Underslung Superslim Beam - CJ O'Shea (Plant Hire)

Under-slung Superslim Soldiers 

Erection Procedures and Guidance Notes 

Please note this is a five page document. 

1 Introduction 

1 

CJ O'Shea (Plant Hire) Ltd 

Station Road, Smallford, Nr. St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL4 0HF, United Kingdom 

Tel. (01727) 826748 Fax. (01727) 826880 

Issue Date: January 2007 

It is essential that the procedures are read and fully understood prior to the use of the 

equipment. This guidance note is for the erection, use and dismantling of under-slung 

Superslim Soldier and Aluma Beam falsework. It is recommended that all site personnel / 

operatives using this equipment should first familiarise themselves with these procedures 

and guidance notes and shall be read in conjunction with CJ O’Shea (Plant Hire) Ltd 

drawing(s). It is the customer’s responsibility to assimilate this information into a 

document specific to site conditions. These procedures and guidance notes are not to be 

used as a working method statement. 

2 Health and Safety 

This document does not remove the customer’s responsibility to provide suitably trained 

and competent site personnel / operatives for the safe erection, dismantling and use of 

this equipment. Please refer to Appendix A on page four of this document. 

3 Design Criteria 

3.1 The under-slung Superslim Soldier and Aluma Beam falsework, is designed to support 

reinforced concrete, live loads and other loads defined by the customer. 

3.2 CJ O’Shea (Plant Hire) Ltd drawing(s) clearly show all design criteria. The customer is 

advised to approve of the drawing(s), prior to the delivery of equipment. Any discrepancies 

to be brought to the attention of CJ O’Shea (Plant Hire) Ltd drawing office. 

3.3 Any site amendments to be approved by CJ O’Shea (Plant Hire) Ltd drawing office, prior to 

erecting equipment / commencing pour. 

4 References 

Please refer to Appendix A on page four of this document. Additional method statements 

and contract drawings may be provided by the contractor. 

5 Assembling the Under-slung Superslim Soldier Frames 

5.1 The under-slung structure is generally supported by threaded rods (dividag bars) 

suspending the equipment from the permanent works steel or concrete beams. 

5.2 The customer shall ensure that the permanent structure is capable of withstanding the 

imposed loads / reactions shown on the CJ O’Shea (Plant Hire) Ltd drawing(s), in the 

condition appropriate to the situation when the loading is applied. 

5.3 Where fixings such as anchors are used, reference should be made to the supplier’s /

manufacturers current literature for the safe use of the fixings. Any anchor supplier’s 

instructions must be adhered to during installation, either on site or previously in pre- 

casting situations. 

5.4 In some instances, timber packing forms an integral part of the structure. The timber must 

be of adequate size and quality to withstand the reaction forces shown on the CJ O’Shea 

(Plant Hire) Ltd drawing(s). 

5.5 Bolt together the Soldiers in the configuration shown, pay attention to the orientation of 

Soldiers such that the internal stiffeners are positioned to enable the fitting of any raking 

ties, turnbuckles or horizontal stop brackets. Soldier joints must be in the locations shown 

and joint stiffeners used where indicated. Any required deviation from the arrangement 

shown must be referred to CJ O’Shea (Plant Hire) Ltd for approval. 

5.6 Brace together the Soldiers with tube and fittings as shown to form modules, which can be 

crane handled or lifted integrally with the permanent works according to the client’s 

method statement. Dismantling will usually be in discrete craned modules per bridge side, 

so the horizontal lace tubes must be fitted to allow a small gap between tube ends at 

adjacent modules for removal. 

5.7 Attach the Aluma Beams to the Superslim Soldiers with the clamps specified on the 

CJ O’Shea (Plant Hire) Ltd drawing(s), normally one per intersection on staggered sides 

of the soldier. These can be fixed either on the ground, or alternatively in situ, in which 

case a safe means of access must be provided by the customer. 

5.8 Add all plywood-decking, Edge Protect System etc. to complete the structure, fit end 

Edge Protect System panels where appropriate. 

5.9 Ensure all Edge Protect System panels are arranged in a suitable fashion to enable 

dismantling. Any box outs (designed and fabricated by the customer), must be nailed or 

screwed to the timber inserts in the Aluma Beam secondary bearers, with holes left for 

members such as vertical Soldiers and turnbuckles to pass through where necessary. 

5.10 Provide and fit all packing shown. Some packing may be designed to prevent the 

accidental horizontal movement of the suspending threaded rods. 

5.11 The location of the pre-assembled shall be such that it is within the reach and SWL of the 

crane. Check the weight of the units prior to lifting either by reference to the CJ O’Shea 

(Plant Hire) Ltd data or by trial lifting. 

5.12 Sling the unit with a set of four legged chains shortening clutches. Attach via two legs at 

the inside of the unit and two legs at the outside of the unit. The approximate centre of 

gravity of the unit will be provided if requested by CJ O’Shea (Plant Hire) Ltd. 

5.13 Adjust the lengths of the chain legs to ensure slinging is at approximately the correct angle 

to allow fixing to the permanent structure. Attach tag lines. Raise the unit into position and 

attach the horizontal Soldiers to the bridge structure. Detach the crane and repeat for 

other units. 

5.14 Complete all handrail infills to provide safe access. Add the equipment shown above the 

units. This may include falsework supports, slab or parapet edge formwork etc. Supply, 

compress and fit foam filler strip at the joint between the formwork and the bridge structure 

to prevent grout loss due to the deflection of the support structure under load. 

6 Use of Under-slung Superslim Soldier Frames 

6.1 Access 

Access must be designed and provided by the customer, with safety harnesses used 

where erectors work outside completed personnel access areas. 

