Presentation With Thanks Gratefully received and distributed with the permission from Spencer Erling the Director of;

Presentation With Thanks

Gratefully received and distributed with the permission from Spencer Erling the Director of;

Safe working at heights with steelworkA generic overview

By:Spencer ErlingSAISC

Aim

Empire State BuildingEmpire State Building

RivetingRiveting

Lets Move Beyond This

Safe working @ heights has to be dealt with, by its very nature, as part of a Hazard &

Risk Assessment

Safe working @ heights is a combination of:1.A safe method of doing the work2.Keeping the workers safe

Why a generic approach?

Much of what steel erectors do is similar when you go from job to job

e.g. Start at the braced bay Square up the braced bay and continue etc. We want each and every project to develop its

own safe working at heights programme to avoid “familiarity breeding contempt……..”

Activity rules

What can cause injury/ damage

Result of cause (injury/ damage)

Preventative Measures (tools, PPE, equipment)

Controls (test,

checklist)Weights

Erectors of steel and their assistants must be competent in structural steel erection and handling themselves on steel structures at elevated positions.

Erectors not being competent or used to working at heights may fall.

Injury to all parts of body possible fatal

Supervisor to induct steel erectors and their assistants in the safe-way to erect the steel and how to use their personal protective equipment.

Supervisor to monitor on an ongoing basis.

Some Guidelines for Risk Assessment

Activity rules




Controls (test,

checklist)Weights

Lifelines:•+1.0metre above•Erectors to anchor lanyards•One lanyard always fixed

•Lifeline badly fixed•Lanyard not fixed•Falling incidents

Injury to all parts or fatal

•Training•Supervisor to check regularly

Supervisor to check regularly

Activity rules




Controls (test,

checklist)Weights

•Tools in good nick•Tied to erector•Worn spanners forbidden

Activity rules




Controls (test,

checklist)Weights

•Prevent material from dropping

Activity rules




Controls (test,

checklist)Weights

•Demarcate areas under erectors working at height

Start With The Right Tools & PPE

Use Standard Methods Of Deciding Serious Risk

Use is made of a matrix: The rows (5 of them) measure the Consequences The columns measure the probability The smaller the number the more serious the event could be Is just one of several approaches in the manual

Do All The Appointments

APPOINTMENT OF A RISK ASSESSOR (Section 4.2.34)

Construction Regulation 7: Risk Assessment 7. (1) Every contractor performing construction work shall before the commencement of any construction work and

during construction work, cause a risk assessment to be performed by a competent person appointed in writing and the risk assessment shall form part of the health and safety plan to be applied on the site and shall include at least

(a) the identification of the risks and hazards to which persons may be exposed to;(b) the analysis and evaluation of the risks and hazards identified;(c) a documented plan of safe work procedures to mitigate, reduce or control the risks and hazards that

have been identified;(d) a monitoring plan and(e) a review plan;

Appointments

APPOINTMENT OF A CONSTRUCTION WORK SUPERVISOR or

CONSTRUCTION WORK SUPERVISOR ASSISTANT Construction Regulation 6: Supervision of Construction Work 6 (1) The contractor shall appoint a full-time competent employee in writing as the construction supervisor, with the duty of supervising the construction work.

(2) The contractor may in writing appoint one or more competent employees to assist the appointed construction supervisor contemplated in sub-regulation (1), and every such employee shall, to the extent clearly defined by the contractor in the letter of designation, have the same duties as the construction supervisor: Provided that the designation of any such employee shall not relieve the construction supervisor contemplated in sub-regulation(1) of any personal accountability or failing in his supervisory duties referred to in terms of this regulation.

(3) Where the contractor has not appointed an employee as referred to in sub-regulation (2), or, in the opinion of an inspector, not a sufficient number of such employees, that inspector may require the employer to appoint the number of employees indicated by the inspector, and the provisions of sub-regulation (2) shall apply in respect of those employees as if they had in the first instance been appointed under sub-regulation (2).

Etc…..


