← Ireland

S.I. No. 481/2001 - Safety, Health and Welfare At Work (Construction) Regulations, 2001

S.I. No. 481/2001 - Safety, Health and Welfare At Work (Construction) Regulations, 2001 Skip to content Disclaimer Feedback Helpdesk Gaeilge Léim go dtí an t-ábhar Séanadh Aiseolas Deasc chabhrach English Gaeilge English Produced by the Office of the Attorney General Táirgthe ag Oifig an Ard-Aighne Home Legislation Acts of the Oireachtas Statutory Instruments Pre-1922 Legislation Constitution External Resources Bills (Houses of the Oireachtas) Iris Oifigiúil / Official Gazette Revised Acts (LRC) Classified List of Legislation (LRC) Translations (acts.

  1. ie)Translations (Houses of the Oireachtas) Government Publications for Sale EU Law (EUR-Lex) FAQ Disclaimer Feedback Helpdesk Search Baile Reachtaíocht Achtanna an Oireachtais Ionstraimí Reachtúla Reachtaíocht Réamh-1922 Bunreacht Acmhainní Seachtracha Billí (Tithe an Oireachtais) Iris Oifigiúil Achtanna Athbhreithnithe (CAD) (An Coimisiún um Athchóiriú an Dlí) Liosta Rangaithe Reachtaíochta Aistriúcháin (achtanna.
  2. ie)Aistriúcháin (Tithe an Oireachtais) Foilseacháin Rialtais ar Díol Dlí AE (EUR-Lex) CCanna (Ceisteanna Coitianta) Séanadh Aiseolas Deasc chabhrach Cuardach TitleTeideal Year(
  3. s)or rangeBliain nó blianta nó raon TypeCineál All Legislation Acts Statutory Instruments Advanced SearchCuardach Casta HomeBaile Statutory InstrumentsIonstraimí Reachtúla 2001 S.I. No. 481/2001 - Safety, Health and Welfare At Work (Construction) Regulations, 2001 S.I. No. 481/2001 - Safety, Health and Welfare At Work (Construction) Regulations, 2001 AmendmentsLeasuithe ARRANGEMENT OF REGULATIONS Regulation Interpretation and General 1-2 Design and Management 3-8 General Duties of Contractors and Others Safety of Workplaces 9-14 Safety of Workplaces 15-20 Excavations, Shafts, Earthworks, Underground Works and Tunnels 21-26 Cofferdams and Caissons 27-30 Compressed Air 31-34 Explosives 35 Dangerous or Unhealthy Atmospheres 36-38 Work on or Adjacent to Water 39-40 Transport, Earthmoving and Materials Handling Machinery, and Locomotives 41-46 Demolition 47-50 Working at Heights 51-79 Lifting Appliances 80-104 Chains, Ropes and Lifting Gear 105-113 Special Provisions as to Hoists 114-118 Carriage of Persons and Secureness of Loads 119-123 Miscellaneous 124-128 Application of Regulations 129 SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE AT WORK (CONSTRUCTION) REGULATIONS, 2001 INDEX PART 1 Interpretation and General 1. Citation and Commencement 2. Interpretation PART 2 Design and Management 3. General Duties of Client 4. Duties of Project Supervisor appointed for the design stage. 5. Duties of Designers. 6. Duties of Project Supervisor Appointed for the Construction Stage. 7. Site Safety Representative 8. Notification of Projects to the Authority PART 3 General Duties of Contractors and Others 9. Duties of Contractors 10. Appointment of Safety Officers 11. Erection and Installation of Plant and Equipment 12. Information 13. Consultation 14. Duties of Employees and Other Persons at Work PART 4 Safety of Workplaces 15. General. 16. Protection from falling material 17. Lighting of Work Places. 18. Projecting Nails and Loose Material. 19. Construction of Temporary Structures. 20. Avoidance of Danger from Collapse of Structure PART 5 Excavations, Shafts, Earthworks, Underground Works and Tunnels 21. General 22. Inspection and Examination. 23. Supervision and Execution of Shorting and Other Work. 24. Excavations etc. Likely to Reduce Security of a Structure. 25. Fencing of Excavations, etc. 26. Safeguarding Edges of Excavations, etc. PART 6 Cofferdams and Caissons 27. Construction and Maintenance. 28. Means of Egress in Case of Flooding. 29. Supervision of Work and Inspection of Material. 30. Inspections and Examinations. PART 7 Compressed Air 31. Application of Part 7. 32. General. 33. Plant and Equipment. 34. Minimum Requirements. PART 8 Explosives 35. Explosives. PART 9 Dangerous or Unhealthy Atmospheres 36. Health Hazards. 37. Disposal of Waste. 38. Internal Combustion Engines or Dangerous Gas. PART 10 Work on or Adjacent to Water 39. Transport by Water. 40. Prevention of Drowning. PART 11 Transport, Earthmoving and Materials Handling Machinery, and Locomotives 41. General. 42. Rails and Rail Tracks. 43. Clearance. 44. Riding in Insecure Positions on Vehicles, etc. 45. Vehicles Near Edge of Excavations, etc. 46. Protection of Driver. PART 12 Demolition 47. Application of Part 12. 48. General. 49. Fire and Flooding. 50. Precautions in Connection with Demolition. PART 13 Working at Heights 51. Provision of Scaffolds, etc. 52. Supervision of Work and Inspection of Material. 53. Construction and Material. 54. Defective Material. 55. Maintenance of Scaffolds. 56. Partly Erected or Dismantled Scaffolds. 