Safety Statement for a Concrete Frame Contractor: Key Hazards and Controls

Concrete frame contractors face a distinct set of hazards including formwork and falsework collapse, working at height, concrete burns, and the operation of...

The Hazards of Concrete Frame Construction

Concrete frame construction is one of the most hazardous activities in the Irish construction industry. The combination of working at height, heavy loads, formwork and falsework systems, and the use of concrete as a material creates a range of serious risks that must be carefully managed. A Safety Statement for a concrete frame contractor must address each of these hazards specifically and must reflect the actual methods and equipment used by the company.

The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 requires every employer with three or more employees to prepare a written Safety Statement based on a risk assessment of the hazards in the workplace. For a concrete frame contractor, this obligation requires a thorough understanding of the specific hazards of the trade and the controls required to manage them.

Formwork and Falsework

Formwork and falsework collapse is one of the most serious hazards in concrete frame construction. Formwork is the temporary structure used to contain and shape concrete while it sets. Falsework is the temporary structure used to support the formwork and the wet concrete until the concrete has gained sufficient strength to be self-supporting. The collapse of formwork or falsework during or after a concrete pour can cause catastrophic structural failure, burying workers under tonnes of concrete and steel.

The Safety Statement must address the risk of formwork and falsework collapse and the controls required. These should include the requirement for all formwork and falsework systems to be designed by a competent structural engineer, the requirement for the design to be reviewed and approved before erection begins, the requirement for the formwork and falsework to be erected and struck in accordance with the design, and the requirement for the concrete to achieve the specified strength before the falsework is struck.

The Safety Statement should also address the risk of premature striking of formwork, which can cause the concrete to crack or collapse before it has gained sufficient strength. The striking sequence and the minimum striking times must be specified in the design and must be followed on site.

Working at Height

Concrete frame construction involves extensive work at height, including the erection and striking of formwork, the fixing of reinforcement, the placing of concrete, and the finishing of concrete surfaces. Falls from height are the most common cause of fatal injury in the Irish construction industry, and concrete frame contractors must take this hazard seriously.

The Safety Statement must address the risk of falls from height and the controls required, including the provision of edge protection at all open edges and floor voids, the use of working platforms for formwork erection and striking, and the provision of safe access to all working levels. The use of mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs) for access to elevated work areas should be addressed, including the competency requirements for MEWP operators.

Concrete Burns and Dermatitis

Wet concrete is highly alkaline and can cause severe chemical burns to the skin, particularly where concrete comes into contact with the skin for extended periods. Concrete burns often occur on the legs and ankles of workers who kneel in wet concrete or who have concrete enter their boots. The burns may not be immediately apparent and can cause serious tissue damage if not treated promptly.

The Safety Statement must address the risk of concrete burns and dermatitis and the controls required, including the provision of appropriate PPE (waterproof gloves, knee pads, and waterproof boots), the prohibition on kneeling in wet concrete without knee pads, and the procedures for washing off concrete promptly if it comes into contact with the skin.

Reinforcement Hazards

Steel reinforcement bars (rebar) present a number of hazards on concrete frame construction sites. Projecting rebar can cause impalement injuries if workers fall onto it. Rebar being moved or placed can strike workers. The cutting and bending of rebar generates sharp edges and flying fragments.

The Safety Statement must address the risk of rebar-related injuries and the controls required, including the capping of all projecting rebar with purpose-made mushroom caps, the use of safe systems of work for moving and placing rebar, and the provision of appropriate PPE for rebar cutting and bending operations.

Plant and Machinery

Concrete frame construction involves the use of heavy plant, including concrete pumps, concrete mixer trucks, tower cranes, and mobile cranes. The Safety Statement must address the risk of plant and vehicle interactions and the controls required, including the segregation of plant and pedestrian routes, the use of banksmen, and the competency requirements for plant operators.

Conclusion

A Safety Statement for a concrete frame contractor must address formwork and falsework collapse, working at height, concrete burns, reinforcement hazards, and plant and machinery in detail. These are the hazards that cause the most serious injuries in this trade, and the Safety Statement must specify the controls required to manage each of them. A well-prepared Safety Statement is the foundation of a safe concrete frame construction project.