Erection

Greater attention is now given to systems and procedures that eliminate or reduce the risks during the erection of constructional steelwork, this is since the introduction of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulation 2007 (CDM). Early planning and preparation can only take place where you have clients and main contractors that appreciate the value of the extra time and effort that goes into performance improvement.

Better work efficiency and accident reductions can be achieved as a direct result of following the principles of the CDM Regulations and the Work at Height Regulations 2005 that supports the edict that more of the work that would be carried out at height can be addressed before the main steelwork component is lifted into place. For example, the off-site fabrication of steel components and the maximising of sub-assembly work results in a reduction of the riskier on-site work.

Design for Erection

Designers have to avoid foreseeable risks, so far as is reasonably practicable, by:

• eliminating hazards from the construction, cleaning, maintenance, and proposed use (workplace only) and demolition of a structure.
• reduce risks from any remaining hazard.
• give 'collective' risk reduction measures priority over 'individual' measures.

This will involve the exercising of professional judgement

• take account of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations when designing a workplace structure
• provide information with the design to assist clients, other designers and contractors
• in particular, inform others of significant or unusual ("not obvious") residual risks

For the successful erection of steelwork good communication is needed between the project designer and the steelwork designer particularly for the details associated with the steel connections and temporary stability during the erection process.

Information for designers to consider:

1. Column Foundations
   Are they good enough for the temporary loading during the construction and not just for the final load conditions?
2. Pre-assembly of materials
   A reasonable amount of sub assembly on site prior to lifting into the final position can significantly reduce working at height issues,
3. Frame design to take MEWP skids
   Where the floors are not going to be concreted in sufficient time to be used the steelwork contractor can use MEWP skids to enable the erection to continue, the input from designers is an important element of which erection process is selected for use.
4. Lifting Brackets
   Planned use of lifting brackets relies on good information regarding the degree of sub assembly that can take place as the holes can be drilled in the off site facility improving efficiency and safety.
5. Pre installed edge protection
   The availability of systems edge protection makes the planning of installation much easier.
6. Decking installation
   Different types of decking can be used in areas where the deep decking may not be needed such as raked edges, this greatly improves the installation process.

Erection guides

BCSA TASK SPECIFIC METHOD STATEMENT