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Health and safety in construction - very high buildings
Rank: Super forum user 
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I've just been alerted to the possibility of me carrying out safety inspections in glazing/cladding works of a 39 storey building under construction.
Is there a particular standard document that I need to read otherwise any experience from you people would be appreciated.
I'm ok with general construction safety it's only the high rise bit I where may be short.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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I generally use a working at height risk assessment
I utilise this as it picks up the things I should be looking at when auditing working at height
Who is responsible for access etc
If you want a copy it may help it may not ? I will pm after
Alan
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Rank: Super forum user
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Hi Chris, as its 39 storey’s, it must be RC frame.
A few things to consider including blind lifting; type of proprietary
Formwork (flying tables); wind factors; planes/aircrafts; specialist designs for temporary works… etc…..
PM me if you want to discuss.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Chris
Hopefully, it has been designed to facilitate erection from the inside with workers held back from any open edges with work positioning restraints.
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Rank: Forum user
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CHRIS,
Obviously the height factor creates additional issues for you, some of which have been mentioned and you may wish to consider the restricted access you have to upper areas, for material and manpower. The wind effects have been mentioned,as the wind eddies will be a lot stroneger the higher you travel and can affect the stability of men and materials. Housekeeping and in particular "fire" has a serious risk particularly because of the chimney effect that open high buildings can have, the abundance of oxygen and a strong wind to add ferocity to the fire. In such a scenario you will need to also look at the restricted means of escape that you maybe presented with. Fire Equipment for each landing.
There will be more to consider and I am sure others out there will have some good tips.
Good luck
Wizard
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Rank: Super forum user
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Hey, thanks guys, all good stuff.
I believe the building has started, coming out of the ground as I write.
The contractor I may be working for is glazing and cladding, lots of large panels for the wind to affect there.
The work will be from outside the face of the structure, working from pre positioned platforms accessed via lifts.
Alan, thanks it will be appreciated. Funny how work at height starts just above zero but has no upper limits.
Freelance - lots for me to google there thanks.
Peter, I will ask re fixing the panels from inside but I doubt it.
Wizard, I think I'll be all right re fire, access egress, etc. I have fought many a fire in high rise buiildings - but not that high :-(
How do you assess the conditions up high prior to allowing people to work that high? Do you wet your index finger and raise it as high as you can :-)
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Rank: Forum user
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Hi Chris,
Is this high building in the North West and how many tower cranes on site?
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Rank: Super forum user
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Aye aye captain :-)
Not north west and don't know how many.
Why do you want to know - are you a crane spotter?
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Rank: Forum user
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Hi Chris,
Not a crane spotter but this will be important when you come to carry out your safety audits, for example lifting the cladding and glass upto the required levels and due to the hieght and external glazing I fail to see how else such large materials will be elevated to such hieghts.
Then their is the competant persons, contract lifts, climate and wind direction to mention just a few issues.
Aye aye
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Rank: Super forum user
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Parhaps I was a bit flippant, you are right in what you say, however I will work for a sub contractor hoping that the PC will have everything else i.e. cranes boxed off.
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Rank: Super forum user
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39 storeys, magnate for BASE jumpers Chris....!
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Rank: Super forum user
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OK I need to build in a search for parachutes for all who enter.
Is it all right if the BASE jumper has a risk assessment?
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Rank: Forum user
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Hi Chris,
Always best to pre-emt situations,don't just presume all Health and Safety will be correct above board and in place.
Set out the way you mean to go on ask the question?
Having worked for a P.C,when a large project is in full flow and timescales/budgets to be met it suprising how the perameters change for example; Yes in pre-construction talks and meeting we did promise 5 number 1 hours slots to have your stillages of glass and cladding lifted onto various levels but project is running late so no tower crane lifts you will need to get in mobile cranes and contract lifts.
You will then need to go away look at risk assessments,method statements and lift plans before carrying out your safety audit/inspection.
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