatcontrolmeasuresarebeingadheredtoshouldbemade atperiodicintervalsbytheCompanyRepresentative.
CopiesofCOSHHAssessmentsheetsmayformpartoftheCompany’sWorkMethodStatement.
TheCompanyRepresentativeshouldrequesttheContractortosupplydetailsofanyothersubstancesonsitethatcouldaffecttheCompany’semployeesortheirsub-contractors.
1.10.3 Silica dust
Silicaductcanbegeneratedduringallcuttingactivitiesofprecastconcreteunits.ThehierarchyofcontrolintheCOSHHRegulationsmustbefollowedtopreventsilicadustaffectingallpersonsinthevicinity.ControlsandprotectionagainsttheinhalationofsilicadustcanbefoundintheHSEguidancepublicationsCIS36Silica dust andCIS 54Dust control on cut-off saws used for stone or concrete cutting.
1.11 Occupational Health
1.11.1 Introduction Themanagementofhealthisanimportantaspectofsitepractice.Thehealthofthoseinstallingprecastconcretecanbeaffectediftheworkisnotproperlycontrolled.ToassistinmonitoringtheeffectivenessofthecontrolsdescribedinthisCodeofPractice,thefollowingrecommendationsaremaderegardingpre-employmenthealthscreeningandhealthsurveillance.Pleasebeawarethatsomemajorcontractorsareimplementingasystemofidentifyingthoseon-siteworkerswhoareinreceiptofaFittoWorkCertificateforsafetycriticalworkers.
1.11.2 Pre-employment health screening
Pre-employmenthealthscreeningisanessentialrequirementinestablishingthefitnessofapotentialnewemployeeforthetasksthathewillperform.Itisalsonecessarytorecordthehealthstatusofthenewemployeesothatanychangescanbemeasuredduringthecourseoftheiremployment.
Apersonapplyingforasite-basedpositionshouldbeprovidedwithabriefquestionnairetoassisttheCompanyinassessinganypotentialhealthproblemsthatcouldaffecttheirsuitabilitytodothejobthattheyareapplyingfor.Thequestionnaireshouldincludequestionsonthefollowing,butisnotlimitedtothoselistedbelow:▪ Noiseandnoisyenvironments.▪ Dustanddustyenvironments.▪ Skincomplaintssuchasdermatitis.▪ Vibrationandworkwithvibrating tools.
Inaddition,whereapotentialemployeeistoworkinanareawheretheymaycomeintocontactwith,orbeexposedtosubstancesorsituationsthatcouldaffecttheirhealth,theywillbeprovidedwithapre-employmentmedicalexamination.
Inanycase,itisrecommendedthatallnewemployeesareassessedforthefollowing:▪ Audiometry (assessmentofhearingwhereanemployee is likelytoworkwithnoisy
equipment).▪ Lungfunction.▪ Hand-armvibrationassessment (wherethepersonhasreportedsuffering fromthe
problemandwillusevibratingtoolsduringthecourseofemployment).▪ Visiontesting.
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1.11.3 Health surveillance Itisrecommendedthatemployeesundergogeneralhealthsurveillance,undertakenbyasuitablytrained,CompetentPerson,atafrequencytobedeterminedby theemployer’sriskassessmentpolicy.Thiswillallowthecompanytoidentifywhereaperson’shealthhasbeenaffected.Thehealthsurveillanceshouldcoverthefollowing:
Audiometry Wherenoiselevelsexceed80dB(A),thosepersonsexposedshouldbescreened forhearingloss.
Vibration Wherepersonsareexposedtovibrationtotheirhandsandarms,e.g.intheuseofcut-offsaws,etc.thentheyshouldbescreenedfordiseaserelatedtohand-armvibrationsyndrome.Theinitialscreeningcanbecarriedoutusingaself-assessmentquestionnaire,followedupbyspecialistconsultationwherethequestionnaireresultsindicatethatthisisnecessary.
Skin conditions Itisrecommendedthatanypersonwhoislikelytobeexposedtochemicals orsubstancesthatareknowntobecapableofcausingoccupationaldermatitisaresubjecttoregularskininspectionsaspartofthehealthscreeningarrangementsandinadditionaretrainedtorecognisethesymptomsrelatedtooccupationaldermatitis.
Lung function Whereapersonislikelytobeexposedtodustitisrecommendedthatlungfunctiontestsarecarriedoutinaccordancewiththeadvicegivenbyanoccupationalhealthprofessional.
Vision Whereapersonisoperatingorcontrollingmobileplantitisrecommendedthatvisionscreeningiscarriedout.
TherecordsofthesurveillancemustbekeptstrictlyconfidentialinaccordancewithallcurrentlegislationonDataProtection.Accesstotheserecordsislimited,andthepersontowhomtherecordsrelatemustbeaskedfortheirpermissioninwritingbeforeanymedicalreportcanberequestedfromDoctorsandothermedicalpersonnel.Theresultsofthesurveillanceshouldbepassedtoonenominatedindividualwithinthecompanysothattheycanarrangeanychangestoworkpatternorarrangereferraltoanoccupationalhealthphysicianorotherspecialistasrequired.
1.12 Site Safety Audits MembersofthePFFwhoinstallprecastflooringarerequiredtohaveformalSiteSafetyAuditsinaccordancewiththerequirementsofthePFFChartertowhichtheyareasignatory.TheprotocolfortheseSiteSafetyAuditsisbasedonthisPFFCodeofPracticeforthesafeinstallationofprecastconcreteflooringandassociatedcomponentsandisavailablefromthePFF.AuditorsmustbeapprovedbythePFFHealthandSafetyCommittee,whichmaintainsalistofapprovedauditors.AuditresultsshouldbeissuedtotheSecretaryofPFFoncompletion.
2 SAFE WORKING METHOD STATEMENTS AND DAILY PRE-START CHECKS BY A COMPETENT PERSON
2.1 Introduction
SafeWorkingMethodStatementsformpartoftheoverallSafetyManagementSystem,coveringhazardousactivitiessuchastheinstallationofprecastflooringandassociatedcomponents.Theyprovidetheinformationonthearrangementsand,whererequired,theactualsequenceofworknecessarytomanagehealthandsafety.Basicinformationmustbeprovidedandcommunicatedtoallconcernedpartiesattheplanning stage,thusallowingtimeforapprovalormodificationoftheSafeWorkingMethodStatementspriortositeinstallation.
PrecastflooringinstallationissimilarinnatureonmanysitesandthereforeaSafeWorkingMethod Statementwill contain common elements and activities. However,the SafeWorkingMethodStatementsmust takeaccountof specific site conditions/requirements, information from the P r e - Con s t r u c t i o n I n f o rma t i o n a nd t h e C on s t r u c t i o n P h a s e P l a n /Design Risk Assessment,and/orcontractor’ss p e c i f i c requirements.
2.2 Content of Safe Working Method Statements
SafeWorkingMethod Statementsmust be concise but informative and should containthefollowinginformationasaminimum.
Part 1 Management and control
Principal Contractor ThenameoftheContractorinchargeofthesite.
Precast company client Thenameofthesub-contractor/clientofprecastcompany.
Site address Theaddressatwhichtheproposedworkistobecarriedout.
Site manager/agent/ contact
Thepointofcontactatthesite.
Part 2 Description and information (contract, site and plant)
Description of contract Briefdescriptionoftheworktobecarriedout-mayincludethenumberofvisitsthatwillbenecessarytocompletethecontract.
Method of installation and sequence of work
Howtheunitswillbe liftedandpositionedandotherrelevantrequirements. e.g.will proppingbe required andwherewillworkcommence?
Crane type/position Thecranetype(ratingandstyle,tonnage,mobile,tower,outriggerloadingsetc).Generallocationofthecrane,thelocationofanyobstructionsornearbyhazardsincludingoverheadandundergroundservices,voids,tanksetc.
Maximum component weights and crane working radius
Themaximumweight/radius’foreachcomponenttypemustbestatedandanyrecommendationsfromthecranesuppliersmustbeconsidered.
Deliveries and site access
Theformoftransportbywhichthecomponentsaretobedelivered,offloadedandtheaccessandegressrequirements, e.g.hardstandingpreparationandmaintenancerequirements,Howwillvehiclesbemarshalledontoandoffsite.
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Part 3 Stability and bearings
Stability and bearings TheadequacyofbearingsandthePrincipal Contractor’sresponsibilityforcheckingthempriortoworkcommencing.ThePrincipalContractor’sresponsibilityforensuringstabilityandthesequenceof installation.
Part 4 Personnel
Foreman ThenameifknownorastatementallowingtheForemantomakehimselfknownonarrivalatsite.
Slinger/Signaller, (Banksman) Installer
StatementtoconfirmthecompetenceandtrainingofSlinger/SignallerandInstallerswhowillbeinvolvedintheinstallation.
Other site operations/ third parties
Whereco-operationandcoordinationwithothersiteoperations/thirdpartiesisrequired,thismustbestated
Part 5 Health and safety management and control measures
Personal protective equipment
GeneralstatementshowingthatallOperativesandInstallerswillcomplywithcurrent/siterequirements.
Access to work area AsafemeansofaccessandtheContractor’sresponsibilitytosupply.Theuseofscaffolding,temporaryaccess,etc.
Positioning of components
Standardandextraordinarymethodsofpositioningandinstallingcomponents.
Working at heights Statementregardingtheprovisionofhandrailsandothermeansofprotection.
Leading edge protection
Theuseoffallprevention/arrestequipment,e.g.birdcagescaffolding,deckingsystems,safetynets/airbags.Meansofrescuefromthefallenposition.
Welfare facilities Provisionoffacilities,e.g.firstaidandtoilets.
Part 6 Amendments and additional information
Amendments to the Method Statement
Should any part of this Method Statement require amendment or alteration, this must be notified for agreement by all relevant parties prior to it being enforced.
2.3 Communication of the Safe Working Method Statement TheSafeWorkingMethodStatementmustbesubmittedtotheContractorforreviewandapproval.WherechangesaremadethesemustberecordedandtheappropriateamendedcopysenttotheContractor.Onceapprovedandsigned,theContractorscopymustbeaddedtotheConstructionPhasePlan.ThecurrentSafeWorkingMethodStatementmustbesuppliedwiththeWorkingDrawingsfortheinstallationcrewtouseduringtheinstallationphase.TheForemanmustmonitortheadequacyoftheSafeWorkingMethodStatement.Anyvariationsaretobereviewed/approvedandrecordedfollowingliaisonwiththeCompanyandtheContractor.AnyVariationsaretobecommunicatedtopersonnelundertakingthework.
2.4 Additions to the Safe Working Method Statement
TheSafeWorkingMethodStatementmaybesupplementedbyattachingand/orreferringtootherdocuments,forexample:▪ Companysitesafetybooklets.▪ Companyprocedures,forexample,thoseregardinghandlingand storage.▪ CranePlanningScheduleandLift Plan.▪ Companyrepresentativereports.▪ Riskassessments.▪ AddendumstotheSafeWorkingMethod Statement.▪ Specificationsandcertificationofplantandequipment, etc.
▪ PrecastFlooringFederationCodeofPractice,AttendancesandInformation Sheets.▪ CodeofPracticefortheSafeInstallationofStructuralandArchitecturalPrecastConcrete▪ TheHealthandSafetyPlan.
This list isnotexhaustiveandthe levelof information/inclusionwillvaryanddependsonthenatureofthecontrac t .
2.5 Special considerations InformationmustbesuppliedbytheContractortothePrecastCompanyfollowingconsiderationofplanning,deliveryandaccess(suchasschools)andenvironmentalaspects,andofspecialhazards,e.g.contaminatedland,proximityhazards,etc.InformationmustbesuppliedtoPrecastCompanyRepresentativesandotherswhomaybeaffected.
2.6 Pre-start daily checks
ThePrecastCompanymustensurethatpriortoanyworkcommencingapre-startcheckhasbeencompletedandsignedoffbyaCompetentPerson.Thiscoversthefollowingareas:▪ Craneandliftingrequirements.▪ Workatheight.▪ Structuralstability.▪ Groundconditions.▪ Proximityhazards.▪ Welfarefacilities.
ThePrecastCompanyshouldensurethattheCompetentPerson/SiteRepresentativeismadefullyawareoftheneedtocheckandsignofftheaboveonthedayofthevisittosite.
AnyproblemsfoundshouldbereportedtotheCompanyandtheContractor’sSiteRepresentative.
2.7 Supply only
In thecaseofa supply-onlycontract,guidanceshouldbe taken fromthemanufacturer.Installationofthecomponentsshouldbeinstalledbypersonswiththenecessaryskills,knowledge,trainingandexperiencetoundertakethetasksafely.
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3 TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION 3.1 Introduction
ThePFFiscommittedtoensuringthatallInstallersinvolvedininstallationactivitiescarriedoutbyitsmembercompaniesarecompetent.Thisincludesensuringa goodunderstandingoftheobjectivesofthisPFFCode of Practice for the safe installation of precast concrete flooring and associated components.TheCompanyshoulddeterminetheleveloftraininganindividualhasachievedandshouldprovidetraining,instructionandrefreshertrainingasrequired.
3.2 Scope
ThetrainingthatappliestoTrainees,Installers,Foremen,SupervisorsandPrecastDesigners.
3.3 Responsibility
Employershavearesponsibilityundermanyregulationstoprovideappropriatetrainingfortheiremployeesandensurethattheirsub-contractorshavereceivedtheappropriatetraining.
Section2oftheHealthandSafetyatWorkActimposesageneraldutyon everyemployertoprovideasmuchinformation,instruction,trainingandsupervisionasisnecessarytoensure,sofarasisreasonablypracticable,thehealthandsafetyatworkoftheiremployeesandsub-contractors.
ItistheresponsibilityoftheCompanyemployingtheindividual(s)toensurethattheyhave,orareintheprocessofobtainingtheappropriateskills,knowledgeexperienceandtrainingintheinstallationofprecastconcreteproducts,forthemtocarryoutthetasksallocatedtothemandforensuringthatfullrecordsofanytrainingprovidedarekeptsecurely.TheCompanyshould(a)assesstheexistinghealthandsafetyskills,knowledge,trainingandexperienceoftheirworkers.(b)comparetheseexistingattributeswiththeskills,knowledge,trainingandexperiencetheywillneedforthejob.Identifyanyshortfallbetween(a)and(b),thedifferencebetweenthetwowillbethenecessarytrainingrequired.
3.4 General procedure
AllpersonnelaretobetrainedgenerallyinaccordancewiththeLevel2NVQCertificateinErectionofPrecastConcrete(Flooring)orsimilarapprovedprecastconcretescheme.Theextentoftheemployee’strainingwilldependuponthepositionheldwithinthePFFmembercompany.
3.5 Training
ThetrainingofpersonnelatalllevelsistobecarriedoutbyCompetentPersons orapprovedtrainingorganisations(e.g.CPCS/CITB/Othertrainingproviders).Coursesmayincludethoseinthefollowinglist,whichisnotexclusive.▪ Sitesafetyawareness.▪ Manualhandling.▪ Poweredcut-offsawandabrasivewheel operation.▪ Workatheight/workatheight equipment.▪ ThisPFFCodeofPracticeforthesafeinstallationofprecastconcreteflooringand
associatedcomponents.
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▪ Slinger,Signaller.▪ CraneSupervisor(BS7121).▪ AppointedPerson(BS7121).▪ MEWP(mobileelevatedworkplatform)scissorandboomoperation.▪ Forklift/tele-handleroperation.▪ Passivefall installation.▪ CDMRegulations2015.▪ Towerscaffold.
InadditionitisrecommendedthateachteamofInstallershaseitherasuitablyqualifiedpersontoadministeremergencyaidorafullyqualifiedFirstAider.Theemployer’sdutytoprovidefirstaidissetoutinRegulation3(1)oftheHealthandSafety(First-Aid)Regulations“Anemployershallprovide,orensurethatthereareprovided,suchequipmentandfacilitiesasareadequateandappropriateinthecircumstancesforenablingfirstaidtoberenderedtohisemployeesiftheyareinjuredorbecomeillatwork”.
Note: Theneedforre-trainingmustberegularlymonitored;noemployeecanremembereverything,especiallyif it isnotaneverydaypartoftheindividual’swork.Theneedforre-training isanessentialrequirementtosatisfactorilymeettherequirementsofthecurrentRegulations.Re-trainingrequirementscanbemonitoredbyexpirydatesoncertificatesofachievementorbyperiodicassessmentofindividualsfollowedbyrefreshertraining.
TrainingistheresponsibilityofthecompanyemployingtheInstallerandotherOperatives.
3.6 Certification/competency TrainedandcompetentOperativesshouldholdthefollowingcompetency cardsinaccordancewiththeconstructionSkillsCompetencyScheme(CSCS)and theConstructionPlantCompetencyScheme(CPCS):▪ CSCSPrecastConcreteInstaller(IndustryAccreditationA)card.▪ CPCSSlingerSignallercard.
OperativeswhohavenotachievedthesecardsshouldreceiveappropriatetrainingandcarryoutthefollowingNVQs,whichwillenablethemtoachievetheappropriatecompetencycard:▪ NVQinPrecastConcrete Installation(flooring).▪ NVQinSlingerSignalling.
4 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
Installingprecastconcretefloorsisahigh-riskactivity,whichusuallyinvolvesOperativesandInstallersworkingatheightsandtheuseofcranes.ToassistEngineers, P r i n c i p a l D e s i g n e r s , DesignersandContractorsinmeetingtherequirementsoftheCDMRegulations, thefollowingdetailedinformationisprovidedtoassistinco-ordinatingdesignstoachievesafeinstallation.InthetextthatfollowsthePrecastDesignerisnottheBuildingDesigner
4.1 The existing environment
Thefollowingaspectsshouldbeinvestigated;aspartoftheplanningprocedure▪ Thesizesandweightsofthecomponentswilldeterminethemethodofoff-loading
andplacingtheunits.▪ Theprecastunitsareusuallydeliveredtositeonarticulatedlorries;narrowroadsor
restrictedaccessmaynecessitatetheuseofrigid lorries.▪ Pedestrian and traffic management measures need to be considered, especially if
thedelivery lorriesareoff-loaded fromthepublichighway. In thiscase theContractormustensurethatanyactionstakencomplywiththeRoadsandStreetworksAct.▪ TheContractorshouldconsidertheTrafficManagementPlan,othertradesand
deliveries,andplanadequatearrangementsforoffloadingpositionsandfallprotectionequipmentaroundvehicles.▪ Accesstotheworkareamustbeprovidedandsuitablymaintainedforcranesand
lorries.Anadequatedesignforhardstandingmustbeprovidedandmaintainedtosafelysupporttheloadsimposedby thecrane’soutriggers.▪ Safeaccesstotheworkareaforsiteoperatives,plantandequipmentmustbe
providedandsuitablymaintainedinordertominimisetheinteractionwithsitetraffic,vehiclemovementsandtoreducetheriskofslips,tripsorfallsoccurringduetogroundconditions.▪ Excavations,undergroundservices,drains,waterattenuationtanksand
basementsareahazardandstrengtheningmayberequired.▪ Thepresenceofpower lines, railwaytracks, treesoroverheadstructuralobstructions
mayhindertheoperationof cranes.▪ Onrestrictedsitesitmaybenecessaryforloadstobeliftedoveradjacentlandand
buildings.Inthesecircumstances,permissionmustbegainedtooperatewithintheairspaceofthirdpartiesinconjunctionofafullriskassessment.Allsiterestrictionsandpartialorfullevacuationsmustbeplannedandagreedin advance.
4.2 Design and planning TheRegulationsrequirethatadesigner’scompetencehastobeconsideredin thelightofhealthandsafety.MembersofthePFFcandemonstratetheirexperienceandcompetenceinthedesignandmanufactureofprecastflooring.
Particularattentionmustbegivenwhereunitsmayneedtobetiltedortwistedintoposition(ontoledgeranglesorsimilar).TheBuildingDesignerandPrecastDesignermustassessthesuitabilityandadequacyofsupports.Carefulconsiderationmustbegiventoensurethatthereissufficientclearancetoplacetheunitwhilststillachievingtheminimumendbearingrequiredwhentheunitisinitsfinalposition.
ToassistthePrecastDesigner,thefollowinginformationshouldbeprovidedatTenderStage:▪ Pre-tenderstageHealthandSafetyPlan.▪ Designloadsincludingfinishesandimposed loads.▪ Drawingsshowingthesupportingstructurefortheprecastunitsanddirectionofspan.▪ Phasingorsequencingoftheworks.▪ Siteandservicesplan.
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4.2.1 Information following order Whenanorder isplaced for theprecast concreteunits, theContractor shouldprovidethePrecastFlooringCompanywiththefollowing information:▪ AnyrelevantamendmentstotheConstructionPhasePlan.▪ Fullydimensioned‘ConstructionIssue’drawings,detailingthesupportingstructure
forthefloorsandanyotheraspectsthatmayaffectthefloordesignandinstallation.▪ Loadings,includingtypeandlocationofpartitions,typesoffinish, etc.▪ Positionandsizesofallholes,notchesorrebatesrequiredinthe flooring.▪ Siteandservicesplan(ifnotprovidedattender stage).▪ Provisionalsequencingandprogrammedates.▪ Whereworkinginthevicinityofrailtracks,undergroundrailwaylines,orenergy
supplystructuressuchaspowercables,allpermissionsthatarerequiredfromtheownersorcontrollersoftherelevant infrastructurearetobegiven inadvance,alongwithanyspecialinstructionsforthesafeinstallationofthe works.▪ Informationonthelocationofanynearbyschools,orotherestablishmentswhichcould
placerestrictionsondeliverytimes,workingtimes,orcouldposeissueswithaccessforcertaintypesofdeliveryvehicles.▪ Anypertinentgroundconditionse.g.accessroads,crane hardstandings.
4.2.2 Stability of the structure
Designersmusttakeintoaccountthestabilityofthestructureduringtheinstallationofprecastcomponents:▪ Considerationshouldbegivenattheplanningstagetoallowfortheremoval,prior
totheinstallationofthecomponents,ofoverheadobstructions,suchaspurlins,bracingsormainbeams(wherespanschangeatthelevelabove)thatarelikelytofoulorhinderthecraneboomorsuspended load.▪ Precastcomponentsareheavy.Bearingsmustbeadequateandberobustenoughto
withstandnormalunitfixingoperationsincludinglandingand barring.▪ Lintelsorsteelbeamsmustbesecurelyfixedandhaveadequatesafebearingat
eachendtoavoidoverturning,excessivedeflection,orcollapsewhentheprecastunitsareplaced.▪ Considerationmustbegiventotheunequalloadingofunrestrainedwalls,lintelsor
steelbeamswhenprecastunitsarebeing placed.▪ Thepracticeofinstallingprecastunitsontotemporarybearingsmustbeavoided
whereverpossible.▪ Incaseswheretheuseoftemporarybearingsisunavoidabletheymustbedesigned
andinstalledbyaCompetentPerson(providedbythe Contractor).
4.3 Construction phase
The installationof precast concreteunits shouldbeundertakenonlyby competent†Precast Installerswithknowledgeof theproductandmethodsofinstallation.MembersofthePFFonlyemployPrecast Installerswhohave the necessary sk i l l s , knowledge , t ra in ing and exper ience (o r who are in the process o f obta in ing them).
TheContractormustensurethatthePFFStandardHealth,SafetyandWelfareAttendanceshavebeenprovided.
Installingprecastconcretefloorsisahigh-riskoperationandshouldnotbeundertakenwithouttheprovisionofajob-specificmethodstatementandriskassessments,whichshouldaddresssomeorallofthefollowingactivities:
† CDM 2015 places duties on Contractors and Principal Contractors to ensure the individuals they employ or appoint to carry out the work have the skills, knowledge, training and experience to carry out the work they will be employed to do in a way that secures the health and safety for anyone working on the site. This duty will also extend to the Precast Company engaged in the supply and/or installation of flooring or precast components.
▪ Slips,tripsandfalls.▪ Manualhandling.▪ Workingatheightswithriskofpersonnel/objectsfalling.▪ Workingwithcranes.▪ Handlingorcuttingconcreteproducts.▪ Workingwithwetconcrete/mortar.
TheContractormustensurethatothertradesandthepublicarekeptoutoftheworkingareacoveredbycranesusedforinstallingtheprecastunits.
AmajorconsiderationfortheBuildingDesignerandContractorshouldbethestabilityofthestructureduringtheinstallationoftheprecastconcreteunits.Timemustbeallowedformasonrymortartomaturesufficientlytoachieveadequatestrengthandstiffness(specialconsiderationmustbegiventoretardedmortar).
TheBuildingDesignermustgiveconsiderationtotheprovisionofadequate wallthickness,particularlywheresharedbearingsoccuronlightweightmasonryblocks.
TheBuildingDesignerandthePrecastDesignermustgiveconsiderationtotheproposedsequenceofconstructionandtheeffectsofanytemporaryremovalofpartsofthestructuretofacilitatethesafeinstallationoftheprecastunits.
Aperiodofcuringtimeinaccordancewiththemanufacturers’recommendationsshouldbeallowedforagroutedfloortomaturepriortoloadingoutwithmaterials,whichshouldnotexceedtheloadforwhichthefloorhasbeendesigned.Advice andapprovalshouldbesoughtfromtheCompanypriortothestorageofunfixedmaterialsonthefloorsbyfollowingtrades.††
4.4 Lifting, placing and safe handling of units
Installationofprecastflooringcomponentsisacknowledgedtobeapotentiallyhighriskactivity,asitinvolvestheuseofheavyplant,cranesandpersonnelworkingatheight.ThisCodeofPracticeis,therefore,usedasthebasisforthetrainingofInstallers,Foremenandsupervisorstoensurethatallhavetheskills,knowledge,trainingandexperiencetocarryouttheirrolesinasafemanner.
Asaprimeconsiderationatthedesignstage,theBuildingDesignerandthe Companymustpayattentiontotheon-sitepracticesofhandlingprecastunitsandtheirinstallationsequence.
Areasofprecastunits,bothcollectivelyandindividually,mustbesodesignedanddetailedastoallowforadequateandsafehandling,includingsafemeansofremovingliftingtackleafterunitshavebeenplaced.
Particularattentionmustbegivenwhereunitsmayneedtobetiltedortwistedintoposition(ledgeranglesorsimilar).TheBuildingDesignerandPrecastDesigner mustassessthesuitabilityandadequacyofsupports.Carefulconsiderationmustbegiventoensurethatthereissufficientclearancetoplacetheunitwhilststillachievingtheminimumendbearingrequiredwhentheunitisinitsfinalposition.
TheBuildingDesignermustensurethatallworkingdrawingsandspecificationsconveyanyspecialdesignrequirementstotheInstaller,suchasspecialfixingtechniquesorsequenceofwork,ortemporarymeasures,e.g.braces,props.ThisinformationshouldbeincorporatedontotheInstaller’sdrawingsbythePrecastDesigner.
