Safety topics

Safety topics
 Site organisation - Everything you need to know about organising a safe and healthy construction site.
 Slips, trips and falls - Assess,eliminate and control the risks of slips, trips and falls on construction sites.
 Work at height - The hierarchy of controls for working at height, from working at ground level, using towers,
scaffolds, platforms and ladders and, as a last resort, fall restraints and safety netting.
 Structural stability - Assess the risks and prevent unintentional structuralcollapse during alterations, demolition
and dismantling; and the measures you need to take to prevent accidents in excavations.
 Cranes - All lifting operations involving lifting equipment must be properly planned by a competent person;
appropriately supervised; and carried out in a safe manner.
 Electricity - Work safely with power supplies and electrical equipment; map overhead power lines and
underground cables to prevent accidental contact with machinery.
 Fire - Identify the risks of fire; control combustible materials and ignition sources; and make it clear exactly what
to do if fire does break out.
 Mobile plant and vehicles - Assess the risks,establish competence to operate and control access to telehandlers,
excavators, mobile work platforms, dumpers and road vehicles.
 Demolition - All demolition, dismantling and structuralalteration should be carefully planned and carried out by
competent practitioners.
Slips and trips
What you need to do
Contractors and others in control of construction sites must manage work so that people can move safely
around the site.
Your site should be kept in a clean and orderly condition so as to reduce the chance of injury through
slips and trips.
Everyone can make a contribution to reducing slips and trips on site. If you see a risk, sort it, or report it to
someone who can.
Key aspects of construction slips and trips include:
 Uneven surfaces
 Obstacles
 Trailing cables
 Wet or slippery surfaces
 Changes in level
What you need to know

Several thousand construction workers are injured each year following a trip or slip whilst at work on a
building site. Around 1000 of these injuries involve someone fracturing bones or dislocating joints.
Most could be avoided by the effective management of working areas and access routes, such as
stairwells, corridors, footpaths and site cabins.
Involving the workforce can help identify problem areas and increase the reporting of ‘near misses’.
Everyone can make a contribution to reducing slips and trips – see it, sort it.
Uneven surfaces
Many slips and trips occur when people are walking on uneven surfaces. The risk can be reduced by
providing walkways that are;
 clearly designated as a walkway;
 provided with good conditions underfoot;
 signposted and provided with adequate lighting.
You can also use mechanical lifting aids rather than carrying unwieldy loads that block the view ahead
and make sure everyone wears suitable footwear with a good grip.
Obstacles
Other slips and trips happen because there is something in the person’s way, such as building materials
or waste.
You can help avoid these incidents by:
 Housekeeping - everyone keeping their work and storage areas tidy;
 Deliveries - planning deliveries to minimize the amount of materials on site;
 Waste - designating areas for waste collection, providing skips and bins where needed and making clear the
responsibilities for waste removal.
Trailing cables
If you can use cordless tools you may not need to use cables. Where you need cables for temporary
lighting or mains-powered tools, run them at high level, especially along corridors
Wet or slippery surfaces
Treat slippery surfaces with stone (mud) or grit (for ice) or provide temporary covering.
Signpost any slippery areas and make sure footwear with a good grip is worn.
Changes in level

Where you cannot avoid small changes in level, such as in doorways, consider installing ramps. If you
cannot do this, use signs to warn workers to look out for the change in level.
Working at height
Scaffold checklist – A guide for when scaffold design is required and what level of training and competence those
erecting, dismantling, altering, inspecting and supervising scaffolding operations are expected to have obtained.
Managing work at height follows a hierarchy of controls – avoid, prevent, arrest – which begins with the
question – can the work be done safely from the ground? Fall restraints and safety netting should only be
considered as a last resort if other safety equipment cannot be used.
 Assessing work at height - Assess the risks,take precautions,and issue clear method statements for everyone
who will work at height.
 Roof work - Plan safe access,and prevent falls from edges and openings.
 Fragile surfaces - The hierarchy of controls for working on or near fragile surfaces is avoid, control,
communicate, co-operate.
 Ladders - When it’s appropriate to use ladders – and the three key safety issues – position,condition and safe use.
 Tower scaffolds - Select the right tower for the job; erect, use, move and dismantle the tower safely; ensure that it
is stable; inspect it regularly; prevent falls.
Assessing all work at height
What you need to do
The law requires that employers and self-employed contractors assess the risk from work at height and
go on to organise and plan the work so it is carried out safely.
Try avoiding work at height, if you can. You must otherwise prevent or arrest a fall and injury if work at
height is necessary.
Instruct and train your workforce in the precautions needed. Method statements are widely used in the
construction industry to help manage the work and communicate what is required to all those involved.
Key issues for all work at height are:
 Risk assessment
 Precautions required
 Method statements
Work at height is the biggest single cause of fatal and serious injury in the construction industry,
particularly on smaller projects.

