MID Arabia Contracting Co.

Al Kharj Housing Project

RISK ASSESSMENT – Lifting and Fitting Precast Units

Project: Contractor: Client:

Al Kharj Housing Project MID Arabia Contracting Co. Ministry of Housing
Document Reference Number: Prepared by: Date:
HS-RA- 05-Rev00 Javed Shaikh 06/09/2015
Task/operation and location (including any tools/equipment in use):
Delivery, placement and fitting of precast concrete units. The precast elements are of various
sizes and weights in accordance with the design specifications.
All elements will be cast with lifting lugs correctly rated for the weight of the item. The lugs will
be designed and tested to take at least four times the load.
Risk rating:
Hazards:
Without controls: With controls

Lifting loads beyond crane capacity High Low

Unauthorised operation of the crane Low Low

Fall of load in storage (unsuitable hard standing) High Low

Collapse of structures due to overloading High Low

Loads slipping or falling in transit High Low

Uncontrolled / spinning loads during transit High Low

Failure of crane during operations Medium Low

Failure of lifting chains / slinging equipment Medium Low

Collision with a nearby cranes or structures High Low

Falls from height during placement and fitting High Low

Crushing of workers during placement High Low

Fall of materials through open void High Low

Poor communication to crane operators High Low

Manual Handling Medium Low

Harm:
Crushing injuries from falling loads (workers and persons below)
Injury to workers below causing lacerations, trauma and possible death
Entrapment between a moving loads and structures
Falling injuries, trauma and possible death
Manual handling injuries

People in danger: Number of People

in danger:
Erectors
Banksman
Workers below the lifting zones
 MID Arabia Contracting Co.
Al Kharj Housing Project

Controls:
1. A method statement must be produced for the delivery, lifting, placement and final fitting
of precast concrete elements in the structure.
2. Crane suitable for the different precast elements will be selected. Boom configurations to
be checked prior to lifts.
3. The cranes will be tested and certificated as per manufacturer’s recommendations and
statuary regulations prior to first use and inspected on arrival on site.
4. Supervisor, Operator and Safety Officer to complete a crane operational checklist prior to
first time of being put into working situation.
5. The cranes will be fitted with a limit switch to enable alarm and cut-out-to-safe to prevent
the lifting of loads which exceed the safe capacities of the crane. In addition a limited to
be installed preventing crane to swing boom towards airside fence.
6. Only competent and third party trained operators will be authorised to use the cranes.
Boom to always be facing site or to parallel for off-loading purposes.
7. Only trained and competent rigger/banksmen will be authorised to sling loads and bank
the crane. Proof of training must be shown.
8. Warning lights and red flags will be fitted as per regulations.
9. The area around the crane and area in which precast to be placed (lifting path) will be
barricaded physically to prevent unauthorised access.
10. Access scaffolding decking will be erected both surrounding the columns as well as at
suitable intervals to access the bearing placing and to place the precast on the bearing
pads.
11. The area will be inspected prior to first lift to ensure clear, lifting area, lifting path, fitting
area and the fitting area (bearings) is ready.
12. All lifting kit (chains, etc.) to be tested as per legislation (6 monthly). Also a colour coding
system is used to identify which items are ‘in test’.
13. At least one bankman will be in place. If the lift visibility is obstructed at all, 2 bankmen
will be in place.
14. Communication with the crane driver will be by direct line of sight. Clear communication
is to be maintained between the crane operator and the banksmen. The crane is to stop
when this contact is lost.
15. Tag line (at least 2) will be attached to the precast element and controlled by banksmen
assistants.
16. Once the precast is in place, chains can be removed and final positioning will be by
barring. Can chains be reached from scaffold platform.
17. All crane operations will be managed by a site crane co-ordinator.
18. Lifting plans will be devised for all generic lifts and individuality for heavy lifts or tandem
lifts.
19. All other cranes (tower and mobile) that are preset in the area of lift path and precast
placing to be removed (in the case of mobiles) as stationary will boom in a pre-
determined position to prevent any clash with crawler crane boom.
Other:
Personal protective equipment:
Steel toe safety boots, hardhat and fluorescent vest are mandatory for workers outside the
crane.
Flag system.
Banksman and rigger’s helpers to use hard wearing leather gloves.
Additional assessments:
Individual assessments for technical lifts.
 MID Arabia Contracting Co.
Al Kharj Housing Project

Method statement required? Yes

Is the task adequately controlled? Yes
Specific legislation:
Company H&S Policy with Project H&S Plan
HSE and other guidance:
Rigging colour code board posted prominently on sites.
Information, instruction and training:
1. ALL workers on site must have received site-specific safety induction.
2. Pre-task meeting between Supervisor and workers to discuss Method Statement, Risk
3. Assessment and any other relevant items. Records to be kept of attendees.
4. Toolbox talks to be given to workers weekly and on subjects relevant to lift being
attempted.
5. Records to be kept of attendees.
6. Plant operations and signalling. All people in the vicinity should be made aware of potential
hazards and reasons for warning signs and barriers.
7. All personnel should be trained to a level of competence sufficient to enable them to carry
out their work whilst ensuring the health and safety of themselves and others.
Emergency procedures:
Emergency and evacuation as per the project H&S Plan.
Monitoring procedures:
Operator pre start and close down checks daily.
Banksmen to check lifting equipment (conditions and colour coded) daily and throughout the
day.
One coordinator to monitor and manage utilisation of cranes.
Area supervisor to check (condition and colour coded) weekly.
Area supervisor to carry out safety checklist anytime a modification is carried out.
Standing rule that any worker, where human life is in danger, can stop the job.
Other items:
Rescue equipment will be available in the area for rescue from harnesses.
Signature: Date for review:

06/09/15