Cantileversdonotusuallypresent aproblemas longas theyare installed in accordancewiththemanufacturer’s instructiondrawing.However, ifunitsaretobeinstalledtoacantileveredareaofflooring,thenthedesign,andworkingdrawings,mustpayattentiontocounterbalances,andthesequenceinwhichthesearetobeinstalled.Anyproppingthatmaybenecessaryduringconstructionmustalsobeclearlyindicatedontheinstallationdrawings(includingatwhatstageintheinstallationprocess)andmustbedesignedandinstalledbyCompetentPersonsprovidedbytheContractor.
Thecantileverendofanyprecastmembermustalsobedistinctlymarkedontheunittoavoidincorrectfixing.
††Inthecaseofconventionalgrouts,aminimumof72hourscuringtimeshouldbeallowed.
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4.5 Installation of precast concrete flooring onto steelwork Thefollowingshouldbeconsideredwheninstallingontosteelwork:� Allsteelworkmustbefullysecuredpriortoinstallinganyflooringunits.Thisincludesall
steelworkthatisaboveormayriskbeingcontactedbyanyliftingequipmentoraccessoriesforlifting.
� Thesteelworkshallbedesignedtoresistlateraltorsionalbucklingduringtheconstructionphase.Thiscanoccurwhenonlyonesideofthebeamisloadedout.
� Theminimumbearinglengthsinaccordancewiththerecommendationssetoutintherelevantdesignstandardsmustbemetatalltimes.
� Toallowformanufacturingandconstructiontolerancesitisrecommendedthattheminimumbearinglengthprovidedis75mm.
� Whereflooringunitsaretobeinstalledonshelfangleswithinbeamsorwithinaslimfloorsystem,theendsshouldbesuitablytreatedtofacilitatethesafeinstallation.Thiscanbeachievedvianotchedendsorslopingends.
� Thelengthoftheunitsshouldbedesignedtoallowa25mmclearancegapbetweentheendoftheunitandthesupportingsteelwork.
� Whereshearstudsforcompositeactionorprogressivecollapserequirementsareprovidedthenthebearinglengthshallbeadjustedaccordingly.
� Temporarybracingtothesteel frameshouldbeconsideredtoaccountforthe lackof floordiaphragmactionwhilsttheinfillconcretebetweentheunitsandatthebearingendsisbeingplacedwithadequatetimeallowedforittocurebeforeremovingit.
� Thebearingsurfacesshouldbeclean,levelandfreeofdebris.
4.6 Installation of precast concrete floors onto masonry The following good practice applies to all types of masonry used in construction of cavity walls:
� In all installations where traditional mortar is used and where the inner leaf of the cavity is less than 190 mm thick, (Less than 140mm in the case of clay block structural walling and thin joint systems) it is strongly recommended that the outer leaf is constructed to within 225 mm of the bearing height of the inner leaf. This is so that maximum stability can be achieved during the construction phase (Figure 4.1).
Figure 4.1 Relative height of inner and outer masonry leaves.
Max.225mm Greater
than225mm
Lintelbearsontofullwidthblocks
Blockssplitatbearinglevel
Perp.jointsstaggeredbyatleast75mm
Jointsincorrect,resultinginlinethroughwhichfailurecouldoccur
▪ TheguidancenotescoveredinFigures4.2to4.5regardinglintelsand steelworkshouldalsobeobserved.▪ Wheretheinnerleafisconstructedfromaminimum140mmthick,thin-jointmasonry
systems:*• Thestrengthoftheblockworkandtheoveralltemporarystabilitymustbe
checkedbytheEngineerwhoisresponsiblefortheoverallproject.• Amaximumof2storeysisconstructedatanyonetimebeforetheouterleafis
installed,withamaximumof4storeysoverall.• Theheightoftheblockworkisnogreaterthan2.7mforeachstorey.• Generally,unrestrainedwallsshouldbe limitedtoamaximumlengthof6m.▪ ConsiderationshouldbegivenandapprovalsoughtfromtheEngineerto confirm
thatdueconsiderationhasbeengiventothemoreonerousforcesduringtheconstructionphasewhilstpositioningheavyprecastcomponents.▪ Thetopbearingcourseshouldbeconstructedwithfullblocksandnotcut or
coursingblocksunlesstheflooringsystemisspecifiedusingcoursingblocksas partofthesystem.Guidanceshouldbesoughtfromthesupplierofthemasonryontheavailabilityofanduseofcoursing blocks.▪ Innernon-loadbearingwallsshouldbeleftatleastonecoursedowntoassistwiththe
positioningoftheflooringsystemintheconstruction phase.▪ Withallmortarsandthinjointadhesives/proprietarymortars,sufficientcuringtime
aspermanufacturinginstructionsmustbeallowedsothatthesupportingstructureachievessufficientstrength.Careshouldbetaken,especiallyininclementweatherconditions,intheuseofretardedandlimemortar.Referenceshouldbemadetothemanufacturer'sdatasheetonthemortarproduct.▪ Pressedsteellintelsmustbeinstalledinaccordancewiththelintelmanufacturer’s
recommendations.Theyshouldbebeddedontoafullblockandthe blockworkshouldbesetouttoavoidverticaljointsliningupinadjacentcourses(Figure4.2).▪ Thin-jointmasonryandclayblockstructuralwallingsystemsareavailable.However,
theiruse is subjecttostrictstabilitychecksbythePrincipalDesignerandEngineerwithinputfromtheblockmanufacturer.Barringofprecastfloorelementsshouldnotbepermittedonthin-jointmasonrysystemsunlessapprovedbythePrincipaldesigner.
Figure 4.2 Useofblocksaboveandbelowlintels
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▪ Pressedsteellintelsoveropeningsof900mmoraboveshouldbepre-propped topreventthelintelfromdeflectingandrotatingduringtheconstructionphase(Figure4.3).Thisrequirementis in linewiththesteel lintelmanufacturer’sguidelines.This propping is not necessarily required for standard concrete lintels.
▪ Lintelsshouldbedesignedwith theconstructionphaseloadinginmind,asthistypeoflinteldoesnotachievefullloadcapabilityuntilconstructioniscomplete.
Figure 4.3 Proppingofsteellintels
▪ Steelsectionlintelsshouldbefirmlysecuredbythecontractortopadstonessetonto
theblockwork.Tiesdownthewallshouldbeusedinvulnerableconditionssuchasisolatedpiers.Whereitwillbeloadedunequally,thelintelmayrequireadditionaltemporarysupporttopreventrotationduringtheinstallationofprecastfloorunits(Figure4.4).
Figure 4.4 Fixingsteeltopadstonessetonblockwork
▪ Isolatedsteelsmustbefixedandtemporaryproppingshouldalsobe incorporated
wherethe‘fixed’steelbeamsarelikelytotorsionallydeflectduringinstallationoftheprecastfloorunits(Figure4.5).Fixingsshouldnothindertheinstallationandthedesignshouldbecheckedfortemporaryloadingtoavoidtorsionalcollapseduringtheconstructionphase.
Figure 4.5 Fixingofisolatedsteels
Fixedandpropped Rotatingduetolackoftorsionalrestraint
Propinnerleaf
▪ Allwalltiesmustbeinplaceandinstalledinaccordancewiththerelevantstandards
orcode.▪ Narrowsectionsofwalls(lessthan900mm)orpiersshouldbegivenspecial
considerationasthesecanbeweakpointsduringtheconstructionphase.TheBuildingDesignermayneedtoconsideradditionaltemporary support.▪ Thebearingsurfaceshouldbeclean,levelandfreefrommortar snots.▪ Whereaninternalloadbearingwallintersectswithotherloadbearingwalls,thejoints
mustbefullybondedortied in.▪ Beforeinstallingfloorsonloadbearingwallslessthan190mmwide,temporary
proppingorothermeansofbearingenhancementshouldbeemployed,designedandinstalledbyCompetentPersons(otherthantheflooringInstaller).Timberrunnersshouldbepositionedapproximately5mmbelowbearinglevelandintightcontactwitheachsideofthewalltoprovidefulllateralsupport(Figure4.6).Theproppingarrangementandtimberrunnersshouldalsobedesignedto increasebearingwidthandcarrythefloorreactionintheeventofabearingfailure.
Figure 4.6 Supportforwalllessthan190mmwide
▪ Wheninstallingfloorsonloadbearingwallslessthan190mmwide(Figure4.7):
• BearingplatetobelaidonamortarbedbyMainContractorbeforeinstallationofprecastslabs.
• Blockworktobebuilt20mmloweratbearingplatelocationstoallowformortarbedandbearingplate depth.
• Flooringunitsmustbeinstalledonalternatebays.• When landingonabearingplate, installermustensurethat theslab is landedoncentreofbearingplate.
• Shorterspantobeinstalledfirst.
Figure 4.7 Fixingfloortowalllessthan190mmwide
Lateralrestrainttotopofwall
Timberrunner
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20mm
200mm
200mm
Blockworktobelaid20mmlower
Bearingplatedetailwhereslabssharea140mmwall
Bearingplatetobelaidon20mmmortarbed
140-190mm
Typicalsectiondetail
100mm
100mm
150mm
150mm
50mm
1000mm
PlanSection
500mm500mm
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4.6.1 General notes for the Building Designer Cement mortars –allow3to7daysformasonrymortartocurebeforeloadingout
Lime and retarded mortars –alwayscheckcuringtimeswithmanufactureror supplier.
Withallmortarsandthinjointadhesives/proprietarymortars,sufficientcuringtimeaspermanufacturinginstructionsmustbeallowedsothatthesupportingstructureachievessufficientstrength.Careshouldbetaken,especiallyininclementweatherconditions,intheuseofretardedandlimemortar.Referenceshouldbemadetothemanufacturer'sdatasheetonthemortarproduct.
4.7 Imposed loads during the construction phase
Inadditiontotheself-weightofthefloorunits,otherloadsmaybeimposedduringtheinstallationoperation.Theseloadsmustbeanticipatedatthedesignstageand beconsideredwhenselectingunittypesandlayouts.
Withbeamandblocksystems,theweightofblocksbeingloadedforinstallationmustbeassessed,andanyprohibitions,orspecialrequirementstoaccommodatesuchloads,mustbeclearlyindicatedbythePrecastDesigner.
Whenscreedsorstructuraltoppingsarerequired,theimposedloadsmustbeanticipatedbyboththeBuildingDesignerandthePrecastDesignerandspecialprovisionsclearlynoted.
Designloadingsforthefloorarestatedonthedrawingsandmustnotbeexceededduringtheconstructionworks.ApprovalshouldbesoughtfromtheCompanypriortothestoragebyfollowingtradesofunfixedmaterialsonfloors.
4.8 Stability of supporting structure during installation
Thestabilityofthesupportingstructuresmustnotbeadverselyaffectedbytheinstallationofprecastflooringandcomponents,includingtemporarystackingonthefloors.
Iftheremovalofanystructuralmemberisnecessarytofacilitatetheinstallation,structuralstabilitymustbemaintainedandtheBuildingDesignermustliaisewithrelevantEngineers,ContractorsandSub-contractors.TheContractorisresponsiblefortheremovalandreplacementoperations,bywayofanAttendance,toensurethesafeinstallationoftheprecastunits.
Where itcanbeanticipatedthatstabilitywillnotbeguaranteed,as inthecaseoftemporarilyproppedor jackedfloors, a safe systemofworkmustbedeveloped tokeepthestructurewithinthesafelimitsallowable.
Thefollowingmustalsobeconsidered:▪ AlltemporaryworksmusthavebeencorrectlydesignedandinstalledbyCompetent
PersonsprovidedbytheContractor,priortothePrecastCompanyarrivingonsite.▪ Whendesigningbearings,considerationmustbegiventothestandardmethod
offixingprecastconcretecomponents,particularlythemethodoffinalalignment.Constructionloadingarrangements/forcesmaybemoreonerousthanthefinalworkingcondition.TheBuildingDesignermusttakeintoaccountmanufacturingandconstructiontolerancestoensureminimumbearingsareachieved.▪ TheBuildingDesignermustundertakeanassessmentoftheriskslikelytooccur
duringinstallationoftheprecastflooring/componentandanypotentialinstabilityissuesrelatingtothesupportingstructure.AdviceandapprovalmaybesoughtfromthePrecastDesigneronthesematters.
4.8.1 Handrails to stairs and landings ItisconsideredgoodpracticefortheBuildingDesignertospecifyatypeofhandrailandthemethodoffixingthehandrailtoastairflightandlandingbeforetheflightorlandingisliftedintoitsfinalposition.
Theinstallationofthehandrailwillthereforebecarriedoutfromasaferposition,i.e.groundlevelonsite,avoidingtheneedtoworkatheight,andthestairscanthenbeimmediatelyusedforsafeaccesstodifferentlevels.However,itisrecognisedthatthisisnotalwaysachievable.Whereothermethodsareusedtheymustmitigaterisksandachieveasafesystemofwork.
The Contractor should undertake careful planning at pre-contract and design stage.The Contractor should liaisewith the Precast Installer/PrecastDesigner and considerthefollowingpointstoensurethatthespecifiedmethodispracticalandagreearrangementswiththeother parties:▪ Canthestairsandlandingsbesafelyloweredintopositionwiththehandrails
attached?▪ Canthehandrailsbeadequatelysecuredforsafeliftinginto position?▪ Willthehandrailsontheinstalledunitsclashwithanysubsequentfallprotection
requiredathigherlevels?▪ Contractor toarrangeworkso that it is carriedout to theagreedsequence
ofinstallation.▪ Contractortocoordinateothertradestobeinattendanceas required,
i.e.Scaffolder.▪ PositionoffixinganddesignoffixingforhandrailstobeagreedwiththePrecast
Designer.▪ Contractortoensurethat,afterfillingofanyholes,theconcretefinishhasbeen
agreedwiththeappropriateBuildingDesigner/Specifier.
4.9 The Health and Safety File
▪ ThePrecastCompanywillprovide‘asinstalled’drawingsatcompletionoftheinstallation,showinganychangesfromtheoriginalfloorlayout.Thereafter,theContractorwillberesponsibleforrecordingdeparturesfromtheasinstalled drawings.▪ Theflooringlayoutdrawingswilldetailtheloadsforwhichthefloorshavebeen
designed.▪ CareshouldbeexercisedtoensurethatduringboththeConstructionPhaseand
duringthelifeofthebuilding,thedesignloadsarenotexceededandthatfurtherholesorchasesarenotmadeintheflooringwithoutreferencetotheCompany.▪ Ondemolition,adviceandapprovalshouldbesoughtfromaCompetentPerson,
withaccesstotheHealthandSafety File.
4.10 Other construction methods
ThePFFacknowledgesthattherearemanyotherModernMethodsofConstructionthatarenotconsideredaspartofthisCodeofPractice.Advicerelatingtoanyother formsofconstructionnotcoveredcanbeobtainedfromthePFFTechnicalCommittee.
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5 CONTRACTOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES 5.1 Attendances
Theflooringsub-contractorwillprovidetheContractorwithacopyofthePFFHealth,SafetyandWelfareAttendances(whichformAppendixAtothisCodeofPractice),attachedtotheCompany’squotation.These,togetherwithanyadditionalspecificrequirementsnecessitatedbythenatureofthesiteorcontractworks,aretobeprovidedbytheContractor.
TheContractormustalsomaintainandupgradetheseattendanceitemstocompensatefordeteriorationthroughusageandweather.
5.2 Management of construction works
TheContractormustfamiliarisethemselveswiththesafetyaspectsofprecastconcreteinstallationworksbyreadingthisCodeofPracticeandtakingnoteofissuesraisedbytheCompanyRepresentativeduringthepre-startsitevisit.
TheContractorisresponsibleforensuringthatguidancewithinthisCodeofPracticeisincorporatedintoworksbyothertradesand,wherenecessary,theguidanceoftheBuildingDesignerandotherspecialistsuppliers/sub-contractorsisincorporatedintotheworks.
5.3 Prevention of damage to precast units
TheContractorisdeemedtoacceptresponsibilityfortheprotectionofprecastunitsfromthetimewhenthephysicalinstallationofthesub-contractworks,oranysectionthereof,hasbeencompleted,unlessotherwiseagreed.
AnygroutingshouldbecarriedoutinaccordancewithSection12.3.2.Atthe timewhentheprecastflooringinstallersleavethesite,thegrouting(whereapplicable)willgenerallybeinan‘uncured’condition.Whilstthegroutisnotalwaysstructural,itisrecommendedthataminimumcuringperiodof72hoursshouldbeallowed.Duringthistimethefloormayrequireweatherprotection,theprovisionofsuchprotectionbeingtheresponsibilityoftheContractor.
Inmostcases,damagesustainedtoflooringunitsiscausedbyimpactduring theprogressionoffollowingtrades.Otherdamagethatfrequentlyoccursiscausedbycuttinganddrillingtheprecastconcreteunits;thismustnothappenwithoutfirstconsultingtheCompany.
5.4 Handrailing to precast stair units
TheContractorisresponsiblefortheupkeep,adaptationandfinalremovalofthehandrailingtoensurethatprotectionismaintainedforallsubsequentoperations.
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6 COMPANY REPRESENTATIVE’S ROLE
Priortoanyinstallationwork,theCompanyRepresentativewillvisitthesitetoidentifyanysite-specifichazardsandestablishasafesystemofworkinagreementwiththeContractor.
6.1 Agreed sequence of installation
TheCompanyRepresentativewillliaisewiththeContractoratthesitetoagreethesequenceinwhichprecastflooringunitsaretobeinstalledwithreferencetobuildingplotnumbers,floorlevels,buildingtypes,gridreferences,etc.Shoulditbenecessaryfortheinstallationsequencetobevaried,forwhateverreason,thisshouldbeimplementedonlyafterreferencetotheCompany,ContractorandBuildingDesigner,andafterallsafetyrequirementshavebeensatisfied.Ifdeemednecessary,theSafeWorkingMethodStatementshouldbeamendedbyanaddendumtocovertherevisionagreed.
6.2 Method of lifting
TheCompanywillprovidetheAppointedPersonforliftingoperations. Unlessotherwiseagreed,theywillbechosenaccordingtotraining,knowledge andexperience.Ifnecessary,inliaisonwithcranehirerepresentatives,theCompanyRepresentativewilldecideuponthetypeofliftingplantandequipmentto beemployedintheinstallationofeachspecificcontract,takingintoaccounttheweightofcomponentstobelifted,theradiusoflifting,andanyspecialhandlingrequirements.
TheContractorandtheAppointedPersonwilldiscussandadviseuponthetype andsizeofdeliverylorriesandcraneage,inorderthattheContractorwillmakeprovisionforadequateaccessandhardstandings,orotherfacilitiesthatmayberequiredtoaccommodatedeliveryandliftingequipment.
TheAppointedPersonmustalsobringtotheattentionoftheContractoranyfactorslikelytohindertheliftingoperations,e.g.aerialobstructions,proximityhazards,stackedmaterialsorearthworks,inorderthatasafesystemofworkand/orcontrolmeasurescanbeagreed.
Afterreachingadecisionupontheliftingarrangements,theAppointedPersonshouldprovidearecord,includingtheagreedhardstandingpositions,ground bearingpressurerequirements,roadways,agreedoffloadingpositionsandanystorageareas.AduplicateshouldbehandedtotheForemanbeforeworkiscommenced.
IfatanytimesubsequenttotheCompany’sinitialchoice,thedesignisaltered socausingcomponentweightstovaryfromthoseoriginallyenvisaged,thePrecastDesignermustinformtheAppointedPersonwhomustensurethatthecraneorliftingequipmentisstill adequate.
Duringtheroutinepre-contractvisit,theAppointedPersonmustensurethatthesiteconstraintsobservedoranticipatedatthetimewhenthecraneorliftingequipmentwasselected,havenotchangedandwillnotchange.Ifchangehasoccurred,orcanbeanticipated,theAppointedPersonmustagainensurethatthecraneorliftingequipmentisadequate.TheContractorandBuildingDesignermustbenotifiedofany changes.
ItistheContractor’sresponsibilitytoensuretheprovisionandmaintenanceofsuitablegroundbearingconditionsfortheplannedliftingoperations.
Inanyinstancewherethecraneorliftingequipmentischangedfromtheoriginal,theAppointedPersonmustbeadvised,andtheContractor’sSiteRepresentativeinformed,ofsuchchange,inorderthataccess,standingareas,orothermeasuresareamendedasdeemednecessary.AnAppointedPersonwillamendtheliftplanaccordingly andsubmittotheContractor.
IftheContractorprovidesthecraneage(i.e.towercrane)andliftplanning,hemustalsoprovideanAppointedPersonfortheliftingoperations.ThecompanyRepresentative
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mustprovidetheContractorwithallrelevantinformation,e.g.componentweights,andagreeoffloadingpositions.
6.3 Site access
TheCompanymustagreewiththeContractortheaccessfromthepublichighwayontosite,includingthepossibleneedfortemporaryorlong-termremovalofanyfences,wallsorotherobstructions.SeealsoAppendixA,sections1.5and1.6.Thecondition oftheagreedaccessroadsmustatalltimesbemaintainedorimprovedbytheContractortoanacceptablestandard.
Whilstmakingthesearrangements,thelocationsof,andaccessto,stackingareas,stores,temporarybuildingsandlorry/trailerholdingareasmustbeagreed.
Arrangementsshouldbemadetoensureanydeliveryvehiclesandcraneagecanbemarshalledfromthepublichighwayontothesitesafely.Anypersonstaskedwithmarshallingvehiclesontoandoffthesitemusthavereceivedsuitabletrainingandinstructiononhowtoundertaketherolesafely.
Onagreementoftheprovisions,awrittenrecordmustbeissuedtotheContractor.TheagreedaccessandotherarrangementsmustthenbeincorporatedintotheWorkMethodStatement,inorderthatallpartieswillhavetheinformationreadilyavailableandtoavoidmisunderstandingsorconfusionwhenthefloorinstallationcommences.
Accessintothebuilding(s)asconstructionprogressesmustbeagreedtogetherwithprotectiononandaroundtheflooringinaccordancewiththerequirementsofthePFFStandardHealth,SafetyandWelfareAttendances(AppendixA),issuedattenderstage.Particularattentionshouldbepaidtobarriers,guardrails/handrails,toe-boards,access,lightingandsimilarprecautions.ThePrecastCompanymustmonitortheprovisionoftheseAttendancesduringtheperiodofthesiteworks.
6.4 Attendances liaison
The Contractor should be aware of the Precast Company’s general requirementswithregard to Attendances, having received the PFF Health, Safety andWelfareAttendancesasspecifiedinAppendixAtothisCodeof Practice.
TheCompanyRepresentativeshoulddiscussthegeneralrequirementswiththeContractorinordertoagreemorespecificAttendancesthatreflectthenatureofthesiteandthecontractworks.
AllagreementsreachedbetweentheCompanyRepresentativeandtheContractor’sSiteRepresentativemustbeconfirmedeitherinwritingorbyinclusiononamarked-uprecord,copiesbeingheldbybothpartiestothe agreement.
Prior to the precast component installation, the Contractor should ensure the suitabilityof bearings provided for the flooring, in accordancewith the construction drawings andthisCodeofPractice.
6.5 Supervision of installation
AnAppointedPersonorhisdelegatedCraneSupervisor(inthecaseofabasicorstandardliftingoperation)shouldattendsiteonthefirstdayofinstallationandpriortoanyworkbeingstarted,tocarryoutliftplanbriefingtotheForemanandinstallationteam,payingparticularattentiontoanyspecialproblemsorconditionsrelativetotheSafeWorkingMethodStatement.
WhilstonsitetheCompanyRepresentativeshouldsatisfyhimselfthattheContractor’sAttendanceitemshavebeensatisfactorilyprovidedandensurethattheForemanisfullyawareoftheContractor’sandSub-contractor’sobligations.
OncontractsofacomplexnatureaCompanyRepresentativeshouldspendagreaterlengthoftimewiththeinstallationteam.Incertaincases,theCompanyRepresentativeshouldoverseethecompleteinstallation.
OnlywheretheAppointedPersonhasdeterminedthatthegeneralliftingoperationsarebasicorstandard,theAppointedPerson’sdutiescanbedelegated.ThepersontowhomthosedutiesaredelegatedwillthenassumethedutiesofCraneSupervisor.
ItisessentialfortheCompanyRepresentativetocallonsiteatintermediatepointsthroughoutthecontract,toensurethatinstallationisproceedinginasafeandpropermannerandthatallAttendancescontinuetobeprovided.
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7 FOREMAN’S ROLE 7 7.1 Working to sequence
Priortothearrivaloftheinstallationteam,asequenceforon-siteinstallationmusthavebeenagreed,intheformofaSafeWorkingMethodStatement,withrecordskeptonsiteandacopyhandedtothe Foreman.
It is the responsibility of the Foreman to ensure adherence to the agreed sequence. Incircumstances where a deviation from the sequence is unavoidable, the Foreman must seekadviceandapprovalbeforealteringthesequence,eitherbyreferringbacktotheCompany,ortotheCompanyRepresentativeresponsibleforthatc on t r a c t .
7.2 Pre-start checks Beforecommencingtheinstallationofanyprecastunits,theForemanmustsatisfyhimselfthattheAttendancesagreedforthatcontractareavailableandofasatisfactorystandardinaccordancewiththeSafeWorkingMethodStatement.Wherepossiblesuchapre-startcheckshouldbeconductedtogetherwiththeContractor’sSite Representative.
Ifanyitemisfoundtobeinadequateormissing,theForemanmusthighlighttheproblemwiththeContractor’sSiteRepresentativeand,ifnecessary,delaytheinstallationuntilAttendancesaresatisfactory.Insuchcircumstances,theForemanmustfullyacquainthisheadofficewiththesituation.
TheForemanmustensure,byinspectionpriortotheinstallation,thatthebearingsprovidedfortheprecastunits(includingthoseonsteelwork)arevisuallysatisfactory.Thisinspectionshouldalsoincludeavisualassessmentofthesteelframedbuilding toidentifyanyobvioushazardsthatmaybeapparent.Itispreferable,andcontractuallyprudent,thattheForemanshouldbeaccompaniedbytheContractor’sSite Representativeduringtheseinspections.However,itisessentialthattheForemancarriesouttheseinspections,andreacheshisdecisionsbasedonhisinspectionsregardlessofthepresenceortheabsenceoftheContractor’sSiteRepresentative.
TheForemanshouldensureanydeviationfromtheprovisionoffallprotectiondetailedintheSafeWorkingMethod, isreviewed,approvedanddocumentedbytheCompany prior toimplementation.
7.3 Supervision of installation Whereithasbeendeterminedthatthegeneralliftingoperationsarebasicor standard,theForemanmaybedelegatedbytheAppointedPersontoassumethedutiesof CraneSupervisor,providingheissuitablyqualifiedandcompetent.TheForemantowhomthosedutiesaredelegatedwillthenassumethedutiesofCrane Supervisor.