Over 60% of deaths during work at height involve falls:
 from ladders, scaffolds, working platforms and roof edges; and
 through fragile roofs or rooflights.
Risk assessment
Employers and self-employed contractors must:
 Assess the risks;
 Decide on the precautions required;
 Record the significant findings; and
 Review the assessment as necessary.
Do not overcomplicate the process. For many firms your work at height risks will be well known and the
necessary control measures easy to apply.
Follow the HSE Controlling the risks in the workplace
Precautions required
The law on work at height requires that you take account of your risk assessment in organising and
planning work and identifying the precautions required. Your objective is to make sure work at height is
properly planned, supervised and carried out in a safe manner.
The approaches you can adopt for work at height are to:
 Avoid work at height where it reasonably practicable to do so, eg by assembly at ground level and:
 Prevent any person falling a distance liable to cause personalinjury eg by using a scaffold platform with double
guard-rail and toeboards; and
 Arrest a fall with equipment to minimise the distance and consequences ofa fall, eg safety nets,where work at
height cannot be avoided or the fall prevented.
Method statements
A method statement is a useful way of recording the hazards involved in specific work at height tasks and
communicating the risk and precautions required to all those involved in the work. The statement need be
no longer than necessary to achieve these objectives effectively.
The method statement should be clear and illustrated by simple sketches where necessary. Avoid
ambiguities or generalisations, which could lead to confusion. Statements are for the benefit of those
carrying out the work and their immediate supervisors and should not be overcomplicated.
Equipment needed for safe working should be clearly identified and available before work starts. Workers
should know what to do if the work method needs to be changed.

Roof work
What you need to do
The law says you must organise and plan all roof work so it is carried out safely.
 Assessing all work at height
All work on roofs is highly dangerous, even if a job only takes a few minutes. Proper precautions are
needed to control the risk.
Those carrying out the work must be trained, competent and instructed in use of the precautions required.
A ‘method statement’ is the common way to help manage work on roofs and communicate the
precautions to those involved.
On business premises contractors should work closely with the client and agree arrangements for
managing the work.
Key issues are:
 Safe access to roofs
 Roof edges and openings
 Fragile surfaces
Everyone involved in managing or carrying out work on roofs should be aware of the following facts:
 High risk:almost one in five deaths in construction work involve roof work. Some are specialist roofers, but
many are just repairing and cleaning roofs.
 Main causes: the main causes of death and injury are falling from roof edges or openings,through fragile roofs
and through fragile rooflights.
 Equipment and people: many accidents could be avoided if the most suitable equipment was used and those
doing the work were given adequate information, instruction,training and supervision.
Safe access
Safe access to a roof requires careful planning, particularly where work progresses along the roof.
Typical methods to access roofs are:
 general access scaffolds;
 stair towers;
 fixed or mobile scaffold towers;
 mobile access equipment;
 ladders; and

 roof access hatches.
Roof edges and openings
Falls from roof edges occur on both commercial and domestic projects and on new build and
refurbishment jobs. Many deaths occur each year involving smaller builders working on the roof of
domestic dwellings
 Sloping roofs: sloping roofs require scaffolding to prevent people or materials falling from the edge.You must
also fit edge protection to the eaves of any roof and on terraced properties to the rear as well as the front. Where
work is of short duration (tasks measured in minutes), properly secured ladders to access the roof and proper roof
ladders may be used.
 Flat roofs: falls from flat roof edges can be prevented by simple edge protection arrangements – a secure double
guardrail and toeboard around the edge.
Fragile surfaces
Always follow a safe system of work using a platform beneath the roof where possible. Work on or near
fragile roof surfaces requires a combination of stagings, guard rails, fall restraint, fall arrest and safety
nets slung beneath and close to the roof.
 Fragile roofs: all roofs should be treated as fragile until a competent person has confirmed they are not. Do not
trust any sheeted roof, whatever the material, to bear a the weight of a person. This includes the roof ridge and
purlins.
 Fragile rooflights are a particular hazard. Some are difficult to see in certain light conditions and others may be
hidden by paint. You must provide protection in these areas, either by using barriers or covers that are secured
and labelled with a warning.
Fragile surfaces
What you need to do
The law says that contractors and employers must manage the danger by avoiding work on or near
fragile surfaces and controlling any remaining risk by use of stagings, guard rails, and fall arrest systems.
Those at risk must be told what the necessary safety precautions are and people carrying out the work
have to be trained and instructed in the precautions required.
On business premises contractors should work closely with the client and agree arrangements for
managing the work.
 Fragile surfaces
 Precautions