SupervisingSupervising

1.Risk assessment will be performed for every Activity on site

2.Then identify every hazard associated with the Activity

3.Establish the means of eliminating, reducing and controlling the hazard

4.Assess control effectiveness by continuous monitoring

Our Formal Method

This section covers the philosophy behind the SEMS, what its function should be, and what it should contain and how to use it.

Safe Erection Method Statements (SEMS)

A SEMS is a document that:Describes in detail how a structure will be erected, so the steel erector will be able to visualize how to do it safely.It is in sufficient detail for the authors to determine all hazards so that the risks should be determined and steps taken to eliminate the risks or reduce their likelihood

What is a SEMS?

SEMS, in addition

Should be a useful document for the whole team involved and can be used to transfer an amazing amount of good information to all the interested parties

SEMS Benefits

The SEMS has the added benefits that it:1.Forces the design engineer / client to think of

how the structure will be erected and if it impacts on his design

2.Forces the contractor to think through the erection process, and carry out proper planning

3.Allows the person on site now knows how the structure must be erected and that he is forced to discuss deviations

Typical Lifting Method for Roof Truss

The SEMS serves to promote:•Communication, •Thought, •Discussion and clarification, which will inevitably lead to improved safety and productivity •Elimination of ambiguities and misunderstanding.

SEMS Promotes

SAFE ERECTION METHOD STATEMENT

SIMPLE PORTAL FRAME STRUCTURE – DEFAULT1.

1.1 Identification of the project

Contract Number…………………………

Project Title……………………………….

Client……………………………………… Name and contact details of person to be contacted for technical queries………………

SEMS Section 1

2.1 Brief description of structure

Component

Size

RemarksLength of structure (m)

Number of bays wide

Bay widths (spans) (m)

Centres of rafters (m):

Typical

Non-typical

Height to eaves (m)

Maximum height (m)

SEMS Section 2 - Overview

2.2 Elements to be erected (only the main items)

Columns by size (length and section size) and mass

Rafters ditto but also how assembled;shop welded site boltedpiece small


2.4 Services on siteThis section clarifies who supplies site servicesthe main Contractor or the steelwork contractorSuch asOffices WaterPower AblutionsAccommodation Phone/ faxHoisting equipment ScaffoldingSecurity

And takes account of the hazards associated


A table of Methods for providing safe personnel accessat heights and hazards associated (The table provides for the selection of a standard access method)

An associated identification register and reference to a hazard and risk assessment

Mobile erection working platforms (MEWP’s cherry pickers)Ladders ScaffoldingTemporary platforms Safety linesOthers…..

SEMS - Methods

3.4 Weather, Climatic and environmental conditions:

Some “DO NOTs” relating to weather

•Erect with cranes wind speed> 20kmh•Erect in the rain•Climb on wet, icy or frosty steel

SEMS Section 3 - General

4.3 LAYDOWN AREA

SEMS Section 4.3

• Trial assemblies, mock-up, fit-up and trial erection

• Lifting brackets / safety attachments to be analysed by a Professional (design) engineer

• Marking of centres of gravity on large or irregular assemblies

SEMS – Describe if Required

In addition to make and model and type(s) describe; •Capacity•Boom length•Crane dimensions•Lifting capacity at radius

Also mention•Stability calculations & drawings for erection if required.•Loads imposed on structure during erection•Maximum number of roof sheets stored on purlins

SEMS – Attributes of Crane(s)

• Spreader beams and strong backs• Custom made gear• Lifting slings/ chains register and

adequacy

SEMS – Lifting Gear and Associated Hazards

• This is the heart of the SEMS and impacts on Safe Working @ Heights.

• But equally this is where the contractor has to do his thinking.

• His decisions will directly affect the SEMS as well as the risk and hazard assessments.

• Without going all the way through a complete erect method by looking at just the braced bay the concept will become clear.

SEMS – The Erection Methodology

•All erection thinking should start with the braced bay•Make sure it is all erected square and plumb•Then the rest of the building ditto.