Inallcases,theForemanisresponsiblefortheactualinstallationoftheprecastunits.OncontractswheretheCompanyRepresentativeoverseestheinstallation,theoverallresponsibilityfortheinstallationteamandtheiractionsstillremainswiththeForeman.TheCompanyRepresentativeshouldgiveinstructionstotheForeman only.
Thedelegationofspecifictaskswithintheteamistheresponsibilityofthe Foreman,whomustbesatisfiedthatthepersontowhomthetaskisassignedhastheskills,knowledge,experienceandtrainingtocarryoutthatworksafely.
BeforeplacinganyunitstheForemanmustensurethatthecrane(whereapplicable)isoperatinginasafeandpropermanner,andthattheCraneDriverisfullyawareofthenatureoftheworkandcanidentifyandunderstandtheSlinger/Signaller.
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ConsiderationshouldbegiventoensuringtheSlinger/Signalleriseasilyidentifiablebytheuseofadifferentcolouredvest,safetyhelmetorothereasilyidentifiablemeasureinordertoreducethelikelihoodoftheCraneDrivermistakinghimforanotheroperative.WheretheForemanhasconcernsregardingtheadequacyofthebearingsand/orthestructuralintegrityofthebuilding,hemustseekadviceandinstructionfromtheCompanyRepresentative.Duringthecourseoftheinstallation,theForemanmustchecktheadequacyofthebearings;anyvariationordeterioration,fromwhatevercause,mustbebroughttotheattentionoftheContractor’sSiteRepresentative.Workmustbesuspendedifthebearingsaredeemedunacceptable.
DuringtheinstallationoftheprecastunitstheForemanmustensurethatcorrecthandling andplacing procedures are being adhered to, and that all aspects of theworkarebeingexecuted ina safeandpropermanner, inaccordancewith theSafeWorkingMethodStatementandWorkingDrawings.
TheForemanmustalsocheckthedimensionalaccuracyoftheindividualunitsandtheaccuracyofsettingoutofthefloor,ensuringthatallunitscorrespondwiththeWorkingDrawings.
No variations to thedesignor designdetails andno remedialworks should be carriedoutwithout theprior approval of thePrecastDesigner and theBuildingDesigner.NochangetotheconstructionmethodorsequenceshouldoccurwithoutthepriorapprovalofthePrecastDesigner,theBuildingDesigner,theContractorandtheCompanyRepresentative.
Whentheinstallationoftheflooriscompleteoranysectionofthefloorwhichthatvisitcovers,theForemantogetherwiththeContractor’sSiteRepresentativeshouldphysicallyinspectthework.Shouldanydamagedorimproperlyfixedcomponentsbepresenttheseshouldbereplacedorrepairedassoonasisreasonablypracticable,afterreferencebytheForemantohisCompany.
TheForemanmustalsocoordinateandmonitorother sitepersonnel involvedwith theprecast installationworks, suchas fall protectionOperatives anddeliverydrivers.
7.4 Workmanship
UnitsshouldbefixedstrictlyinaccordancewiththeWorkingDrawings.
No‘unspecified’worksofanytype,includingremedialworks,shouldbecarriedoutwithoutthepriorapprovalofthePrecastDesigner,theBuildingDesigner,theContractorandtheContractor’sRepresentative.Ifapprovedandcarriedout,itmustberecordedbytheCompany.
TheForemanmustensurethattheWorkAreaiskeptcleanandtidy,sofarasthisisreasonablypracticable,andattheendoftheworkingdaytheareashouldbeleftfreeofdebris.Materialsmustbesafelystacked.
Afterthefloorisinstalled,theForemanwilladvisetheContractor’sSiteRepresentativethattheworkiscompletedandrequestaninspectionpriortoleavingsite.Duringthisperiodachecklistwillbecompletedandacopywillbelefton site.
Whereapprovedvariationstothedesignorconstructionmethodhavebeencarriedout,theseshouldberecordedonthecompletionsheetchecklistandsignedbytheContractorsSiteRepresentative.Anyoutstandingworkstobecompletedshouldalsobeidentifiedonthedocumentwithspecificreferencetothepartsofthestructurewheretheworkisrequired,detailsoftheworkrequiredandwhoisresponsibleforundertakingthework.
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8 TRANSPORTATION OF COMPONENTS AND ACCESS TO SITE
8.1 The stacking and making secure of loads
Thefundamentalconcernswhenloadingdeliveryvehiclesmustbetoensureanevenweightdistributionandloadstability.
Whenconsidering the loadingofprecast components, it is important that the loadingarrangements allow themaximum protection against damage or breaking. Cut widthsorslabs thathavedetail, suchasholes,mayneedtobeplacedat thetopof the loadtoavoiddamageduringtransportation.
Componentsmusthavebearersplacedatcorrectpositionsalongtheirlength, inaccordancewiththeCompany’srecommendations.Wherecomponentsarestackedinlayersofmorethanonehigh,thebearerstoeachlayershouldlinethroughvertically,toavoidshearplanes.
Whenloaded,theunitsmustbeproperlyandadequatelysecuredtothevehicle,topreventmovementduringtransit,particularattentionbeingpaidtolooseitems.Measuresmustbetakentopreventindividualconcreteblocksorfragmentsandanglesortimberfallingfromthevehicle.AdditionalinformationcanalsobesoughtfromtheBPDWGwebsite(http://bpdwg.co.uk/BPDWG/Welcome.html).
8.2 Loading sequence
Fromthepointofviewofsafetyduringtheinstallationoperation, it is importantthatcomponentsare loadedso thatunloadingmaybecarriedout in theappropriate sequence.However,thismustneverbeattheexpenseofthesafetransitofthecomplete load andtherefore somedoublehandlingmaybe required at thepoint ofinstallation.
8.3 Site access
Beforeavehiclearrivesonsite,theaccessfromthehighwayontoandaroundthesiteshouldhavebeenagreedbetweentheCompanyRepresentativeandtheContractor,takingintoaccountthesitetrafficmanagementplan.TheForemanshouldhavecheckedaccesssuitabilitywiththeContractor’sSiteRepresentativeuponcommencementofworkonsite.
Anominatedmemberof the installation teamshouldactas SignallerorBanksman tosuperviseandassist in thepositioningof thedeliveryvehiclebothonandoff site.
Notwithstandingtheabove,thefinalacceptanceoftheaccesssuitabilitywillremainwiththevehicledriver,andinthesecircumstancesthedrivermustsatisfyhimselfbeforeenteringthesitethathisvehiclecantravelsafelyontheaccessprovided.
Inallcasesthedrivermustnotremoveanysecuringropes,chains,ortarpaulinsuntilhisvehicle isat rest in theareaagreed forunloading.
Intheeventofatrailerbeinguncoupledandleftonsiteforunloadingpurposes,alldevicestopreventmovementshouldbeinplacee.g.trailerbrakingsystems,wheelchocks.
Considerationshouldbegiventogroundloadingsandsuitabilityofthehardstandingareaiftrailersaretobeleftonsite.
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8.4 Off-loading TheInstallermustensurethatthecorrectliftingequipmentisavailableonsitetooff-loadcomponentsandmustalsovisuallyinspectcast-infittingsandcomponentstoensurethatnodamagehasoccurredintransit.
Componentsmustbeunloadedinsuchamannerthatthestabilityofthedeliveryvehicleisnotadverselyaffected.Ensurethedeliverydriverisinapositionofsafetyduringtheunloadingsequence.Whencomponentsaretakenstraightfromthevehicletotheirfixingposition,caremustbetakentoensurethatanyloosepackingorprotectivematerialshavebeenremovedandthatanyfittingsaresecure.
Inrarecircumstanceswherecomponentsmayhavetobeliftedorpassoverthecabofadeliveryvehicle,theInstallermustensurethatthedriverleavesthecabandremainsinasafeposition,untiladvisedbytheForemanthattheliftingoperationshaveended.TheCompanyRepresentativeshouldensurethatdeliverydriversareequippedwithnecessaryPPE.
Whereproprietarycast-inliftinganchorsareprovidedintheunits,allanchorsmustbeusedstrictlyinaccordancewiththeanchormanufacturer’srecommendationsandCompanyprocedures.Anyspecialistliftingequipment,e.g.grabs,mustbeused strictlyinaccordancewiththemanufacturer’srecommendations.Whereproprietaryliftingsystemsarenotprovided,choke-hitchedchainsorslingsshouldbepositionedbetween150mmand300mminfromtheends,unlessspecificpermissionhasbeenreceivedfromthePrecastcomponentmanufacturer.Liftingchainsorslingsshouldbeofsufficientlengthsothattheincludedangleisnotgreaterthan900(450fromvertical)unlessotherwiseagreedbytheAppointedPerson(Figure8.1).
Insituationswherelimitedheadroomisavailable the Appointed Personmustensurethattheliftisplannedsoastomaintainamaximumof90°attheincludedangle.
Specialconsiderationmaybeneeded forcantileverunitswhereweightdistributionisuneven.Non-standardunitsthatdonothaveevenweightdistributionacrosstheirlengthrequireadditionalsupportwhilstlifting.Theseshouldbeidentifiedby theflooringdesigner.
Figure 8.1 Useofslingswhereproprietaryliftingsystemsarenotprovided
8.5 Inspection of precast concrete flooring and other components prior to offload and/or installation Everyprecastfloor,balconyorstairunitmustbeinspectedbeforeliftingfromthedeliverytransportand/orstockpileonsiteforobvioussignsofdamage,e.g. cracking,damagearoundholes/notches.Whereaunitisdeemedtobedamaged,theForemanmusttelephonetheCompanyforadvice,contactingapersoncompetenttomakethedecision,onwhatactionshouldbetakeninrespectofthedamagedunit.Beforeremovingchains,componentsmustbemeasuredtoensurethatthecorrectbearingcanbeachievedand theCompanycontactedinanycasewhentheForemanisindoubt.AfurthervisualinspectionmustalsotakeplaceaftertheunitshavebeeninstalledandbeforetheareaishandedovertotheContractor.Inadditiontothedefectsconsideredabove,acheckmustalsobemadetoensurethatallunitshaveadequatebearingandthatallareashavebeensufficiently grouted.
Figure 8.2 Liftingpointswithsafetychains
90°maximum
150mm min./300mm max.
9 ON-SITE STORAGE OF COMPONENTS 9.1 Stacking at ground level
The guidelines for stacking components will generally be similar to those containedintheSection8,Transportation of components and access to site.Inadditiontotheprecautions to beobservedwhen stacking, e.g. the positionof bearers, caremust betakentoensurethatthegroundorsurfaceonwhichthecomponentsaretobestackedissuitable.
Thegroundmustbefirmandlevel,andwhereverpossiblestackingofcomponentsshouldbeonfirmhard-coreoroversiteconcrete.
Theheighttowhichcomponentscanbesafelystackedonsitewillbegreatlyinfluencedbytheconditionofthegroundonwhichtheybear.Anotherprimeconsiderationshouldbetheheighttowhichamancanreachtopassliftingchainsorslingsaround thecomponents.
Figure 9.1 Correctstackingmethod
Similarlengthbeamsshouldbestackedtogether.Theneedtoclimbonto stackedcomponentstosecurechainsorothermeansofliftingmustbeavoided.
Forstackingplannedinadvance,theCompany’sRepresentativemustspecify thetypeandlocationofstackingareastotheContractor,atthetimewhensiteaccessisagreed.However,whenunplannedstackingarises,theForemanshouldliaisewiththeContractor’sSiteRepresentativetofindthemostsuitablestackingarea,ortoagreeotherarrangements.
Iftheunitsaretobeleftstackedforanylengthoftime,considerationshouldbegiventothepracticalitiesandsequenceoftheirsubsequentfixing.Toavoid additionalhandlingortransporthazards,unitsshouldbestackedasnearaspossibletotheirfinalfixedpositions.Ininstanceswheredoubtexistsconcerninganyaspectofsitestacking,theForemanorCompany’sRepresentativemustreferbacktotheCompanybeforeallowingunitstobestacked.
9.2 Temporary storage on installed flooring
Unfixedcomponentsshouldbestackedatgroundlevelbut,inexceptionalcircumstancesonsiteswithlimitedspace,orwherethetypeofconstructiondoesnotallowstackingatgroundlevel,componentsmayhavetobetemporarilystoredontopoftheincompletefloororpreviouslyfixedcomponents.
Wherethisisplanned,thePrecastDesignerandBuildingDesignermusttakedueconsiderationoftheresultingimposedloads,andthestabilityofthestructure,
Correctpositionofbearers300mm from end
Bearersshouldlinethroughvertically
Largerbeareratbase
Maximum heighttochestheight
Groundconditionwillinfluencenumberofcomponents
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especiallylintelsoveropenings.ThisactionwillbethesubjectofaDesignRiskAssessmentandSafeWorkingMethodStatementpriortothecommencementonsitebythe Company.
Whenunplannedstorageoccurs,theForemanwillliaisewiththeContractor’sSiteRepresentative,theBuildingDesignerandthePrecastDesignertoagreeanacceptablemethod.
Inmostcircumstancesthefollowingmeasuresshouldbeconsideredtoensureminimumrisk:▪ Allloadsshouldbeloweredgentlyontothefloor,avoidingsuddenimpact, which
maycausedamage.▪ Whencomponentsarebeingstacked,bearersshouldrunat90°tothespanofthe
flooronwhichtheybear.Whereverpossible,bearersshouldbeplacedabovethewallorbearingsupportingtheprecast flooring.▪ Whereanumberofcomponentsare tobestored, refer to theEngineer forspecific
instructions.▪ TheForemanshouldliaisewiththeContractor’sSiteRepresentativetoensurethatno
furtherloadsareplacedonfloorsalreadycarryingotherstackedcomponents,e.g.bricks,blocks,otherbuildingmaterialsor plant.▪ Toavoiddamage,cutwidthorcomponentsthathavedetailsuchasholesshould be
placedatthetopofstackedcomponentsor separately.▪ Whereinfillblocksarenotloadedonpalletstheyshouldbestackedon sheet
plywoodorsimilarmaterialtopreventthefractureoffixedinfillblocks.Also,infillblocksshouldnotbestackedatmid-spanbutshouldbeplacedabovethe bearingwalls,orsimilar,toensuregoodload distribution.▪ Unitsmustnotbestackedonpartiallyconstructedsteelframesorstructuresorin
areasthatallowfordisplacementthroughaccidentalcontactwiththeunits.
10 SAFE USE OF CRANES, FORK LIFTS AND OTHER LIFTING EQUIPMENT
10.1 Introduction
TheLiftingOperationsandLiftingEquipmentRegulations(LOLER)requirethat liftingequipmentprovidedforuseatworkis:▪ Strong,stableandmarkedwithsafeworking loads.▪ Correctlyused.▪ Usedsafely.▪ Subjecttoon-goingreview.
TheRegulationsalsorequirethatliftingoperationsare:▪ Planned,supervisedandcarriedoutsafelybypeoplewhoare competent.▪ Controlled,i.e.alldocumentsarecheckedandin order.
TheLiftingOperationsandLiftingEquipmentRegulations1998ApprovedCodeofPractice(ACoP)refertoBS7121Code of Practice for the safe use of cranes:Part1General andPart3Mobile cranes asthestandardthatshouldbeadopted.Itisintheinterestsofallpartiesinvolvedinliftingoperationsthattheyarecarriedoutefficientlyandsafely.TheACoPensuresthateveryoneinvolvedinaliftingoperationisawareoftheirresponsibilities.ThisPrecastFlooringFederationCodeofPracticecoversalltheworkinvolvedinhandlingandpositioningconcreteproducts.
10.2 Management of the lifting operation
Duringpreliminarysitevisit(s)asafesystemofworkmustbeestablishedbytheAppointedPerson,andrecordedintheformofaSafeWorkingMethodStatement.Thismustbefollowedforeveryliftingoperationoragroupofrepetitiveoperations.Thisprincipleappliestoallliftingoperations.
Liftingequipmentmustbepositionedor installed in suchawayas to reduce, toas lowa levelas is reasonablypracticable, theriskof theequipmentor loadstrikingapersonand the riskof the loaddrifting, falling freelyorbeing releasedunintentionally.
Thesafesystemofworkforcraneoperationsmustincludethefollowing:▪ Planningoftheoperationincludingriskassessmentsmustbecarriedoutbya
CompetentPerson.Thisshouldincludeensuringthattheliftingoperationisadequatelysupervisedandcarriedoutinasafemanner.▪ Selection,provisionanduseofsuitablecrane(s)and equipment.▪ Groundconditionsmustbeexamined,includingaccess,workingandadjacent areas.▪ Particularattentionmustbepaidto:
• Trenches,cellarsandbasements.• Undergroundservices.• Ramps,slopes,edgesanduneven ground.• Waterattenuationtanks
▪ Positioningoftheliftingequipmenttoensurethesafetyofthoseworkingwiththeequipmentandthosewhomaybeaffectedbyitsoperation.Thisincludeseliminatingtrappingpointsorpreventingaccesstothemby persons.▪ Verifyingthatcrane(s)andancillaryequipmentareproperlyinspectedand
certificated.▪ ProvisionofproperlytrainedandCompetentPersonnelwiththenecessaryauthority
whohavebeenmadeawareoftheirrelevantresponsibilitiesundertheHealthandSafetyatWorkAct.BS7121definesrolesand responsibilities.
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▪ Effectivecommunicationsbetweenallrelevantparties.▪ Preventingunauthoriseduseormovementofthecrane.▪ Thesafetyofpersonsnotinvolvedintheliftingoperation,includingeliminatingthe
needtolifttheloadover people.
Theliftingoperationmustbetakentoincludeanynecessarypreparation,aswellasinstallationanddismantlingofthecrane(s).
TheSafeWorkingMethodStatementmustbeeffectivelycommunicatedtoallpartiesconcerned.
10.3 Control of the lifting operation
Toensuretheimplementationofthesafesystemofwork,onepersonmustbeappointedtohaveoverallcontrolandresponsibilityoftheliftingoperationandtoactonbehalfoftheCompany.
TheappointmentofthispersondoesnotremoveanylegalresponsibilityfromtheEmployingOrganisationbutenablesthemtousehisexpertisetobetterfulfiltheirresponsibilities.Thepersonappointedmayhaveotherdutiesandneednotbeanemployeeofthe Company.
TheAppointedPersonmusthaveadequateskills,knowledge,experienceandtrainingtoenable thesedutiestobecarriedoutcompetently.
ThedutiesofAppointedPersonsforcraneoperationscanvaryinaccordancewiththecomplexityoftheoperation.Thedutiesfora‘basiclift’areconsiderablyfewerandlessdemandingthanforaliftatahazardouslocation.Hence,anAppointedPersonemployedfora‘basiclift’maynotbesuitablytrainedorexperiencedforamorecomplicatedoperation.Therefore,‘complexlifts’shouldbeplannedandsupervisedbyasuitablycompetentAppointedPersoninconsultationwiththecranehirecompanyandtheContractor.Thetypesofliftaredefinedbelow.▪ Basic lift
Liftingoperationwheretheweightoftheload(s)canbesimplyestablished,andtherearenosignificanthazardswithintheareaoftheoperationorontheaccessroutetotheworkingarea.▪ Standard lift
Liftingoperationwheretherearesignificanthazards,eitherwithintheworkingareaofthecraneorontheaccessroutetotheworkingarea.▪ Complex lift
Liftingoperationwhichincludescranesusedforliftingcomplexloads,theliftingofpersons,liftingtheloadwithtwoormorecranesorwhentheliftingoperationisatalocationwithexceptionalhazards.Note: Anexampleofalocationwithexceptionalhazardsisachemicalplant.
WheretheAppointedPersonhasdeterminedthattheGeneralLiftingOperationsarebasicorstandard,theduties,butnottheresponsibilityfortheliftingoperation,canbedelegatedtoaCompetentPersonwhowillthenassumethedutiesoftheCraneSupervisor.
TheCraneSupervisor,havingbeendelegatedasbeingincontrol,willhavetheauthoritytostoptheliftingoperationifitisconsideredtobeunsafetocontinueandrefertotheAppointedPerson.
WheretheContractorprovidesthecraneandtheservicesofanAppointedPerson,theymustprovidedetailsoftheliftingequipmentthatwillbeused,includingconfiguration,dutycharts,locationrelativetoinstallationarea,etc.TheCompanyRepresentativewillprovidedetailstotheContractor’sAppointedPersonoftheweightoftheproductstobeinstalledandagreeanoff-loadingposition.TheAppointedPersonandCraneSupervisormustbeidentifiedintheMethodStatement.Priortocommencementoftheworks,theContractor’sSiteRepresentativemustdemonstratetotheInstallerthattheliftingoperationhasbeenadequatelyplanned.
10.4 Crane hire or contract lift 10.4.1 General
Giventhewidevarietyofcontractualarrangementsusedintheconstructionindustry,itisimportanttoensurethattheplanning,organisation,controlandmanagementofliftingoperationsisnotcompromised.Ingeneral,anyorganisationrequiringaloadtobemovedbycrane,whichdoesnothaveitsowncraneage,hastwobasicoptions:hiringacrane(HiredCrane)oremployingacontractortocarryouttheliftingoperation(ContractLift).ThedifferencebetweenthetwooptionsissummarisedinFigure10.1
Figure 10.1 Organisationofhired/contractedliftingoperations
Ifanindividualororganisationdoesnothavetheexpertiseinliftingoperationstheyshouldnothirecranesbutshouldoptinsteadforacontractlift.Beforeenteringintoacontract,EmployingOrganisationsshouldsatisfythemselvesthattheContractorhasthenecessarycompetencetocarryoutthework.
Note: Responsibilitiesforinsuranceofthecrane,personnel,theloadandthirdpartiesmayalsoneedtobeclarified.
10.4.2 Employing Organisation’s duties when hiring cranes
WhenacraneishiredouttogetherwithanOperatortotheEmployingOrganisation,thecraneownershouldprovideaCompetentOperatorandacranethatisproperlymaintained,inspectedandtestedinaccordancewithBS7121-2,andhasacurrent
Employing Organisation The organisation requiring the load to be moved
Hired Crane (Hired and managed)
Contracted Lift (Fully contracted)
The Employing Organisation
should:
• Carry out all work in accordance with BS 7121
• Supply the Appointed Person
• Plan the lift and operate a safe system of working
• Ensure that a crane hired is of suitable type and capacity
• Check the credentials of the hire company and certification supplied
The Crane Owner has duty to:
• Provide a crane
that is properly maintained, tested and certified
• Provide a competent driver
The Employing Organisation
should specify:
• That all work is to be undertaken in accordance with BS 7121
• That the Contractor is to supply the Appointed Person
• Information and/or services to be provided to the Contractor by the Employing Organisation
The Contractor is responsible
for:
• Supplying the Appointed Person
• Planning the lift and operation of a safe system of work
• Organisation and control of the lifting operation
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reportofthoroughexamination.TheEmployingorganisationretainstheresponsibilityfornominating theAppointedPersonand for following the recommendationsgivenintheBS7121series.DespiteanyadvicetheCraneOwnermighthaveofferedconcerningtheselectionofaparticularcraneoranyotherrelevantmatter,for exampleclearancesorgroundconditions,theresponsibilityforensuringthatthecraneisofasuitabletype,sizeandcapacityforthetaskbeingundertakenandforplanningthe operationremainswiththeEmployingOrganisation.Thereforeifanindividualor organisationdoesnothaveexpertiseinliftingoperations,theyshouldnothirecranesbutshouldoptforacontract lift.
10.4.3 Contract lifting operations
TheEmployingOrganisationmayenterintoacontractwithacontractor whoundertakesworkontheir behalf.
Thepartiestothecontractshouldensure that:� AllworkiscarriedoutinaccordancewithBS7121series.� ThecontractorappointsacompetentAppointedPersontothesatisfactionof the
EmployingOrganisation.� AllinformationorservicesprovidedbytheEmployingOrganisationtofacilitate
compliancewiththeBS7121seriesarenotifiedtotheContractorinwriting.
ThecontractorshouldcarryoutliftingoperationsinaccordancewiththeBS7121series.TheContractorshouldbegivenfullauthoritybytheEmployingOrganisationtoworkinaccordancewiththeBS7121seriesincluding,whereappropriate,authoritytocontrolandinstructtheEmployingOrganisation’s personnel
Beforeenteringintoacontract,EmployingOrganisationsshouldensurethatthe contractorhasthenecessarycompetencetocarryouttheworkinaccordancewith theBS7121series.
10.5 Planning the lifting operation
10.5.1 General Allliftingoperationsshouldbeplannedtoensurethattheyarecarriedoutsafelyandthatallforeseeableriskshavebeentakenintoaccount.PlanningshouldbecarriedoutbyanAppointedPersonwhohastheappropriateknowledgefortheliftbeingundertaken.Incasesofrepetitiveorroutinebasicliftingoperations,thisplanningmightonlybenecessaryinthefirstinstance,withperiodicreviewstoensurethatnofactorshavechanged.
Planningoftheliftingoperationshouldtakeintoaccount:� Theload,itscharacteristicsandthemethodoflifting.� Theselectionofasuitablecrane(s)appropriatetotheoperationensuringthatadequate
clearancesaremaintainedbetweentheload(s)andthecranestructure.� Theselectionofaccessoriesforlifting/liftingattachments,theirweighttobe takeninto
accountwhenassessingthetotalloadonthecrane(s).� Thepositionofthecrane(s)andoftheloadbefore,duringandaftertheoperation.� Thesiteoftheoperationincludingspaceavailabilityandsuitabilityofthegroundor
foundationsandconsiderationofproximityhazardssuchasothernearbycraneoperations,trees,overheadservicesandstructures.Specialconsiderationmustbegiventoplanningliftingoperationswithinsteelframedbuildingswherethereareobstructionssuchastiebeams,windposts,bracingsandpurlinsetc.whichmayfoulorhinderasuspended load.
� Anynecessaryinstallationanddismantlingofthecrane(s).� Theenvironmentalconditionsthatexistormightoccuratthesiteoftheoperation orthe
effectoftheloadonthecrane.
10.5.2 Risk assessment Aspartoftheplanningprocessariskassessmentshouldbecarriedoutby theAppointedPersontoidentifythehazardsassociatedwiththeproposed liftingoperation.Theassessmentshouldevaluatetherisksinvolvedandthenatureandextentofanymeasuresrequiredtomitigatethoserisks.Theassessmentshouldalsotakeintoconsiderationhazardsidentifiedbytheoverallsiteriskassessments.
Theresultsoftheriskassessmentshouldberecordedinwritingandusedinthepreparationofthemethodstatementforthatsite.
10.5.3 Method Statements
Oncetheriskassessmenthasbeencarriedout,theAppointedPersonshouldensurethatafullMethodStatementisprepared,detailingthesafesystemofworkfortheliftingoperationandincludingtheriskassessment.
Whennecessary,theAppointedPersonshouldconsultwithotherswithspecializedknowledgeandexperience.