57. Standards or Uprights, Ledgers and Putlogs. 58. Stability of Scaffolds. 59. Slung Scaffolds. 60. Cantilever, Jib, Figure and Bracket Scaffolds. 61. Support for Scaffolds, etc. 62. Suspended Scaffolds (not power operated). 63. Boatswain's Chairs, Cages, Skip's etc. (Not power operated). 64. Trestle Scaffolds. 65. Inspection of Scaffolds, Boatswain's Chairs etc. 66. Scaffolds used by Employees of Different Contractors. 67. Construction of Working Platforms, Gangways, Runs and Stairs. 68. Decking of Working Platforms, Gangways and Runs. 69. Guard-rails and toe-boards at working platforms and workplaces. 70. Guard-rails, etc for Gangways, Runs and Stairs. 71. Platforms, Gangways, Runs and Stairs, etc. to Afford Safe Foothold. 72. Construction and maintenance of ladders and folding step-ladders. 73. Use of ladders and folding step-ladders. 74. Openings, Corners, Breaks, Edges and Open Joisting. 75. Exceptions from Regulation 74. 76. Sloping roofs. 77. Work on or Near Fragile Materials. 78. Loads on Scaffolds. 79. Prevention of Falls and Provision of Safety Nets and Harnesses. PART 14 Lifting Appliances 80. Construction, Maintenance and Inspection. 81. Support, Anchoring, Fixing and Erecting. 82. Precautions where Lifting Appliance has Travelling or Slewing Motion. 83. Platforms for Crane Drivers and Signaller. 84. Cabins for Drivers. 85. Drums and Pulleys. 86. Brakes, Controls, Safety Devices, etc. 87. Safe Means of Access. 88. Poles or Beams Supporting Pulley Blocks or Gin Wheels. 89. Stability of Lifting Appliances. 90. Rail mounted cranes. 91. Mounting of cranes. 92. Cranes with Derricking Jibs. 93. Restriction of use of cranes. 94. Erection of Cranes under Supervision. 95. Competent Persons to Operate Lifting Appliances and Give Signals. 96. Signals. 97. Testing and examination of lifting appliances. 98. Marking of Safe Working Loads. 99. Indication of Safe Working Load on Jib Cranes. 100. Excavators used as Cranes. 101. Load not to Exceed Safe Working Load. 102. Precautions on Raising or Lowering Loads. 103. Scotch and Guy Derrick Cranes. 104. Cranes etc. in Factories and Other Premises. PART 15 Chains, Ropes and Lifting Gear 105. Construction, testing, examination and safe working load. 106. Testing of Chains, Rings, etc. Altered or Repaired by Welding. 107. Hooks. 108. Slings. 109. Edges of Load not to come into Contact with Sling, etc. 110. Knotted Chains, etc. 111. Examination of Chains, Ropes and Lifting Gear. 112. Annealing of Chains and Lifting Gear. 113. Delivery of Loads with Lifting Gear Attached. PART 16 Special Provisions as to Hoists 114. Safety of Hoistways, Platforms and Cages. 115. Operation of Hoist. 116. Winches. 117. Safe Working Load and Marking of Hoists. 118. Test and Examination of Hoists. PART 17 Carriage of Persons and Secureness of Loads 119. Carrying Persons by Means of Lifting Appliances. 120. Hoists Carrying Persons. 121. Hoists Forming Part of the Permanent Equipment. 122. Secureness of Loads. 123. Mobile Elevating Work Platforms. PART 18 Miscellaneous 124. Installations, Machinery, Equipment. 125. Wet Paint or Cement Wash on Ironwork or Steelwork. 126. Helmets or Crowns for Pile Driving. 127. Keeping of records. 128. Revocations. PART 19 Application of Regulations 129. Application SCHEDULES First Schedule Particulars to be notified to the Authority before construction begins. Second Schedule Non-exhaustive list of work involving particular risks to the safety and health of persons at work. Third Schedule Requirements to be applied as regards the general principles of prevention. Fourth Schedule Minimum health and safety requirements for construction sites. Fifth Schedule Minimum requirements for on-site indoor workstations. Sixth Schedule Minimum requirements for work in compressed air. Seventh Schedule Minimum requirements for an excavator or loader used as a crane. Eighth Schedule FÁS Safe Pass Programme Ninth Schedule FÁS Construction Skills Certification. Tenth Schedule Procedure for selection of Safety representatives. I, TOM KITT, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 28 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989 (No. 7 of 1989), in relation to the matters set out in paragraphs 1 to 6, 8, 9, 11 to 15, 19 to 30, 32, 33, 35 and 36 of the Fourth Schedule of that Act, and the Labour (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order, 1993 ( S.I. No. 18 of 1993 ), and the Enterprise and Employment (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) (No. 2) Order, 1995 ( S.I. No. 43 of 1995 ) and after consultation with the National Authority for Occupational Safety and Health, and for the purpose of giving further effect to Council Directive 92/57/EEC1 , hereby make the following regulations: PART 1 INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL Citation and Commencement 1.

