SAFE ERECTION METHOD STATEMENTS
INTRODUCTION
Since it is now law to write an safe erection method statement (SEMS) for all projects in
South Africa, it is necessary to define what is meant by the concept, what an SEMS
should contain, and how it should be used.
A SEMS is a document that describes how a structure will be erected, in sufficient detail
that a person with good knowledge of steel construction, and specifically the steel
erector, will be able to visualize quite accurately how it will be safely done. In terms of
the July 93 Construction regulations it should be in sufficient detail to allow the authors
to determine all hazards associate with the process. The risks should be determined and
steps taken to eliminate the risks or reduce their likelihood of occurring to acceptable
levels.
For a small, run-of-the mill structure, the SEMS can consist of not much more than a
number of fairly obvious statements. At the other end of the scale, however, the SEMS
will be an extensive document, supported by design calculations, crane studies, etc. but
always used to identify hazards.
The SEMS should be seen against the background of the Construction Regulations of
the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and the requirements of SANS 1921-3:
Construction and management requirements for works contracts Part 3: Structural
steelwork. The construction regulations set requirements for hazard and hence the risk
assessment and resulting safety plans. Construction programmes and quality assurance
systems and the like are not required in terms of the legal framework of the construction
regulations of the OHS act but make good sense for the successful completion of the
project and hence we recommend their inclusion in the SEMS.
A certain degree of redundancy does however occur in the Contents of an SEMS below.
Wherever matters are covered in other documents for a project, they can be deleted
from the SEMS.
FUNCTION
The compilation of an SEMS serves a number of useful purposes:
 It forces the design engineer / client to think of how the structure will be erected, and
not only about how the completed structure will function.
 It forces the contractor to think through the erection process, and do proper planning.
 It serves to bring the design engineer and the contractor together to clarify how the
structure will be erected, in the process letting each party assume responsibility for
that which is his task – the design engineer’s being structural adequacy, also during
erection.
 It
informs the person on site about how the structure must be erected, and obliges
him to start discussions if he wants to deviate from the guidelines.
 Most things that can potentially go wrong (including the non-provision of information)
can be handled better if a good SEMS is compiled.
 Correctly
compiled the SEMC will lead to hazard identification, from which a risk
assessment can executed and steps taken to eliminate the risks or lower them to
acceptable levels.
Thus the SEMS serves to promote communication, thought, discussion and clarification,
which will inevitably lead to improved safety and productivity and elimination of
ambiguities and misunderstandings.
CONTENTS OF AN SEMS
An SEMS may contain the following headings, the contents of which (statements,
instructions, reminders, hazards) may be placed, partially or in total, in appendices or
separate documents:
1. IDENTIFICATION
1.1
Identification of the project
1.2
Identification of method statement and revisions
1.3
Approval of method statement by
Design engineer and/or client’s representative
-
Main contractor
-
Steelwork contractor
Person in control of steelwork erection
-
Safety personnel
2. OVERVIEW
2.1
Brief description of the structure including its basic dimensions.
2.2
Elements to be erected
2.2.1
2.2.2
2.3
The size and mass of the largest members to be lifted, as well as
out of the ordinary members.
Description (and reference to detail drawings) of elements to be
erected.
Reference to any other documents, as required
3. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
3.1
Signage & barricading to eliminate potential hazards (Refer to Safety Plan if
appropriate.) Satisfactory identification of hazards will lead to minimization of risk
3.2
Methods of providing safe personnel access at heights. See SAISC
documentation elsewhere in this regard. (Ladders, scaffolding, temporary
platforms, safety lines etc.)
(Refer to Safety Plan if appropriate.)
3.3
3.4
Main structural tolerances applicable
(List for ease of reference on site, if deemed appropriate.)
Physical constraints to the construction process that need to be taken into
account, both from the practical approach as to how to the work but also to
identify potential hazards and how theses constraints will be overcome:
3.4.1
3.4.2
3.4.3
3.4.4
3.4.5
3.4.6
3.4.7
3.4.8
3.4.9
3.4.10
overhead cables or other above-ground obstructions
poor soil conditions
underground services
location of open excavations or ground edges
dimensions or topography of site
transportation and access, and limits to size and weight of assemblies
limitations imposed by neighbours
preventing damage to existing structures or equipment
keeping operations of an operating facility going during construction
climatic and environmental conditions
3.5
Positions, sizes and specifications of hard standings
(See also 5.6)
3.6
Coordination and arrangements for cooperating with other contractors
3.7
Arrangements for site welding
3.8
Calculations and drawings prepared to analyse the structure and assess its
stability during each phase of the erection process.
