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Posted By Steve E
I've been invited to carry out a risk assessment and method statement for working on top of a suspended ceiling. There is an obscene amount of M + E on the floor and at varying heights. The distance to the buildings roof is approx 2-3 meters and below the celing is a drop of 3-4 meters. The other problem is that the floor panels will only support 125Kg. Any ideas on how best to reduce the risks would be appreciated.
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Posted By Ron Hunter
Step 1 determine whether the suspended ceiling (or any materials in the void likely to be disturbed) contains asbestos.
Step 2 take down the suspended ceiling and install temporary lighting as required.
Step 3 build a platform or use mobile access equipment as required. restrict access below works using barriers.
Step4 Ensure any breaches/voids are suitably fire-stopped. Reinstate ceiling & lighting.
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Posted By CFT
Steve
Based on the information you have provided; if the gap is substantial and you have room why not as Ron suggests have it panelled with scaffold and boards to eliminate any possibility of fall?
Or, is it not feasable to work off towers if the above is not possible, and remove sections of ceiling as you go? What is the gap between ceiling tiles and fire barrier (how cramped)?
What is the nature of the task that you are prepaing MS for?
CFT
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Posted By Steve E
It is quite a substantial area and below is an operational environment. I believe i am expected to be able to manage the project so that we work in the roof space without interuption to the operations below. The operations is an unavoidable decontamination of all surfaces.
My own inital thought is to use a high density insulator to act as a base and then use plywood or similar to create a grounding that will allow weight distribution and then carefully set up aluminium towers. However i am unaware of how to calculate the weight distribution for a project like this. I also think that this may not limit the existing danger but add greater risks and new risks to boot.
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Posted By Robert K Lewis
Steve
This sounds way out of the scope of most practitioners to make a judgement on the ability of the ceiling frame to support the weight of persons etc. You need an experienced designer of suspended ceilings to do this for you. Once you have this you can then start to make sensible assessments for the work. Without such assistance forget even trying to use part of the ceiling structure for support.
The fact of operational plant below simply makes the choices more critical. It may not be possible to do the work in a live environment.
Bob
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Posted By CFT
Sire Bob
You got there before me; I ditto the above, based on the information provided.
CFT
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Posted By Robert K Lewis
CFT
Happy days are here again with elections though I see.
Thease sorts of problems make me wonder how far we are actually getting with cultural change among senior management.
Bob
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Posted By CFT
An emotive point Bob! It would make for an interesting thread.
With this one, I feel the limitations to accurately suggest a positive and safe way forward are many, perception and actually seeing the proposed project as just two such reasons.
CFT
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