(1)These Regulations may be cited as the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations, 2001.
(2)Except as specified in paragraph
(3), these Regulations shall come into operation on the 1st day of January 2002.
(3)(a) In the case of persons employed in construction work for the first time, the provisions of Regulations 6
(5)and 9
(3)shall apply from the 1st day of January 2002. (b) Where construction work on a construction site commences on or after the 1st day of May 2002, Regulations 6
(5)and 9
(3)shall apply from that date for all workers employed in construction work on that site. (c) In respect of “scaffolding - basic”, designated in paragraph 1 of the Ninth Schedule, Regulations 6
(6)and 9
(4)shall come into operation on the 1st day of January 2002. (d) In respect of “scaffolding-advanced”, “tower crane operation”, “slinging/signalling” and “telescopic handler operation” designated in paragraph 1 of the Ninth Schedule, Regulations 6
(6)and 9
(4)shall come into operation on the 1st day of July 2002. (e) In all other cases, Regulations 6
(5), 6
(6), 9
(3)and 9
(4)shall come into operation on the 1st day of June 2003. 2.
(1)In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires - “the Act” means the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989 (No. 7 of 1989); “approved programme,” means a programme with a syllabus and trainers approved by FAS or a course approved by a body in another jurisdiction recognised by FAS as equivalent; “approved trainer” means a person or organisation approved by FAS for the purpose of delivering an approved programme; “the Authority” means the National Authority for Occupational Safety and Health; “construction site” means any site at which construction work in relation to a project is carried out; “construction stage” means the period of time starting when preparation of the construction site begins, including the design of temporary works to facilitate the construction of the project, and ending when construction work on the project is completed; “construction work” means the carrying out of any building, civil engineering or engineering construction work and includes any of the following - (
  1. a)the construction, alteration, conversion, fitting out, commissioning, renovation, repair, upkeep, redecoration or other maintenance (including cleaning which involves the use of water or an abrasive at high pressure or the use of substances or preparations classified as corrosive or toxic for the purposes of Regulation 8 of the European Communities (Classification, Packaging, Labelling and Notification of Dangerous Substances) Regulations, 1994 and Regulation 5 of the European Communities (Classification, Packaging, Labelling and Notification of Dangerous Preparations) Regulations, 1995), decommissioning, demolition or dismantling of a structure, (
  2. b)the preparation for an intended structure, including site clearance, exploration, investigation (but not site survey) and excavation, and laying or installing the foundations of an intended structure, (
  3. c)the assembly of prefabricated elements to form a structure, or the disassembly of prefabricated elements which, immediately before such disassembly, formed a structure, (
  4. d)the removal of a structure or part of a structure or of any product or waste resulting from demolition or dismantling of a structure or disassembly of prefabricated elements which, immediately before such disassembly, formed a structure, (
  5. e)the installation, commissioning, maintenance, repair or removal of mechanical, electrical, gas, compressed air, hydraulic, telecommunication systems, computer systems, or similar services which are normally fixed within or to a structure, but does not include drilling and extraction in the extractive industries; “client” means any person, engaged in trade, business or other undertaking, who commissions or procures the carrying out of a project or who undertakes a project directly for the purpose of such trade, business or undertaking “contractor” means a contractor or an employer whose employees undertake, carry out or manage construction work, or any person who carries out or manages construction work for a fixed or other sum and who supplies the materials and labour (whether his own labour or that of another) to carry out such work or supplies the labour only; “design” means the preparation of drawings, particulars, specifications, calculations, bills of quantities in so far as they contain specifications or other expressions of purpose, according to which a project, or any part or component of a project, is to be executed; “design stage” means the period of time during which the design of a project is prepared but does not include the design of temporary works by the contractor to facilitate construction of the project; “developed health and safety plan” means the health and safety plan developed in accordance with Regulation 6
(1); “FAS” means An Foras Aiseanna Saothair; “hoist” means a lifting machine, whether worked by mechanical power or not, with a carriage, platform or cage, the movement of which is restricted by a guide or guides, but does not include a lifting appliance used for the movement of trucks or wagons on a line of rails; “inspector” has the meaning assigned to it by the Act; “ladder” does not include a folding step-ladder; “lifting appliance” means any stationary or mobile appliance used for raising or lowering persons or loads, including:- (
  1. a)a crane, crab, winch, pulley block, gin wheel, hoist, mobile elevating work platform, sheer legs, excavator, dragline, piling frame, aerial cableway, aerial ropeway or overhead runways, (
  2. b)a vehicle which can be used to transport goods and which is fitted with forks or any other attachment for stacking, loading or unloading goods; “lifting gear” means any gear or cable by means of which a load can be attached to a lifting appliance but which does not form an integral part of the appliance or load, and includes a chain sling, rope sling or similar gear and a ring, link, hook, plate, clamp, shackle, swivel or eye-bolt; “locomotive” means any self-propelled wheeled vehicle used on a line of rails for the movement of trucks or wagons; “man-lock” means any air lock or decompression chamber used for the compression or decompression of persons, but does not include an air lock which is only so used in emergency or a medical lock used solely for treatment purposes; “mobile crane” means a crane capable of travelling under its own power, but does not include such a crane, which travels on a line of rails; “the Principal Regulations” means the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations, 1993 ( S.I. No. 44 of 1993 ); “project” means any development, which includes or is intended to include construction work; “project supervisor,” means a competent person or organisation appointed under Regulation 3