2 



Tel. (01727) 826748 Fax. (01727) 826880

6.2 Loading 

Prior to loading, check the equipment has been assembled as per the CJ O’Shea 

(Plant Hire) Ltd drawing(s). Ensure that all connections are sound, and that suspending 

threaded rods and nuts are tightened. Ensure all Edge Protect System panels are 

tightened. Make any adjustments as necessary. 

Consult the CJ O’Shea (Plant Hire) Ltd drawing(s) for any specific loading requirements 

and issue a Permit to Load document to site operatives. 

6.3 Concreting 

Fix the reinforcement and complete all formwork. Place the concrete evenly avoiding 

heaping. Allow curing. 

7 Dismantling the Under-slung Superslim Soldier Frames 

Erect the permanent works parapet handrail or Edge Protect System to provide safe 

access once the parapet falsework has been removed. Strike and remove the formwork 

and any falsework above the under-slung modules. Provide safe means of access to 

enable subsequent dismantling operations. 

8 Removing as a Module 

Centre of Gravity of the Under-slung Module Out of the Cast Parapet 

Attach the slings as for erection, take the weight of the unit on the crane. Remove the 

fixings to the permanent structure and any connections with neighbouring units. Fix tag 

lines. Part the falsework module from the deck. Lower the unit to the ground for inspection 

and maintenance prior to any re-use. 

Centre of Gravity of the Under-slung Module Inside the Cast Parapet 

Use a designed C-Hook to lower the module. Position the C-Hook under the module. Take 

the weight of the unit of the crane. Remove the fixings to the permanent structure and any 

connections with neighbouring units. Fix tag lines. Part the formwork module from the 

deck. Lower the unit to the ground for inspection and maintenance prior to any re-use. 

Dismantle the units in reverse order to assembly, removing the scaffolding, the vertical 

part of the structure and then the box out and ply deck. The Aluma Beams are then 

unclamped and the soldier sections unbolted. 

9 Lowering Piecemeal 

Working from a suitable access such as a cherry picker/scissors lift or working with a 

safety harness suitably attached, dismantle the under-slung falsework piecemeal. 

9.1 Work from the top and strip off the toe boards, plywood decking, Aluma Beams, 

Edge Protect System panels and any vertical Soldiers. Stack dismantled components 

neatly in the appropriate containers / stillages on the completed deck. 

9.2 Working from underneath, remove the scaffold tube bracing. Attach slings to any Soldiers 

that can be crane handled and take the weight. Undo the end connections and lower to 

3 



Tel. (01727) 826748 Fax. (01727) 826880

the ground. 

9.3 Working on the shortest lengths of Soldiers possible, remove the fixings to the permanent 

structure and any connections and lower onto the temporary access platform. Transfer to 

ground level. 

9.4 Clean and place the dismantled components in the supplied stillages, and return the 

equipment to CJ O’Shea (Plant Hire) Ltd. 

10 Making Good 

Make good the holes left by removal of the threaded rods. Access can be provided from 

scaffolding, cherry picker or scissors lift working from below, or an under-bridge inspection 

unit working from above. 

Appendix A - References 

1. Legislation 

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 

Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 

Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 

Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 

Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994 (as amended) 

Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996 

The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 

2. HSE Approved Codes of Practice and Guidance 

L22 Safe use of Work Equipment ACOP and Guidance 

L113 Safe use of Lifting Equipment ACOP and Guidance 

HS(G)150 Health and Safety in Construction 

HS(G)151 Protecting the Public – Your Next Move 

CIS17 Construction Health and Safety Checklist (Rev.1996) 

CIS49 General Access Scaffolds and Ladders 1997 

IND(G)220 A Guide to the Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare Regs. 1996) 

3. Guidance 

Concrete Society: Formwork a Guide to Good Practice 

Construction Plant Hire Association (CPA): British Concrete Pumping Group: 

Concrete Pump Operators’ Safety Guide 

Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Concrete Pumps 

Construction Industry Research and Information Association: 

Report 108: Concrete Pressure on Formwork 

Timber Research and Development Association: 

Simplified rules for the Inspection of Second-hand Timber for Load Bearing Use 

Precast Concrete Frame Association: 

Code of Practice for the Safe erection of Precast Concrete Frameworks 

Concrete Structures Group: 

A guide to the safe transportation of formwork and falsework equipment 

4. Standards 

BS 1129 Portable Timber Ladders, Steps, Trestles and Light-weight Stagings 

BS 2037 Aluminium Ladders Steps and Trestles 



Tel. (01727) 826748 Fax. (01727) 826880 

4

BS 2482 Timber Scaffold Boards 

BS 5531 Safety in Erecting Structural Frames 

BS 5975 Code of Practice for Falsework 

BS 6180 Protective Barriers in and about Buildings 

BS EN 131 Part 1 and 2: Ladders 

BS EN 361 Full Body Harness 

BS EN 1570 Safety Requirements for Lifting Tables 

BS EN 1263 Safety Nets 

BS EN 12811 Temporary Works Equipment 

BS EN 12811-1:2003 Scaffolds – Performance Requirements and General Design 

BS EN 12812 Falsework Performance Requirements and General Design 

BS EN 13374:2004 Temporary Edge Protection Systems – Product Specification, Test Methods 

CP 118 The Structural Use of Aluminium 

5. Manufactures Technical Data 

References should be made to the following Technical Data, available from CJ O’Shea (Plant Hire) Ltd. 

Superslim Soldiers 

Aluma Beams 

5 



Tel. (01727) 826748 Fax. (01727) 826880

Underslung Superslim Beam - CJ O'Shea (Plant Hire)

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?