Risk Assessment & Safe Working Practice
RA Ref Number:
RA Description:
Notes:
Risk Assessment
Method & Scoring
TASK
08
Revision:
2
Project/Job Number Reference
Insert Job Number
Working above false ceilings (in false ceiling voids)
Please refer to Safe Working Practices 08 for definitions of items in this assessment.
The summary risk assessment is calculated as “Likelihood” x “Consequence”
and categorised as follows; 1 to 6 = Low Risk – 7 to 16 = Medium Risk – 17 to 25 = High Risk
Approval Date:
Next Review Date:
Created by:
Issued by:
Issue Date:
01/04/2015
31/03/2017
Lee Davies
Insert Name
Insert Date
HAZARDS
PERSONS
AFFECTED
INITIAL
RISK
LEVEL
CONTROL MEASURES
REVISED
RISK LEVEL
Any task
requiring the
removal of
ceiling tiles.
Asbestos related
disease.
All Present.
Likelihood 3
Severity 5
Total 15
Medium Risk
Likelihood 1
Severity 2
Total 2
Low Risk
Any task
requiring the
removal of
ceiling tiles.
Injuries from
dropping tiles during
removal.
Engineer
Persons
below.
Likelihood 3
Severity 5
Total 15
Medium Risk
Any task
requiring the
removal of
ceiling tiles.
Injury from the
collapse of the
ceiling grid.
Engineer /
Persons below
Likelihood 3
Severity 5
Total 15
Medium Risk
Engineers are trained in asbestos recognition.
Engineers are trained to not touch any tiles they suspect may contain asbestos.
Engineers are trained to report to the client any tiles they suspect may contain
asbestos.
Engineers ask to see the asbestos register for the building prior to any works
taking place, should this not be available, and the presence of asbestos is
suspected the work does not start until a qualified person has carried out a
suitable survey.
Engineers are trained in tile removal.
Tiles are removed one at a time.
If only a single tile is removed from an area of six tiles, it is not removed from
the ceiling void.
If other persons are present, two men are used to carry out this task, the tiles are
handed down to a person on the ground for stacking.
Engineers are trained to inspect the ceiling fixings for any sign of weakening.
Any potential failure points are noted, reported to the client, and work does not
continue.
Tiles are never removed from a grid to a greater ratio than 1 out to 1 in.
Tiles are never stacked in a void to a greater ratio of 6 in to 1 out.
CDI works never involve the removal of any ceiling supports.
RA Number: 08 - Issue Revision: 2
Page 1 of 5
Likelihood 2
Severity 2
Total 4
Low Risk
Likelihood 2
Severity 2
Total 4
Low Risk
Risk Assessment & Safe Working Practice
TASK
HAZARDS
PERSONS
AFFECTED
INITIAL
RISK
LEVEL
Any task
requiring the
storage of
removed
ceiling tiles
Any task
requiring the
use of tools, or
pulling of
cabling in a
ceiling void.
Injury from trips /
falls over stored
tiles.
All present.
Likelihood 3
Severity 5
Total 15
Medium Risk
Engineers are trained to stack removed tiles neatly in a dedicated storage area.
Warning signs and barriers are placed around the stacked tiles to keep
unauthorised persons away.
Likelihood 2
Severity 2
Total 4
Low Risk
Injury from tiles
being damaged from
above and from
items dropped
through the open
grid.
All present.
Likelihood 3
Severity 5
Total 15
Medium Risk
Engineers are trained never to overreach in ceiling voids.
Engineers are trained never to lean on, or place items within the ceiling void.
Engineers are trained never to take any items into the ceiling void apart from
those immediately required.
The ceiling void is not used as a storage space.
Cutting / setting of containment is not carried out in the ceiling void.
Likelihood 2
Severity 2
Total 4
Low Risk
Persons
below.
Likelihood 3
Severity 4
Total 12
Medium Risk
Likelihood 3
Severity 4
Total 12
Medium Risk
Engineers are trained to install a plywood section of minimum 4mm depth, and
the same size as the tile, into the ceiling grid to support the containment, and
remove the strain from the cut tile.
Likelihood 1
Severity 3
Total 3
Low Risk
Likelihood 1
Severity 3
Total 3
Low Risk
Likelihood 4
Severity 4
Total 16
Medium Risk
On finding a tile where the grid is in danger of expanding engineers are trained
to fit a drilled fixing into the slab above the tile, and to then pass a thin wire
through the fixing and the tile, to allow for only a short drop of the tile before it
is caught by the support wire.
The fitting of a
containment
drop through a
tile.
The fitting of a
containment
drop through a
side support
grid.
The removal of
steel type
ceiling tiles in
none lay in
grid systems.
Failure of the tile due
to cutting.
Failure of the ceiling
due to the cutting of
a support grid.
Persons
below.
Injury from tiles
dropping out of the
grid after re-fitting,
due to expansion of
the slots.
Persons
below.
RA Number: 08 - Issue Revision: 2
CONTROL MEASURES
Engineers are trained to chop a slice of plaster out from behind the grid to run
cabling, thus the grid is not cut at all.
Page 2 of 5
REVISED
RISK LEVEL
Likelihood 1
Severity 3
Total 3
Low Risk
Risk Assessment & Safe Working Practice
TASK
HAZARDS
PERSONS
AFFECTED
INITIAL
RISK
LEVEL
CONTROL MEASURES
REVISED
RISK LEVEL
Works in a
void
containing
fibreglass
insulation.
Works in a
void
containing
fibreglass
insulation.
Contamination of the
area from loose dust.
All present.
Likelihood 4
Severity 4
Total 16
Medium Risk
Engineers are trained to assess the condition of fibreglass insulation.
On removal of a single tile, if insulation is found to be breaking down into dust,
the works are stopped, and the client contacted.