(1)and responsible for carrying out the appropriate duties specified in these Regulations; “raising or lowering or as a means of suspension” in Regulation 105, 106, 107, 110 or 111 means raising or lowering or as a means of suspension either of a load on a lifting appliance or lifting gear or a scaffold but does not include the use of a rope or chain solely as a means of lashing or securing together two or more rigid members of a scaffold to form a frame or as a means of making a lapped joint or the use of a rope or chain solely for the movement of a load in a horizontal direction; “safe working load” means either the relevant safe working load required to be specified in the latest certificate of test obtained for the purposes of Regulation 97, 105, 106, 118 or 123 or, where no such certificate is required, the relevant safe working load required to be marked or exhibited on the lifting appliance, lifting gear, chain, rope or other article of plant or equipment by Regulation 98 or 105; “scaffold” means any temporary structure whether fixed, suspended or mobile, (and its supporting components) which is used for supporting workers and materials or to gain access to any such structure and includes any working platform, working stage, gangway, run, ladder or step-ladder (other than independent ladder or step-ladder which does not form part of such a structure) together with any guard-rail, toe-board or other safeguards and all fixings, but does not include a lifting appliance or a structure only used to support such an appliance or to support other plant or equipment; “sloping roof” has the meaning assigned to it by Regulation 77 of these Regulations; “slung scaffold” means a scaffold suspended by means of lifting gear, ropes or chains or rigid members and not provided with means of raising or lowering by a lifting appliance or similar device; “structure” means - (
  1. a)any building, railway line or siding, tramway line, dock, harbour, inland navigation, tunnel, bridge, viaduct, waterworks, reservoir, pipe-line (whatever it contains or is intended to contain) underground or overground cables, 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, and any other structure similar to the foregoing, (
  2. b)any formwork, falsework, scaffold or other structure designed or used to provide support or means of access during construction work, or (
  3. c)any fixed plant in respect of work which is installation, commissioning, de-commissioning or dismantling and where any such work involves a risk of falling more than 2.00 metres; “suspended scaffold” means a scaffold (not being a slung scaffold) suspended by means of ropes or chains and capable of being raised or lowered but does not include a boatswain's chair or similar appliance; “trestle scaffold” includes a scaffold in which the supports for the platforms are any of the following which are self-supporting, namely split heads, folding step-ladders, tripods or movable contrivances similar to any of the foregoing; “plant or equipment” means any gear, machine, rig, apparatus or appliance, or any part of any plant or equipment; “working platform” includes a working stage.
(2)In these Regulations a reference to a paragraph is to a paragraph in the Regulation in which the reference occurs, unless it is indicated that reference to some other Regulation is intended, and a reference to a Regulation or a Schedule is to a Regulation of, or a Schedule to, these Regulations, unless it is indicated that reference to some other Regulation or Schedule is intended.
(3)The provisions of Regulations 2, 4 and Part II of the Principal Regulations shall apply in full to the application of the provisions of these Regulations. PART 2 DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT General Duties of Client 3.
(1)It shall be the duty of every client to appoint, in respect of every project, a project supervisor for the design stage and a project supervisor for the construction stage.
(2)Nothing in paragraph
(1)shall: (
  1. a)prevent the client appointing himself or herself as project supervisor if competent to undertake the duties involved, (
  2. b)prevent the client appointing one person as project supervisor for both the design and construction stages if that person is competent to undertake the duties involved.
(3)The appointments mentioned in paragraph
(1)shall be made at the appropriate time and shall be terminated, changed or renewed as necessary.
(4)It shall be the duty of every client to keep available any safety file referred to in Regulation 6
(2)(a) and any information delivered to the client in relation to the file for inspection by any person who may need information in the file for the purpose of compliance by that person with any duties imposed under the relevant statutory provisions.
(5)It shall be sufficient compliance with paragraph
(5)by a client who disposes of his or her interest in the property involved in the project if he or she delivers the safety file for that property to the person who acquires such interest in that property and such person shall keep available such safety file in accordance with paragraph
(4). 4.
(1)It shall be the duty of the project supervisor appointed for the design stage to - (
  1. a)take account during the design of a project and when estimating the period of time required for completion of a project, and where appropriate for stages of a project, of the general principals of prevention specified in the First Schedule of the Principal Regulations and of any safety and health plan or safety file prepared in accordance with these Regulations, and to co-ordinate in these respects the activities of other persons engaged in work related to design of the project; (
  2. b)subject to paragraph
(2)prepare on a preliminary basis and for the purpose of providing information for the project supervisor appointed for the construction stage, the safety and health plan referred to in Regulation 6
(1)specifying, in writing - (
  1. i)a general description of the project and of the time within which it is intended that the project will be completed, (
  2. ii)appropriate information on any other work activities taking place on the site, and (iii) where appropriate work related to the project which will involve particular risks to the safety and health of persons at work as referred to in the Second Schedule, (
  3. c)provide the project supervisor for the construction stage with any necessary information available to the project supervisor for the design stage which needs to be included in the safety file referred to in Regulation 6
(2)(a).