Falls through fragile surfaces, particularly fibre-cement roofs and rooflights, account for 22% of all fall
from height fatal injuries in the construction industry.
Workers undertaking roof work and building maintenance can die or be permanently disabled when they
fall through fragile surfaces.
Those carrying out small, short-term maintenance and cleaning jobs are over-represented in the injury
statistics.
Everyone involved in this type of work, including clients, designers and contractors, should treat falls
through fragile surfaces as a priority hazard.
Fragile surfaces
Fragile surfaces and materials will not safely support the weight of a person and any materials they may
be carrying.
All roofs, once fixed, should be treated as fragile until a competent person has confirmed that they are
non-fragile. In particular, the following are likely to be fragile:
 Fibre-cement sheets – non-reinforced sheets irrespective of profile type;
 Rooflights – particularly those in the roof plane that can be difficult to see in certain light conditions or when
hidden by paint;
 Liner panels – on built-up sheeted roofs;
 Metal sheets – where corroded;
 Glass – including wired glass;
 Chipboard – or similar material where rotted; and
 Others – including wood wool slabs, slates and tiles.
Precautions
Effective precautions are required for all work on or near fragile surfaces, no matter how short the
duration, whether the work concerns construction, maintenance, repair, cleaning or demolition.
Health and safety in roof work HSG33 [paras 170-202] is FREE to download and provides full details of the
dangers presented by fragile surfaces and the precautions available. This guidance should be consulted
by all involved in such work
The hierarchy of steps to be taken to deal with the danger is:
 Avoidance: Plan and organise work to keep people away from fragile surfaces so far as possible,eg by working
from below the surface on a mobile elevating work platform or othersuitable platform.
 Control: Work on or near fragile surfaces requires a combination of stagings,guard rails, fall restraint, fall arrest
and safety nets slung beneath and close to the roof.

 Communication: Warning notices must be fixed on the approach to any fragile surface. Those carrying out the
work must be trained, competent and instructed in use of the precautions required.
 co-operation: On business premises,contractors should work closely with the client and agree arrangements for
managing the work.
Using ladders safely
Every time you use a ladder you should do a pre-use check beforehand to make sure that it is safe for
use. A pre-use check should be carried out by:
 the user
 before using the ladder for a work task
 after something has changed,ie a ladder dropped or moved from a dirty area to a clean area (check state or
condition of feet)
The benefit of conducting pre-use checks is that they provide the opportunity to pick up any
immediate/serious defects before they cause an accident.
Further information
 Using leaning ladders safely
 Using stepladders safely
 Using leaning ladders safely
 Things to look for
 Stiles need to be in good condition
 Do not use the ladder if stiles are bent or split as the ladder could collapse.

 Check the feet
 Do not use the ladder if feet are missing, worn or damaged as the ladder could slip.


 Check the rungs
 Do not use the ladder if rungs are bent, missing or loose as the ladder could become unstable.

 Using stepladders safely
 Things to look for
 Check the locking bars
 Do not use the stepladder if locking bars are bent or the fixings are worn or damaged as the
ladder could collapse.

 Check the feet

 Do not use the stepladder if feet are missing, worn or damaged as the ladder could slip.

 Check the stepladderplatform
 Do not use the stepladder if the platform is split or buckled, the stepladder could become unstable
or collapse.

 Check the steps/treads
 Do not use the stepladder if the steps/treads are contaminated as they could be slippery.
 Check the steps for strengthand stability
 Do not use the stepladder if the fixings are loose as they could collapse.

 Check the stiles
 Do not use the stepladder if stiles are bent or damaged as the ladder could buckle or collapse.


