The installation of precast concrete flooring components, like so many other construction site activities, is acknowledged to be a potentially high-risk, involving the use of heavy plant, cranes and personnel working at height. For this reason, the Precast Flooring Federation has for years produced a regularly updated and revised Code of practice for the safe erection of precast concrete flooring and associated components.
Since the previous edition in 2001, there have been many developments, not only in Health and Safety legislation – such as Work at Heights Regulations 2005, CDM regulations 2007, Health and Safety in Construction (2006 version) and Noise at Work Regulations 2005 – but also in best practice within the industry. Since its first edition, the Code has been acknowledged a best practice document for the industry, covering planning, organising, managing and carrying out work safely. It provides useful and sometimes vital information for architects, structural engineers, main contractors and subcontractors as well as for managers, supervisors, foreman and operatives of the precast flooring specialists. This edition of the Code has been some two years in preparation assisted throughout by members of the Health and Safety Executive. Although the new the Code – which now runs to 114 pages – is intended to be published almost exclusively as a download from the PFF website, a number of looseleaf ring-binder copies will be made available to members, training organisations and the Health and Safety Executive.
AMONG THE IMPROVEMENTS COVERED BY THE CODE ARE:
- Introduction of new PFF Training Scheme
- Introduction of new NVQ in precast concrete erection
- Acknowledgment of construction industry’s CSCS and CPCS competency schemes
- Greater consideration of control measures for falls from heights - Consideration given to falls from vehicles
- Improvements in planning of stair installation
- More consideration of Occupational Health Surveillance
- Improvements in planning and control of lifting operations
Some of these are discussed below.
INTRODUCTION OF NEW PFF TRAINING SCHEME
At present, the PFF Training Scheme is aimed at operatives carrying out precast installation and consists of six core modules. These can be given by external providers such as CITB-approved trainers, Proskills or approved in-house trainers. Retraining must be regularly monitored, since no employee can remember everything, especially if it is not an everyday part of the person’s work. The need for retraining is an essential requirement to satisfy the current regulations. Retraining requirements can be monitored by expiry dates on certificates of achievement or by periodic assessment of individuals, followed by refresher training.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF CSCS COMPETENCY SCHEME
Site operatives are required to hold the CSCS precast concrete installer (industry accreditation A) card and the CPCS slinger signaller card, the scheme being managed by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) who also keep records of operator registration. The scheme was originally the ‘Certificate of Training Achievement’ (CTA) Scheme and all operatives registered are issued with a CPCS Red Card (new entrant) or CPCS Blue Card (experienced operative).
CONTROL MEASURES FOR FALLS FROM HEIGHTS
When carrying out work at height the hierarchy set out in the Work at Height Regulations 2005 must be followed. Top of the hierarchy is to avoid work at height, followed by using work equipment to prevent a fall. Where a potential fall cannot be eliminated, work equipment or other measures must be adopted to minimise the distance and consequences of the fall should one occur. Generally the installation of precast flooring and stairs will require the operatives to work at height. This work will need careful planning following the hierarchy of controls to reduce the risks of working at height. There is a range of measures available to protect the perimeter of the building / working area and the leading edge such as working platforms, handrails, work restraint, safety nets, air bags and fall arrest. All of these should be considered within the hierarchy of measures and selection will be dependent upon the type of floor being installed and the structure on which the floor is being installed. The system that affords the most reasonably practicable level of protection should be employed.
FALLS FROM VEHICLES
Where an operative is required to access the trailer to unload the product there is a significant risk of injury from falls. Careful planning is required. The contractor should liaise with the precast installer and plan the offloading positions. The contractor should also consider the site traffic management plan, other trades and deliveries and ensure that adequate arrangements have been made to accommodate the system being used. Such planning must ensure that the offloading position is within reach of the specified crane, has adequate space for the installation and has adequate ground bearing capacity.
Control systems range from working platform gantries, handrail systems, airmats, safety nets, personal work restraint systems and personal fall arrest systems. Such systems should be adopted where reasonably practical.
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SURVEILLANCE
The health of those installing precast concrete can be affected if the work is not properly controlled. To assist in monitoring the effectiveness of the controls described in the code, recommendations are made regarding preemployment health screening and health surveillance. Employees should undergo general health surveillance at a frequency to be determined by the employer’s risk assessment and policy.
PLANNING AND CONTROL OF LIFTING OPERATIONS
The planning and control of lifting operations is a major part of the Code, running to 23 of the 114 pages. Detailed instructions are given, for example, on the positioning of lifting equipment, the examination of ground conditions, the importance of trained personnel, the need for effective communications, the safety of persons not involved in the lifting operation, including eliminating the need to lift the load over people.
The various types of lifting devices, such as mobile telescopic cranes, tower cranes, are dealt with separately, the emphasis being on appointing one person to control and be responsible for lifting operation on behalf of the company.
In short, the revised Code from the Precast Flooring Federation dots all the i’s and crosses all the t’s in dealing with health and safety. Like its earlier editions, it is acknowledged as best practice and hence is perfect for the training of erectors, foremen and supervisors to ensure that all have the skills and competence to carry out their roles in a safe manner. This training is predominantly carried out via the training programme developed jointly between the PFF and Proskills. The PFF gratefully acknowledges the help and guidance provided by the Health and Safety Executive in the preparation of this Code and is pleased to be able to include the endorsement of Stephen Williams of HSE. The PFF has also received support and comment from the Major Contractors Group.