(2)Where notification of the construction site is not required under Regulation 8, a safety and health plan shall be required only for such sites where the work concerned involves a particular risk, including any of those specified in the Second Schedule.
(3)The project supervisor for the design stage may appoint a competent person as health and safety co-ordinator for the design to undertake on behalf of the project supervisor the duties specified in paragraph
(1). Duties of Designers 5.
(1)In any case in which a person is engaged in work related to the design of a project, it shall be the duty of that person to take account of the general principles of prevention as specified in the First Schedule of the Principal Regulations and any relevant safety and health plan or safety file prepared in accordance with these Regulations.
(2)In any case in which a person is engaged in work related to the design of a project, save where such a person is appointed under Regulation 3
(1)as project supervisor for the design stage, it shall be the duty of that person to - (
  1. a)co-operate with the project supervisor appointed for the design stage or the project supervisor for the construction stage, as appropriate, to enable that project supervisor to comply with these Regulations, (
  2. b)promptly provide the project supervisor appointed for the design stage or the project supervisor for the construction stage, as appropriate, with such information as is known to that person regarding particular risks to the safety and health of persons at work as referred to in the Second Schedule which may be associated with the project, and also with such information regarding the nature and scope of the project to the extent necessary to enable the project supervisor to comply with these Regulations, and (
  3. c)take into account any directions from the project supervisor appointed for the design stage or the project supervisor appointed for the construction stage, as appropriate. Duties of project supervisor for the construction stage. 6.
(1)It shall be the duty of the project supervisor appointed for the construction stage to develop before the commencement of the construction work the safety and health plan for the construction site prepared on a preliminary basis under Regulation 4
(1)(b), and make adjustments to such plan where required to take account of the progress of the work and any changes which occur, and take account as regards such plan at all times during the construction stage of the requirements of section 12 of the Act and of other work activities taking place on the site, and include in such plan specific measures concerning work which falls within one or more of the categories of the Second Schedule.
(2)It shall be the duty of the project supervisor appointed for the construction stage where more than one contractor is engaged in the project to - (
  1. a)prepare a safety file appropriate to the characteristics of the project containing relevant health and safety information to be taken into account during any subsequent construction work following completion of the project and make any adjustments to the safety file where required to take account of the progress of the work and any changes which have occurred and, on completion of the project, deliver the safety file to the client, (
  2. b)co-ordinate the implementation of the general principles of prevention specified in the First Schedule of the Principal Regulations when - (
  3. i)technical or organisational aspects are being decided, (
  4. ii)estimating the period required for completing such work or work stages, (
  5. c)co-ordinate the implementation of any relevant requirements of these Regulations in order that the contractors, as regards the general principles of prevention specified in the First Schedule of the Principal Regulations, apply in a consistent manner the requirements set out in the Third Schedule, (
  6. d)follow the provisions of the safety and health plan where required, (
  7. e)(
  8. i)organise co-operation between contractors (including successive contractors on the same site) and co-ordination of their activities in relation to a project with a view to protecting persons at work and preventing accidents and injury to health, (
  9. ii)organise the implementation of Regulation 6 of the Principal Regulations, in particular in relation to the provision of information, (iii) coordinate the implementation by contractors of Regulation 9
(1)(
  1. e)and keep available for inspection a copy of any information provided to the project supervisor under that Regulation, and where the Authority requests information in relation to such a record, to comply with such a request as soon as possible, (
  2. iv)provide access to appropriate information regarding safety, health and welfare required by paragraph (iii) to the site safety representative; (
  3. f)co-ordinate arrangements for checking the implementation of safe working procedures, (
  4. g)co-ordinate measures to permit authorised persons only on to the construction site.
(3)The project supervisor appointed for the construction stage may appoint a competent person as health and safety co-ordinator for the construction stage to undertake on behalf of the project supervisor the duties specified in paragraphs
(1)and
(2).
(4)It shall be the duty of the project supervisor appointed for the construction stage to co-ordinate arrangements which facilitate the provision and maintenance, in an appropriate condition, of site welfare facilities to all persons at work on the construction site, in accordance with the requirements of paragraphs 13 to 18 of the Fourth Schedule and the relevant requirements of the Fifth Schedule.
(5)It shall be the duty of the project supervisor for the construction stage to co-ordinate arrangements whereby persons at work on the construction site to whom the Eighth Schedule applies are in possession of a current registration card in the form specified in the Eighth Schedule.
(6)It shall be the duty of the project supervisor for the construction stage to co-ordinate arrangements whereby those persons who engage in any of the tasks specified in the Ninth Schedule are in possession of a current certificate or registration card in the form specified in the Ninth Schedule. (6A) A person shall not - (
  1. a)in applying for a registration card as specified in the Eighth or Ninth Schedule from FÁS or another competent authority, make a statement which he or she knows to be false, (
  2. b)with intent to deceive, forge or alter a registration card, or (
  3. c)with intent to deceive, make or possess any document closely resembling a registration card.