Also basic to the SEMS is:•Checking of HD bolts •This has not been covered •Taking levels and placing of packs

SEMS – The Erection Methodology

There could be several possible ways of doing the columns and bracings

METHOD 1

•Erect the columns one at a time •Fit the eaves tie•Erect the vertical bracings one at a time

SEMS – Erection Alternatives

LAYOUT DRAWING

LAYOUT DRAWINGElevation B-B

METHOD 2

•Erect the columns one at a time • Fit the eaves tie• Assemble all the bracings and hoist as a unit


METHOD 3

•Assemble both columns, eaves tie and all the bracings.•Connect temporary guys in suitable places (centre of tie beam ?)•Using a suitable lifting beam or spreader hoist the whole unit•Anchor the guys •Repeat the system on the other Column line


• We have been forced to think about which method to use

• It forces us to think of ease, speed and safety• Using METHOD 1 we would have to:

o access the top of both columns,o each of the bracing connection pointso many of them simultaneously.o tighten all the bolts in the air

Safe working at height, etc. would all have to be considered

SEMS – Think About the Alternatives

• Using METHOD 2 we would have to:• access the top of both columns,• each of the bracing connection points• many of them simultaneously.• tighten all the bolts in the air

Safe working at height, etc. would all have to be considered


• Using METHOD 3 we would have to:• access the slinging point only,• tighten all the bolts on the ground

Safe working at height is a now a minor issue Clearly this is the quickest and safest


SEMS – Roof Plan

• A similar thought process is applied to rafters etc

• Assembling 2 rafters and the bracings on the ground

• This allows for assembling purlins and sag system on the ground

• On the other hand access to the tops of all 4 columns simultaneously…..to tighten bolts etc

• So the process should go on

Erection Methodology for Roof Steel

• For each of the processes that evolve what must follow is the hazard and risk assessment associated with each activity

• If for e.g. welded connections are intended the all the issues around safe access, safe welding, safe grinding and inspection should be considered

• One of the requirements of RA’s is an ongoing review of the whole process for example what happens if we need to do a rectification in the air. A complete SEMS would have to be done for the access and rectification at heights such as using

o Magnetic base drill….o Grindero Welding


LiftingLifting

• Banksman / rigger must have a whistle to see that no persons walk under loads-he must maintain visual or radio contact with the crane driver

• Use guide ropes with loads• Keep load 2m away from structure, and • Move load slowly as it approaches workers

Lifting Guidelines Include:

Watch for Overhead Power Lines

Use Best Practice for Lifting Operations

The 10th golden guideline!!!

“Try to get rid of the hazard altogether (say by redesign or other technique) failing which try to control the risk so that harm is unlikely”

Limiting Risk…….

• “Engineer out” the hazard at source by redesign

• Reduce the risk-using a less hazardous process, activity, method or substance

• Isolate the hazard by enclosing it or• Reduce exposure time to it• Install protective devices (Use PPE when

there are no other alternatives)• Enforce special rules to control the

hazard• Proper supervision, training, instruction,

information, etc.

How to select risk reductions measures?

Eiffel TowerEiffel Tower

SlingingSlinging


Safe Working in Elevated PositionsIncluding roof work and fall protection

31.1 - If a worker cannot access a position without a ladder or a platform then the Requirements include:•A competent person be appointed (4.2.11)•To develop a Fall Protection Plan (FPP)•RA for procedures and methods required at each position•Prove employees physical & psychological suitability for elevated work

Elevated Work – Further Requirements

Then the Requirements include:

• A suitable training programme • Procedure to inspect, test & maintain the FPP• Regular review of the FPP• Enforce the FPP• Make sure supervisor has a copy of FPP• How to guard all edges / openings• Notices warning of openings

Guidelines to Producing a Fall Protection PlanVery important to SEMS will be: •Safe working at heights•Fall protection •Recovery for poor soles who fall•This plan will have to be devised for each project•Does not play a big role in portals…but has a major impact on the bigger projects

o Mine beneficiation plantso Power station structures o Multi-storey steel framed structures

Guide to FPP - NOTE

DOL has defined a hierarchy to be used to develop the FPP

Note:In the guide we take a different approach for •‘Short Term Access (small connections, removal slings etc, painting) & •Long Term Access (big HSFG, site welded & places using power tools)

DOL hierarchy for controls:

1.Avoid working at height2.Design out hazards3.Method out work @ heights4.Fall prevention using a permanent system5.Fall prevention using a temporary system6. Introduce PPE to help in 27.Sophisticated PPE full suspension8.Full fall arrest

The DOL hierarchy is best illustrated by examples1. a) Design out: •Purlin system without sag bars•No need to access difficult locations to erect sag bars

2. b) Method out: •Purlin system with sag bars•Assemble large panels of purlins & sag bars on the ground •Hoist with suitable spreader beams•No need to access difficult locations to erect sag bars

DOL hierarchy - Examples

And as an aside…….

