final-report-of-the-advisory-committee-on-falsework-bragg-report - Flipbook - Page 71
Has each element of the design been checked by a
competent person and has the falsework been considered as an integrated whole and approved by a
competent person?
Has the design been passed to the Engineer and his
comments acted on?
Are the actual loads encountered on site, particularly the live loads, no greater than those assumed
by the designers ?
Is there a realistic programme for the delivery of
materials to site?
Have there been any changes in materials or construction? Are these significant? If so, have they
been referred to the designer and his approval
obtained?
Has each element of the falsework and the whole
assembly been inspected and the faults rectified or
alterations to design approved?
Does the loading programme agreed on site accord
with the designer's assumptions and intentions?
It will we hope be realised that the TWC is not a mere
collector of dockets which signify that work has been
done. He has to judge when an alteration is sufficiently
important to refer back to the designer. He must
spend time making sure that everyone has the information they need and that activities in one area do
not compromise those in others. He must facilitate
co-operation between everyone concerned. Co-operative effort is best encouraged by informal means and
the formal documentation is a weapon of last resort.
We must therefore emphasise the importance of the
role of the TWC and the authority and status he must
have in the contractor's organisation, which bears full
responsibility for the falsework.
On all major falseworks we would insist that the
TWC should be a Chartered Engineer with experience
of falsework. On smaller jobs he need not have this
professional qualification but must have experience of
falsework. When proper training courses have been
instituted as we propose in Part 6 he will be expected
to have attended one.
site the contractor nominates a competent individual
who is responsible for co-ordinating temporary works
there, and that everyone on site knows who this
person is.
We do not advocate the appointment of a deputy
TWC. This could lead to checks being omitted because
of misunderstandings between the TWC and his
deputy and to a general confusion of authority. Nor
should the TWC be allowed to delegate any of his
duties. In cases of sickness, holiday or similar absence
the full authority of the TWC should be transferred
to another nominee who would temporarily take over
the complete role.
We suggest that temporary works such as access
bridges which are not falseworks in the strict sense
could with advantage be included within the responsibilities of the TWC.
Although dams, reservoirs and tunnels are outside
our terms of reference, we see no reason why the role
of TWC should not be equally applicable to such
works.
The name, address and telephone number of the TWC
should be posted in the site agent's office or other
conspicuous position. Everyone on site should know
that the TWC must be kept informed on all matters
concerning falsework and must know where he can be
contacted.
One would expect that the TWC would spend most
of his time on the site or sites to which he was attached;
in any case he must be readily available. His presence
is particularly needed when the falsework is loaded or
when striking commences. He should also be present
when the designers visit the site and should be in close
touch with the Resident Engineer.
The role of the TWC does not conflict with that of the
site safety officer. The latter has responsibilities which
cover all activities and not just falsework. The safety
officer should however provide a valuable service to
the TWC in advising him of statutory requirements
and other practical points concerning the general
A major construction work will require the undivided safety and health of persons at work. The safety
attention of a TWC. On small sites the site agent officer should vet plans and proposals in advance to
himself may act as TWC. In other cases one individual assess and advise on safety implications. Normally
may cover several sites. A contractor may perhaps the safety officer will not possess qualifications which
find it useful to have a central TWC group at head- enable him to pronounce on structural engineering
quarters to whom those on sites are functionally matters: but he will, of course, be free to comment on
responsible. A contractor who lacks the resources features which appear to him to be unsafe from his
himself may even employ a TWC from outside. We understanding of codes of practice, his knowledge of
would not be dogmatic about the arrangements which regulations and his general experience. The TWC will
should be adopted by particular organisations to suit obviously take note of his comments and will help to
local convenience. What we do insist is that for each get faults put right.
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