(7)It shall be the duty of the project supervisor for the construction stage to maintain and keep available for inspection a record of the names of persons at work at the construction site to whom paragraphs
(5)and
(6)apply as provided by each contractor under Regulation 9
(5). Site Safety Representative 7.
(1)(
  1. a)Without prejudice to the provisions of section 13 of the Act it shall be the duty of the project supervisor for the construction stage to - (
  2. i)coordinate the development and application by contractors of arrangements, made in consultation with their employees, which will enable them and their employees to co-operate effectively in promoting and developing measures in relation to their health and safety on the construction site and in ascertaining the effectiveness of such measures, (
  3. ii)facilitate, where more than 20 persons are normally employed at any one time on the site at any stage of the project, in cooperation with contractors and persons employed on the project, the appointment of a site safety representative from among the employees of the contractor or contractors undertaking the project in accordance with the procedure outlined in the Tenth Schedule. (
  4. b)A site safety representative shall have the right of access to such information from the project supervisor for the construction stage regarding the safety, health and welfare of persons at work at the construction site including information referred to in 6
(2)(e)(
  1. iv)and approved forms under these or the Principal Regulations. (
  2. c)It shall be the duty of the project supervisor for the construction stage to take reasonable measures to inform the site safety representative when an inspector enters the construction site for the purpose of making a tour of inspection.
(2)A site safety representative may - (
  1. a)make representations to the project supervisor for the construction stage and, as appropriate, any contractor involved in the project on any aspects of safety, health and welfare at the construction site, (
  2. b)investigate accidents and dangerous occurrences provided that he or she shall not interfere with or obstruct the performance of any statutory obligation required to be performed by any person under any relevant statutory provisions, (
  3. c)make oral or written representations to inspectors on matters of safety, health and welfare at work, (
  4. d)receive relevant advice and information from inspectors on matters of safety, health and welfare at work, (
  5. e)subject to prior notice to the project supervisor for the construction stage and the contractor employing the site safety representative and to agreement between the site safety representative, project supervisor for the construction stage and the contractor employing the site safety representative as to frequency, carry out inspections and in reaching such agreement, which shall not unreasonably be withheld by the employer, the parties shall consider the nature and extent of the hazards at the construction site in determining the frequency of inspections to be carried out by the site safety representative, (
  6. f)subject to prior notice to the project supervisor for the construction stage and the contractor employing the site safety representative, in circumstances in which it is reasonable to assume that risk of personal injury exists, to investigate potential hazards and complaints made by any person at work at the construction site relating to safety, health and welfare at the construction site, or (
  7. g)on a request being made in that behalf by him, accompany an inspector on any tour of inspection other than a tour of inspection made by the inspector for the purpose of investigating an accident.
(3)The project supervisor for the construction stage and, as appropriate, any contractor involved in the project shall take account of any representations made to him or her by a site safety representative on any matter affecting the safety, health and welfare at work of any person at work at the construction site.
(4)The contractor employing the site safety representative shall afford him or her such time off from his or her duties as may be reasonable having regard to all the circumstances without loss of remuneration, to enable him or her to - (
  1. a)acquire the knowledge necessary to discharge his or her functions as a safety representative, and (
  2. b)discharge his or her functions as a site safety representative under this Regulation.
(5)Arising from the discharge of his or her functions under this Regulation, a site safety representative shall not be placed at any disadvantage in relation to his or her employment. Notification of Projects to the Authority 8.
(1)It shall be the duty of the project supervisor appointed for the construction stage to give notice to the Authority before work on a construction site begins, where work is planned to last longer than 30 working days or on which the volume of work is scheduled to exceed 500 person-days.
(2)A notice required by paragraph
(1)shall be in writing and shall contain the particulars provided for in the First Schedule.
(3)The project supervisor appointed for the construction stage shall cause to be clearly displayed on the construction site and, if necessary, periodically cause to be updated the particulars required to be in any notice under this Regulation. PART 3 GENERAL DUTIES OF CONTRACTORS AND OTHERS Duties of Contractors 9.
(1)It shall be the duty of every contractor - (
  1. a)to comply with the provisions of Parts 4 to 18 of these Regulations, (
  2. b)to co-operate with the project supervisor appointed for the construction stage to enable such project supervisor to comply with the relevant statutory provisions, (
  3. c)to provide promptly to the project supervisor appointed for the construction stage any information (including a copy of any relevant safety statement prepared under section 12 of the Act) which is likely to affect the health or safety of any person at work on the project or which might justify a review of the safety and health plan, (
  4. d)to take into account any directions of the project supervisor appointed for the construction stage, (
  5. e)to provide the project supervisor appointed for the construction stage with the information in relation to any death, injury, condition or dangerous occurrence which the contractor is required to notify or report under the Principal Regulations, (
  6. f)to apply, where appropriate, the general principles of prevention specified in the First Schedule of the Principal Regulations in a consistent manner and in particular in relation to the matters specified in the Third Schedule in order to protect the health and safety of persons at work, (
  7. g)to comply with the appropriate requirements of the Fourth and Fifth Schedules as regards any place of work under the contractor's control.
(2)It shall be the duty of every contractor to comply with those requirements of the Fourth and Fifth Schedules which apply whenever required by the features of the construction site, the activity, the circumstances or a hazard at the site.