Do potentially hazardous work at a distance from property at risk

Expose the property at risk for only a short time…….

So the SAISC has provisionally patented (but still under development) a factory built dry flooring system for multi-story buildings that will do just these items

DOL examples 2 • Prevent using fixed or

temporary systems:

Back ground comments • No vertical climbing of columns• No hook or equipment riding• Only trained, healthy, attired

people allowed off the ground+ evidence thereof


2 Prevent using fixed or temporary system:

a.Scaffolding correct & safe for useb.Plus wheels for low activitiesc. Use of MEWP’sd.Attach purpose made ladders to

vertical items such as columns before hoisting them


2 prevent using fixed or temp system (cont’d)

e. Swinging platforms for vertical access (sheeting/ tanks) (Specialists suppliers and regulations)

f. Temp platforms attached to steel before hoisting (long- term works)

g. Purpose made rigs for beam to column

h. Pre-detailed connections to steel



i. Bosuns chairs hanging from crane hooks

j. Gang ways (see 3 types)

k. Hoist beams with life lines attached



l. Combine permanent and temporary (hand rail stanchions with ropes)

m.Edge protection (hand rails attached to shuttering props)

n.Edge protection using tensioned steel wire ropes


o.Edge protection using tensioned steel wire ropes SAISC recommends use of tirfors or similarp.In all cases of FPP it is necessary to plan quick recovery procedures to ensure no further damage due to restricted blood flow occurs to the workerFinally do not overlook PPE for the worker “just” because he is at heights!!!!!!!!Safety shoes hard hatsGoggles OverallsTool bag or belt Body HarnessGloves- pig skin gives the worker a feel for what he is doing


MULTISTOREY COLUMNS

Guide to FPPFall Arrest Systems

• Usually proprietary equipment• Not considered “normal” for

usual steel erect projects• More often used in complete

structures for difficult to access maintenance points

• Does have it dangers……

Guide to FPPFall Arrest Systems

• Nets and air bags are often used in Europe and USA

• Also have their dangers usually by tying them to incomplete parts of the structure

Guide to FPP

What makes for an acceptable “safety harness”?

• Full body harness• 2 lanyards• Shock absorbers (bungee straps)• One lanyard always connected• Other safely stored not to interfere with shock

absorbers• Workers properly trained in the use

Guide to FPP

What constitutes safe traversing of steel?• Full body harness• One lanyard always attached• 2 main acceptable methods

1. Straddle the beam2. Stand on the bottom flange of a beam

Straddle The Beam

What constitutes safe traversing of steel?

Straddle the beam1. Beams 200-700 high+

adequate toe-holds2. No obstructions

preventing change in position

3. Slope< 20° to horizontal4. Sit on top with feet on

flanges & slide

Walking The Bottom Flange

What constitutes safe traversing of steel?

Stand on bottom flange of beam1. Both feet same side of beam2. Secure hand hold (usually top

flange)3. Secure foot hold both feet4. Top flange less than chest height5. Note this method is also used

with trusses but different “hand hold” positions usually

• Barricade off area (not danger tape…..)• For heavy lifts a person warning people to

keep clear• Barricade to have clear no entry signs• Danger workman over head has a place

but should not be the only means• Temporary tunnels (over pavements )• Tools to be tied to climbers• Use of toe boards to platforms

Guidelines to Protect Workers Below Work at Height

Remember the 4 step systematic approach

1. Fall elimination design it into the job

2. Fall prevention- guard rails etc

3. Fall arresting – only if 1 & 2 do not work

4. Recovery

4-Step Approach

END OF TALK

Documents

Presentation With Thanks Gratefully received and distributed with the permission from Spencer Erling the Director of;