Notes for Guidance on PUWER (Regulations 11 & 12)
in relation to Guarding and Cleaning of Augers on Piling Operations
These guidance notes, which have been prepared in conjunction with the HSE, seek to identify a practical approach to The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998 as amended 2002, as they apply to rigs used in the bored piling industry. The notes cover continuous flight auger, rotary bored piling, displacement auger piling and mini piling, Small diameter drilling, which is commonly used for grouting, soil nailing and ground anchoring applications, is covered by Guidance Notes published by the British Drilling Association
Notes for guidance on the extraction of temporary casings and temporary piles within the piling industry
The extraction of temporary casings and temporary works piles has long been common practice within civil engineering and the piling industry in particular. Temporary casings are regularly used in the construction of bored piles to both provide a guide for the auger and to support otherwise unstable soils. Perhaps the most common temporary works piles are sheet piles although ‘H’ piles and steel tubes are often used for temporary support being extracted on completion of the works, particularly in marine applications. The extraction method, in particular for the removal of temporary casings used in the construction of traditional bored piles, has largely been selected on the basis of the judgement of experienced personnel and, in most cases, has been successfully concluded. However, if this judgement is incorrectly made the results can be catastrophic.
This particular document considers the removal of temporary casings and temporary piles The document is commended to all those within the industry who may have reason to extract a pile or casing as part of their works, so that the industry can be more comfortable in the knowledge that this operation is being undertaken in a safe manner.
Network Rail Safety Requirements
Following detailed consultation with the FPS, Network Rail have published a document setting out the conditions which must be adhered to when undertaking piling activities adjacent to the live railway (ie without possession).
The document is available from IHS (Order Line Tel: 01344 328 039)
Title: Piling adjacent to the running line (Issue 1)
Ref No: NR/L3/INI/CP0063
Price: £35 + Postage (postage for a single copy is £5.95)
FPS Supervisor HSE Awareness Course
The industry recognised course has been designed to provide candidates with the most appropriate training to enable Piling Supervisors to attain and maintain competency levels for health and safety management on site and to develop an understanding of behaviour patterns and culture change. Holders of a pass certificate for the course fulfil the criteria and requirements of the UKCG Supervisor Training Standard.
FPS - Pre-commencement Piling Standard
In general piling operations is one of the first sub-contractors to work on a construction site. Certain facilities need to be immediately available in order for the piling to commence in a satisfactory manner but also safely and in accordance with legislation. Experience has taught us that for the facilities to be available it is essential to ensure the arrangements are made some weeks prior to arriving on site. This document offers guidance on the minimum acceptable conditions expected before work commences.
CPCS Cards for Fitters on Piling Sites
MCG Members have agreed that fitters necessarily operating plant and equipment during and as part of examinations and/or repairs will not be required to hold the plant specific CPCS card, provided they already carry the CSCS Plant Mechanic or Construction Plant Maintenance and Repair Card.
Click here to download this statement in PDF format
Use of Debonding Foam
In recent years the hazards of vibration-induced conditions such as ‘hand-arm vibration’ (HAV) and ‘whole body vibration’ (WBV) have come to the fore as a health issue in the construction industry.
The FPS encourages member companies to develop and use improved technologies to ensure that risk from the exposure of employees to vibration is either eliminated at source or, where this is not reasonably practicable, reduced to as low a level as is reasonably practicable.
Technical considerations related to the use of debonding foam on pile reinforcement.
Breaking Down of Piles
The adoption of a suitable pile breaking method can result in financial and program savings and, most importantly, will address and reduce potential health and safety issues. In this document, the FPS consider the different methods available.
FPS Guidance: The application of the LOLER Regulations
to Piling Rigs
The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998
(LOLER) came into force on 5 December 1998 to replace industry
specific regulations on lifting, including sections of the Factories
Act 1961, the Construction (Lifting Operations) Regulations 1961 and
the Lifting Plant and Equipment (Records of Test and Examination)
Regulations 1992.
This Industry Code of Best Practice is designed to offer practical
guidance on the application of the regulations to the piling
industry. The document is designed to complement the Health and
Safety Executive publication ‘Safe Use of Lifting Equipment,
Approved Code of Practice and Guidance – L113’ and other
guidance for the construction industry.
View
guidance
Visibility Aids for Piling Rigs
There have been occasions where Principal Contractors have raised queries regarding PUWER Regulation 28, which states:
Every employer shall ensure that, where self propelled work equipment may, while in motion, involve risk to the safety of persons -(e) Where the driver’s direct field of vision is inadequate to ensure safety, there are adequate devices for improving his vision as far as is reasonable practicable.
Lifting Operations on Piling Sites - Appointed Person Statement
FPS position statement on appropriate qualifications and cards for "Appointed Person" and Slinger Signallers engaged in lifting operations on Piling sites.