Temporary Works Standard Safety Procedure

The purpose of this procedure is to provide safework instruction for the safe erection, dismantling and structure design of temporary works.

Definitions and Abbreviations

Temporary Works: Any temporary structure required to construct a permanent structure or used to support a permanent structure.

TWC: Temporary Works Coordinator

TWD: Temporary Works Designer

TWDC: Temporary Works Design Checker

TWS: Temporary Works Supervisor

Responsibilities

The following personnel have responsibilities for the implementation of this standard safety procedure:

– Project Director

– Project Manager

– Temporary Works Coordinator

Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment

The hazards associated with Temporary Works are usually those of collapse and/or failure of the equipment in place.

These failures occur mainly as a result of:

i. Poor design.

ii. Use of unsuitable or insufficient materials and equipment.

iii. Lack of knowledge and inexperience of persons involved in Temporary Works.

iv. In particular the causes of failure fall into a number of well defines areas:

v. Incorrect estimation of loads to be supported.

vi. Design error, or loading programmed changed after design completed.

vii. Inadequate maintenance.

viii. Inadequate detailing and/or execution of points of load transference.

ix. Inadequate horizontal and/or diagonal bracing to resist lateral loads.

x. Inadequate foundations.

Risk Checklist for Temporary Works

a) Risk to persons from collapsing structures (fall onto).

b) Risk to persons falling from collapsing structures (fall from).

c) Risk to persons being hit by falling materials.

d) Risk of excavation collapse.

e) Risk of persons falling into poorly guarded excavations.

f) Risk of plant/equipment damage arising from any of the above.

g) Risk to persons handling equipment (manual handling injuries).

Control Measures for Hazards in Temporary Works

The control measures required for the safe operation of all Temporary Works are listed here as headings, specific details in relation to the controls are contained in sections which follow.

Control of Temporary Works

a) The allocation of duties and responsibilities to competent staff for all Temporary Works activities.

b) The formal appointment, in writing of persons to carry out individual duties.

c) The maintenance of a Temporary Works register.

d) The correct classification and assessment of all Temporary Works.

e) The preparation of the concept and design brief based on hazard identification and risk assessment.

f) The formal allocation of individual responsibilities to:

• Temporary Works Coordinator
• Temporary Works Designer
• Temporary Works Design Checker
• Temporary Works Supervisor

g) The checking of all materials for adequacy, prior to erection.

h) The formal checking of the Temporary Works design and inspection before any works or loadings commence.

i) The provision of and compliance with the wearing of all required personal protective equipment see section on (Personal Protective Equipment).

Duties and Responsibilities of Staff for Temporary Works

Contractor’s Responsibilities

a) Main contractor is responsible for all Temporary Works which are required for any part of the Works which are included in the project contract.

b) Contractor’s responsibility is total, i.e. from initial concept, through design stage, to erection, use, dismantling and also includes the Temporary Works of Sub-contractors which must be properly checked and approved at each phase by main contractor/client.

c) Main contractor will ensure that the appointed Project Manager has adequate knowledge of the operations to be carried out, including the methods and techniques required, the hazards likely to be encountered, the risks involved, and the controls required for the satisfactory and safe construction of the Works.

d) Appointed authorized Project Manager is in full charge of the Works and responsible for the safety of all the Project’s operations and employees/personnel.

e) It is essential that operative involved with Temporary Works at any stage in the process are fully aware of their duties and responsibilities. These must be clearly defined by the Project Manager when they appoint the individuals concerned.

The Main Items of Responsibility

Responsibility must be allocated for the following key elements of the Temporary Works:

i. The concept of the scheme

ii. The design brief

iii. The design – drawings and specification etc.

iv. Checking of the design.

v. Adequacy of materials used.

vi. Site control of erection, maintenance and dismantling

vii. Checking of site control

viii. Authority to use or remove

Formal Appointment of Persons to Carry Out Individual Duties

The Project Manager must appoint suitably experienced individuals to carry out all the key elements of the Temporary Works.