Tower scaffolds
What you need to do
A tower scaffold is one way to prevent a fall when working at height. The type of tower selected must be
suitable for the work and erected and dismantled by people who have been trained and are competent to
do so.
Those using tower scaffolds should also be trained in the potential dangers and precautions required
during use.
Tower scaffold provision and use must be properly managed and include rigorous scaffold inspection
arrangements.
Key issues with tower scaffolds are:
 Erection and dismantling
 Stability
 Precautions and inspection
 Using and moving
Many people are injured each year when they fall from towers or when the tower overturns.
Towers should be erected by trained and competent people. There are a number of organisations that
provide training for the safe erection and use of tower scaffolds.
The incidents that occur are mainly caused by:
 Dangerous methods of erection or dismantling – where a safe systemis not being followed;
 Defects in the erected scaffold – where the tower structure is incorrectly assembled or where a platform
guardrail is missing;
 Misuse of the scaffold – where a ladder is used on a tower causing it to overturn or when a person falls while the
tower is being moved.
Erection and dismantling
The manufacturer, supplier or hirer has a duty to provide an instruction manual explaining the erection
sequence, including any bracing requirements.
Towers should be erected following a safe method of work, either using:

 Advance guard rail system – where temporary guard rail units are locked in place from the level below and
moved up to the platform level. They are in place before the operator accesses the platform to fit the permanent
guard rails.
 ‘Through-the-trap’ (3T) – involves the operatortaking up a working position in the trap doorof the platform,
from where they can add or remove the components which act as the guard rails on the level above the platform.
It is designed to ensure that the operator does not stand on an unguarded platform.
Stability
To maintain tower stability you must make sure:
 the tower is resting on firm, level ground with the locked castors or base plates properly supported.Never use
bricks or building blocks to take the weight of any part of the tower;
 stabilisers or outriggers are installed when required by the instruction manual; and
 that a tower is nevererected to a height above that recommended by the manufacturer.
Precautions and inspection
Tower scaffolds must comply with the standard of required for all types of scaffolds, eg double guardrails,
toeboards, bracing and access ladder.
When the tower is purchased or hired it should arrive with all the necessary components to prevent falls
and ensure stability.
Towers rely on all parts being in place to ensure adequate strength. They can collapse if sections are left
out.
All towers must be inspected following assembly and then at suitable regular intervals by a competent
person. In addition, if the tower is used for construction work and a person could fall 2 metres or more
from the working platform, then it must be inspected following assembly and then every 7 days. Stop work
if the inspection shows it is not safe to continue, and put right any faults.
The result of an inspection should be recorded and kept until the next inspection is recorded.
Using and moving
Make sure everyone involved is aware of, and follows, these simple rules:
Using
Never use a tower:
 in strong winds;
 as a support for ladders, trestles or otheraccess equipment;
 with broken or missing parts; or
 with incompatible components.

Moving
When moving a tower you should always:
 reduce the height to a maximum of 4m;
 check that there are no power lines or otherobstructions overhead;
 check that the ground is firm, level and free from potholes; and
 push or pull using manual effort from the base only.
Scaffold checklist
This guide is intended to clarify when a scaffold design is required and what level of training and
competence those erecting, dismantling, altering, inspecting and supervising scaffolding operations are
expected to have.
Scaffold design
It is a requirement of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 that unless a scaffold is assembled to a
generally recognised standard configuration, eg NASC Technical Guidance TG20 for tube and fitting
scaffolds or similar guidance from manufacturers of system scaffolds, the scaffold should be designed by
bespoke calculation, by a competent person, to ensure it will have adequate strength, rigidity and stability
while it is erected, used and dismantled.
At the start of the planning process, the user should supply relevant information to the scaffold contractor
to ensure an accurate and proper design process is followed. Typically this information should include:
 site location
 period of time the scaffold is required to be in place
 intended use
 height and length and any critical dimensions which may affect the scaffold
 number of boarded lifts
 maximum working loads to be imposed and maximum number of people using the scaffold at any one time
 type of access onto the scaffold eg staircase, ladder bay, external ladders
 whether there is a requirement for sheeting, netting or brickguards
 any specific requirements or provisions eg pedestrian walkway, restriction on tie locations, inclusion/provision
for mechanical handling plant eg hoist)
 nature of the ground conditions or supporting structure
 information on the structure/building the scaffold will be erected against togetherwith any relevant dimensions
and drawings
 any restrictions that may affect the erection, alteration or dismantling process