(3)It shall be the duty of every contractor or other person to ensure that all persons under their direct control on a construction site to whom the Eighth Schedule refers have received the training specified in the Eighth Schedule and have been issued with a current registration card in the form specified in that Schedule.
(4)It shall be the duty of every contractor or other person to ensure that any person under their direct control on a construction site who engages in any of the tasks specified in the Ninth Schedule has received the training specified in that Schedule and has been issued with a current construction skills card in the form specified in that Schedule.
(5)It shall be the duty of every contractor or other person to ensure in respect of any person under their direct control on a construction site to whom Regulations 9
(3)and 9
(4)apply to furnish to the project supervisor appointed for the construction stage on the date upon which they first start work on that site written confirmation that the persons concerned are in possession of any registration cards required under Regulations 6
(5)and 6
(6)together with any other relevant certificates and documentation required under the Principal Regulations. Appointment of Safety Officers 10.
(1)It shall be the duty of every contractor who normally has more than 20 persons under his direct control at any one time on a construction site or normally more than 30 persons under his direct control at any one time engaged in construction work, taking account of the provisions of Regulation 8 of the Principal Regulations, to appoint in writing one or more persons as a safety officer and the person so appointed shall be qualified by experience and training to undertake the following duties: (a) to advise the contractor as to the observance of the requirements of the relevant statutory provisions; (b) to exercise a general supervision of the observance of the aforesaid requirements and the promotion of the safe conduct of work generally.
(2)The duties assigned to any person appointed under paragraph
(1)including any duties other than those mentioned in paragraph
(1)shall not be such as to prevent that person from discharging with reasonable efficiency duties assigned under that paragraph.
(3)Nothing in these Regulations shall be construed as preventing the same person or persons being appointed under these Regulations for a group of sites or two or more contractors from jointly so appointing the same person or persons. Erection and Installation of Plant or Equipment 11. It shall be the duty of every contractor who - (
  1. a)erects, installs, modifies, works or uses any plant or equipment to which any of the provisions of these Regulations applies to erect, install, modify, work or use any such plant or equipment in a manner which complies with those provisions, and (
  2. b)erects or alters any scaffold to comply with the requirements of these Regulations having regard to the purpose or purposes for which the scaffold is designed at the time of erection or alteration. Information 12. It shall be the duty of every contractor in providing information to his employees or safety representative (or both), as required under Regulation 11 of the Principal Regulations, to ensure that such information includes information on the measures to be taken concerning their safety and health on the construction site and that such information is comprehensible to the employees concerned. Consultation 13. It shall be the duty of every contractor to ensure consultation with employees or their safety representative (or both) in relation to the requirements of these Regulations in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 12 of the Principal Regulations, taking account of the need, whenever necessary, for co-ordination between employees or the safety representatives of the different contractors on the construction site. Duties of Employees and other Persons at Work 14. Without prejudice to the provisions of Regulation 14 of the Principal Regulations, it shall be the duty of every person at work - (
  3. a)to comply with these Regulations and to co-operate in carrying out these Regulations and if that person discovers any defect in the plant or equipment to which these Regulations apply and which might endanger safety, health and welfare, to report such defect without unreasonable delay to the employer, immediate supervisor or the contractor responsible for the plant or equipment, (
  4. b)to make proper use of any safety helmet, harness or any other personal protective equipment provided for that person's health and safety, (
  5. c)to accept reasonable offers of assessment and training specified in the Eighth and Ninth Schedules to these Regulations, without loss of remuneration, made by his employer, and (
  6. d)when requested by their employer or the project supervisor appointed for the construction stage, to show relevant registration or construction skills cards referred to in Regulation 9
(3)and Regulation 9
(4). PART 4 SAFETY OF WORKPLACES General 15.
(1)All appropriate precautions shall be taken to ensure that all workplaces are safe and without risk of injury to the safety and health of persons at work.
(2)Safe means of access to and egress from all workplaces shall be provided and maintained, and indicated where appropriate.
(3)Appropriate precautions shall be taken to protect persons present at or in the vicinity of a construction site from risks, which may arise from such site. Protection from falling material 16.
(1)(
  1. a)Adequate measures shall be taken to prevent persons at work from being struck by any falling material or article. (
  2. b)Wherever technically feasible, persons shall be protected by collective methods against falling objects. (
  3. c)Materials and equipment shall be laid out or stacked in such a way as to prevent their collapsing or overturning. (
  4. d)Where necessary, there shall be covered passageways on the site or access to danger areas shall be prevented.
(2)Every person carrying out construction work shall be provided with a suitable safety helmet or other suitable head protection unless there is no foreseeable risk of injury to the head other than by falling.
(3)Every protective helmet provided pursuant to this Regulation shall be marked with a distinguishing mark which shall be used to identify it in relation to the person to whom it has been issued and the helmet shall not be issued to any other person unless and until it has been cleaned and disinfected.