The client appoints a specialist contractor to assess the insulation.
Likelihood 2
Severity 3
Total 6
Low Risk
Skin irritation by
fibreglass particles.
Engineer
Likelihood 4
Severity 3
Total 12
Medium Risk
Engineers are trained to wear the correct PPE for fibreglass where the task
specific RA requires it. EG;
1. Latex / cotton gloves. AC PN 5935 (AC Electrical part no).
2. A dust mask and filter AC PN FFP3 Fine dust spec.
3. Overalls with sleeves disposable paper type. AC PN 7780 / 7781.
4. Goggles AC PN 5929.
Likelihood 2
Severity 3
Total 6
Low Risk
Works in a
void
containing
fibre glass
insulation
Works in a
void
containing
fibre glass
insulation
Contamination of the
area from loose dust
during works.
All present.
Likelihood 4
Severity 3
Total 12
Medium Risk
Engineers are trained to place dustsheets over the areas likely to be
contaminated prior to ceiling tile removal.
Engineers are supplied with vacuums and suitable filters / bags to remove dust
after works.
Likelihood 2
Severity 3
Total 6
Low Risk
Contamination from
fibreglass dust
during cleaning up.
All present
Likelihood 4
Severity 3
Total 12
Medium Risk
Engineers are trained in the disposal of all overalls, dustsheets, vacuum bags etc
so as to not compromise the environment.
Engineers remove overalls in a controlled environment, and the areas are
vacuumed clean afterwards.
Likelihood 2
Severity 3
Total 6
Low Risk
RA Number: 08 - Issue Revision: 2
Page 3 of 5
Risk Assessment & Safe Working Practice
Safe Working Practice: 08 – Working above false ceilings (in false
ceiling voids)
1 PURPOSE: The purpose of this guide is to highlight safe working practices for: Working above
false ceilings (in false ceiling voids)
THIS INSTRUCTION MUST NOT BE TREATED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR TRAINING.
All persons working above false ceilings must receive appropriate training
2 PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT
Operators must wear




Safety Boots/Shoes incorporating steel toe-caps
CDI issued work wear
Eye Protection – where appropriate
Hard Hat – where appropriate
3 BEFORE WORK
 Be aware that there are many types of ceiling tile. The older types can contain asbestos, or be
painted with lead/asbestos type paints.
 Never attempt to remove a tile you are unsure of, ask to see the building asbestos register, but
even if the tiles are not listed, assume that they are asbestos, and contact the main
contractor/client, or a specialist contractor.
 Lock in grid type ceilings can only be removed by cutting the tiles and sliding them along the
grid. This is a specialist job, and should not be attempted by an untrained person.
 Steel type tiles push fit into the grid, and once removed can become loose and fall. When the
tile is replaced, drill a cable base fixing into the slab above it, and pass a length of wire
through the base fixing, passing through the small holes in the tile. This should be long
enough to support the tile should it drop out of the grid, but be short enough to keep the
dropped tile above head height of passers by.
 Be aware that above tiles fibreglass insulation can often be found. Always wear a dust mask
and overalls when removing tiles. If loose insulation is found in large quantities it should be
removed by a specialist contractor prior to works continuing.
LAY IN GRID TYPE.




First survey the building to establish which tiles are to be removed.
Lay out a dust sheet, or arrange to have a vacuum on hand.
Ensure your hands are clean, or you have clean gloves.
Set up a set of steps, or a tower, being aware of the practices listed in “working at height”.
RA Number: 08 - Issue Revision: 2
Page 4 of 5
Risk Assessment & Safe Working Practice
4 DURING WORK
LAY IN GRID TYPE.
 Tiles should not be removed whilst persons are directly beneath the area of works.
 Push gently up on the centre of the tile, and tapping the corners gently it should lift easily out
of the grid, turn the tile through 90 degrees, and lower it through the grid square.
 Should there be resistance to lifting, do not force it. Try another tile nearby instead.
 When the first tile is out, store it to one side where it cannot be trodden on, knocked over, or
damaged in other ways.
 With the first tile out, look carefully over the ceiling from within the grid to establish any
difficulties with other tiles to be removed. Typically these will be trunking, conduits, ducts,
insulation, etc. Some tiles may have to be left in due to equipment being fitted close to the
grid on the inside.
 Carry on along the run to remove other tiles. Never remove all the tiles from an area as this
will weaken the grid.
 Stack all the removed tiles in one place.
 Never remove grid bars from the ceiling. Do not remove or cut ceiling suspension wires.
 When tiles are removed from an area, take them away, and store them flat, in a clean secure
place, until the job is finished.
 If possible, do not replace tiles that will have to be removed later in the job, as this will
increase the risk of damage to the tile. Some clients may insist that tiles are replaced at the
end of every shift, typically during night works where the building is returned to “as was” at
the end of every shift. If this is the case ask the customer to provide a box of spare tiles to
replace damaged units.
 Never lean on the grid, place weight on other tiles or the grid, or allow cables to drag against
the grid when they are being pulled in.
 Always have a man in the tile space to feed cabling over the grid, never over-reach, and
always remove another tile to access areas beyond your arm’s length.
5 AFTER WORK
 All debris shall be removed from the ceiling void upon completion of work prior to reinstalling tiles.
 Ensure that all tiles that you have removed are replaced.
 Vacuum carefully to clean up all dust after tiles have been replaced.
 Remove all waste to the designated containers, or return to CDI for correct disposal
CDI GROUP LTD PLACES GREAT IMPORTANCE ON EVERYONE'S SAFETY:
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH ANY OF THE ABOVE MAY RESULT IN DISCIPLINARY
ACTION
RA Number: 08 - Issue Revision: 2
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