14.3 Specialised Site Controls: Structures, Platforms, Hoists, Plant & Facilities (CR 11, 15, 17-21, 25-28, 30)

1. Why These Regulations Matter

Earlier chapters covered the highest-profile Construction Regulations: fall protection (CR 10), temporary works (CR 12), excavations (CR 13), demolition (CR 14), scaffolding (CR 16), cranes and plant (CR 22 and 23), electricity (CR 24) and fire (CR 29). The remaining regulations govern specialised equipment and site conditions that appear on many projects and in SACPCMP examination scenarios. Each has specific appointments, inspections and records the CHSM must check.

2. Structures (CR 11)

CR 11(1) requires a contractor to ensure that:

• all reasonably practicable steps are taken to prevent the uncontrolled collapse of any new or existing structure that may become unstable or is temporarily weak because of construction work (for example during alterations, propping removal or excavation next to foundations);
• no structure is loaded in a way that makes it unsafe, such as stacking bricks on a slab not yet designed for the load; and
• all design drawings of the structure are kept on site and available to an inspector, other contractors, the client and the client's agent or employee.

CR 11(2) places duties on the owner of a structure after completion: inspections by competent persons at least once every six months for the first two years and yearly thereafter, maintenance so that the structure remains safe, and records of inspections and maintenance available to an inspector. The health and safety file handed over at completion should contain the information the owner needs for these inspections.

3. Tunnelling (CR 15)

CR 15 is short and absolute: no person may enter a tunnel with a height of less than 800 millimetres. Small-diameter pipe jacking and micro-tunnelling below this height must be done by remote methods. Tunnels are also usually confined spaces, so GSR 5 testing, ventilation and rescue arrangements apply.

4. Suspended Platforms (CR 17)

Suspended platforms (building maintenance units and temporary cradles) carry the risk of falls from great height. CR 17 requires:

• a competent person appointed in writing to supervise all suspended platform work and ensure that erectors, operators and inspectors are competent;
• a certificate of system design from a professional engineer, certificated engineer or professional technologist, and an operational compliance plan developed by a competent person before work starts, covering appointments, competency, design calculations, performance test results and sketches with the operational load;
• outriggers with a safety factor of at least four, stop devices at their outer ends, and separate connection of the suspension rope and the safety rope to the outrigger;
• each person on the platform wearing a body harness attached to the platform at all times;
• a notice showing the maximum mass load, maximum number of persons and maximum total load;
• thorough examination of the whole installation by a competent person, a performance test by a competent person appointed in writing who determines the serviceability of the structures, ropes, machinery and safety devices before use every time the platform is erected, and a load test (the manufacturer's load or, failing that, 110% of the rated load) at intervals not exceeding 12 months;
• hoisting ropes and load-attaching devices examined every time they are assembled and, in continuous use, at intervals not exceeding three months;
• a daily inspection before use, checking bolts, safety devices, load, harness use and visible damage;
• workers who are medically fit for work at a fall risk position, competent and trained, including emergency procedures; and
• isolation of the platform at the end of each working day.

5. Rope Access Work (CR 18)

CR 18 requires a rope access supervisor appointed in writing, supervision of all rope access work by a competent person, and rope access operators who are competent and licensed. Equipment and anchors must meet the applicable standards, and a site-specific fall protection plan prepared by a competent person, with equipment inspection and maintenance records, must be in place before work starts. Rescue must be able to start immediately after a fall.

6. Material Hoists (CR 19)

CR 19 sets dimensional and operating rules for builders' material hoists:

• the hoist and tower must be built to generally accepted technical standards, on firm foundations, secured or braced, with at least 900 mm of clear over-travel space above the highest landing;
• the tower must be enclosed at the bottom and at floors where people could be struck, to a height of at least 2 100 mm, with gates at least 2 100 mm high at each landing, kept closed unless the platform is at that landing;
• the platform must contain its load, the combined mass must not exceed the hoist's design capacity, remote-winch ropes must be protected, and an efficient brake must hold the loaded platform when power fails;
• loads such as barrows must be secured against displacement;
• a notice at the base and each landing must show the maximum load and that riding on the platform is prohibited; no person may ride on a material hoist;
• only competent persons may operate it; and
• it must be inspected daily by a competent person appointed in writing, with results recorded in a record book kept on site, and maintenance records kept.

7. Bulk Mixing Plant (CR 20)

A bulk mixing (batching) plant must be supervised by a competent person appointed in writing who knows its dangers and precautions. Only competent persons may operate it; it must be erected as the manufacturer requires; start and stop devices must be accessible and protected against accidental starting; dangerous moving parts must be guarded; guards may be removed only with the appointed person's authority; entry into a silo must follow the GSR confined space precautions; and repair and maintenance records must be kept on site.

8. Explosive-Actuated Fastening Devices (CR 21)

Cartridge-fired nail guns may be used only if the user is trained and wears suitable PPE, the tool has a muzzle guard, and it will fire only when pressed against the surface with a force of at least twice its weight and at not more than 15 degrees from a right angle. Only suitable cartridges may be used; the tool must be cleaned and examined daily before use by a competent person appointed for that purpose; it must be locked away when not in use, never stored loaded, and warning notices must be displayed where it is used.

9. Flammable Liquids, Housekeeping and Stacking (CR 25, 27 and 28)

• CR 25: flammable liquids must be used and stored without fire or explosion risk, with ventilation, no smoking and notices at entrances, fire-fighting equipment around the store, only one day's quantity taken out of the store, containers kept closed and removed when empty, metal containers bonded and earthed when decanting, and no rags or paper stored with them.
• CR 27: housekeeping includes proper storage, removal of scrap and debris at appropriate intervals, keeping access and escape routes clear, using chutes only as CR 14(6) allows, fencing sites in built-up areas next to a public way with controlled access points, and erecting catch platforms or nets (or fencing off the area) above entrances and passageways where people could be struck by falling objects.
• CR 28: a competent person appointed in writing must supervise all stacking and storage, with adequate, demarcated and tidy storage areas, in addition to the General Safety Regulations' stacking rules.

10. Construction Employees' Facilities (CR 30)

In addition to the Facilities Regulations, 2004, CR 30 requires clean, hygienic and maintained facilities at or within reasonable access of every site:

• showers after consultation with employees or their representatives, or at least one shower for every 15 persons;
• at least one sanitary facility for each sex and for every 30 workers;
• changing facilities for each sex; and
• sheltered eating areas.

Where workers are far from home and transport or other accommodation is not available, the contractor must provide reasonable and suitable living accommodation (CR 30(2)).

11. Audit Checklist

For each of these regulations the CHSM checks the written appointment, the competency evidence, the design or system certificate where required, the inspection register with the right frequency, the notices, and the maintenance records. Missing paperwork usually signals missing control on site.