Long years of service and the wide array of different projects we have been involved in have helped us to become one of the most knowledgeable companies in our field. It has also given us a good understanding of the competencies of temporary works and how important it is to meet them. Failure to do so increases the hazards on a site and could result in serious injury.
One of the biggest problems is that there is no official determination of exactly when a project becomes large enough that it needs a formal procedure for temporary works. On smaller projects one may not be needed because there are not enough elements going on to require it. With larger jobs, work should not commence before the procedure has been set out. The problem is deciding when a project reaches this size.
The first place to look for clarity in this regard is BS5975. The standard sets out a code of best practice for temporary works procedures. It looks at all of the different elements that need to be considered when structural systems need to be used to support a structure. By following the standard the current legislation will be satisfied and safety will improve.
By consulting BS5975 it is possible to determine if a project needs a formal temporary works procedure in place. It is always best to work with a specialist who has good knowledge of this standard and complies with it to ensure that competencies are met. This will also make sure that the right process is followed.
An important thing to note is that one of the very first steps in a temporary works procedure is to appoint a co-ordinator. They will be the point of contact between designers and the team on site. It is their job to co-ordinate the project so that competencies are met and checks are conducted.
At Denon Construction we have a great understanding of the competencies of temporary works. We can be called on to design a system to suit any site and project, regardless of the scale. Our reputation is built on maximising safety and ensuring that all legislation is satisfied. If you have any questions please get in touch with our team.