Appointments will be confirmed in writing to each individual, giving clear instructions on their duties, responsibilities and authority.

The following appointments must be made for every temporary work contract, or for separate parts of a Contract depending on the nature and extent of the Temporary Works:

• Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC)
• Temporary Works Designer (TWD)
• Temporary Works Design Checker (TWDC)
• Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS)

It will normally be the case on larger projects that the TWC and TWS are based on site. However, on medium sized and small projects the individuals may be appointed on a visiting basis. In such cases, the specific requirements for Temporary Works will be assessed with the Project Manager before making the appropriate appointments.

Temporary Works Register

The TWC will maintain an up-to-date register of all the items of Temporary Works on the site with each item classified as defined on Temporary Works Register.

Purpose of the register is to ensure that each item of Temporary Works whether originating within main contractor or from a Sub-contractor, is formally identified, designed and checked in accordance with project and company requirements.

The temporary works register should be established by Contracts Management at each Contract handover meeting and updated as necessary by the TWC throughout the duration of the Contract.

Classification of Temporary Works

Each item of Temporary Works should be assessed and classified by the Project Manager/TWC as Class A or B as defined below, to fix the level of design and checking necessary.

In relative terms, Class “A” Temporary Works are deemed to be of significantly higher risk than Class “B”.

Class “A” Temporary Work

For all Temporary Works in this classification, from whatever source, the engineering manager must be appointed as TWDC although an external consultant maybe appointed for that purpose.

The TWC will record all the design checks in the Temporary Works Register.

Typical examples of Class A Works are:

i. Bridge false work and erection schemes.

ii. Cofferdams

iii. De-watering and ground water control other than sump pumping

iv. Structural sheet piling including trench sheeting deeper than 3 meters

v. Structural refurbishment and jacking schemes

vi. Ground support schemes greater than 3 meters deep, including proprietary support systems

vii. Ground support schemes less than 3 meters deep where poor ground conditions are found

viii. Open cut excavations greater than 6 meters deep, but dependent on the nature of the ground and site conditions

ix. Formwork for concrete pours higher than 3 meters

x. False work higher than 3 meters

xi. Façade retention schemes

xii. Marine works

xiii. All tower crane bases

Class “B” Temporary Works

The same checking and registration procedures are to be followed for schemes in this class except that the TWDC role may be allocated to any competent person appointed by Site Management, examples are:

• Trench excavations up to 3 meters deep
• False work up to 3 meters high
• Formwork for concrete pours up to 3 meters in height
• Simple propping and shoring up to 3 meters high
• Foundation underpinning not using piles

List given above are by no means exhaustive and the categorization should not be taken as a totally rigid interpretation. For example a 3.1m deep excavation in good ground could be classed as “Class A”, when in fact, based on the risk principle should be “Class B”.

Alternatively a 2.9m deep excavation in running sand could have a “B” classification, when in fact it should be “Class A”.

If any doubt exists as to the classification of Temporary Works, advice should be obtained from TWC.

Note: Where there are no competent site staff for allocation of Temporary Works duties, then TWC must be consulted prior to works commencing.

The Concept and Design Brief for Temporary Works

Temporary Work Concept

The Project Manager will establish the concept of the Temporary Works and carry out a Risk Assessment in conjunction with the TWC and TWD following full consultation with the TWS as to the preferred method of construction, the choice of materials or systems, plant and labor and any access problems which may exist.

Nature and scope of the Permanent Works will also be a major consideration in the choice of scheme – particularly any stated sequence of working of time related restrictions called for in the Contract. It is important therefore that the Client’s Engineer and the relevant Statutory Bodies are consulted where appropriate during the formulation of the concept to prevent adoption of unacceptable methods and materials.