TheMethodStatementshouldinclude:▪ Thetaskstobeachieved,togetherwiththeconfigurationofthecraneattheendof
eachday’swork.▪ Detailsofthestepstobetakentoeliminatedangertopersonnelnotinvolvedinthe
liftingoperation,andwherenecessary,preventtheirentryintodangerzones,e.g.byorganizingforroadclosuresifnecessary.▪ Therequirementforpre-usecheckstobe completed.▪ Aclearstatementoftheallocationoftaskstoallpartiesinvolvedinthelifting
operation.
The liftingoperationwillbeunder thecontrolofaCraneSupervisorwhohas theauthoritytostoptheworkiflocalconditionsare unsatisfactory.
TheCraneSupervisorshouldensurethattheteamisinductedatthestartofthejobinthegeneralsiteprecautionsandthespecificfeaturesofthemethodstatement.
Acopyofthemethodstatementandassociatedworkinstructionsshouldbesufficienttoprovidethebasisforabriefingorinductionandshouldbeclearlycommunicatedtoallthoseinvolvedintheliftingoperation.
The Crane Supervisor or Principal Contractor’s representative should normally taketheopportunityduringthesite inductiontoseektheviewsoftheteamaboutanyarrangements forhealthandsafetythatmightberelevanttothem.
Tobeeffective,themethodstatementneedstospecifyclearrolesforeachmemberoftheteam.Arrangementsforeffectivecommunicationamongtheteam(andifnecessarywithadjacentCraneDriversincaseofdanger)shouldbeagreed.
10.6 Selection and duties of personnel
10.6.1 Selection of personnel Safeliftingoperationsdependupontheselectionofsuitablepersonnelwhoarecompetenttocarryouttherequiredduties.RecordsoftrainingandexperienceofpersonssuchastheCraneDriverassistintheselectionofsuitablepersonnel.
Thoseresponsiblefortheselectionofpersonnelshouldensurethatthepersonnelinvolvedintheoperationareefficientlyorganizedinordertoensuregoodteam-workintheworkingsituation.
Workassociatedwithliftingoperationsshouldnotbecarriedoutbypersonnelwhoseefficiencyisimpairedbyalcohol,drugsorotherinfluences.Itisessentialthatallpersonnelintheteamaremadeawareofboththisfactandtheirotherduties.
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Wherepersonnelareundergoingtraining,theyshouldbesupervisedbyappropriatepersonnel.
10.6.2 Duties of personnel
Crane Supervisor TheCraneSupervisorshoulddirectandsupervisetheliftingoperation,ensuringthatthesearecarriedoutinaccordancewiththemethodstatement.TheCraneSupervisorshouldbecompetentandsuitablytrainedandshouldhavesufficientexperiencetocarryoutallrelevantduties.TheCraneSupervisorshouldhavesufficientauthoritytostoptheliftingoperationiftheyconsideritdangeroustoproceed.
Crane Coordinator TheCraneCoordinatorshouldplananddirectthesequenceofoperationsofcranes toensurethattheydonotcollidewithothercranes,loadsandotherequipment.
Crane Driver TheCraneDriver shouldbe responsible for the correct operationof the crane inaccordancewiththemanufacturer’sinstructionsandwithinthesafesystemofwork.
TheCranedrivershouldonlyrespondtoasignalfromtheslingertocarryouttheinitialliftingoftheload,andthenonlytosignalsfromoneslinger/signallerwhoshouldbeeasilyidentifiedduringtheremainderoftheliftingoperation.
Inanemergency,acommonlyrecognizedstopsignalmaybegivenbyanypersonobservingasituationleadingtodangerandtheCraneDrivershouldrespondto thatsignal.
Slinger TheSlingershouldberesponsibleforattachinganddetachingtheloadtoandfrom thecraneloadliftingattachmentandfortheuseofthecorrectaccessoriesforliftingandotherequipmentinaccordancewiththeplanningoftheoperation.
TheSlingershoulddirectinitialmovementofthecrane. IfthereismorethanoneSlinger,onlyoneofthemshouldhavethisresponsibilityatanyonetime,dependingontheirpositionsrelativetothecrane.
WherecontinuityofsignallingisrequiredandthisSlingerisnotvisibletotheCraneDriver,anotherSlingerorsignallermaybenecessarytorelaysignalstotheCraneDriver.Alternatively,otheraudioorvisualmethodsmaybeused.
Whereaudioorvisualmethodsareused,theequipmentoritsmeansofuseshouldbesuchthattheoperatoroftheequipmentisimmediatelyawareoffailureoftheequipment,toenablethemtostopcranemovements.
If,duringtheliftingoperation,responsibilityfordirectingthecraneandloadistobetransferredtoanotherpersontrainedandcompetenttoactasSlinger,thefirstSlingershouldclearlyindicatetotheCraneDriverthatthisresponsibilityisbeingtransferredandtowhom,andheshouldclearlyindicatetothenewpersonthatthistransferistakingplace.
Furthermore,theOperatorandthenewpersonshouldclearlyindicatethattheyacceptthetransferofresponsibility.
Signaller TheSignallershouldberesponsibleforrelayingthesignalfromtheSlingerto theCraneDriver.TheSignallermaybegiventheresponsibilityfordirectingmovementofthecraneandloadinsteadoftheSlinger,providedthatonlyonepersonhas theresponsibilityatanyonetime.
10.6.3 Minimum attributes of personnel Allpersonnelshould:▪ Havethenecessaryskills,knowledgeexperienceandtrainingtoperformthetasks
requiredof them.▪ Beabletopresentarecordoftrainingand assessment.▪ Bephysicallyabletocarryoutthework.
10.7 Selection of cranes
Note: SeetheappropriatepartofBS7121fordetailsof thedifferenttypesofcraneandtheiroperationalcharacteristics.
Cranesareavailable inanumberof formsandthecharacteristicsofthevariousmachines shouldbe considered in relation to the job requirements.Havingdecideduponthetypeofcraneandknowingtheoverall requirements involved,acranethatcancarryouttheplannedliftsafelyshouldbe selected.
Pointstobetakenintoaccountwhenmakingtheselectionofthecraneincludethefollowing:▪ Weights,dimensionsandcharacteristicsof loads.▪ Operationalspeeds,radii,heightsofliftsandareasofmovementofthecraneand
itsload.▪ Number,frequencyandtypesoflifting operations.▪ Lengthoftimeforwhichthecraneis required.▪ Site,groundandenvironmentalconditions,orrestrictionsarisingfromtheuseof
existingbuildings.▪ Spaceavailableforcraneaccess,installation,travelling,operationand dismantling.▪ Anyspecialoperationalrequirementsorlimitations imposed.
10.8 Safety
10.8.1 General Thepersonororganizationhavingoverallcontroloftheplaceofworkand theemployersofpersonnelinvolvedintheliftingoperationhavetheresponsibilityforsafetyduringliftingoperations.Inorderthatthisresponsibilitycanbeeffectivelydischarged,theAppointedPersonshouldbegiventhenecessaryauthoritytoensurethatadequatesystemstoachievesafetyareinoperation.Safetymattersrelatingtoliftingoperationsincludetheuse,maintenance,repairandrenewalofsafetyequipmentandtheinstructionof,andallocationofresponsibilitiesto,thevariouspersonnelinrelationtotheequipment.
10.8.2 Weather restrictions
Irrespectiveof the typeofequipmentused in liftingoperations, inclementweatherhasaneffectonthesafetyoftheliftingoperations.Theamountofinfluencewillvarywiththecontractandthetypeofequipment used.
Themostcommonproblempresentedbyinclementweatheristhatcausedbywind,whichcanseriouslyincreasethedangersinvolvedinliftingoperations.
Informationonwindspeedrestrictionsrelatedtotowercranesisreadilyavailableand,asmosttowercranesarefittedwithwindspeedindicators,theapplicationoftheserestrictionsshouldbeenforced.
In thecaseofmobilecranes,windspeed indicatorsarenotastatutoryrequirement.If, intheopinionoftheCraneSupervisororCraneDriver,thesafetyofthe liftingoperation is adversely affected by thewind speed, the operationmust be abandoned.Referencecanbemade to theManufacturer’sOperatingManualandDuty
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ChartortotheCraneOwnerforspecificrestrictionswhichallowfor ‘windsail’areaandmakereferencetowindspeed(expressed inmilesperhour,knots,metrespersecond,kilometresperhour,orbyreferencetotheBeaufortscale).
10.8.3 Identification of person directing crane movements
Thepersondirectingcranemovements(SlingerorSignaller)shouldbe easilyidentifiabletotheCraneDriver,forexamplebywearingdifferentcolouredhighvisibilityclothingdifferentcolouredsafetyhelmetorbyusingradiocallsigns.Whenchoosinghighvisibilityclothing,thebackgrounds,typeofillumination,similaritytootheroperativesandotherrelevantfactorsshouldbetakenintoaccounttoensuremistakenidentitydoesnotoccur.
10.8.4 Rated Capacity Indicators and Limiters
AllcraneswithaSafeWorkingLimit(SWL)of1tonneormoremustbefittedwithaRatedCapacityIndicatorandLimiter(RCI/RCL)AllRCI/RCLmustgivethe followingwarnings:▪ WarningofapproachtoSWL.Whentheloadweightonthehookapproaches the
SWLofthecraneatthatradius,awarningofapproachtoSWLwillbedisplayed totheOperator.Thismaytaketheformofavisualoranaudiblewarningwithinthecab.▪ Warningofoverload.Whenthe loadweighton thehookexceeds theSWLof the
crane,avisualandaudiblewarningofoverloadwillbegiven to theCraneDriver.Theaudiblewarningwillalsobesufficiently loudtobeheardbythosepersonsworkinginthevicinityofthecrane.
Mostcranesarefittedwithoneormoreoverridekeyswitches.Theseswitchesareintendedforuseduringriggingandde-riggingofthecrane.TheyshouldnotbeusedtooverridetheRCI/RCLinordertoliftloadsthatexceedtheratedcapacityof thecrane.
ItisimportantthattheCraneDriverensurestheRCI/RCLiscorrectlysetupfortheconfigurationofthecrane.
10.8.5 Documentation – certificates, records and registers
10.8.5.1 Crane Drivers TheAppointedPerson,ortheCraneSupervisorinchargeoftheliftingoperation, isresponsibleforcheckingalldocumentationfortheCraneDriver,andcraneandliftingaccessoriesdocumentationbeforeworkcommences.
10.8.5.2 Operator training qualifications
AllCraneDriversshouldbeabletodemonstratecompetenceinoperating themachineinuse.
Within the requirements of legislation andHealth and Safety guidancenotes, there is arequirement for CraneDrivers to be trained and competent on the cranes that theyareto operate.
TheConstructionPlantCertificationScheme(CPCS)providesforthecertificationofplantOperativesandithasarrangedfortheConstructionIndustryTrainingBoard(CITB)tomanagethisschemeandkeeprecordsofoperatorregistration.
UndertheCPCS,allOperativesregisteredareissuedwithaCPCSRedCard(newentrant)orCPCSBlueCard(experiencedoperative),anexampleofwhichcanbe seeninFigure10.2.
Althoughavoluntaryscheme,mostcranehirecompanieshaveadoptedtheCPCS.OnmostsitesthereisarequirementforallOperativestoholdaCPCScard.However, thedrivershouldalsobeabletodemonstratehiscompetencyonthecraneheisoperating.
TheCraneSupervisorshouldchecktheCraneDriverhasthecorrectCPCS categoryandalsotheexpirydateforthemachineheisoperating(seeFigure10.2).
Figure 10.2 CardissuedbyConstructionPlantCompetenceScheme
10.8.5.3 Documentation LOLERandPUWERrequireCraneOwnerstonominateaCompetentPerson whohasappropriatepracticalandtheoreticalknowledgeandexperienceoftheliftingequipmenttocarryouttheThoroughExamination.Thiswillenablethemtodetectdefectsorweaknessesandtoassesstheirimportanceinrelationtothesafetyandcontinueduseoftheliftingequipment.TheCompetentPersonshouldbesufficientlyindependenttobeabletotakedecisionswithoutfearorfavour.WheretheCompetentPersonisemployedbytheCraneOwner,measuresshouldbeinplacetoensure thatthepersonisnotinvolvedinanymaintenanceactivitywiththecraneorinexamininghisownwork.
Allcranesmustcarrydocumentationthatprovides:▪ ArecordofDailyandWeeklyInspections–Allcranesmustbeinspectedbythe
CraneDriveronadailyandweeklybasisandtheresultsmustbeproperlyrecordedonaninspectionsheet.▪ ArecordofThoroughExaminations–Allcranesmustbethoroughlyexaminedbya
CompetentPersonevery12months(sixmonthsifcraneisforliftingpersons).
Information(PrescribedParticulars)tobecontainedinareportofThoroughExaminationislistedbelow:▪ ThenameandaddressoftheEmployerforwhomtheThoroughExaminationwas
made.▪ TheaddressofthepremisesatwhichtheThoroughExaminationwas made.▪ Particularssufficient to identify theequipment including,whereknown, itsdateof
manufacture.▪ ThedateofthelastThorough Examination.▪ Thesafeworkingloadoftheliftingequipmentor,whereitssafeworkingload
dependsontheconfigurationoftheliftingequipment,itssafeworkingloadforthelastconfigurationinwhichitwasthoroughlyexamined.
TheThoroughExaminationmusttakeplace:▪ Forliftingequipmentforliftingpersonsoranaccessoryforliftingpersonsor
equipment,atleastevery6months.▪ Forliftingaccessories,atleastevery6months.▪ Forcranes,every12monthsorevery6monthsifusedforliftingpersons.
EveryThoroughExaminationofLiftingEquipmentReportshould include:▪ Identificationofanypartfoundtohaveadefectwhichis,orcouldbecome,adanger
topersons,andadescriptionofthedefect.▪ Particularsofanyrepair,renewaloralterationrequiredtoremedyadefectfoundto
beadangerto persons.▪ Inthecaseofadefectwhichisnotyet,butcouldbecome,adangertopersons:
• Thetimewhichitcouldbecomesuchadanger.
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• Particularsofanyrepair,renewaloralterationrequiredtoremedyit.• ThelatestdatebywhichthenextThoroughExaminationmustbecarriedout.
▪ WheretheThoroughExaminationincludedtesting,particularsofanytest:• ThedateoftheThoroughExamination.• Thename,addressandqualificationsofthepersonmakingthereport,if
heisself-employedor,ifemployed,thenameandaddressofhisemployer.
• Thenameandaddressofapersonsigningorauthenticatingthereportonbehalfofitsauthor.
• Thedateofthe report.
TheabovelistisanextractfromRegulation10(1)fromLOLER.
10.8.5.4 Lifting accessory test records Whenpurchased,liftingaccessoriesshouldbesuppliedwithaDeclaration ofConformity(DOC)totheMachineryDirectiveandbeaccompaniedbyaTestCertificate.TheDOCmaybeusedinlieuofaReportofThoroughExaminationforthefirstsixmonthsafterpurchase.
Theremaybetimeswhenmorethanone itemof liftingaccessory isdisplayedontherecord, particularlywhenaccessories arepurchased inbatchorderquantities.
10.8.5.5 Lifting accessory examination records
Thefollowingkeypointsshouldbeidentified:▪ Recordnumberor letter.▪ Descriptionofaccessory.▪ Identificationnumberonitem.▪ Examinationdate.▪ Ownerofaccessory.▪ Conditionofaccessory,e.g.‘Ingoodorderandsafetouse’.▪ Signatureofexaminer.▪ Lastexaminationdate.▪ Latestdateofnextexamination.
Whenexaminationshavebeencarriedoutbyanindependentorganisation,theexaminationreportshouldbemadeonthatorganisation’sheadedrecord.
10.9 Siting of cranes
10.9.1 General Sitingofthecraneshouldtakeaccountofallthefactorsthatcouldaffect itssafeoperation,particularlythefollowing:▪ Thecranestandingandsupport conditions.▪ Thepresenceandproximityofother hazards.▪ Theeffectofwindduringin-serviceandout-of-serviceconditions,theadequacyof
accesstoallowtheplacingorinstallationofthecraneinitsworkingpositionandfordismantlingandremovingthecranefollowingcompletionofliftingoperations.
Note: FurtherdetailsregardingthesitingofmobileandtowercranesaregiveninCIRIApublicationC703whichmayalsoprovideinformationonothertypesofcranes.
10.9.2 Stability of cranes
ThesuitabilityofgroundconditionsistheresponsibilityoftheContractor,whomustensurethatthecranestandingposition(s)ispreparedinaccordancewiththeloadingprovidedbytheAppointed Person.
Thestabilityofmobilecranesreliesonthefollowingfactors:▪ Thatthegroundissuitablycompactedandlevelled.Undergroundservices orconstructionsmaysufferdamageorcollapseduetoacranepassingoverornearby,whichinturnmayleadtothecraneoverturning.Arrangementsmustbemadetoavoidundergroundservicesandconstructions,andbasements.▪ That the outrigger beams on the crane are extended to the required lengthsorpositions inaccordancewith the cranemanufacturer’s specifieddutiesanddimensions.▪ Thattheoutriggerjacksareextendedtoraisethecranewheelsoffthegroundandfreeofweight.▪ Thatadequatesupportmaterialhasbeenpositionedundertheoutriggerjackstopreventthemsinkingintothegroundwhilstlifting loads.▪ Thatthecranecarriesoutliftingstrictlyinaccordancewiththemanufacturer’stablesofSafeWorkingLoads,i.e.DutyCharts.▪ SpecificoutriggerloadingsareavailablefromtheCrane Owner.▪ The Crane Supervisor and Crane Drivermustmonitor ground conditions duringthecourseofinstallation,payingattentiontodeteriorationasaresultofusageandadverseweather.▪ Ifthereisdoubtaboutthegroundcondition,theCraneDrivershould beinstructedtofullyretractthemainboomderricktominimiseradiusandthenslewthecounterweightoverforeachoutriggerinturnfortwominutestosimulateactuallift.Thisshouldgiveanindicationofanypossible problems.
10.9.2.1 Guidance on crane outrigger loadings
Havingdecidedonthelocation,minimumsizeandtypeofcranetobeusedfor theliftingoperation,theoutriggerloadsneedtobeobtained.Mostreputable cranesuppliersshouldbeabletoprovidethisinformation.Thecranesupplierwillneedthefollowinginformationconcerningthecraneconfigurationandintendedloadstobelifted:▪ Cranesizeandtype.▪ Boomextension.▪ Outriggerspread.▪ Lengthandoffsetofanyfly jib.▪ Hookblock.▪ Quantityofcounterweightfittedtothecrane.▪ Maximumradiusthe loadwillbetakentoduringthe lift togetherwiththepick-upandlay-downradii.▪ Slewarcforthelifting operations.
This informationshouldbeprovided to thecranesupplier inawritten format,generallyasadrawingwithtabulardata.Thecranesuppliershould likewiserespond inawrittenformat.Typically the informationprovidedwill includemaximumandminimumpointloadings in tonnes or kN for each individual outrigger.
Ifinformationisnotavailablefromthecranesupplier,itcanbeobtainedfromthecranemanufacturer.Caremustbetaken,however,toensurethatthemanufacturerisprovidedwiththeserialnumber,exactmodelandconfigurationofthecranetobeused.Thisinformationcanalsobeobtainedfromproprietarysoftwarepackages,butagain,extremecaremustbetakentoensurethatthecorrectmake,modelandconfigurationofcranehasbeenselected.
10.9.2.2 Access and hardstanding
Examinationofgroundconditionsshouldbethorough,includingtheconditionofgroundadjacenttotheaccessandtheworkingareaofthecrane.Specialattentionmustbepaidto:
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▪ Trenchesmayrequireadditionalshoringtopreventcollapsewhenacranestandsorpassesnearby.▪ Cellarsandbasementsmustalsobeconsideredtopresentthesameriskastrenches.▪ Inadequatelycompactedfilltotrenchesorexcavationscanleadtotheoverturningofacranepassingoverorstandingonsuch ground.▪ Undergroundservicesorconstructionsmaysufferdamageorcollapseduetoacranepassingoverornearby,whichinturnmayleadtothecraneitselfoverturning.▪ Ramps,slopesorunevengroundcanseriouslyaffectthestabilityofacraneandmust,therefore,beavoided,madesafeorapproachedwithextremecaution.
FollowingthevisitoftheAppointedPerson,theContractormusthaveconsideredanyconditionsonsitewhichcouldhaveadetrimentaleffectuponthesafepassageandworkingofacrane.Ifthereisanydoubtastothesuitabilityofanyaspectofthesite,itmustbebroughttotheattentionoftheContractor’sSiteRepresentativeinorderthatremedialmeasuresmaybeimplemented.TheCraneSupervisorandCraneDrivermustcontinuetomonitorgroundconditionsduringthewholeoperation,payingparticularattentiontodeteriorationasaresultofusageandadverseweather.
Thecranemustoperateonlyfromtheposition(s)formallyagreedbetweentheAppointedPersonandtheContractor’sSiteRepresentativeorsuchotherpositionasmaybeagreedatthetimebytheCraneSupervisorafterconsultationwiththeAppointedPersonandtheContractor’sSiteRepresentative,providedthatthelevelofsafetyisnotreducedasaresultandtheAppointedPersonhasreviewedandapprovedthemethodstatementamendment.
ThecranestandingshouldbeconstructedbytheContractortotakethe outriggerloadingsor,whereaspecifictypeofcranedoesnotutiliseoutriggers,the groundloadingpressureprovidedbytheAppointedPerson.Thecranestandingshouldbeaminimumof8mx8munlessotherwisespecifiedbytheAppointedPerson.Theentirepadshouldbelevelandconstructedtotaketheoutriggerloadingstoallowforthefinalpositioningofthecrane.
Theadequacyofeachcranestandingpositionmustbeconfirmedinwritingby theContractor’sSiteRepresentative,orotherCompetentPersonontheirbehalf,priortothecraneworkinginthatposition.
10.10 Hardstanding preparation
10.10.1 Principal Contractor confirmation of hardstanding bearing capacity Beforeacranearrivesonsite,existinginformationonthenatureofthesoilsshouldhavebeenstudied,anyadditionalsiteinvestigationsrequiredshouldhavebeencarriedoutandwarningsofspecifichazardsshouldhavebeenidentifiedinthePre-ConstructionInformation..ThePrincipalDesignerand/ortemporaryworkscoordinatorshouldbeofassistancetothePrincipalContractors’sitemanagerinensuringadequateprovisionofsuchanassessment.
ThePrincipalContractormustprovideadequateinformationtotheAppointedPersonregardingthehardstandingcapability.InordertoachievethistheyshouldensureanassessmentoftheproposedcranehardstandingisundertakenbyaCompetentPersonandconfirmthebearingcapacityintonnes/m2totheAppointedPerson.Whetherusingultimateormaximumallowable/permissiblebearingcapacitiestheseshouldbestatedwithintheassessment.Commonpracticeintheindustryistouse75%ofgrosscraneweightplus100%ofthegrossload.Thedetailandtimingofinvestigativeworks/assessment(relativetotheliftingoperations)willhelptodeterminethesafetyfactorappliedtothecraneplanningoperations.Careshouldbetakentoensurethatconstructionactivityandgroundwatercontenthavenotunderminedthehardstandingcapabilitysinceinitialassessment.Furtherinvestigationand/oradditionalsafetyfactorsmayneedtobeconsideredbythePrincipalContractor’sCompetentPersonandtheAppointedPerson.Theassessmentmayrequireinputfromageotechnicalengineer.
Uponreceiptoftheresultingassessment,itisrecommendedthatitisaskedwhatfactorofsafetyhasbeenincluded,ifany.Theengineershouldalsobemadeawareoftheintegralsafetyfactorsbuiltintothecraneplanningoutriggerloadcalculations.ThisshouldenabletheAppointedPersontomakeadecisionbasedonappropriatecalculationsandavoidincludingadditionalsafetyfactorsuponconfirmationofthehardstandbearingcapacity.Suchoverlycautiousassessmentscanresultina“requirement”forimpracticallylarge/inefficientoutriggermatareas.
AppointedPersonsandengineersshouldrefertotheCIRIApublicationC703for moreinformation/guidanceonfactorsofsafety.
Note:Groundloadbearingtestresultsforagivenareacanvaryfromdaytoday,asgroundmoisturecontentisamajorfactorindeterminingitsloadbearing characteristics.Itisprudenttoapplyafactorofsafetytoallcalculationswherethereisanypossibilityofgrounddeteriorationaftertestshavebeenundertaken.
10.10.2 Appointed Person – proposals to adequately spread the outrigger load
Followingconfirmationofthehardstandingbearingcapacity,theAppointedPersonwillconfirmtheproposedoutriggermatsizetoensurethegroundbearingcapacityisnotexceededatanytime.
Intheabsenceofhardstandingbearingcapacityinformationatthetimeofinitialcraneplanning,itisacceptablefortheAppointedPersontoproposeinadvanceoutriggerloads(intonnes/m²)tothePrincipalContractor.ThePrincipalContractormustthenensureasuitableassessmenttakesplace.Thisshouldincludeconfirmationthattheproposedtonnes/m²outriggerloadisacceptable,orwhetheradditionalconsiderationisrequiredpriortofinalisingthecraneplanning.IfthecranematsizeoptionsmeanthatthemaximumallowablebearingpressureisstillexceededthePrincipalContractor’sCompetentPersonshouldcontacttheAppointedPersonwithoutdelayto discussadditionalassessment/groundpreparation/loadspread.
10.10.3 Use of outriggers
Inordertoachieve‘fullyrigged,onoutriggerduties’allbeamshavetobefullyextendedandallwheelsoff theground,as shown inFigure10.3.Somecraneshavedutiesfor ‘freeonwheels’and/orshortoutriggerbase.Formore informationrefertomanufacturer’sdutycharts.
Thedifferenceinlevelbetweenanytwooutriggersupportsshouldbelessthan300mmandthegroundbeneatheachpadshouldbelevelledtoavoidanyriskofthe craneslidingoffoutriggersupport pads.
Note: Whenworking,monitortheoutriggersfrequently.Ifthereisanyconcernregardingstabilityoftheoutriggerorsupportpads,workshouldceaseimmediatelytoenablefurtherassessmentofthecranehardstandingarea.
Figure 10.3a Correctuseofoutriggers
Correct • Wheelsoffground• Cranechassislevel• Outriggersfullyextended
• Levelground
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Figure 10.3b Incorrect use of outriggers Notes: (1)Thismaynotbeaproblemifaproprietaryvariableoutriggersystemisbeingused.
10.11 ‘Permit to lift’ system/confirmation to proceed Priortocommencingtheliftingoperations,thePrincipalContractorshouldsignconfirmationthat:� Thecraneisriggedintheanticipatedcranestandpositionasindicatedon theLiftPlan.
� Thecranehardstandinghasbeenpreparedadequatelytowithstandthe loadspecifiedontheLiftPlan.
