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Steel Designers' Manual - 6th Edition (2003)
33.9.2 Risk assessment
Safety 1003
Identification of foreseeable risk should be carried out 5 , as shown in Fig. 33.19,
required before the start of work on site. These should be categorized into likelihood
of occurrence (probability) and severity of occurrence (impact).
By carrying out a risk assessment, the risks can be identified and, where appropriate,
avoided and reduced.
However, by its very nature, the erection of a structural frame is a process involving
a certain amount of risk. The work is carried out at height, and until it has progressed
to a certain point there is nothing to which a safe working platform can be
attached. The process of erecting a safe platform can be as hazardous as the erection
process itself. One solution is to provide mobile access equipment if ground
conditions permit.
Different access platforms are appropriate in different circumstances. One advantage
of modern composite floor construction is that the decking can quickly provide
a safe working platform, requiring only the addition of a handrail. Figure 33.20
shows a safe platform for the erection of bare steelwork – a prefabricated platform
slung over a convenient beam. In this case weather protection may be added for
site welding.
It is the responsibility of the designers and planners to ensure that no platforms
are erected in order to carry out work that ought to have been done either in the
fabrication shops or on the ground before the component concerned was lifted into
place.
A key planning-stage consideration is to see if the need for a working platform
can be eliminated altogether, i.e. can the operation be carried out at ground level
before the component is erected? If not, can the platform be designed so that it is
assembled on the component while it is still on the ground? It is impractical to have
to consider the provision of a safe working platform in order to be able to safely
erect the main safe working platform.
The object of safety procedures is to ensure that everything possible is done to
eliminate the risk of an on-site accidents. Methods of achieving safety include:
(1) An enhanced communication process
Communication of the details of safety procedures to all concerned, the display
of abstracts of the regulations themselves, the issuing of safety procedure
documents, and the running of training courses all contribute to safe working
practice. Individuals must be aware of the location of particularly hazardous
Risk Likelihood of occurrence Likely severity
High Certain or near certain to occur Fatality, major injury, long-term disability
Medium Reasonably likely to occur Injury or illness causing short-term disability
Low Rarely or never occur Other injury or illness
Fig. 33.19 Risk chart 5