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gramsay  
#1 Posted : 06 July 2012 12:48:28(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
gramsay

Hi all, Could anyone help me clarify whether changing a screen in a fixed crusher on a quarry site is an activity covered by Part 4 of CDM? My gut feeling is that it isn't "construction work" as defined, but I'd appreciate any advice. The two issues I've been looking at are: 1. Whether this is the type of maintenance work defined in Reg 2 (and so the screen would have to be part of "mechanical.. or similar services which are normally fixed within or to a structure") - but I don't see the screening as a "service". 2. Whether the exclusion for mineral extractive activities, or preparation for these, covers this case. Thanks in advance.
PH2  
#2 Posted : 06 July 2012 13:01:08(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
PH2

Gramsay, in my opinion it would fall under CDM (Regulation 2(1)(e)). The CDM regs define a structure as (a) any building, timber, masonry, metal or reinforced concrete structure, railway line or siding, tramway line, dock, harbour, inland navigation, tunnel, shaft, bridge, viaduct, waterworks, reservoir, pipe or pipe-line, cable, aqueduct, sewer, sewage works, gasholder, road, airfield, sea defence works, river works, drainage works, earthworks, lagoon, dam, wall, caisson, mast, tower, pylon, underground tank, earth retaining structure or structure designed to preserve or alter any natural feature, fixed plant and any structure similar to the foregoing. I would imagine that HSE would consider the crusher / screen as "fixed plant". I read the exemptions as being the actual removal of the rock / material from the working face. This is covered by the Quarries Regulations. PH2
DaveDaniel  
#3 Posted : 06 July 2012 13:19:51(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
DaveDaniel

Gramsay, I beg to differ with PH2: By his interpretation even changing the wheel on a humble (fixed) bench grinder would be "construction work". Clearly this is not the case. The "fixed plant" definition is meant to apply to work on things which look like a building or similar structures, not just a normal piece of industrial plant, and in any event this does not form any part of a "construction project". Bottom line is that like many H&S Regs, the drafting quality was appalling and the writer rather ran amok trying to cover everything. The "Fixed Plant" definition was queried by Rover Group just after I left in 1994 and the HSE response was basically that they didn't want to have anything to do with the installation of factory equipment, CDM-wise.
jontyjohnston  
#4 Posted : 09 July 2012 15:45:38(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
jontyjohnston

I have to agree with Dave, I regularly work for a company with 4 operational quarries and they change screens on a regular basis, just regular maintenance, and issue we did clarify with HSE about 5 years ago.
gramsay  
#5 Posted : 09 July 2012 17:51:18(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
gramsay

Hi there, Thanks all of you for taking the time to reply, it's much appreciated.
Plant trainer  
#6 Posted : 25 July 2012 12:56:13(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Plant trainer

Are you replacing the screen mats or replacing the whole srceen structure? If you are only replacing the screen mats then this is just routine maintenance, if you are replacing the whole structure then it may come under CDM depending upon the time scale?manhours although from my experience if you are likely to take anywhere near this long I would doubt the competence to do the task. I'm also concerened at your reference to "changing a screen inside a fixed crusher".....? In my 30 years experience the screen deck is usually the next process after the crusher not an integral part of the crusher. I suggest you consult with competent staff at the quarry before taking on any task particulalry if you are not familiar with 1999 Quarry regs. Quarries can be very unforgiving place to make mistakes in and have very different regulatory controls than you may be familiar with.
gramsay  
#7 Posted : 25 July 2012 14:01:01(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
gramsay

Hi there, I wasn't concerned whether or not it's notifiable, just whether or not it's an activity governed by CDM (which depends on the interpretation of "construction work"). Like you say, it's a quick job which I'd never have considered to be CDM-work. Thanks for the reply - it's always useful to hear other people. Don't worry about my use of the word "in", and I've not mentioned taking on any task. I didn't explain my role in this issue (it's not relevant).
peter gotch  
#8 Posted : 26 July 2012 13:47:19(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
peter gotch

Gramsay. It's not "construction work" see text in Reg 2(1) of CDM for definition following (e) "but does not include the exploration for or extraction of mineral resources......"
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