Design Brief for Temporary Work

TWC will prepare the design brief and carry out a Risk Assessment under the direction of the Project Manager and confirm its sufficiency with the TWD.

The full details of the Permanent Works, site ground conditions, adjacent overhead or underground services and any other relevant information, should form a complete statement of the working performance required of the Temporary Works and the circumstances affecting it.

Design brief should also include a control programmed which will define who provides what and when.

Emphasis should be also be placed on the fact that all communication must be channeled through the Temporary Works Coordinator, who is authorized to apply and progress the requirements of the brief and the programmed.

At all stages, from design brief to dismantling of the Temporary Works, it is necessary to check that the information being used is correct and that the work is carried out as specified. Changes in the requirements of the design brief should be recorded therein as well as being incorporated into the design and drawings.

As specialist equipment suppliers accept virtually no responsibility for to use of equipment on sites, particular attention should be given to the physical and functional interfaces between these suppliers and any Temporary Works.

The health and safety aspects of design need to be communicated to, and where necessary discussed with, the Planning Supervisor so as to:

Avoid or reduce risks arising from any interaction with the work of others involved in design and planning.

Enable the information to be incorporated into the Health and Safety Plan.

The person responsible for communicating this information will be Temporary Works Coordinator.

Design Brief Checklist

• Drawings of Permanent Works, including relevant specifications
• Soil and ground water conditions
• Details of site conditions, including services and access
• Preferred methods of construction and dismantling
• Available materials, equipment and plant
• Particular loads
• Control programmed
• Acceptable tolerances

The Temporary Works Coordinator

Who is suitable?

• A Line Manager
• Sufficiently experienced to recognize the need for Temporary Works (TW)
• Acknowledged experience and knowledge of the construction methods to be used
• Who recognizes limits to their technical abilities and when to request assistance.
• Who is a competent communicator and administrator

Responsibility to carry out

• Control and co-ordination of all TW activities
• Communication of information amongst all parties involved in TW
• Registration and recording of all correspondence and documents relating to TW
• Preparation of a meaningful and comprehensive design brief
• Progress monitoring at all stages
• Verification of the design and the construction methods

Duties to ensure that

• The design is checked
• Methods and materials satisfy the requirements of the design
• Changes and corrections are design, verified and carried out as required
• Inspections are done at critical stages during construction and before loading
• The strength of the Permanent Works is adequate to permit removal of the TW

Authority to enforce the requirements of

• Health & Safety Policy
• The Contract
• Design brief
• Approved design

The Temporary Works Designer

Who is suitable?

• Main Contractor Engineering Manager (Class “B” Temporary Works Only)
• An external consultant acceptable to the Contract Management
• A supplier’s or Sub-contractor’s design office acceptable to Management, but ultimate design responsibility remains with main contractor.
• Experienced contractor’s engineers of proven design competence

Responsibilities to produce

A conforming design – which satisfies all the requirements of the design brief

Detailed documents – comprehensive and easily understood by those using them

Resolutions to technical queries

Design changes – as requested by the TWC

An appreciation of the effects of the TW on the Permanent Works

Design notes to highlight all critical stages of construction and necessary checks

Duties

To conform to codes of practice and design standards appropriate to the temporary works

To produce a safe, economic design within the timescale of the program

To liaise fully with the TWC to resolve any queries

To consult recognized specialists when required to expedite the design, as agreed with the TWC

The Temporary Works Design Checker

In all cases of Class “A” Temporary Works, contractor’s engineering manager or an external consultant appointed in this capacity.

In cases where engineering manager is appointed as TWD and TWDC, the Temporary Works Co-coordinator must confirm the appointment in writing and ensure that the correct independent checking regime is followed.

In the case of Class “B” Temporary Works, the TWDC role may be undertaken by any competent person appointed by the Line Management.

The qualifications, duties and authority of the TWDC are similar to that the TWD. The responsibility of the TWDC is to verify the design and confirm that to the TWC.