Prior to installation, the scaffold contractor or scaffold designer can then provide relevant information
about the scaffold. This should include:
 type of scaffold required (tube & fitting or system)
 maximum bay lengths
 maximum lift heights
 platform boarding arrangement (ie 5 + 2) and the number of boarded lifts that can be used at any one time
 safe working load / load class
 maximum leg loads
 maximum tie spacing both horizontal and vertical and tie duty
 details of additional elements such as beamed bridges, fans, loading bays etc, which may be a standard
configuration (see note 1 ref TG20:13) or specifically designed
 information can be included in relevant drawings if appropriate
 any otherinformation relevant to the design, installation or use of the scaffold
 reference number, date etc. to enable recording, referencing and checking
All scaffolding must be erected, dismantled and altered in a safe manner. This is achieved by following
the guidance provided by the NASC in document SG4 ‘Preventing falls in scaffolding’ for tube and fitting
scaffolds or by following similar guidance provided by the manufacturers of system scaffolding.
For scaffolds that fall outside the scope of a generally recognised standard configuration the design must
be such that safe erection and dismantling techniques can also be employed throughout the duration of
the works. To ensure stability for more complex scaffolds, drawings should be produced and, where
necessary, these may need to be supplemented with specific instructions.
Any proposed modification or alteration that takes a scaffold outside the scope of a generally recognised
standard configuration should be designed by a competent person and proven by calculation.
Scaffold structures that normally require bespoke
design
Includes:
 all shoring scaffolds (dead, raking, flying)
 cantilevered scaffolds 1
 truss-out Scaffolds
 façade retention
 access scaffolds with more than the 2 working lifts2
 buttressed free-standing scaffolds
 temporary roofs and temporary buildings
 support scaffolds
 complex loading bays 1

 mobile and static towers 1
 free standing scaffolds 1
 temporary ramps and elevated roadways
 staircases and fire escapes (unless covered by manufacturers instructions)
 spectatorterraces and seating stands
 bridge scaffolds 1
 towers requiring guys or ground anchors
 offshore scaffolds
 pedestrian footbridges or walkways
 slung and suspended scaffolds
 protection fans 1
 pavement gantries
 marine scaffolds
 boiler scaffolds
 power line crossings
 lifting gantries and towers
 steeple scaffolds
 radial / splayed scaffolds on contoured facades
 systemscaffolds outside manufacturers guidance
 sign board supports
 sealing end structures (such as temporary screens)
 temporary storage on site
 masts, lighting towers and transmission towers
 sdvertising hoardings/banners
 rubbish chute
 any scaffold structure not mentioned above that falls outside the ‘compliant scaffold’ criteria in TG20 or similar
guidance from manufacturers of systemscaffolds.
The above list is not exhaustive and any scaffold that is not a standard configuration or does not comply
with published manufacturers’ guidelines will require a specific design produced by a competent person.
Note
1. TG20:13 provides compliant scaffolds for a limited range of cantilever scaffolds, loading bays, static
towers, use of rakers, bridges and protection fans.
2. TG20:13 provides a range of compliant scaffolds, which can be boarded at any number of lifts, but only
two platforms can be used as working platforms at any one time.
Competence and supervision of scaffolding operatives
All employees should be competent for the type of scaffolding work they are undertaking and should
have received appropriate training relevant to the type and complexity of scaffolding they are working on.

Employers must provide appropriate levels of supervision taking into account the complexity of the work
and the levels of training and competence of the scaffolders involved.
As a minimum requirement, every scaffold gang should contain a competent scaffolder who has received
training for the type and complexity of the scaffold to be erected, altered or dismantled.
Trainee scaffolders should always work under the direct supervision of a trained and competent
scaffolder. Operatives are classed as 'trainees' until they have completed the approved training and
assessment required to be deemed competent.
Erection, alteration and dismantling of all scaffolding structures (basic or complex) should be done under
the direct supervision of a competent person. For complex structures this would usually be an ‘Advanced
Scaffolder’ or an individual who has received training in a specific type of system scaffold for the
complexity of the configuration involved.
Scaffolding operatives should be up to date with the latest changes to safety guidance and good working
practices within the scaffolding industry. Giving operatives job specific pre-start briefings and regular
toolbox talks is a good way of keeping them informed.
Guidance on the relevant expertise of Scaffolders and Advanced scaffolders including details of which
structures they are deemed competent to erect can be obtained from the Construction Industry Scaffolders
Record Scheme (CISRS) website .
Scaffold inspection
It is the scaffold users / hirers responsibility to ensure that all scaffolding has been inspected as follows:
 following installation / before first use
 at an interval of no more than every 7 days thereafter
 following any circumstances liable to jeopardise the safety of the installation eg high winds.
All scaffolding inspection should be carried out by a competent person whose combination of knowledge,
training and experience is appropriate for the type and complexity of the scaffold. Competence may have
been assessed under the CISRS or an individual may have received training in inspecting a specific type
of system scaffold from a manufacturer/supplier.
A non-scaffolder who has attended a scaffold inspection course (eg a site manager) could be deemed
competent to inspect a basic scaffold structure.
The scaffold inspection report should note any defects or matters that could give rise to a risk to health
and safety and any corrective actions taken, even when those actions are taken promptly, as this assists
with the identification of any recurring problem.
Further information

 National Access and Scaffolding Confederation

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