� Fullconsiderationhasbeengiventoallfactors,includingpotentialgrounddeteriorationduetoweatherorconstructionactivitysinceinitial investigationorassessment.
� ThePrincipalContractorshouldthenconfirmdailythattheseconditionsarestillmetbysigningoffthework.Anyconcernsregardingtheliftoperationshould becommunicatedtotheAppointedPerson,CraneSupervisorandCraneDriver whoallhavetheauthoritytovetothe lift.
10.12 Proximity hazards
10.12.1 General Considerationshouldbegiventothepresenceofproximityhazardssuchasoverheadelectriclinesorcables,nearbystructures,includingearthworksandretainingwalls,othercranes,vehiclesbeingloadedorunloaded,stackedgoodsandpublicaccessareasincludinghighways,railwaysandrivers.Withinsteelframedbuildingsconsiderationmustbegiventowherethereareobstructionssuchastiebeams,windposts,sagrods,bracingsandpurlinsetc.whichmayfoul orhinderasuspended load.
Whereanypartofthecraneoritsloadcannotbekeptclearofsuchhazards theappropriateauthorityshouldbe consulted.
Incorrect • Crane wheels
under load
Incorrect • Left outrigger
not fully extended(1) • Ground uneven
Thedangertoorfromundergroundservicessuchasgasmainsorelectriccablesshouldnotbeoverlooked.Precautionsshouldbetakentoensurethatthecranefoundationisclearofanyundergroundservicesor,wherethisisnotpossible,thattheservicesareadequatelyprotectedagainstdamage.
Atanyplacewhereacraneoritsloadpassesanobstacle,thefollowingapply.▪ Wherepracticable,thecranepathshouldbeclearlydefinedbymarkingtoensurethatitiskeptfreefromobstruction,andaclearanceofnotlessthan600mmshouldbearrangedbetweenanypartofthecraneandanyobstacle.Whereitisnotreasonablypracticabletoachievethisclearance,effectiveprecautionsshouldbetakentopreventaccesstoanytrapping hazards.▪ Wheregoodsareregularlystackednearacrane,boundarylinesforthestackingofgoodsshouldbepermanentlymarkedonthe ground.
10.12.2 Safety near electricity lines
Wheneverpossible,workunderorclosetoelectricitylinesshouldbeavoided. HSEGuidanceNoteGS6shouldbecompliedwith,whichrequiresallworkonornear anelectricalsystemtobecarriedoutsoastopreventdanger,sofarasis reasonablypracticable.AlsorefertorefertotheEnergyNetworksAssociation(ENA)publicationLookOutLookUp!AGuidetotheSafeUseofMechanicalPlantintheVicinityofElectricityOverheadLines.Thisadvisesestablishingexclusionzonesaroundthelineandanyotherequipmentthatmaybefittedtothepoleorpylon.Theminimumextentofthesezonesvariesaccordingtothevoltageoftheline,asfollows:
low-voltageline–1m;11kVand33kVlines–3m;132kVline–6m;275kVand400kVlines–7m;
WherethesafetymarginsinGS6cannotbecompliedwith,othermethodsshouldbetakentopreventdanger.Arrangementsshouldbemadefortheoverheadlinestobeelectricallyisolatedandtested.Ifthisisnotpossible,thencautionshouldbeexercisedwhenworkingnearoverheadlineswhichhavelongspans,astheytendtoswinglaterallyinthewindandaccidentalcontactcouldoccur.
Considerationshouldbegiventotheselectionofamobilecranefittedwith zoningsystemsthatcanbesettorestrictslewangle,hookheightandhookradius.WheresuchacraneisselecteditisimportantthatthesettingandfunctionofthedeviceisverifiedbytheAppointedPersonpriortothecranebeingsetupandthelift commencing.
Warning: Alloverheadlinesandotherelectricalapparatusmustbetreatedasliveunlessdeclared ‘dead’ and ‘safe’ by the lineoperator. If in doubt, seek advice. Cranesorotherplantmustnotbeoperatedwithintheexclusionzonesshownbelowplusthemaximumjib length,asshowninFigures10.4a,10.4band10.4c. Ifthis isnotpossibleseekadviceandclearancefromelectricsupplier/railwaycompanytoverifythesafesystemofwork.
Note: ‘Maximumjiblength’isthelengthfullytelescopedoutortoapointofphysicalrestriction,notsimplytheboomlengthinuse.
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Figure 10.4a Exclusionzones
Figure 10.4b Safetymarginsnearelectricitylines
Figure 10.4c Safestandoffdistances
10.12.3 Cranecontrolinthevicinityofaerodromes/airfields
Ifacraneistobeusedwithin6kmofanaerodrome/airfieldanditsheightexceeds10morthatofsurroundingstructuresortrees,ifhigher,theClientshouldconsulttheaerodrome/airfieldmanagerforpriorpermissiontowork.Restrictionscouldbeplacedontheoverallheightofthecraneandtherecouldbearequirementtofitwarning(obstacle)lightstothetopofthecrane.
10.12.4 CranecontrolinthevicinityofrailwaysIfacraneistobeusedinthevicinityofrailways,wherethereisariskoftheloadorpartofthecraneobstructingthetrackifthecranefailsoroverturns,theappointedpersonshouldensuretheclientconsultstheappropriateregionalNetworkRailAssetProtectionManager.Networkrailwillthenassesstheworkactivitiesbeingundertaken,andadvisewhatcourseofactionshouldbetakentoensureliftingoperationsarecarriedoutassafelyaspossible.
10.13 Typesofcrane
10.13.1 Mobiletelescopiccranes
10.13.1.1 GeneralconsiderationsMobiletelescopiccranesnormallyoperateon‘blockedduties’i.e.supportedonoutriggers.Insuchcircumstances,alloutriggersmustbeused,andtheymustbeintheirextendedpositionandlocked,asrecommendedbythecranemanufacturer’soperatinginstructionanddutycharts.Suitablematsmustbeusedundertheoutriggerstospreadtheloadfromthecrane,andtogiveproperfirmsupportonalltypesofsurface.Itshouldbenotedthat,unlesstheAppointedPersonconfirmsotherwise,standardoutriggermatswillbeprovidedwiththecrane.RefertoSection10.9.2.1,Guidanceoncraneoutriggerloadings,forfurtherinformation.Itmaybenecessarytoprovideasandbedtoensureevendistributionoftheimposedloadingbeneatheachoutriggermat.Thecranemustbelevel,bothlengthwiseandacrossthechassis,andwheelsliftedenoughtobefreefromthegroundbeforeanyliftingisattempted.TheCraneDrivermustcheckthelevelasoftenasisreasonablypracticableduringtheliftingoperations.TheSlinger/SignallerisresponsibleforattachingtheloadtothecranehookandusingthecorrectliftingaccessoriesandequipmentinaccordancewiththeWorkMethodStatement.Whereaudioorvisualmethodsofcommunicationareused,theequipmentoritsmeansofusemustbesuchthattheCraneDriverwillimmediatelybeawareoftheinstructions.Ensureradiosareadequatelychargedandmaintainedpriortooperation.Whenusingradioasameansofcommunication,theSlinger/SignallermustcontinuouslygiverepeatedinstructiontotheCraneDriver,e.g.“Hoist,Hoist,Hoist”,“Stop”,“Derrickin,Derrickin”,“Stop”,etc.IftheCraneDriverdoesnotreceivecontinuousinstructionfromtheSlinger/Signaller,heshouldstoptheoperation.Thisisasafetymeasurethatcompensatesforanyfailureoftheradioequipment.
10.13.1.2 Mobiletelescopiccranes–‘freeonwheelsduties’Insomeconditions,mobiletelescopiccranesmayoperateon‘freeonwheelsduties’andmayneedtotravelwithasuspendedload.When‘freeonwheelsduties’involvingmobiletelescopiccranesareunavoidable,specialistcranesmustbeusedandtheadviceandapprovalofthecraneownersought.Whentravellingwithasuspendedload,greatcaremustbetakenandfullliaisonmaintainedbetweenCraneDriver,CompanyRepresentativeorForemanandtheContractor’sSiteRepresentative.Thecranemustoperateonlevelgroundandproceedatacrawlpaceinaccordancewiththemanufacturer’sguidelines.ItshouldbeguidedbyacompetentSignaller,whoshouldwatchforhazards,slopesandunevenground,allofwhichshouldbeavoided.Beforeallowingthecranetotravel,theAppointedPersonorCraneSupervisormustensurethattheCraneDriverandtheSignallerareawareoftheroutetobefollowedandthattheCraneDriverisconfidentthattheoperationcanbesafelyundertaken.HandlinesmaybeattachedtothesuspendedloadwhilstthecraneisslewingandheldbyoneormoretrainedCompetentPersons,topreventswinging.Atnopointshould
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anypersonstandunderasuspendedloadwhileholdingontoorcollectingahand line.Theloadshouldbecarriedasclosetothegroundasisreasonably practicable.
10.13.1.3 Mobile cranes - restricted duties Mostmobilecraneshave360°liftingduties,althoughsomearerestrictedtosideliftingand/orrearliftingduties,asshownInFigure10.5;thismustbeconsideredwhenselectingcranes.
Figure 10.5 Mobilecranewithrestrictedliftingduty
10.13.2 Crawler cranes Crawlercranesofferanalternativetomobiletelescopiccranes.Thesecranesoperatewith360°liftingdutiesandafixedboom,oftenaccompaniedbyaflyjibfor lighterdutieswithextendedreach.Theyalsooperateoncrawlertracks,whichenablethecranetotravelwithaload.Detailedliftingplansandsketchesofroutesshouldbeincorporatedintotheliftplansandsafesystemofworkbeforeacrawlercraneisused.
Whentravellingwithasuspendedload,greatcaremustbetakenandfullliaisonmaintainedbetweenCraneDriver,CraneSupervisorandContractor’sSiteRepresentative.Dynamicforcesandshockloadingsexertedonthesuspended loadmustbetakenintoconsiderationwhenliftingprecastproductswithcast-inliftinginsertsandwhentravellingacrossunevengroundconditions.
Thecranemustoperateonlevelgroundandproceedatacrawlpace.Itshould beguidedbyacompetentSignaller/Banksman,whoshouldwatchforobstructionsatgroundlevelandoverhead.Theyshouldalsowatchforunevengroundorslopes,bothofwhichshouldbeavoided.
Beforeallowingthecranetotravel,theCraneSupervisorshouldensurethattheCraneDriverandSignaller/BanksmanareawareoftheroutetobetakenandthattheCraneDriverisconfidentthattheoperationcanbeundertakensafely.
Thesuspendedloadshouldbecarriedasclosetothegroundaspossibleandhandlinesshouldbeattachedtoitduringtransittopreventexcessiveswinging.Atnopointshouldanypersonstandunderasuspendedloadwhileholdingontoorcollectingahandline.
10.13.3 Tower cranes TheContractorisresponsibleforensuringthatthetowercranehasbeeninstalledandmaintainedbyaCompetentPerson,inaccordancewithBS7121–Part5andthecranemanufacturer’s recommendations.
360°lifting
Sidelifting
Frontarea RearliftingOutriggersfullyextended
Sidelifting
TheContractorisalsoresponsibleforensuringthattheliftingoperationcarriedoutbythetowercraneisproperlyplannedbyaCompetentPersoninaccordancewithBS7121–Part5.Thepersonplanningtheliftingoperationshouldhavesufficientknowledgeandexperienceofsuchoperations.Theplanmustaddressrisksidentifiedduringriskassessmentandmustshowtheresourcesrequired,inadditiontoproceduresandresponsibilities,sothattheliftingoperationcanbecarriedoutsafely.Theplanmustalsoensurethattheliftingequipmentremainssafeforthedifferentliftingoperations/loadconfigurationsforwhichitwillbeused.
TheContractorisresponsibleforensuringthatthetowercraneiscapableofthedutiesrequiredforliftingandinstallingtheprecastconcreteunits.
TheCompanyisresponsibleforensuringthattheContractorisprovidedwiththeweightsandpositionsoftheprecastconcreteunitstoallowtheContractortofulfilhisdutiesandadequatelyplantheliftingoperation.
TheContractormustprovidetheCompanywithdetailsofdedicatedoffloadingpointsfordeliveryvehicles.
Aswithothercranes,towercranesmustbeproperlytestedandcertificated.TheymustbeoperatedbytrainedCertificatedpersons,unlessunderthedirectsupervisionofaCertificatedpersonforthepurposeoftraining.TheonlyotherpersonswhoshouldbeallowedaccesstoatowercranearethosepeopleauthorisedbytheCraneOwner/hirer,inorderthattheycancarryouttheirlegitimatebusiness,e.g.maintenanceworkers,inspectors.Thisshouldonlybedoneonlyafterworkissuspendedandthearea iscordonedoff.
TheContractorshouldgivespecialconsiderationwhentwoormorecranesarebeingoperatedincloseproximity,toavoidjibscomingintocontactwithothercraneequipment,e.g.liftingropes.
10.14 Start of the lifting operation
10.14.1 General Aftercarryingoutthedocumentationcheckandhavingestablishedthatallisinorder,theAppointedPersonorCraneSupervisorcanproceedasfollows:▪ ObtainconfirmationinwritingfromtheContractor’sSiteRepresentative(or
otherCompetentPersonontheirbehalf)thatthehardstandinghasbeenadequatelypreparedtoreceivetheoutriggerloadingspreviouslynotifiedandindicatedontheLiftPlan.
▪ EnsurethatallpersonnelinvolvedarefamiliarwiththeSafeWorkingMethodStatement/SafeSystemofWorkandarefullybriefedontheirrolesandresponsibilities.Discusswithallpersonnelinvolvedtheintendedliftingoperationandweightofloadsbeinglifted,includinginformationontheheaviestloadandmaximumradiusofoperation.Signedacknowledgementofthisbriefingmustbeobtainedfromeachpersoninvolved.
▪ Beforeallowingthecranetoentertheworkarea,theCraneSupervisorandtheCraneDrivermustensure,byjointinspection,thattheaccess,workingandadjacentareasaresafeandsuitable.Particularattentionshouldbepaidtooverheadobstructions,e.g.cables,trees,arches,scaffolding,etc.andundergroundhazardssuchasattenuationtanks,trenches,cellars,basements,rampsandslopes,andtheseshouldbe clearlyidentifiedintheMethodStatement.Trenchesorexcavationsthathaverecentlybeenfilledandnotcompactedsufficientlymustbeavoided.Allproximityhazards mustbeidentifiedandappropriateactiontakenasdetailedintheSafeWorkingMethodStatement.
▪ Supervise the manoeuvring of the crane onto and across site and into therequired set up position as indicated on the lift plan, ensuring that the publicandothersitepersonnelarenotbeingputat risk.
▪ Ensurethat,beforelifting,sitepersonnelhavebeenwarnedoftheliftingoperationandhavevacatedtheworkingradiusofthe crane.
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▪ EnsurethattheCraneDrivercanidentifyandunderstandthosewhoareto
givesignalsandthatallareawareofthecodeofsignalsthataretobeused,seeFigure10.6overleafforrecommendedcranesignals.
▪ EnsurethattheliftingaccessoryisofadequateSafeWorkingLoad(SWL),ofsuitablechainleglengthforslingangleandthatahandlineisavailableforuseif required.
▪ Ensurethatduringliftingandplacingloadsthecraneisliftingwithinsafeworkingload,radiusandcapacity.
▪ Whenliftingfromtransportoffsiteorwiththecranepositionedoffsite,particularattentionmustbegiventosegregationofpedestriansandtrafficmanagement.
▪ Ensurethattheload/liftingequipmentisclearofobstructionsatalltimes.▪ Monitortheliftingoperationcontinuouslytoensurethatitprogressessafely.▪ Bepreparedtostoptheoperation ifpersonnelor thecraneareworking
unsafely,orforanyother reasons.
10.14.2 Safe Working Load Charts – Duty Charts
Eachcranehasan individualManufacturer’sDutyChart,whichclearlyshowstheboomlength,liftingradiusandloadforthecranetowork safely.Thesemust not be exceeded(Figure 10.7).
Thesechartsaresetoutinvaryingwaysbythecranemanufacturers,dependingonthenumberofliftingconfigurationsanddutiesinwhichthecranecanwork.
Duringplanning,careshouldbetakentoe n s u r e thatthereissufficientmargin(factorofsafetyofminimum10%)betweentheratedcapacityofthecraneattheoperationalradiusandtheweightoftheloadtobelifted.
Figure 10.7 Illustrationofthecrane’scapacitybeingexceeded
10.14.3 Slewing clearance warning
Atanyplacewhereacraneoritsloadpassesanobstacle,thefollowingapplies:▪ Wherepracticable,thecranepathshouldbeclearlydefinedbymarkingtoensurethatitiskeptfreefromobstruction,andaclearanceofnotlessthan600mmshouldbearrangedbetweenanypartofthecraneandanyobstacle(Figure10.8).▪ Whereitisnotreasonablypracticabletoachievethisclearance,effectiveprecautionsshouldbetakentopreventaccesstoanytrappinghazards.
Figure 10.8
Illustrationofasituationwheresite personnelcouldbe trappedbetween thecraneandabarrierwhenthecraneslews
600mm
min
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loadsshownontheManufacturers’
authorisedDutyChart.
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10.14.4 Use of on-site equipment
Anyequipmentusedonsitemustbefullycertifiedandusedonlybytrainedandcompetentpersonnel.
InsomeinstancesthenatureoftheinstallationdoesnotallowtheloadandSlinger/SignallertobevisibletotheCraneDrivereveninnormalweatherconditionsandalternativemethodsofsignalrelayhavetobeemployed,e.g.radios.Ensureradiosareadequatelychargedandmaintainedpriortooperation.
Whentheaboveconditionsapplytotheinstallation,thentheSlinger/SignallergivingsignalstotheCraneDrivermusthavetheloadinfullclearviewatalltimes.AnotherSlinger/Signallermayberequiredtoensurethatthereiscontroloftheloadatalltimes.Whereinclementweatherinterfereswiththisview,thentheliftingoperationmustbeabandoned,andtheloadleftinastablecondition.
10.14.5 Restricted headroom Detailedplanningshouldtakeplacebeforeattemptinganycontractwherethereiswithrestrictedcraneheadroom,forexample,withinapre-preparedstructure.Preparatoryinvestigationshouldinclude,butnotbelimitedto,thefollowing:▪ Distancebetweenhookblockandcraneboom head.▪ Overhoistlimitswitch–distancefromheadtohook block.▪ Criticalboomangle– theminimumangle tohorizontalatwhichthecranewill
operate.
Theseall vary,dependingupon thecranecapacityandcranemanufacturer (Figure10.9).
Allowancemustbemadefordeflectionsoftheboombothunderloadandduringmovements.
Figure 10.9 Factorstoconsiderwherethereisrestrictedheadroom
Note: Whenbeingusedovertherecommendedangleof90°,theSWLofchainsmustbemarkedforuseat120°
Thelength,widthanddepthoftheprecastunitswilldictatethelengthofchainsrequired,seeFigure10.10.Patentliftingdevicescanbeused,butthesemayaffecttheheadroom.Theeffectofliftinginclinedprecastunitsshouldalsobeconsidered.
Boom head
Overhoistlimitswitch
Hookblock
Chainmasterlink
H 80° 120° H=Approx0.25×unitlength
10.14.6 Lifting pre-stressed precast flooring units at an angle Unitscanbeliftedatananglewiththesamecapacitychainsasdescribedbelow,providedthechainlegisalwayslessthan45°tothevertical.Liftingunitsatanangledependsupon:▪ Unitintegrity.▪ Gripbychokehitch.▪ Suitabilityofbearingstolandangled units.Guidanceshouldbesoughtfromthemanufacturer.
Figure 10.10 Liftingprestressedflooringunitsatanangle.Diagramisforguidanceonly
10.15 Examples of safe working practice indicated by use of typical trigonometry Shorteningchainsononesideoftheprecastunittobeliftedenablesthechaintomaintainanangleoflessthan45°fromvertical.Thisissometimesnecessarywhenliftingprecastunitsintoareaswhereheadroomiscompromised.
10.15.1 Chain slings UndertheLOLER(LiftingEquipmentandLiftingEquipmentRegulations),s l ings areclassifiedasan‘accessoryforlifting’i.e.workequipmentforattachingloadstomachineryforlifting.Themoregenerictermof‘liftingtackle’encompasseschainslings,webslings,eyebolts,shackles,etc.
UndertheLOLERRegulationsallliftingtackleshould be:▪ MarkedwithitsSWL(SafeWorkingLoad)orWLL(WorkingLoad Limit).▪ ProvidedwithinformationthatindicatesitsSWLforeachconfiguration.▪ Thoroughlyexaminedevery6months.▪ CertifiedeitherwithaDeclarationofConformity,ThoroughExamination
ReportorOriginalTestCertificate.
ChainslingsusedforgeneralliftingpurposesshouldbemanufacturedtocurrentstandardsforGrade8chain.ThisstandardcallsforallslingsmanufacturedforgeneralusetoberatedintheUniformmethodforrangesofanglesfrom0°to45°totheverticalorfrom45°uptoandincluding60°totheverticalasshowninTable10.3opposite.
25° 25°
6.3m
23.7° 32.9°
4.66m 6.3m
0.8m 20°
7m 6.65m
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Table 10.3 Thetrigonometrymethodforratingofslings
β
Nominalsizeofchain(mm)
MaximumSafeWorkingLoadfortwo-legslings(tonnes)
β=0o-44o *ChokeHitchReduceSWLby20%
β=45o-60o *ChokeHitchReduceSWLby20%
8 2.8 2.24 2.0 1.6
10 4.25 3.4 3.15 2.52
13 7.5 6 5.3 4.24
16 11.2 8.96 8.0 6.4
Eachslingshouldalsohaverelevantinformationonanaffixedtag,showing:▪ Numberofchainlegs.▪ Nominalsizeofchaininmm.▪ Liftingcapacityat45°tovertical,angle ß.▪ Liftingcapacityat60°tovertical,angle ß.
ThecapacityofchainsmarkedintheUniformmethodcannotbeincreasedbyreducingtheincludedangle.
ChainslingsratedintheTrigonometricalmethodarenolongermanufacturedforgeneral-purposeusewithinBSEN818–4.
AlthoughchainslingsaremanufacturedtoBSEN818–4andratedintheUniformmethod,existingslingspreviouslyratedintheTrigonometricalmethodcan stillbeused,providedtheyareregularlyinspectedandhavetherelevantcertification.TheTrigonometricalmethodprovidesforavariationintheWLLastheangletotheverticalvariesanditsusewasacommonpracticethroughouttheUKformultipurposeapplications.CaremustbetakenwhenusingslingsratedintheTrigonometricalmethodastheSlingermustbeprovidedwithtablesshowingtheSWLatvariousanglesforeachsizeofchain.Thereisaninherentdangerofoverloadingtheslingiftheangleshavebeenmisjudged.
Precastconcreteunitsareoftenliftedbythe‘chokehitch’methodofslinging.WhenthismethodisusedtheSWLshouldbereducedby20%butreferenceshouldalwaysbemadetotheliftingequipmentmanufacturer’stableofSWL.
Whenusingthe‘chokehitch’methodofslinging,itisalwaysimportanttotakeintoaccountthelength,widthanddepthoftheprecastconcreteunitswhencalculatingthelengthofchainsrequiredtoundertaketheliftingoperation,asthiscouldultimatelyaffecttheslingangleofthechainsandleadtooverloadingofthesling.
10.15.2 Multiple leg slings Multiplelegslingsarecomprisedofmorethanoneleg,whichareconnectedbyintermediatelinkstothemasterlink.
TheyaremarkedwiththeSWLandidentificationserialnumberonthemasterlinkortag.TheSWLshouldbecalculatedbyusingeithertheUniformortheTrigonometricalmethod.
Whenusingmultiplelegslings,itisimportanttoassessthecentreofgravityof acomponentpriortoliftinginordertodetermineaneffectiveslingingarrangement.Ifindoubt,theCraneSupervisormustreferbackfortechnicaladviceandapprovalonthechoiceofliftingslings,asmultiplelegslingsareratedontheassumptionthereisequalloadingineach leg.
Figure 10.11 Examplesofmultipleleg slings
10.16 Other lifting devices
10.16.1 Proprietary lifting devices Whenproprietary liftingdevicesareused, theCraneSupervisormustensure that suchitemsare ingoodconditionandofcorrect sizeorcapacity for the load tobe lifted.Proprietaryliftingdevicesmustbeusedinstrictaccordancewiththemanufacturer’sinstructionsorrecommendations.
TheCraneSupervisormustsatisfyhimselfthatOperativesand/orInstallersinvolvedintheuseofproprietaryliftingdevicesunderstandcorrectproceduresandcanidentifydifferenttypesandsizesofequipment.
TheCraneSupervisormustconductaninspectionofproprietaryliftingdevicesatregularintervals.AnyitemsthatshowsignsofwearorfatiguemustbereturnedtotheCompany.
Cast-inweight-ratedliftingdevicesmustbeusedforprecastconcretecomponentsotherthanflooring,thusensuringthatonlythecorrectcapacitycounterpartdeviceisusedonsite.Forexample,‘CCL’,‘Modform’or‘Frimeda’typedevices,whichonlyallow,say,a2-tonnedevicetobeusedwitha2-tonnecast-infitting,etc.
Informationaboutthecomponent’sweightmustalwaysbeavailableonsitetoenabletheCraneSupervisortoselectthecorrectliftingequipment.Thisinformationmustbeconveyed in the form of a component schedule, on construction drawings, or theweightofthecomponentmaybepainted,orotherwiseindicated,onthecomponentitself.
Considerationmustbegiventofinalplacementofallfloorunits.Whereliftingpointshavebeencastin,allmustbeused.Careshouldbetakentoestablishwhetherliftingpointscastintofloorunitsaredesignedtobeusedforallliftingrequirementsorforfinalplacementonly.Unlessliftingpointsarebeingusedforfinalplacement,safetychainsmustbeused.
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10.16.2 Lifting forks and block handling devices Whenbeamandblockfloorcomponentsaretobeinstalled,someformofliftingforkorblockhandlingdevicemaybeusedtooffloadandmovetheblocks.Block handlingequipmentmustnotbeusedunlessasuitablenetissecuredaroundtheloadinorderthatfallingblocksordebrisarerestrained.Personshandlingtheseliftingdevicesmustbetrainedandcompetentintheiruseandrestrictions.
Thenetsusedmustbeofasuitablemeshandgaugetopreventthefallofmaterial andmustbeinspectedbytheForemanfordamageatthecommencementandcompletionofeachcontract,ormorefrequentlyonlongercontracts.Anynetfoundtobeofsuchpoorconditionthatitsfunctionalabilityisimpaired,mustnotbeused.
Beforeallowingblockstobehoisted,thepersonslingingloadsmustensurethatthepalletorcubeofblocksisstableandproperlypacked.Thisisofparticularimportancewherescissorgrabsorclampsareused.