3.9
Weather
3.9.1 Weather conditions under which lifting or other work may not be
Undertaken
(Refer to Safety Plan if appropriate.)
3.9.2 Timing of complex, heavy lifts to minimize risk of adverse weather
conditions (e.g. dawn)
3.10 Security of site against theft or access by unauthorized people
3.11 Loads imposed on the structure during erection from stacking of materials etc.
4 ON GROUND ACTIVITIES
4.1
Checking of foundations and/or items embedded in concrete for level and
position, or of HD bolt locations relative to gridlines, or provision of as-built
positions by the client.
4.2
Checking of suitability of access to site and laydown area.
4.3
Checking of condition of laydown area and its suitability for storing steelwork.
4.4
Offloading and storing to the laydown area so as to minimize damage,
distortion and hazards of poor stacking. (Additional consideration to be given to
unusual or abnormal assemblies.)
4.5
Checking of hard standings.
4.6
Checking of routes for cranes and for transport of steel on site.
4.7
Trial assemblies, mock-up, fit-up and trial erection eliminate problems prior to
erection.
4.8
Lifting brackets / safety attachments to members to be analysed by the design
engineer. (Preferably workshop fitted.)
4.9
Marking of centres of gravity on large or irregular assemblies.
4.10 Services that will be provided on site:
4.10.1 provided by the construction company
4.10.2 provided by others
4.10.3 sharing with others
5 ERECTION EQUIPMENT
5.1
Attributes of the crane(s) will be used:
5.1.1
5.1.2
5.1.3
5.1.4
5.1.5
5.2
make, model number and type
crane capacity
boom length
crane dimensions
lifting capacity at radius applicable to each major member
Ownership cranes
5.2.1
5.2.2
5.2.3
construction company
main contractor/client
hired equipment
5.3
Where certificates for the cranes, drivers and lifting gear will be kept.
5.4
Inspection of damage to jibs, ropes, hydraulics etc.
5.5
Current test certificates for safe working loads of lifting gear.
5.6
Crane lift studies, including slings type, strength and length and method of
attaching slings to steel, lifting lugs and the like and hazards associated with
the lifts. Methods of ensuring people do not stand under lifting loads but also
ensure that they stand in generally safe places during lifts.
5.7
Required load bearing capacity of hard standing for the crane and its
outriggers. (see also 3.7)
5.8
Authorized crane operator(s) and banksman / signalman to operate cranes /
sling loads and to give signals.
5.9
Lifting equipment, and design of custom made lifting equipment.
5.10 Care and storage of power tools and equipment.
5.11 Log to be kept of equipment that will be used on site at each stage:
5.11.1 provided by the construction company
5.11.2 provided by others
5.11.3 sharing equipment with others
6 ERECTION METHODOLOGY
6.1
6.2
Preparation for base plates
Assembly work to be carried out at ground level to eliminate hazards of
making many connections in the air, but also to ensure improved productivity.
6.3
Basic strategy to be adopted
6.4
Temporary bracing and supports:
6.4.1
6.4.2
details of such bracing and supports
when and how to remove
6.5
Step by step description of each maneuver for the project
6.6
Route of lift path for each lift to avoid obstructions
6.7
Setting up and handling of cranes
6.8
Tandem and other special lifts
7 POST ERECTION
7.1
Alignment and final bolt tightening
7.2
Touching up of damaged paint, and site painting
7.3
Handing over and signing off to provide access to following trades
USE OF THE SAFE ERECTION METHOD STATEMENT
The SEMS shall be submitted to the design engineer and/or client for his approval. The
design engineer and/or client must satisfy himself that the structure will not be subjected
to excessive forces and deformations during erection if it is erected in accordance with
the SEMS, and that the objectives of his design will be achieved.
Many of the points listed under the contents of the SEMS are for reference and are
reminders should they be applicable for the project.
A copy of the SEMS must be available on site at all times. The senior personnel on site
must be familiarized with the contents of the SEMS, and understand that any deviations
from the SEMS must be approved by the design engineer and/or client.
The SEMS will be used by the team responsible for hazard and risk assessment
DEFAULT METHOD STATEMENTS
It is clear that the compilation of an SEMS that contains all of the elements listed under
the contents of the SEMS is a huge task. For large, complex structures to be erected in
difficult situations under trying conditions all of these matters need to be studied and
methodologies devised, hazards identified, and documented to handle each problem.
Most structures, however, are erected in a routine manner, and this can be done in
accordance with a default SEMS subject to a review for each project to ensure that all
hazards and identified relative to the specific site.. Each steelwork contractor should
compile a number of SEMS’s, to fit each of the types of structure he normally undertakes
and the range of equipment he typically has at his disposal.