Temporary Works Supervisor TWS

Who is suitable?

A General or Trades Foreman who;

Is safety trained – able to spot potential hazards;

Has acknowledged relevant experience of the construction method;

Is technically able – can understand the drawings and design principles

Responsibilities

Safety at all times – especially during erection, use and dismantling of temporary work.

To contribute to the design brief – method, skills, plant, materials. Access, etc.

To ensure the standard of workmanship is good – careful attention to detail

To supervise erection, loading and removal in the correct sequence

To activate the checking procedures called for by the design and the Contract

To organize the Works – to meet program

Duties & Authorities of TWS

To understand the design details

To ask for more detail from the TWC if not completely sure of what is required

To recognize the authority of the TWC and carry out his/her instructions

Not to change any details or method unless with the written agreement of the TWC

To advise the TWC of unforeseen conditions, impractical details etc. if they arise

Authorized to organize all construction activities relating to the Temporary Works and enforce the checking regime required by the TW design and the contract

Inspection / Checking of Temporary Works

Checking is essential at every stage of Temporary Works, from initial concept, through design stage, to erection, use and dismantling.

The result of all inspections and checks will be recorded in writing and action taken to correct any faults.

Checking will be carried out in a systematic manner with reference to checklists. Return inspections to verify the correction of faults will follow the same systematic routine to check every feature that could have altered in the intervening period.

Particular care will be taken to ensure that above the obvious technical load bearing properties of the Temporary Works, the safety of the people involved with them is assured. The adequacy of access ways and working platforms and their edge protection measures must be paramount considerations.

Statutory requirements must be met at all stages of the process.

All Temporary Works designed or erected by Sub-contractors must be checked by the TWC for the site using the same regime of checks that would be employed if they were designed and erected by contractor.

Engineering Manager and HSE Department will be consulted to ensure that all schemes comply with all the Temporary requirements in this section of the procedure.

Temporary Works – Safety Checklist

Have the following individuals been appointed in writing:

i. Temporary Works Coordinator (in Line Management of site)

ii. Temporary Works Supervisor (in Line Management of site)

iii. Temporary Works Designer (not necessarily in Line Management of site)

iv. Temporary Works Design Checker (not necessarily in Line Management of site)

v. Are the appointed persons carrying out their duties in accordance with the procedures?

vi. Temporary Works Coordinator

vii. Temporary Works Supervisor

viii. Temporary Works Designer

ix. Temporary Works Design Checker

Temporary Works Erection

Are the supervisors of the erection in receipt of or fully aware of the design and any limitations placed upon it.

Are the checks at the critical stages being carried out?

Is the system for checking the Temporary Works materials prior to erection satisfactory?

Is there an agreed method statement and risk assessment

Is there safe access and egress across the Temporary Works?

Have the erectors been fully briefed on the method statement and risk assessment

Have the erection team, including supervisors, been issued safety equipment

Is the equipment being used where necessary?

Has suitable edge protection been provided?

Use of Temporary Works

Has the TW been inspected on completion of erection and have the results been documented.

Has formal written permission to load been given?

Has all appropriate maintenance been carried out and recorded.

Has a “Toolbox” talk been given to operatives on the dangers of working on Temporary Works?

Is safe access and egress being provided and maintained?

Is edge protection being provided and maintained?

After stages such as steel fixing and concreting is the guardrail still at a suitable height.

Dismantling of Temporary Works

Has formal written permission been given to dismantle the Temporary Works?

Is there an agreed method statement and risk assessment for this procedure?

Are the supervisors and operatives fully aware of the agreed method?

Has provision been made to maintain edge protection during dismantling?

Has provision been made to maintain safe access and aggress?

Are supervisors and operatives using the necessary safety equipment?

Has the area beneath the dismantling been barriered off and adequately signed?

Have the Temporary Works materials been checked for damage and such items segregated?

Related Records

Temporary Work Register