Themechanicalblockgrabsusedbyinstallersonsiteareoftenlarger/widerthantheequipmentusedtooffloadtheblocksfromdeliveryvehicles.LiaisonbetweenthePrecastCompanyandblocksuppliersmaytherefore,benecessarytoensurepacksofblocksareoffloadedandsuitablyspacedtoallowsiteblockhandlingequipmenttobeinsertedbetweenstackedpacksofblockswithoutriskofstrikingorcollapsingotherstacks.Thisisespeciallyimportantwhereblocksarepre-deliveredtosite.
Aswithotherformsofliftinggear,patentblockhandlingdevicesmustbemarkedwiththeirSWLandidentification.Theyshouldalsobetestedandexaminedinthesamewayasotherformsofliftinggearandshouldbemarkedwiththeirself-weight.
10.16.3 Lifting grabs Liftinggrabsclampontothesideprofileofthefloorunit.Thereforeadditionalvigilanceisrequiredbeforeliftingcommencestoensurethereisnodamagetothisprofile.
Safetychainsmustbeutilisedwhenusingaliftinggrab.Thesemustbefittedtothefloorunitbeforeitisliftedfromthedeliveryvehicleandremovedimmediatelypriortofinalplacement.
Therearetwocriticalfactorswhenselectingaliftinggrab:itslengthinrelationtotheproducttobeliftedanditsliftingcapacity.
TheAppointedPersonmustensurethattheliftingcapacityofthegrabisadequateforthecomponentweightstobelifted.
TheAppointedPersonmustobtainadviceandapprovalfromtheCompanytoestablishthemaximumpermittedcantilever(seeFigure.10.12)andthenselectagrabofthecorrectdimensionstosuittheproductlength.
Holes and notches in the floor unit may affect the allowable cantilever length. TheAppointedPersonmustconsultwith theCompany,toestablish that theproposed liftinggrab or other proprietary lifting devices will be suitable for lifting non-standardcomponents.
Thecontactareabetweentheclampandthesideofthefloorslab iscritical. Ifthecontactarea is reduceddue tonotches in theslabside then the liftingclampmanufacturer’sapprovalmustbeobtainedbeforelifting continues.
Liftinggrabsarenotsuitable for liftingpart-widthfloorunits.
Figure 10.12 Effectiveunitwidthforliftingwithsidegrabs
10.16.4 Forklifts and telescopic handlers Forkliftsortelescopichandlersaresometimesusedtoplacecomponentsinconditionswherereducedheadroomorlimitedaccessmakesotherformsofliftingimpracticable.Liaisonwiththemanufacturer’sdesignermustbesoughtbeforeplanningtouseaforkliftortelescopichandlertotransportprecastconcretefloorcomponents.Theirrecommendationsmaybecriticalinensuringtheunitsdonotbreakduringinstallationduetotheforcesexperiencedduringtransit.
TheForemanshouldensurethatthepersondelegatedtooperatetheequipmentistrained,competentandcertificated,andistheonlypersonallowedtooperatethevehicle.Whenaforkliftortelescopichandleristobeused,theAppointedPersonshouldensurethatadequateaccessandworkingareasareprovided,inthesamewayascraneaccessandstandingareasareagreed.Likewise,accountshouldbetakenoftheterrain,heightrestrictions,noise,workingenvironment,etc.
Should any attachment be used in conjunctionwith a forklift or telescopic handler, theselectionandinstallationoftheattachmentshouldbecarriedoutinconsultationwiththemanufacturerorhireroftheequipmentandtheratedSWLalteredaccordingly.Additionaltrainingmayberequiredfortheoperatorwherespecialattachmentsaretobeused.
Ifitisnecessaryfortheforkliftortelescopichandlertotravelwithunits,therouteacrosssiteshouldbechosenwithcare,avoidingadversegradientsandobstructions.Wherevernecessarytheuseofadditionalhard-coreorsimilarmeasuresshouldbeimplementedtominimisetheunevennessofthesite.Loadsmustbekeptaslowaspossibletothegroundtopreventtheequipmentbecomingunstable.
Atalltimestheoperationofaforkliftortelescopichandlershouldbecarriedoutinfullconformitywiththeinstructionsorrecommendationsofthehirecompanyand/orthemanufacturer,withparticularattentionbeingpaidtotheSWLandweight/heightrestrictions.
Whenhandlingprecastcomponentsontheforksofaforklifttruckortelescopichandler,itwillbenecessarytoensurethattheforksofthevehiclearespacedsuchthattheloadismaintainedinastableconditionandpaddedsothatnodamageiscausedtothecomponentbeing handled.
10.16.5 Excavators
Itisrecommendedthatexcavatorsshouldnotbeusedtoinstallprecastconcreteflooringcomponents.Howeverinveryexceptionalcircumstances,excavatorsaresometimesusedtoplacecomponentsinconditionswheregroundconditionsorlimitedaccessmakesotherformsofliftingimpracticable.Carefulconsiderationshouldbegiventoallaspectsoftheplanningprocesstoensuretheliftingoperationscanbecarriedoutsafely.
Liftingclamp
Cantilever
Effectiveunitwidthisfullwidthminusnotch
Effectiveunitwidth is fullwidthminushole
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11 MOVEMENT OF UNITS BY OTHER MEANS
11.1 Barring
Componentsshouldbepositionedasnearaspossibletotheirfinalpositiontominimisebarring;however,theuseofpinchorcrowbarstomovecomponentsiscommontoalltypesoffloorunitandallcategoriesofcontract.Thebarisusedtomove individualunitsintotheirfinalposition,andtotightenupafloorafterlaying.
Inwhateversituationbarringiscarriedout,therearebasicprecautionsthatmustbeobserved:▪ Theabilityofthestructuretowithstandthistypeofmovementmustbe
consideredatthedesignstage.▪ TheInstallersmustcarryoutavisualassessmenttosatisfythemselvesastothe
robustnessofthebearingsbeforecarryingoutthisoperationandseekprofessionaladviceifunsure.▪ OnlycompetentOperativesshouldcarryoutbarring operations.▪ Onlyauthorisedpersonnelshouldbeallowedwithintheworkingareaand
whilstbarringistakingplace,nopersonshouldbeallowedwithintheexclusionzone(s),assetoutintheSafeWorkingMethod Statement.▪ Ifbarringcannotbeavoidedandthebearingsarenotconsideredrobust
enough,theunitsmustnotbepositioneduntilthebearingisimproved,orsometemporarymeasurestaken,suchasproperlydesignedtemporarysupporttothecomponentsorbracingofthebearings.▪ BarringshouldbecarriedoutbytwoOperatives,movingtheunit
simultaneouslyateachendoftheunit.▪ Thebaritselfmustbeofsoundconstructionandofadequatestrength,and
shouldbelongenoughtoenablethepersonbarringthecomponenttostandupright.▪ Theendofthebarshouldbeshapedsuchthatitcangainmaximumpurchase
ontotheunittobemoved,andtheheelofthebarmustbeabletofullybearontotheunitsorstructurebeingbarredagainst.▪ Whereapossibilityofdamagetoothersurfacesexists,protectivemeasures
shouldbeemployedtopreventspallingor fracture.▪ Componentsshouldnotbemovedbythismethodunlesstherearesufficient
unitsorotherelementsofstructuretoprovideasuitableplatformonwhichtheperson(s)carryingouttheoperationcanstand.Suchaplatformmustbeofsufficientsizetoenabletheperson(s)toproperlybracehimselfandtoensurethat,intheeventofbarslippage,thepersonwillnotfallthroughavoid,oroveranedge.Section 13.4.1ofthisCodeofPracticedealswiththequestionofedgeprotection.Whenmovingcomponentsbythismeans,caremustbetakentoensurethattheunitsarenotdamagedtoanextentthatwillimpairtheirstructural integrity.▪ Componentsmustbepositionedormovedbyasuccessionofsmall
movements.Noattemptshouldbemadetoslideorliftunitsfordistancesthatwould causetheoperativesinvolvedintheoperationtolosetheirbalance,ortoholdexcessiveweightonabar.
11.2 Jacking 11.2.1 Jacking of floor units
Theuseofjackstoraiseprecastfloorunitsisuncommonandshouldbeavoidedwhereverpossible.Ininstanceswheretheremaybeparticularrequirementsto
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usejackingitshouldonlybeimplementedafterafullrisk/designassessmenthasbeenundertaken.
11.2.2 Jacking of stair units Theuseofjackstoraiseprecaststairunitsismorecommon.Thesejackingworksshouldbeshort-term,forthepurposeofadjustingunitheightandlevelandshouldnotbeusedfortemporarysupport.Alljackingoperationsmustbeplanned,designed,supervisedandundertakenonlybypersonswiththenecessaryskills,knowledgetrainingandexperiencetocarryouttheworkactivitiessafely.Inallcasesjacksmustbeusedincompliancewiththeinstructionsandrecommendationsofthemanufacturer.
11.3 Other means of installing or moving components
Where,forpracticalreasons,cranesmaynotbeemployed,othermethodsmaybedevisedandused,subjecttoafulldesignandinstallationriskassessmentinagreementbetweentheContractorandtheCompany.Wheneverpossiblesuchsituationsshouldbedesigned out.
12 ADDITIONAL ON-SITE WORKS
12.1 Temporary structural support Thepracticeofinstallingprecastunitsontotemporarybearingsmustbeavoidedwhereverpossible.Incaseswheresuchmeasuresareunavoidable,therequirementtofixontemporarybearingsmustbenotifiedtotheCompanyatthedesignstageof thecontract,andfixingmustnotprogressuntilwrittenconfirmationhasbeenobtainedbytheContractor’sSiteRepresentativefromacompetenttechnicalauthoritythatthetemporarystructurehasbeensuitablydesigned.
12.2 Propping
Shouldproppingberequiredasbearingenhancementduringtheconstructionphase,thiswillbeindicatedontheconstructiondrawingsand/orSafeWorkingMethodStatement.Whererequired,mid-spanpropping,orback-propping,shouldalso beindicatedonthedrawings/SafeWorkingMethodStatement.Allpropsshouldbedesigned,installed,inspected,adjustedandstruckbyCompetentPersonsemployedbythe Contractor.
12.3 In-situ concrete
Wetconcrete,mouldoilandtimbertreatmentsareskin irritantsandtherequirementsof the COSHH Assessment and the Personal Protective Equipment atWork Regulationsmustbecompliedwith.
In-situconcreteworkmustbeexecutedinaccordancewithWorkingDrawings,RiskAssessmentsandSafeWorkingMethodStatement.
Noin-situworksshouldbecarriedoutwithoutreferencetotheCompanysothatanydesignimplicationscanbeassessedandtheworkrecorded.
In-situconcretecanbesupportedeitheronpermanentshutters,oronformwork.Inthecaseofpermanentshutters,theseshouldbetightfittingtooneanotherandtheirsizeshouldbesuchthatthetotalareaofconcreteissupported.Permanentshutterunitsmustbeexaminedforcrackingorotherdamagebeforeanywetconcreteisplacedonthem.Thesemayneedproppinguntiltheconcreteisadequatelycured.Wherepropsareused,thesemustbedesignedbyaCompetentPersonwithdueregardto numberandposition,andinstalledasdirectedbytheBuilding Designer.
Whentemporaryorpermanentformwork isused,thismustbeofsufficientstrengthto support itsownweight,and thatof theconcrete, togetherwith reinforcementand theweightof anyOperativesorplantengaged in thework. Formworkand steelreinforcementmust be designed, constructed and installed by Competent Personsand should be closely examinedbefore, during and after the placing of concrete, inaccordancewith the requirements of current Standards and Codes.
TheContractormustensurethatadequatescaffoldforsafeaccesstotheworkplaceismadeavailable.
Whenusingamobile concretemixingplant andequipment, caremustbe taken thattheseareoperatedbycompetentpersons,inaccordancewiththemanufacturer’sinstructions.
Beforecommencinganyin-situconcreteplacement,theForemanshouldensurethattheweatherconditionsaresatisfactorysofarascouldbereasonablyforeseen(asshowninFigure12.1).Concretingshouldnotcommenceinconditionslikelytocauseitsfailureordisplacement,unlessadequatemeasuresareimplementedtoprotectit.Inallcaseswhereworkisnotcommenced,ordoubtexistsastothesuitabilityofweatherconditions,theCompany’sRepresentativemustadvisetheCompanyofthesituation.
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Figure 12.1 Guidanceforin-situconcreteworkincoldweather
Whilstin-situconcreteworkisinprogress,theForemanandsitemanagementteamshouldensurethattheareabeneaththeworkbeingcompletediskeptclearofallpersonnelnotengagedinthiswork.
12.3.1 Concrete screeds/toppings/grout
Concretecanbedeliveredtothepointofplacementbyvariousmethods, e.g.▪ Concretepump.▪ Craneandskips.
Specialprecautionsarerequiredforalloperations.
Itshouldbenotedthatanyoperativeworkingaconcretepumpmustholdacertificateofcompetence.
TheuseofcranesiscoveredinSection10ofthisCodeofPractice.Allconcreteskipsusedmustbespecificallydesignedforthepurposeandfullysupportedwithcurrenttestcertificates.Particularcaremustbetakenwhenpassingtheconcreteskipthroughotherelementsofthestructuretoensurethatitdoesnotaccidentallystrikethemorbecomeentangled.
Excessiveheapingoftheconcretemustbeavoided(thisisaparticularissueonT-beamandblockflooring).Careshouldalsobetakentopreventimpactloadingfrom theconcrete,e.g.dischargingaskiporpumpfromaheightofmorethan0.5mmust beavoided.
Loadingoutofthefloormustbeavoideduntilthescreeds,toppingsandgrout havecuredfortypicallynotlessthan72hours,andtheflooringmanufacturerorEngineershouldbeconsulted.
Theproceduresforgroutingaresimilartothoseforin-situconcreteandscreeding.TheWorkMethodStatementanddrawingsmustbereferredtoforthemixspecification,jointdetails,surfacepreparationandinformationaboutresponsibilityforcarryingoutthework.
Formworkmustberemovedonlyaftertheconcretehasachievedsufficientstrength,andthecuringtimeallowedshouldbeasstatedbythePrecastDesigner.
Groutingshouldbecarriedoutassoonaspossibleafterinstallationofunits.Wheregroutingisdelayed,stepsshouldbetakentopreventaccidentaldisplacementofunitsfromtheirbearings.
12.4 Forming holes
Normallyholeswillbeformedincomponentsduringmanufacture.However,additionalholesmaybeformedafteragreementwiththeCompany’sdesigndepartment.Non-percussionequipmentshouldbeusedandparticularcareshouldbetakenwhenformingholespost-installationusingadiamondcore-drill.PrestressingtendonsshouldnotbecutunlessapprovedbytheDesigner.TheForemanandsitemanagementteamshouldensurethattheareabeneaththedrillingoperationiskeptclearofallpersonnelnotengagedinthiswork.
Allin-situworkOK Temp.rising
5°C Temp.falling
Allin-situworkOK
GroutOKBeddingOKReady-mixedOKSite-mixedNOTALLOWED
4°C Noin-situworkallowed
3°C
Noin-situworkallowed 2°C
1°C
12.5 Cutting units on site
Wherecuttingisrequiredonsite,modificationstotheunitmaybemadeafteragreementwiththeCompany’sdesigndepartment.CutsshouldbemadeusingtheappropriateequipmentinaccordancewiththeSafeWorkingMethodStatementandriskassessments.TheForemanandsitemanagementteamshouldensurethatallcuttingoperationsarecarriedoutinasafemannerandtheareaiskeptclearofallpersonnelnotengagedinthiswork.
AnywastematerialsshouldbedisposedofinaccordancewiththeSiteWasteManagementPlan.
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13 ACCESS TO WORKING AREA, WORK AT HEIGHT AND PROTECTION AGAINST FALLS
13.1 Introduction
TheWorkatHeightRegulations2005(asamended),givesemployersthefollowinghierarchyofprecautionstofollowwhenplanningworkatheight:
Figure 13.1 Theworkatheighthierarchyofprecautions
ThefollowingistakenfromHSEDocument:HSG150:Healthandsafetyinconstruction.
Thoseincontrolofworkmust:▪ Avoid workatheightwherethey can.▪ Useworkequipmenttoprevent fallswhereworkatheightcannotbeavoided.▪ Wheretheriskofafallcannotbeeliminated,useworkequipmenttominimisethe
distanceandconsequencesofafallshouldone occur.▪ Alwaysconsidermeasuresthatprotectallthoseatrisk,i.e.collectiveprotection
measures (scaffolds,nets, soft landingsystems)beforemeasures thatonlyprotect theindividual,i.e.personalprotectionmeasures(aharness).▪ Ensureworkiscarriedoutonlywhenweatherconditionsdonotjeopardisethehealth
andsafetyoftheworkers.
13.2 General principles for control measures
Generally the installationofprecastflooringandstairs,etc.will require theOperativestoworkatheight.Thisworkwillrequirecarefulplanningfollowingthehierarchyofcontrolstoreducetherisksofworkingatheight.
Thereisarangeofmeasuresavailabletoprotecttheperimeterofthebuilding/workingareaandtheleadingedge;theseincludeworkingplatforms,handrails,workrestraint,safetynets,airbagsandfallarrestsystems.Alloftheseshouldbeconsideredwithinthehierarchyofmeasures,andtheirselectionwilldependuponthetypeoffloorbeinginstalledandthestructurethefloorisbeinginstalledonto.Thesystemthataffordsthemostreasonablypracticablelevelofprotectionshouldbeemployed.PrecastCompaniesshouldendeavortokeepinformedoftechnicalinnovationsandbestpracticewhenplanningworkatheighttoensurethemosteffectivecontrolmeasuresareconsidered.
13.3 Safe access to the working area
Safemeansofaccesstotheworkingareaalsorequirescarefulplanning,particularlywhereworkprogressesduringinstallation.SafemeansofaccessshouldbeagreedwiththeCompanyRepresentativeandpositionedadjacenttothestartpoint,wherereasonablypracticable.
DutyHoldersmust:
• Avoidworkat
heightwheretheycan;• Useworkequipmentorother
measurestopreventfallswheretheycannotavoidworkingatheight;and
• Wheretheycannoteliminatetheriskofafall,useworkequipmentorothermeasurestominimise
thedistanceandconsequencesofafallshouldoneoccur.
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Typicalmethodsinclude:▪ Independentscaffolds.▪ Suitablyprotectedstairsandramps.▪ Fixedormobilescaffoldtowers.▪ Mobileaccessequipment.▪ Securedladders.
MoredetailedadviceontheselectionanduseofaccessequipmentisgiveninHSEguidancelistedbelow:▪ CISNo10(rev.4)Tower scaffolds.▪ HSEInformationSheetMISC614Preventingfallsfromboom-typemobile elevatingworkplatforms.▪ GeneralInformationSheetNo.6(GEIS6)Theselection,managementanduseofmobileelevatingworkplatforms▪ HSG150Healthandsafetyinconstruction(pages14to37).
13.4 Working at height – control measures
ThehierarchyofprecautionstobeusedhasbeenoutlinedinSections13.1.
Inpractice,theperimeterofthebuildingshouldbeprotectedbytheContractor,bymeansofscaffold/guardrails/workingplatformsthatpreventafall.
Theleadingedgeshouldbeprotectedusingthefollowing hierarchy:
Active work restraint systems
Thissystempreventsafall.However,itlimitsaccesstotheleadingedgeandreliesontheoperativetoactandisthereforeactiveandpersonal.Intheprecastflooringindustryexperiencehasshownthatpassiveandcollectivesystemsarefarmoreeffectiveinpreventinginjuryandarethuspreferred(seeSection13.4.2.3Work restraint systems).
Passive and collective systems
Systemsthatdonotrelyontheinstallertooperatethemandareinplacepriortothefirstunitbeinginstalled.Passiveandcollectivesystemsincludenets,airbags,deckingandmanyothersystems.Theyminimisethedistanceandconsequenceofafallshouldoneoccur.
Active fall arrest systems
SystemsforfallarrestrelyonthePrecastInstallertousethemandare thereforeactiveandpersonal. These systems require thecalculationofthemaximumdropaninstallercouldsuffertoensurethatthearresteddropissufficientlyshorttopreventthefallenpersoncomingintocontactwiththefloor.Rescueofthefallenpersonmustalsobeconsideredwhendesigningsucha system.
Note:AllsystemsmentionedmustcomplywithappropriateschedulesgivenintheWorkatHeightRegulations.
13.4.1 Scaffold and edge protection
Toprovidesafeaccesstobearinglevelandaccessaroundtheedgeoftheinstallationarea,ascaffoldwiththerequiredhandrailsmustbeinpositionpriortounitsbeinginstalled.TheContractorandtheCompanyRepresentativeshouldagreeexactlywhatisnecessaryandwhatwillbeprovidedbytheContractor.TheContractorshouldensurethatallscaffoldsareerectedbyaCompetentPerson,andaresuitableandsafepriortoworkcommencing.TheymustcomplywiththeappropriatescheduleintheWorkatHeightRegulations,i.e.thehandrailshouldhaveaminimumheightof950mm,thegapbetweenrailsistobeamaximumof470mm,andthereistobesuitableprotectionagainstfallingmaterials.
Allscaffoldsneedtobeconstructedsoasnottoadverselyaffecttheinstallationoperationortheoperationofthecrane.ThefollowingrecommendationsaremadeforthedifferentcircumstanceswherescaffoldedgeprotectionsystemscouldbeusedandmustbeinstalledtorecognisedstandardssuchasTheNationalAccess& ScaffoldConfederation(NASC)GuidanceTG20:13
13.4.1.1 Masonry construction
Whereascaffoldisconstructedtoallowaccesstoamasonrybearingthescaffoldshouldbepositionednomorethan900mmbelowthetopofthefloorunitand the platform should be of adequatewidth(nolessthan600mm).
Scaffold standardsmust not extend abovetheupperhandrailtoapositionwheretheywillinterferewiththeoperationo f thecraneortheinstallationoftheprecastflooring.
Note:Thisplatformisalsosuitableforthe installationofflooringbeams.Whenfollowingtradesaretousethescaffold itmayrequirefurthermodification
Figure 13.2 Scaffoldingformasonryconstruction
Accesstotheworkingplatformmustberestrictedorpreventedunlessanadditionalinnerguardrailisinplace(seeFigure13.3)orthepassivefallarrestisdeployed
Note:Theplatformpicturedissuitableforasafeworkingaccesspathforthefullworkingperimeterbeforepassivefallprotectionisinplace.
Figure 13.3 Additionalinnerguardrailfitted
13.4.1.2 Steel frame construction Onsteel framebuildingshandrails arerequiredtotheexternalfaceofthebuilding. They should be installed totheoutsideofthesteelframesoas nottointerferewiththeinstallationoftheflooring.
Additionalguardrailsrailsmayberequiredifthedistancefromthetopofthefloortothetoprailisbelow950mm.
Additionalguardrailsmayberequiredtoensurethatthegapisnogreaterthan470mm.Thelowestguardrailtobesetat470mmfromthetopofthesteel.
Figure 13.4 Positionofhandrailsaroundperimeterof floor
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Scaffoldnomorethan900mmbelowtopofslab
Max.950mm Max.
470
Max.900mm
mm
Min.600mm
Min.950
mm Max.470mm
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Aworkingplatformtotheperimeterofthebuildingisrequiredadjacenttowherethefirstprecastunitistobeinstalled.Asafemeansofaccessmustbeprovidedtotheworkingplatform(seeFigure13.5).
Figure 13.5 Workingplatformadjacenttofirstprecastunit
Workingplatformrequiredadjacenttostartpoint.ScaffoldMUSTbe designedtowithstandstaticanddynamicloading,e.g.doublelanyardandrestraintharnesswork,fixedtospecificallydesignedhandrails.
Unlessitispracticaltoinstallaperimeterworkingplatformtoallbays,uponcompletionofBay1,asingle operativeisrequiredtogainaccesstoGLCtoinstalltheperimeterunittoBay2(andrepeatedonfurtherbays),subjecttoadequatefallprotectionbeinginplace(seeFigure13.6).
Figure 13.6 Provisionofworkingplatformforsteel-framedbuilding
13.4.2 Leading edge control measures
13.4.2.1 Working platforms (e.g. decking, bird cage) Whereprovided,workingplatformsshouldfullycovertheinternalareaunderthefloorinstallation.Severaloptionsareavailabletoachieveaworkingplatform,includingenhancedlightweightdeckingsystemsand scaffolding.
Whenscaffoldsystemsareused,careshouldbetakentoensurethatscaffoldpolesdonotextendabovethelevelofthedeck,wheretheycouldcauseinjurytoafallingpersonorcauseatriphazard.
Whenlightweightdeckingsystemsareused,careshouldbetakentoensurethatthesystemisdesigned/installedasaworkingplatformandthatthesurroundingstructureaffordsadequatelateralrestraintwhererequired.Somesystemsrequireenhancementoverandabovethestandard‘crashdeckonly’assemblyconfiguration.Anyplatformbeneaththeinstallationareashouldbeamaximumof900mmdownfromthetopoftheprecastunitbutshouldalsobeaminimumof200mmdownfromthebearingleveltoallowliftingchainstoberemoved.WorkingplatformsaretobeinstalledbyCompetentPersonsinaccordancewiththerelevantschedulesintheWorkatHeightRegulations.
13.4.2.2 Access platforms, mobile towers and other mobile equipment
Awiderangeofequipmentisavailable.Forworkofshortduration,suchasinspectionandminormaintenance,mobiletowersorMEWPscanprovidesafeaccess,andtherisksassociatedwithscaffoldinstallationcanoftenbeavoided.
GLA GLB GLC
Bay1 Bay2
GLDBay3
Startpoint
Workingplatform Workingplatform installedrequiredadjacent toBay2beforeworkstartstostartpoint
Workingplatform
Whenpower-operatedmobileworkplatformsareusedonsitethesemachinesmustbeoperatedonlybyaCertificatedOperator.Theequipmentchosenshouldbeappropriateforthegroundconditionsonthesite.Thegroundmustbefirmandlevel andsuitableforthistypeofwork.Particularattentionmustbepaidtowindspeedwhenworkingatheight,asthiswillaffectstability.Manufacturers’adviceonthemaximumwindspeedatwhichitcanbesafelyoperatedshouldbefollowed.
Equipmentshouldbemaintainedinasafeconditionandbeoperatedonly byCompetentPersonnel.
MobiletowersmustbeusedonlyonafirmlevelbaseandshouldbeconstructedbycompetentInstallersinstrictaccordancewiththemanufacturer’srecommendationsandHSEGuidance,attentionbeingpaidtohandrails,bracings,out-riggersandtyingtothestructure.Mobiletowersmustbefittedwithlockablewheelsandshouldonlybemovedwhenunoccupied.
Whenusingtowerscaffolds,onlythosetrainedintheirinstallationshouldbegiventhetaskofinstallingthismethodofaccess.TherearetwoapprovedmethodsrecommendedbythePrefabricatedAccessSuppliersandManufacturersAssociation(PASMA),whichhavebeendevelopedinco-operationwithHSE:thesearethe‘throughthetrap’and‘advancedguardrailsystem’.SeeHSECISNo10(revision4).
TheForemanmustvisuallyinspectallsuchequipmentprovidedforuseduringtheinstallationprocess,andanydefectsnotedmustbebroughttotheattentionoftheCompany,orwhereappropriatetheContractor’sSiteRepresentative,sothattheparticularitemcanbereplaced,orrepaired,beforeitisused.
WhenusingmobiletowerstheContractoristoensurethatsurfacesareevenandallvoidsaresecurelycovered.
13.4.2.3 Work restraint systems
Workrestraintcanpreventafallbyrestrictingthemovementofapersontoasafearea.Itshouldnotbepossibletoreachanyunprotectededge,holeorfragilematerialwhenrelyingonthissystem.
Thissystemconsistsofasafetyharness,lanyardandsuitableanchoragepoint.Itisimperativethatasuitablesecuremethodoffasteningthelanyardtoananchorpointisprovided.Practicalmeasurestoachievethisincluderunninglinesandlanyardsattachedtosuitableanchoragepoints,whichmaybeincorporatedintotheprecastunit.
Thelanyardshouldbeafixedlengthorasshortaspossiblewhilstallowingtheoperativetoreachtheplaceofwork.Thispreventsthemfromgettingintoafallposition,astheyarephysicallyunabletogetclosetotheopenedge.
Inchoosingaharness,caremustbetakentoensurethat itwillgivetheuser,as farasis compatiblewith safety,maximumcomfortand freedomofmovement.Properfittingsandadjustmentareessentialtoachievetheseaims.
Whereactiveworkrestraintisbeingconsidered,adequatetrainingmustbeprovidedtoOperativesandInstallersandtheequipmentmustbeinspectedby CompetentPersonsbeforeandafteruse.Supervisionandtrainingareneededtoensurethatthesystemofworkadoptedisunderstoodbyallusersandismaintained.
Although,whencorrectlyused,work restraintequipmentwithaharness, shortlanyardandadequateanchorpointcanpreventafall, it ismoresuitableforlightshort-durationworkand isnotalwayspracticalto implementwhen installingprecastfloorsas the leadingedge(s)constantlymove.Similarly, theanchorpointmayneedmoving repeatedly. A short lanyardwould restrict themovement of theOperativethat is required tofix theunit, as they requireaccess close to the leadingedge. Inthissituationit ismorepracticaltouseacollectiveprotectivesystem(i.e.safetynets,airbags) thatdoesnot restrict themovementof theoperativebutprovidesprotectiontoallthoseatrisk(ratherthananindividualOperative)andminimisesthedistanceandconsequenceofafall,shouldoneoccur.
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13.4.2.4 Passive and collective systems
Lightweight decking systems
Lightweightcrashdecksusually taketheformofplasticplatforms,whicharesuitableforuseinmost internalareas.Thedeckingprovidesasafeguardwhenworkingatheightsandcanallowfull freedomofmovementovertheworkingarea.Mostsystemswillrequirethepresenceofperimeterwallsforlateralstability.Thefloorareaonwhichtheplatformsupportsarepositionedmustbefirmandreasonablylevel.On-siteinstallationof the lightweightdecking isusually carriedout thedaybefore installationof theflooringand removedon completionofworks.
Lightweight crashdecksmust be installedbycompetentpersons tomanufacturers’instructions.
Safety nets
Safetynetscanbeeffectivelyemployedtoreducethedistanceandconsequenceoffalls.Theyofferpassivecollectivemeasuresbyprotectingeveryoneworkingwithintheirboundary,withoutrequiringthoseworkerstoactinordertobeprotected.Theyallowabroadrangeofactivitytocontinuewithminimumrestriction.
Safetynetshavehighenergyabsorptioncapability,andthereforeoffera'softlanding'thatminimisesinjury.Theyshouldalwaysbefittedascloseaspossibletotheundersideoftheworkinglevel.
Thosewhoinstallnetsmustbeawareoftherelevantstandards,betrainedandbecompetenttocarryouttheworksafely.ThiswillrequiretheuseofspecialistInstallersandriggers.TheForemanmustensureahandovercertificatehasbeenprovidedandmustvisuallyinspectthenettingbeforeallowingworktoproceedaboveit.
ShouldanInstallerfallintothenet,significantsaggingcouldresult.Toavoidriskofinjurythewholeareabeneaththenetsmustbekeptclearofmaterialsand/orobstructions.
Theself-weightofthenetandshockloadingtoanchoragepoints,intheeventofafallshouldbe consideredinthedesignandimplementationofthenettingsystem.
SafetyNetsshouldnotbesupportedbyanydrilledanchorfixedintoastructureunlesstheRiggingCompanycanprovideevidencethatthestructure,theanchoringmaterial,andtheanchorarecapableoftakinganappliedloadof6kNat45°.Ref:FasetBulletinNo.14(August2012)DrilledFixings.Wheresafetynetsareriggedsothatthefallislessthan6m,thenetmustextendaminimumof3mbeyondtheleadingedgewhereoperativesareworking.Iftheworkingareaisinclinedbymorethan20degreesthentheremustalwaysbe3mminimumbeyondtheleadingedge.
Airbags
Airbagsystemscomprisebagsofvaryingsizesthatareclippedtogethertoeffectivelyformaprotectionsystem.Theairbagscanbeindividualunitswiththeirownintegralairpumporcanbeconnectedbyasystemofhoses andconnectors,whichinturnareconnectedtoanairpump.Theairpumpisusedtoinflatethebagsandmaintaintherequiredpressure.
Installationofairbagsmustbecarriedoutby trainedandcompetent Installerswithadequateaccessforinstallationandremoval.
Priortopositioningtheemptyairbags,thewholeoftheareamustbecleared.Theairbagsarethenarrangedtocoverthedesiredarea,connectedtogetherandinflated.
TheContractorshouldensureopeningsinexternalwalls,suchasdoorsandwindows,havebeensuitablyprotected,e.g.byscaffoldortimber,topreventOperativesrollingofforfallingthroughthevoid,shouldafalloccur.Careshouldbetakento avoidblockingoutallnaturaldaylightifusingboarding.
Airbaginstallersshouldtakecaretoavoidexertingexcessivelateralpressuretovulnerablewalls.TheContractormustensurethetemporarystabilityofthestructureandenhancethefallprotectionorprovideanalternativemethodlocallywherestabilityproblemsarereasonablyforeseeable.Allwallsshouldbeadequatelycuredbeforeinstallingairbags.Ifthestoreyheightexceeds4mtheairbagsystemshouldbeemployedwithacoversheetabove.Wherethedistancefromtheworkingleveltothefloorbelowisover6.0m,secondarymeasuresshouldbeused(e.g.clampsandharnessesattacheddirectlytothehollowcoreunits)Thereshouldbenooverheadworkinprogressabovetheairbaginstallationareaatanytimewhileairbagmodulesarebeingset-up,moved/adjustedor de-rigged.
Theabsoluteminimumairbagcoverageshouldbe4.8maheadoftheleadingedge(directionofinstallationsequence),2.4mbehindtheleadingedgeand2.4mtoeachside(thesetobeincreasedto4.8mifthestoreyheightexceeds4m).
Thisistheabsoluteminimumareapermittedandshouldnotberegardedastargetcoverage.Bagginginstallersshouldwholefillrooms,wherepracticable,toavoidtheneedforrepeatedaccesstotheairbagareatomoveoradjustthemodules. P r e ca s t Compan ie s s hou ld planworkaccordinglytoensureadequatetimeisallowedforairbaginstallerstoprovideadequatefallprotection.FlooringOperativesandInstallersshouldbeinstructedthatfixingmustnotcommenceuntilthisisinplace.
Thesystemmustbecontinuallymonitoredduringitsoperation,i.e.toensureairbagsarefullyinflated,andworksuspendedimmediatelyinsituationsofnon-compliance.
Other proprietary systems
Othersystemsnotlistedabovemaybeutilizedsubjecttoriskassessment,takingintoaccountfalldistanceontotheproduct,anditsabilitytomitigatetheconsequencesofanyfall(byreducingtheseverityofinjury).
13.4.2.5 Active Personal Fall arrest systems
Fallarrestsystemsdonotpreventafall,arenotacollectiveprotectionmeasureandarethereforeregardedasapersonalprotectionmeasureandanactivesystem.TheyarethereforelowerdownthehierarchythanthepassivesystemsdescribedatthestartofSection13.4.
Thesesystemsconsistofasafetyharness,lanyardandadequateanchoragepointandaimtoarrestafallandminimiseinjuryonceafallhasoccurred.Specialistadviceandapprovalshouldbesoughtfromthesupplieroftheequipmentontheprovisionandlocationofsuitableanchoragepoints.
Asuitablesystemofrescuingthefallenpersoninlessthan10minutesmustbepresentbeforeworkstarts;seriousinjuryordeathcanoccurifthepersonremainssuspendedforprolongedperiodsfollowinganarrestedfall(Section13.9).
Fallarrestsystemscanprovidevaluableprotection,buttheyarenotasubstituteforeffectivefallpreventionmeasuresorcollectiveprotectionmeasures.Itmustbeclearlyunderstoodthat,wherepracticable,properworkingplatforms,handrails,safetynetsandairbagsmustbeusedinpreferencetofallarrestsystems.
It is imperativethatasuitablesecuremethodoffasteningthe lanyardtoananchorpoint isprovided,andthatthe lanyard lengthwillprevent injurybyarrestingthefallbeforeanypartofthebodyhitsthefloororanyotherpartofthestructure.
Practicalmeasurestoachievethisincluderunninglinesandlanyardsattachedtosuitableanchoragepoints,whichmaybeincorporatedintotheprecastunit
Inertiareelsmaybeusedinfallarrestsystemsbutassessmentsmustbebasedontheirdesignlimitationsandmanufacturers’recommendations.
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Inchoosingaharness,caremustbetakentoensurethatitwillgivetheuser,asfarasiscompatiblewithsafety,maximumcomfort,freedomofmovementand,intheeventofafall,everypossibleprotectiontothebodyfromtheshockofsuddenarrest.Properfittingsandadjustmentareessentialtoachievetheseaims.Theuseoflanyardsfittedwithshockabsorbersisrecommendedwherethepotentialdropheightpermitsthefulllanyarddeployment.Wherefallarrestdevicesarebeingconsidered,adequatetrainingmustbeprovidedtoOperativesandInstallersandtheequipmentmustbeinspectedbyCompetentPersonsbeforeandafteruse.Supervisionandtrainingareneededtoensurethatthesystemofworkadoptedisunderstoodbyallusersandtheequipmentismaintained.
13.4.2.6 Use of active and personal work restraint/fall arrest equipment Allpersonswhowillusefallarrest/workrestraintequipmentmustbefullytrainedintheunderstanding,inspectionanduseofthatequipmentand,inthecaseoffallarrest,therescueproceduresinvolved.Thetrainingmustbeprovidedbyasuitablyqualifiedinstructor.
Theuser’slifemaydependuponthegoodworkingorderofthefallarrest/workrestraintequipmentprovidedandthereforetheequipmentmustbesubjecttoroutineinspection,maintenanceand,whererequired,replacement.
Thefollowingcriteriamustbetakenintoaccountbeforeusingworkrestraintsystems:▪ Adequateanchoragepoints.▪ Meansofadjustmentof lanyard.▪ Correcttypeofbodyharness.
Thefollowingcriteriamustbetakenintoaccountbeforeusingactivefallarrestsystems:▪ Anchoragepointsandpositionrequireanadequatemarginofstrengthandstabilitytowithstandthedynamicandstatic forces.▪ Typeoflanyard.▪ Freefalldistance.▪ Correctbodyharness.▪ Timetakenforrescueprocedure.
Inpracticeitisunlikelythatactivefallarrestsystemswillbecapableofprovidingasafesystemofworkwheninstallingprecastconcreteflooringproducts.Beforeitisused,athoroughriskassessmentandmethodstatementmustbeproduced,takingintoaccountalloftheforegoing.
13.5 T-beam and block above ground floor levels Wherepracticable,aworkingplatformwillberequiredbeneaththefloorinstallationareawheninstallingbeam-and-blockatupperfloorlevels.Thisisrequiredtocontroltheriskoffallingbetweenthebeamsandalsotherisksassociatedwithmanualhandlingofblocks.
Wheninstallingbeam-and-blockontosteelbearingsatupperfloorlevels,thereisariskofbeammovementonsteelwork.Thiscancausefallsbetweenbeamsduringandafterinstallation.BuildingandFloordesignersmusttakethisintoaccountandsuitablemeasuresshouldbetakento‘designout’thisissuebyensuringmovementoffloorcomponentsisnotpossible.
13.6 Staircases
Layoutofflightsandlandingsandthesupportingstructuredifferonallstairwells.Eachstaircaseshouldbeassessedonitsownmeritsandariskassessmentcarriedouttodeterminethemostadequateandeffectivewayofcontrollingthehazards.
13.6.1 Planning and co-ordination
Wheninstallingprecaststairsandlandings,itisoftenarequirementforassociatedtradestocarryoutworksduringthesamedayofinstallation,i.e.riggingand de-riggingofsafetynets,installationanddismantlingofscaffoldorotherpassivefallarrestsystems.Fullconsiderationmustbegiventotheplanningandco-ordinationofalltrades,ensuringthatallassociatedtradesarefullyawareoftheirrequirementsandsequenceofattendance.Itisgoodpracticeforprecaststairunitstobeinstalledafterthesurroundingflooringunits.
It istheContractor’sduty,undertherequirementsoftheCDMRegulations,toco-ordinate therequirementsofscaffoldprotectionto thestairwellduring theconstructionphase. Thismaynecessitate a scaffolder being in attendance during theinstallationofastaircase.
13.6.2 Hazards
Themainhazardsassociatedwithstaircases/stairwellsare:§ Workatheightwhilst installingtheflooringproductaround/closetothestairwell.§ Workatheightwhilstinstallingthestairflights/landings.§ Workatheightwhilstworkingonthesurroundingfloorareaafterthestairshavebeen
installed.13.6.3 Safety in the working area
13.6.3.1 Installing the flooring product around/close to the stairwell Thesurroundingfloorshouldbeinstalledaroundthestairwellbeforethestairflights/landingsareinstalled.Inturnthiswillformaworkingplatformwheninstallingthetopofthestairs.ThestairwellvoidshouldbeprotectedbytheContractorviathemostpracticablemeans,e.g., scaffold handrailsorbymeansofpassivefallarrestoracombinationofboth,before installationofthesurroundingfloororstairs inthatareacommences.Thiswillprotectagainstfalls intothestairwellduringtheinstallationofthesurroundingfloorunits.
Figure 13.7 Whenfixingsecondfloorandabove
2ndfloorlevel
Airbag
Airbag
1stfloorlevel
Fullyboardedplatform
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Wheninstallingflooringatsecondandupperfloorlevels,fullyboardedplatformsshouldbesetimmediatelybelowsoffitlevelatthepreviousfloorlevelbytheContractor.Thisplatformprovidessupportforthepassivefallarreste.g.airbagswhilstinstallingtheflooringaroundthestairwellandalsoallowsaccesstothelowerflightandintermediatelanding.
Scaffoldstandardstobekeptbeloworcappedoffimmediatelyabovethisplatform.
Fullconsiderationmustbegiventoprovidingadequateaccesstotheupperfloor levelfortheairbaginstallers.Insummary:1. WorkingplatformprovidedbyContractor.2. Airbagspositionedonworkingplatformwhichprovideleadingedgeprotection
tostairwellwheninstallingflooraroundstairwell3. Workingplatformprovidessafeaccesstoinstallintermediatelandingandstair
flight.4. Workrestraintequipmentusedatfloorlevelswhilstinstallingflightand
removingchains.5. Stairwellprotectedatupperfloorlevelby Contractor.
13.6.3.2 Installing the stair flights/landings into steel-framed buildings Accessisrequiredtoeach‘floor’landinglevelandeachintermediatelanding level(wheretheintermediatelandinglevelcannotbereachedfromthelevelbelow).Inmostinstancestheaccesstothe‘floor’landinglevelwillbeformedbytheprecastfloorunits.
IntermediatelandingswillnormallyrequirescaffoldprovisionbytheContractor.
Onstair-onlycontractsorinsituationsthatnecessitatethestairflightsandlandingsbeinginstalledindependentlyofthefloorunits,accessandworkingplatformsmustbeprovidedtoallintermediateand‘floor’landinglevelsbytheContractor.
Thefollowingdiagramgivesguidanceandsomeexamplesofcontrolmeasuresthatcanbeadoptedwheninstallingthestairflights,landingsandtheadjacentfloorunits.Eachinstallationmustbeassessedonitsownmeritstoensurethemostappropriatemeansofprotectingpersonsfromfallsfromheightisachieved.Pleaserefertosection13.4.2Leadingedgecontrolmeasures.
Figure 13.8 Stairsinsteel-framedbuilding
2nd floor
level
Halflanding Handrails
Platform1st
floorlevel
Halflanding
Platform
Priortoinstallationofthestairstheperimeterofthestairwellshouldbeprotectedby theContractor (via scaffoldhandrails).Thiswillprotectagainstfallsintothestairwellduringandaftertheinstallationofthesurroundingfloorunits.
Whereitisnotpracticaltoprovidethehandrails, passive fall protectionmustbeinstalledtothestairwellarea(i.e.safetynets)priortoinstallationoffl o o r i n g .
Passivefallprotectiontobe removedafter installationofthetoplandingunits,Installersshouldthenuseworkrestraint/fallarrestequipmentattachedtotheinstalledproduct,scaffoldhandrailorthestructurewherepracticablewhilstinstallingthestairs. Thisshouldalsobeusedwhenstandingonstairflightstoremovec h a i n s .Onsteelframestructuresaccess/platformswillberequiredtoallbearingpositions.Workingplatformsprovidesafeaccesstoinstallintermediatelandingandstairflight.
Thesurroundingfloorwillnormallybeinstalledaroundthestairwellbeforethestairflights/landingsareinstalled.Inturnthiswillformaworkingplatformwheninstallingatfloorlevel.
13.6.3.3 Installing stair flights / landings in a masonry structure (upper floor level)
TheperimeterofthestairwellvoidshouldbeprotectedbytheContractor(byinstallingscaffold handrailsorbymeansofpassivefallarrestoracombinationofboth),beforeinstallationofthesurroundingfloororstairs.
Theprotectionmayneedtobeadaptedtoenablestairplacement.
Thesurroundingfloorwillnormallybeinstalledaroundthestairwellbeforethestairflights/landingsareinstalled.Inturnthiswillformaworkingplatformwheninstallingthetopofthestairs.
Thefollowingexamplesofgoodpracticemayassistindeterminingsuitableprotectionisaffordedtoinstallers.▪ Atalltimes,considerationmustbegiventotheGeneralprinciplesforcontrol
measureswhenworkingatheight.Refertosection13.2forinformation.▪ Ensuresurroundingfloorsareinstalledpriortoinstallationofstairunitsasthis
providesasuitableworkingplatform.▪ Wherepossibleascaffoldershouldbeinattendancethroughoutthestair
installationtomodifyandadaptworkingplatformsatsuitableintervals.▪ Restrictaccesstotheworkingareatoessentialpersonnelonlyinvolvedinthestair
installation.
13.6.4 After the stairs and surrounding floors have been installed Immediatelyafterinstallationofeachstairwelliscomplete,protectionmustbeprovidedagainstfallsintotheformedstairwellwhilstworkingonthesurroundingfloorarea.Inaddition,thestairsmustnotbeconsideredsafeforaccessuntilhandrailsandedgeprotectionhasbeenprovidedbytheContractor(seefig13.9).
Figure 13.9 Exampleofprotectionfollowinginstallationofstairunits
Firstfloorlevel
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13.6.5 Multi-storey stair cores Specialconsiderationmustbegivenatdesignandplanningstagetotheprovisionofcast-inanchoragepointstoaidscaffoldarrangementsandprecastcomponentinstallationensuringthatcomponentscanbe installedwithouttherisktothehealthandsafetyofanyperson.
13.7 Falls from delivery vehicles TheContractorhasadutytoensurethatalldeliveryvehiclesareoffloadedsafely.
WhereanOperativeisrequiredtoaccessthetrailertounloadtheproductthereisasignificantriskofinjuryfromfalls.Workatheightonthetrailer,andontheload,shouldthereforebeavoidedwherereasonablypractical.
Whereworkatheightonthetrailerandloadcannotbeavoided,thentheContractorshouldliaisewiththePrecastInstallerandcarryoutanassessmentofthesiteconditions.ThehierarchyofcontroloutlinedintheWorkatHeightRegulationsshouldbeappliedtoreducetherisksofinjuryduetofalls,asfarasisreasonablypracticable.
Controlmeasuresrangefromworkingplatformgantries,handrailsystems,airbagsystems,safetynetsystems,personalworkrestraintsystemsandpersonalfallarrestsystems.Suchsystemsshouldbeadoptedwherereasonablypracticable.Themosteffectivesystemtobeusedwilllargelydependuponthesiteconditions,thevehicleandthesize,heightandtypeofloadsbeingdelivered,thelocationofsiteandsitecondition.
Allsuchsafetysystemswillrequirecarefulplanning.TheContractorshouldliaisewiththePrecastInstallerandplantheoffloadingpositions.TheContractorshouldalsoconsidertheSiteTrafficManagementPlan,othertradesanddeliveries,andensurethatadequatearrangementshavebeenmadetoaccommodatethesystembeingused.Suchplanningmustensurethattheoffloadingpositioniswithinreachofthespecifiedcrane,hasadequatespacefortheinstallationandhasadequateground bearingcapacity.
Allsystemsmustbeexamined/inspectedbyaCompetentPersonandused inaccordancewiththemanufacturer’srecommendationsandshouldbevisuallyinspectedbeforeuse.
Whereverpossible,workatheightonthetrailershouldbeavoided.Whereitcannotbeavoided,safeaccesstoandfromthetrailerisessential,andsuitablein-builtstepsorsecuredladders/handholdsshouldbeused.
13.8 Use of ladders
Laddersshouldbeusedonlyasaccessorforlightworkofshortduration, lastingnomorethan15to30minuteswhereothersafermeans,suchasscaffoldtowersorMobileElevatingWorkPlatforms(MEWPs)havebeenconsideredandfoundnottobereasonablypracticable.
Properlyconstructedandsecuredladders,combinedwiththeuseofsafetyharnesses,staticlinesoranchoragepoints,mayalsobepracticableincertainconditionswheretheworkingheightprecludestheuseofmobiletowers.
Whenladdersareused,theyneedtobeofthecorrecttype,i.e.asuitablegradeofindustrialladder.Theyshouldbeingoodconditionandeffectivelysecuredtopreventmovement(Figure.13.10).Permanentmeansofsecuringladdersatidentifiedaccesspointscanimproveladdersafety.Thisavoidstheneedforfootingwhenladdersaretiedanduntied.Thosewhouse,inspectandsecureladdersshouldbecompetenttodoso.
Laddersmayprovidesafeaccess,buttheiruseisnotalwaysappropriate.Factorstobeconsideredinclude:▪ Thelengthoftheladderrequired.Verylongladdersareheavytohandleandmay
needstayingtoreduceflexingin use.▪ Correctangleofladder–foreveryfourupgooneout(Figure13.11).▪ Theremustbeanextensionofatleast1mabovelandingpointtoprovideasecure
handhold.▪ Ensuretheladderisadequatelysecuredatfootandlanding point.▪ Theneedtocarrytools,equipment,materials,smallcomponents,etc.Bothhands
shouldbefreewhenclimbinga ladder.▪ TheOperativemusthaveasecurehandholdandatleastthreepointsofcontact
whenusingtheladder.▪ TheOperativemustnotoverreach.▪ TherequirementforrecordsofformalperiodicinspectionsbytheContractorin
accordancewiththemanufacturer’srecommendations.
TheForemanmustvisuallyinspectallladdersprovidedforuseduringtheinstallationprocess,andanydefectsnotedmustbebroughttotheattentionoftheCompany,orwhereappropriate,theContractor’sSiteRepresentative,sothattheparticularitemcanbereplacedorrepairedbeforeitisused.
Figure 13.10 Secureladderfixing
Figure 13.11 Correctladderangle
13.9 Rescue procedures
Arescueproceduremustbeinplaceonalloccasionswherepassivefallarrestoractivefallarrestareutilisedandwhere,therefore,afallisstillpossible,e.g.fallintoairbag,safetynet,useoffallarrestsafetyharness.Anypotentialrescueproceduremustbeevaluatedattheplanningstageofthejobandrecordedaccordingly.Whenplanningforrescue,considerationshouldbegiventothetypeofsituationfromwhichthecasualtymayneedtoberecovered,andthetypeoffallprotectionequipmentthatthecasualtywouldbeusing.Itisessentialthatindividualsundertakingworkatheightarecompetentinappropriaterescuetechniquesandemergencyprocedures.Theseshouldformpartoftheirinitialandongoingtraining.Inadditiontothis,rescuetechniquesshouldbepracticed atregularintervals,andatthestartofanyworksituationthatisunfamiliartoanyoftheworkteam.
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ItmustbestressedthatrelianceupontheEmergencyServicestoassistwitharescueshouldnotbepartoftherescueplan.Thisisbecausethereisapossiblelack ofappropriateequipmentfortherescue,aswellasthelikelihoodofanextendedtimeperiodbetweentheonsetofthefallandthearrivaloftheEmergencyServices.
Itisalsoimportanttoconsiderwhatequipmentisgoingtobesuitableforarescueandwhetheritwillbeavailableonsite.Equipmentthatcouldbeutilisedcouldinclude:▪ AMEWP.▪ Aproprietaryrescuesystem.▪ AsystemprovidedbytheContractor.▪ Acranewithapersonriding cage. Note: Manufacturersprovidevarious typesofsuspensiontraumareliefequipment forusebyasuspendedperson.Thesecandelay theeffectsofsuspensiontrauma,buttheyonlyworkonconsciousandablecasualties; theyarenotanalternativetorescue.
Allrescueplanningandoperationsshouldaddressthefollowingissues:▪ Thesafetyofthepersonscarryingoutorassistingwiththe rescue.▪ Theanchorpointstobeusedfortherescue equipment.▪ The suitabilityof equipment (anchors, harnesses, attachments and connectors) thathasalreadyarrestedthefallofthecasualtyforuseduringthe rescue.▪ Themethodthatwillbeusedtoattachthecasualtytotherescue system.▪ Thedirectionthatthecasualtyneedstobemovedtogetthemtothepointofsafety,(raising,loweringorlateral).▪ Thefirstaidneedsthecasualtymayhavewithrespecttoinjuryorsuspensiontrauma.▪ Thepossibleneedsofthecasualtyfollowingthe rescue.
13.9.1 Suspension Trauma
Suspension Trauma (Orthostatic intolerance) is a condition in which a personsuspended inaharnesscanexperiencepallor,coldsweats,nausea, ringing in theears, blurred vision, dizziness, feeling faint, loss of consciousness and eventuallydeath.
Allusersofpersonalfallprotectionsystems,andothersinvolvedwithworkataheight,shouldbeawareofthefollowingprecautionsthatmightneedtobetakenintheeventofacasualtybeingheldinasuspended position.▪ Thelongerthecasualtyissuspendedwithoutmoving,thegreaterthechancesareofsuspensionTraumadevelopingandthemoreseriousitislikelytobe.Therefore, ifan injuredperson issuspended inaharness, theaimshouldbetocarryouttherescuewithin10minutes.Thisisparticularlyimportantforacasualtywhoismotionless.▪ Unlessthesuspendedpersoncanbeimmediatelyretrieved,forassistancecall999or112.▪ Aconsciouscasualtyshouldbeencouragedtomobilisetheirfourlimbs,tostimulatecirculationoftheblood.Frequent‘pumping’ofthelegsagainstafirmsurfacewillalsoactivatethemusclesandimprovebloodcirculation.Elevationofthelegsbythecasualtyortherescuerwheresafelypossiblemayalsoprolongtoleranceofsuspension.▪ Afterrescue,providingtherearenoinjuries,therewasnomedicalreasonforthefallandthecasualtyisconscious,theyshouldbecheckedbyacompetentfirstaiderwhomayadvisethemtoavoidstandingandtositdownuntil satisfiedtheyhavefullyrecovered(maximum30minutes).
▪ Afterrescue,ifthecasualtyisunconsciousorsemi-conscious,theymustbeattendedtobyacompetentfirstaiderwhomusthavealsocontactedtheemergencyservices.Theymustensurethatthepatient’sairwayisopen,thepatient isbreathingandonly thenplace thepatient in the traditional recoverypositionuntil theemergencyservicesareinattendance.Theambulanceserviceshouldbeadvisedthatthepatientneedstobetreatedfororthostaticshockorintolerance.Important! Onlymovethecasualtytoafullyhorizontalpositionontheadviceofqualifiedmedicalpersonnel.Layingthecasualtydownhorizontallycouldbelifethreatening,asthebloodthathasaccumulatedinthelegsflowsabruptlyintotheheartcreatingariskofheartfailureduetooverstrain.
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14 PROTECTION OF THIRD PARTIES 14.1 Other trades or persons on site
TheWorkAreaassociatedwiththeflooringinstallationmustbedesignateda‘prohibitedarea’toallpersons,otherthanthoseengagedintheinstallationofthefloor.TheContractormustactivelyenforcethisprohibition,andtheForemanmustco-operatewiththeContractortoensurethatfencing,gatesandbarriersremainsecureandthatnoticesarenotremovedorobscured.
TheContractorandForemanmustensurethatcomponentsarenothoistedoverareaswhereotherpersonsareworking.Thismayincludeseverallevelsinmulti-storeywork.
Operativesand Installersengaged in the installationof theflooringmustatall timesexecutetheirworkwithadueregardforthehealthandsafetyofotherworkersorpersons. Theymustobserveand complywith the SafeWorkingMethodStatementinforceonanyparticularcontractinsofarassuchrulesorrequirementsaffecttheiroperations,andtheymustalsocomplywithanyrulesorrequirements imposedbythe Contractor.
TheForemanmustensurethattheworkareaiskeptcleanandtidysofarasthisisreasonablypracticableandattheendoftheworkingdaytheareashouldbeleftfreeofdebris.Materialsmustbesafelystacked.
14.2 Members of the public
Theliftingofcomponentsandmaterialsmaypresentahazardtothepublic,especiallywherethedeliveryvehicleisunloadedfromthepublichighway.
Whenunloadingfromthepublichighway,theContractormustobtainthenecessarystatutorypermissionsandtheareausedforoffloadingmustbedesignateda‘prohibitedarea’toallpersonsotherthanthoseengagedintheinstallationofthefloor.
TheContractormustprovideallnecessarycones,warningbarriers,notices,trafficsignsandlightingtoallowthesafepassageofpedestriansandroadstraffic. Ifdeemednecessary,theprohibitedareamayhavetobepoliced.
Onsiteswherethebuildingoperationsare incloseproximity topublicplacesorhighways,additionalcaremustbetakentopreventmaterialsordebris falling fromtheworks.WheretheContractorhasprovidedmeasurestopreventsuchfalls,or toprotect thepublic, theOperativesand Installersengaged in the installationof theflooringmustnotremoveorinterferewiththesemeasuresinanyway.
Anydebrisormaterialthatfallsfromdeliveryvehiclesmustberemovedfromthepublichighwayorpublicareaandthearealeftcleanandhazardfree.
When the installation involves theoperationofa crane ina thirdparty’sairspace, theContractormustobtain thenecessarypermissionsandensure that theappropriatestepsare takentoprotect thirdpartiesandthepublic in theseareas.Wherepracticable,loadsshouldnotbehoistedoveroccupiedbuildings.Dueconsiderationshouldbegivenwhenliftingclosetoanyadjacentoccupied building.
DuringthecourseoftheliftingoperationtheContractormustensurethatmembersofthepublicarenotinthevicinityofthesuspendedloadorliftingequipment.
TheForemanmustliaiseandco-operateinallrespectswiththeContractor’sSiteRepresentativetoensurecompliancewithanymeasures,provisionsorrulespreviouslyagreedwiththeContractororwithanystatutoryprovisionsfortheprotectionofthepublic.
In the event that any of the foregoing requirements are not met, lifting should cease immediately.
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15 SUPPLIER AND SUB-CONTRACTOR COMPETENCY ASSESSMENT
15.1 Introduction
EmployingcompaniesmustassesssuppliersandInstallersandsatisfythemselvesthattheyhavethenecessaryskills,knowledgeexperienceandtrainingtocarryouttheproposedworksafely,inaccordancewiththeCDMRegulations2015.ThisistoincludesuppliersandInstallersofsafetyequipmentandinstallationcompanies.
15.2 Assessment criteria
GuidanceonhowtoassessindividualsandorganisationsisgivenintheCDMRegulations2015legalguidancedocumentL153underRegulation8GeneraldutiesParagraph58–AppointmentofDesignersandContractors.
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APPENDIX A: Precast Flooring Federation standard health, safety and welfare attendances Requiredonsub-contractsforthesupplyandfixingofprecastconcreteflooringandcomponents.
ThisdocumentformspartofandshouldbereadinconjunctionwiththePFFCodeofPracticeforsafeinstallationofprecastconcreteflooring,availablefromthePrecastFlooring Federation, TheOldRectory,MainSt,Glenfield,LeicesterLE38DG orwww.precastfloors.info
TheAttendancescontainedhereinshallbeprovidedonsitebytheContractorforthePrecastFlooringSub-contractor’suse,freeofcharge,andshallcomplywiththerequirementsoftheHealthandSafetyatWorkActandsupportingRegulations(WherenoContractorexistsallreferencestotheContractorshallmeanthePrecastFlooringSub-contractor’s client).
1 Crane and vehicle access and hardstanding
1.1 TheContractorshallprovideandmaintainhardroads,hardstandingandstackingareas,entirelysuitablefortheoperationsandforsafepassageandworkingofpersonnelandplant;thiswillincludelevellingifnecessary.Maintenanceofthesameshouldtakeintoaccountdeteriorationduetoadverseweather,continueduse,etc.Thehardstandingforthecranemustbemaintainedasindicatedontheliftingplan,forthedurationofthecontract.
1.2 FortheguidanceoftheContractor,thePrecastFlooringSub-contractorshallprovideinformationregardingthedeliveryvehiclesandcranesidentifiedduringtheinstallationplanningstageanduponwhichhisquotationsarebased.
1.3 Parkingand/oroffloadingfacilitiesforInstallers/OperativesmustbeprovidedbytheContractor.
1.4 Wherepracticable,fallprotectionsystemswillbeusedarounddeliveryvehicles.PlanningisrequiredbytheContractortoensurethatadequatespaceismadeavailabletoaccommodatethesystemandtominimise disruption.
1.5 TheContractorshallprovideandmaintainanyaccessontositefromthepublichighway,entirelysuitableforthesafepassageoflorriesandcranesidentifiedatinstallationplanningstage.Shouldroadsigns,bollards,etc.,orpolicepermissionberequiredinconnectionwithsuchaccess,thentheprovisionof,orapplicationforthemshallbetheresponsibilityoftheContractor.
1.6 Whereerectionoperationsaretobecarriedoutfromthepublichighway,allroadsigns,traffic and pedestrians control, all necessary permissions, etc., shall be theresponsibilityoftheContractor.
1.7 Wherecraneageoranyothertypeofliftingapplianceistobeprovidedby theContractor,hemustprovideanAppointedPerson(BS7121)toplantheliftunlessagreedotherwise.CraneagemustbeadequateforthepurposeandthePrecastFlooringSubcontractorshallbeaffordeditsunrestrictedusewheneverrequired,includingtheuseofatrainedoperatorandsignallerwhere applicable.
1.8 WherecraneageisworkingtheContractormustpreventaccessbyanyotherpersonstothecrane’soperatingarea.
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2 Structural obstructions 2.1 TheContractorshallberesponsibleforthere-routing,removaland/ormakingsafe
ofanyobstructions(includingpartsofthestructuresuchaspurlins,cross-bracingandscaffoldstandards)whichwillfoulorhinderacraneboomorsuspendedload.ThismustbecarriedoutbeforethearrivalonsiteofthePrecastFlooringSubcontractor.TheContractorshallalsoberesponsibleforanysubsequentreplacementofsuchitems.
3 Proximity hazards 3.1 TheContractormustinformthePrecastFlooringSubcontractorattenderstageof
anyproximityhazards.Suchhazardsmayincludeoverheadelectriccables,electricitysubstations,railwaylines,airfields,waterways,environmentallyprotectedareas,restrictionstothirdpartyair-space,basements,undergroundservices,etc.TheContractorshallberesponsibleforobtaininganynecessaryapprovals/permissionfromrelevantauthorities/owners.ThePrecastFlooringSubcontractoruponrequestmustbeprovidedwithevidenceofanyapprovals/permissionsgrantedbyrelevantauthorities/owners.
4 Safe access and protection against falls 4.1 Safeaccesstoallworkinglevelsshallbeprovidedbythe Contractor.
Scaffoldingtotheperimeterofworkingareas,togetherwithhandrails,guardrails,platformsorstagingrequiredforaccessand/ortopreventOperativesfalling,shallbeprovidedandinstalledbytheContractor.Perimeterworkingplatformsshallbenomorethan900mmbelowthetopoftheprecastfloor.
4.2 Whenworkingatheights,wherethereisariskofsignificantinjuryduetofalling(e.g.fromupperfloorsand/orfloorsoverbasements),thehierarchyoffallprotectionmustbefollowed.Thereforepassivefallprotectionmustbeprovidedwhereverreasonablypracticablebeforeinstallationofallprecastconcretefloors.ThePrecastFlooringSubcontractormayathisdiscretionofferthis service.
4.3 Protectioncanbeachievedbyusingworkingplatforms,staging,lightweightdeckingsystems,safetynetsorairbagsandthechosenmeasureshouldprotectthewholeoftheupper-levelworkarea.
4.4 TheContractorshallberesponsibleforensuringthatallvoidsandexternalopenings,suchasdoorsandwindows,havebeensuitablyprotectedtopreventOperativesorequipmentfromfallingthroughorrollingoff.
5 Welfare 5.1 AllwelfarefacilitiesshallbeaffordedtothePrecastFlooringSupplier/Installerbywayof
anAttendancebytheContractor.
6 Structural stability 6.1 PriortothePrecastFlooringSupplier/Installercommencingworkonsite,adequate
hard,levelbearingsdesignedtotakeaccountoftheconstruction loadings/processesshallbeprovidedbytheContractor.Inaddition,theContractorshallberesponsibleforensuringthat:▪ Allbrickwork,blockworkorconcreteiscured,stableandfittoreceiveprecast
concreteunits,andthatsteelworkissecureand stable.▪ Isolatedpiersortoothedwallsaremadestableandadequatebytheapplicationof
temporarymeasuresasnecessary.▪ Lintels,steelanglesandRSJsetc.arebeddedasnecessary,securelyfixedtothe
wallandhaveadequatesafebearingateachendtoavoidcollapse,displacement orsimilarmovement.Proppingmaybenecessarytoachievethisrequiredstability,inaccordancewiththelintelmanufacturer’s/buildingdesigner’srecommendations.▪ Allwallsandpartitionsnotprovidingbearingtounitsshouldbeleftonecoursedown
fromthesoffitleveltoallowtheunitstobesafely positioned.▪ Ifweepholesareprovided,theyarekept clear.▪ Thepracticeofinstallingprecastunitsontotemporarybearingsshouldbeavoided
whereverpossible.Incaseswheresuchmeasuresareunavoidable,fixingmustnotcommenceuntilwrittenconfirmationhasbeenobtainedbytheContractorfromacompetenttechnicalauthoritythatthetemporarystructurehasbeensuitablydesigned,takingintoaccountthemoreonerousforcesduringtheconstructionphase.PermissionmustalsobeobtainedfromthePrecastFlooringSubcontractor’sTechnicalDepartment.
7 General 7.1 IftheContractorshallfailtomakeavailableanyofthefacilitiesabovestipulatedtobe
providedbyhim,thePrecastFlooringSubcontractormayathissoleoptionsuspendworkonthecontractuntiltherequiredfacilityhasbeenmadeavailable.
7.2 AnydelayintheperformanceoftheworksarisingfromsuchsuspensionshallnotbedeemedafailureonthePrecastFlooringSubcontractor’sparttoproceedwiththeworksinaccordancewithprovisionsofhissubcontract,andheshallbeentitledtoclaimagainsttheContractorinrespectofanyloss,damageorexpensehemayhavesufferedbyreasonoftheContractor’sdefaultorthedelaycaused thereby.
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APPENDIX B: Precast Flooring Federation Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 InstallingprecastconcretefloorsisahighriskactivitythatusuallyinvolvestheuseofcranesandOperativesworkingatheights.
Thepurposeofthefollowinginformationistohighlightsomeofthepoints coveredinthisCodeofPractice,toassistEngineers,Designers,ContractorsandPrincipalDesignersinmeetingtherequirementsoftheCDMRegulations.MoredetailedinformationisprovidedintheCodeofPractice,inparticularSection4–DesignConsiderations.InthetextwhichfollowsthePrecastDesignerisnottheBuildingDesigner.
1 The existing environment 1.1 Thesizesandweightsofthecomponentswilldeterminethemethodofoff-loadingand
placingtheunits.Theprecastunitsareusuallydeliveredtositeonarticulatedlorries;narrowroadsorrestrictedaccessmaynecessitatetheuseofrigid lorries.
1.2 Pedestrianandtrafficmanagementmeasuresshouldbeconsidered,especiallyifthedeliverylorriesareoff-loadedfromthepublic highway.
1.3 Excavations,undergroundservices,drainsandbasementsareahazardandstrengtheningmayberequiredtosafelysupporttheloadsimposedbythecrane’soutriggers.Adequateaccesstotheseareasmustbeprovidedandmaintained.
1.4 Thepresenceofpowerlines,railwaytracks,treesoroverheadstructuralobstructionsmayhindertheoperationofcranes.Onrestrictedsitesitmaybenecessaryforloadstobeliftedoveradjacentlandandbuildings.Inthesecircumstances,permissionshouldbeobtainedtooperatewithintheairspaceofthird parties.
2 Design and planning 2.1 Theregulationsrequirethatadesigner(includingaprincipaldesigner)appointedtowork
onaprojectmusthavetheskills,knowledgeandexperienceand,iftheyareanorgansisation,theorganisationalcapability,necessarytofulfiltherolethattheyareappointedtoundertake,inamannerthatsecuresthehealthandsafetyofanypersonaffectedbytheproject.MembersofthePrecastFlooringFederationshouldbeabletodemonstratetheirexperienceandcompetenceinthedesignandmanufactureofprecastflooring.
2.2 ToassistthePrecastDesigner,thefollowinginformationshouldbeprovidedatTenderStage:▪ Pre-constructioninformation/ConstructionPhasePlan.▪ Designloadsincludingfinishesandimposed loads.▪ Drawingsshowingthesupportingstructurefortheprecastunitsanddirectionofspan.▪ Phasingorsequencingoftheworks.▪ Siteandservicesplan.
2.3 BuildingDesignersmust take intoaccount stabilityof the structureduring theinstallationofprecastunits:▪ Thedesignshouldallowfortheremoval,priortotheinstallationoftheunits,of
overheadobstructionssuchaspurlinsorbracing,thatarelikelytofoulorhinderthecraneboomorsuspended load.▪ Precastunitscanbeheavy.Bearingsmustbeadequateandberobustenough to
withstandnormalunitfixingoperationsincludinglandingandbarring.
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▪ Lintelsorsteelbeamsmustbesecurelyfixedandhaveadequatesafebearingateachendtoavoidoverturning,excessivedeflection,orcollapsewhentheprecastunitsareplaced.▪ Considerationmustbegiventotheunequalloadingofunrestrainedwalls,steel
beamsorlintelswhenprecastunitsarebeingplaced.Similarly,considerationmustbegiventothefixingofpassivefallarrestsystemse.g.safetynets,airbags, etc.▪ Thepracticeofinstallingprecastunitsontotemporarybearingsshouldbeavoided
whereverpossible.Incaseswheresuchmeasuresareunavoidable,thetemporarystructuremustbedesignedandinstalledbyaCompetentPersonprovidedby theContractor.
2.4 Whenanorderisplacedfortheprecastconcreteunits,theContractorshouldprovidethePrecastFlooringSub-Contractorwiththefollowing information:▪ AnyrelevantamendmentstothePreConstructioninformationandthe
ConstructionPhasePlan.▪ Fullydimensioned‘ConstructionIssue’drawings,detailingthesupportingstructure
forthefloorsandanyotheraspectswhichmayaffectthefloordesign.▪ Loadings,includingtypeandlocationofpartitions,typesoffinish, etc.▪ Positionsandsizesofallholes,notchesorrebatesrequiredinthe flooring.▪ Provisionalsequencingandprogrammedates.▪ Whereworkinginthevicinityofrailtracks,undergroundrailwaylines,orenergy
supplystructuressuchaspowercables,allpermissionsthatarerequiredfromownersorcontrollersaretobegiveninadvance,alongwithanyinstructionsforthesafeworkingofthe installer.
3 Construction phase 3.1 Theinstallationofprecastconcreteunitsshouldonlybeundertakenbyspecialists.
MembersofthePrecastFlooringFederationemployInstallerswhoaretrained,competentandexperiencedinthiswork.
3.2 TheContractormustensurethatthePrecastFlooringFederationStandardHealth,SafetyandWelfareAttendanceshavebeen provided.
3.3 Installingprecastfloorsisahigh-riskoperationandshouldnotbeundertakenwithouttheprovisionofajob-specificmethodstatementandriskassessments,whichmayaddresssomeorallofthefollowing activities:▪ Manualhandling▪ Workingatheightswithriskofpersonnel/objects falling▪ Workingwithcranes▪ Handlingorcuttingconcreteproducts,workingwithwetconcreteormortar
3.4 ThePrincipalContractormustensurethatothertradesandthepublicarekeptoutoftheworkingareacoveredbycranesusedforinstallingtheprecastunits.
3.5 AmajorconsiderationfortheBuildingDesignerandContractorshouldbethestabilityofthestructureduringtheinstallationoftheprecastconcreteunits:▪ Sufficienttimemustbeallowedformasonrymortartomaturesufficientlytoachieve
adequatestrengthand stiffness.▪ Thedesignershouldgiveconsiderationtotheprovisionofadequatewallthickness,
particularlywheresharedbearingsoccuronlightweightmasonryblocks.▪ Considerationshouldbegiventotheproposedsequenceofconstructionand
theeffectsofanytemporaryremovalofpartsofthestructuretofacilitatethesafeinstallationoftheprecastunits.▪ Sufficienttimemustbeallowedforagroutedfloortomaturepriortoloadingout
withmaterials,whichshouldnotexceedtheloadforwhichthefloorhasbeendesigned.Adviceshouldbesoughtpriortothestorageofunfixedmaterialson thefloorsbyfollowingtrades.
4 The Health and Safety file 4.1 ThePrecastFlooringSub-Contractorwillprovide‘asinstalled’drawingsatcompletion
oftheinstallation,showinganychangesfromtheoriginalfloorlayout.Thereafter,theContractorwillberesponsibleforrecordingdeparturesfromtheasinstalleddrawings.
4.2 Theflooringlayoutdrawingswilldetailtheloadsforwhichthefloorshavebeendesigned.
4.3 Care should be exercised to ensure that both during the construction phase and duringthe lifeofthebuilding,thedesign loadsarenotexceededandthatfurtherholesorchasesarenotmadeintheflooringwithoutreferencetotheflooringmanufactureroraCompetentPerson.
4.4 MostprecastfloorsareconstructedfromprestressedunitsandadviceondemolitionshouldbesoughtfromaCompetentPerson,withaccesstotheHealthandSafetyFile.
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APPENDIX C1: HSE general guidance on manual handling
1 Manual handling assessments
Hollowcoreflooringistooheavytoliftmanuallyandthereforeanassessmentcoveringmanoeuvringandplacementshouldbecarriedout.
HandlingofT-beams(asusedinbeamandblockflooring)concretefloorelements andinfillblockscangiverisetoawiderangeofinjuries,includingseriousinjurieswheredamagemaybegradualandprogressiveoverasubstantialperiodof time.
Toreducetheriskofaninjury,floordesign,siteconditionsandthewaytheworkisorganisedmustbeproperlyplanned.Thisguidancecontainspracticaladviceon thesemattersandwillhelpdesignersandspecifiers,thosemanagingworkonsiteandthosewhohandlebeamsandblocksonsite.
Individual companiesmustmake theirownassessment in respectof the requirementsfor theirownproductsandemployees incompliancewith theseRegulations.Whereassessments indicateapossibilityof risks toemployees fromthemanualhandlingofloads, the following requirements of the Regulationsmust be followed.▪ Avoidhazardousmanualhandlingoperationssofarasisreasonablypracticable.This
maybedonebyredesigningthetasktoavoidmovingtheloadorbyautomatingormechanisingtheprocess.▪ Makeasuitableandsufficientassessmentofanyhazardousmanualhandling
operationsthatcannotbeavoided.▪ Reducetheriskofinjuryfromthoseoperationssofarasisreasonablypracticable.
Particularconsiderationshouldbegiventotheprovisionofmechanicalassistance.Wherethisisnotreasonablypractical,otherimprovementstothetask,theloadandtheworkingenvironmentshouldbeexplored.▪ Riskassessmentshavebeencarriedoutontypicalcontractsincludinggroundfloor
andupperfloorapplications.Theassessmentsrevealedthatthemainrisksare:y Heavy loads and poor posture leading to excessive stress and strain causing injurytomuscles and tendons, particularly when the handling involves bending, twisting,stoopingorotherdifficultpostures.
y Slips,tripsandfalls,particularlywhencarryingloadsacrossfloorbeamsthathavebeenlaidouttoreceiveinfillblocksandwhichnecessarilyhavegapsbetweenthem.;
y Fallsfromupperfloorlevelswhereinsufficientedgeprotectionisprovided.y Sharpedgescausingcutsandabrasionstotheskin.
WhenhandlingT-beamandinfillconcreteblocks,theriskofinjuryislargelydeterminedbytheweightofindividualitemsandthepostureofthehandler-thelongertheT-beam,theheavieritsweight;theheaviertheconcreteblock,thehighertheriskofinjury.Poorposturecanleadtoinjury.
Where,becauseofsiteconditions,T-beamscannotbepositionedbycraneorothermechanicalhandlingequipment,manualhandlingandcarryingrisksaregreatlyincreased.Insuchcases,theteamliftingprocessaswellastheroutebetweenthedeliverypositionofthebeamsandtheinstallationlocation,mustbecarefullyplannedandpreparedtominimisetheriskscreatedbytheliftingoperation,obstaclesortrippinghazards.
ThefinalpositioningofT-beamsonthegroundfloorusuallypermitstheinstallertostandbelowthelevelofthefloorbeam.Althoughthemovementrequiredisnotexcessive,ifconsiderablestoopingoutsidethefloorareaisrequiredtograspthe load,theriskofinjuryishigh.
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ThefinalpositioningofT-beams inupperfloors typically requires the installer tostandonthesamelevelasthatonwhichthefloorbeamisresting.Inthissituation,iftheinstaller isrequiredtograspthe loadatorbelowfoot levelandtheriskof injury ishigh.
When‘blocking-out’,packsofblocksareplacedontopre-positionedT-beams.Theblocksarethencarriedfromthepacksandlaidintothefloorbeamrecessbelowfootlevel.Careshouldbetakentominimiserisk
2 Precautions ▪ Wherepossibledesignersandspecifiersshouldminimisethelengthoffloorbeams
inordertokeeptheirweightaslowasreasonablypracticable.Typically,150mmfloorT-beamsweigh32kg/metreand225mmfloorT-beamsweigh60 kg/metre.▪ Infillblocksshouldbeofthelightesttypeavailablewithinthespecificationrequired
forthepropertiesofthefinishedfloor.▪ ProjectPlanners,DesignersandContractorsshouldensurethattheitemslisted
belowaretakenintoaccountwhenplanningtheworkandwhendevisingsafesystemsofwork.Contractorsshouldalsogiveinstructionandexercisesupervisiontoensurethatworkersfollowtheseplansandsystemsofwork.
3 T-beam and block systems – safe working
method considerations ▪ Thefollowingshouldbeconsideredwhenwritingthecompanyproceduresforthe
handlingandinstallingofT-beamsandinfill blocks:▪ Plantooff-loadfloorbeamsfromthedeliverylorrydirectlyontothewallsonwhich
theywillbefinallypositionedusingacraneorothersuitablemechanicalhandlingequipment.▪ Whereverreasonablypracticableprovidecraneageofsufficientcapacitytocoverthe
wholeofthefloorareabeing laid.▪ WherepositioningofT-beamsandblockscannotbeachievedusingacraneor other
mechanicalhandlingdevice,trolleysorbogiesshouldbeusedtoconveythe items.Theroutemustbepreparedandbeclearofobstaclesortripping hazards.▪ Installersshouldadjusttheirworkratetopermitshortbreakstobetakenatregular
intervalsandshouldrotatetheir duties.▪ Ensuresufficienttimeisallowedforthecompletionofthework allocation.▪ Packsofinfillblocksshouldbepositionedascloseaspossibletothelaying positions.▪ Blocksshouldneverbethrownfromonepersonto another.▪ HSEGuidanceCIS37Handlingheavyblocks.
APPENDIX C2: Example safe working method statement
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APPENDIX C7: Example daily pre-start checklist
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