(4)(
  1. a)Scaffold materials, tools, other objects or material, including waste material, shall not be thrown, or shot down from a height where they are liable to cause injury, and where practicable shall be properly lowered. (
  2. b)Where proper lowering is not practicable or where any part of a building or other structure is being demolished or removed adequate steps shall be taken to protect persons at work from falling or flying debris. Lighting of Work Places 17. Every place at which persons are at work and the approach thereto and, in particular, every such place where raising or lowering operations with the use of a lifting appliance are in progress and all openings dangerous to persons at work, shall be adequately and suitably lighted. Projecting Nails and Loose Material 18. No timber or material with projecting nails shall be used in any work to which these Regulations apply if such timber or material is a source of danger to persons at work nor shall such timber or materials be allowed to remain in any place where they are a source of danger to such persons. Construction of Temporary Structures. 19. Any temporary structure erected for the purpose of construction work not being a scaffold or other structure to which Regulation 81 applies, shall, having regard to the purpose for which it is used, be of good construction and adequate strength and stability and shall be of sound material, free from patent defect and properly maintained. Avoidance of Danger from Collapse of Structure 20.
(1)Metal or concrete frameworks and their components, shutterings, prefabricated components or temporary support, and buttresses shall be erected and dismantled only under the supervision of a competent person.
(2)All practicable precautions shall be taken by the use of temporary guys, stays, supports and fixings or otherwise where necessary to prevent danger to any person at work through the collapse of any part of a building or other structure during any temporary state of weakness or instability of the building or structure or part thereof before the whole building or structure is completed.
(3)Any guys, stays, supports, fixings or other devices provided under paragraph
(2)shall be designed, installed and maintained so as to safely withstand any strains and stresses which may be placed on them.
(4)Where any work is carried on which is likely to reduce the security or stability of any part of an existing building or structure or of a building or structure in course of construction, all practicable precautions shall be taken by shoring or otherwise to prevent danger to any person at work from the collapse of the building or structure or the fall of any part thereof. PART 5 EXCAVATIONS, SHAFTS, EARTHWORKS, UNDERGROUND WORKS AND TUNNELS General 21.
(1)Adequate precautions shall be taken in any excavation, shaft, earthwork, underground works or tunnel to - (
  1. a)guard against danger to persons at work from a fall or dislodgement of earth, rock or other material by suitable shoring or otherwise, (
  2. b)guard against dangers arising from the fall of persons at work, materials or objects or the inrush of water into the excavation, shaft, earthworks, underground works or tunnel, (
  3. c)secure adequate ventilation at all workplaces so as to maintain an atmosphere fit for respiration and to limit any fumes, gases, vapours, dust or other impurities to levels which are not dangerous or injurious to health, (
  4. d)enable persons at work to reach safety in the event of fire or an inrush of water or materials, (
  5. e)avoid risk to persons at work arising from possible underground dangers such as underground cables or other distribution systems, the circulation of fluids or the presence of pockets of gas, by undertaking appropriate investigations to locate them before excavation begins, (
  6. f)ensure that a safe means of access to and egress from each work place is provided.
(2)Paragraph
(1)(a) shall not apply to any excavation, shaft or earthwork where, having regard to the nature and slope of the sides of the excavation, shaft or earthwork and other circumstances, a fall or dislodgement of earth or other material which would bury or trap a person from a height of more than 1.25 metres is not liable to occur.
(3)Where a person is engaged in shoring or other work which is being carried out for the purpose of compliance with paragraph
(1)(a) appropriate precautions shall, as far as circumstances permit, be taken to ensure his safety. Inspection and Examination 22.
(1)Subject to the provisions of paragraph
(4), every part of any excavation, shaft, earthwork, underground works or tunnel where persons are at work shall be inspected by a competent person at least once on every day during which persons are at work therein; and the face of every tunnel and the working end of every trench more than 2.00 metres deep and the base and crown of every shaft shall be inspected by a competent person at the commencement of every shift.
(2)Subject to the provisions of paragraph
(4), a person shall not be permitted to work in any excavation, shaft, earthwork, underground work or tunnel unless a thorough examination has been carried out by a competent person - (
  1. a)of those parts thereof, and in particular any shoring or other support, in the region of the blast since explosives have been used in or near the excavation, shaft, earthwork, underground work or tunnel in a manner likely to have affected the strength or stability of that shoring or other support of any part thereof; and (
  2. b)of those parts thereof in the region of any shoring or other support of any part thereof that has been substantially damaged and in the region of any unexpected fall of rock or earth or other material; and (
  3. c)of every part thereof within the immediately preceding seven days.
(3)A report of the results of every examination required by paragraph
(2), signed by the person carrying out the examination, shall be made on the day of the examination in the approved form.
(4)This Regulation shall not apply - (
  1. a)to any excavation, shaft or earthwork where, having regard to the nature and slope of the sides of the excavation, shaft or earthwork and other circumstances, a fall or dislodgement of earth or other material which would bury or trap a person or which would strike a person from a height of more than 1.25 metres is not likely to occur, or (
  2. b)in relation to persons carrying out inspections or examinations required by this regulation or engaged in shoring or other work for the purpose of making a place safe, if appropriate precautions are taken to ensure their safety as far as circumstances permit. Supervision and Execution of Shoring and Other Work 23.
(1)No shoring or other support for any part of an excavation, shaft, earthwork, underground work or tunnel shall be erected or be substantially added to, altered or dismantled except under the direction of a competent person and so far as practicable by persons possessing adequate experience of such work and all material for any such work shall be inspected by a competent person on each occasion before being taken into use and material found defective in any respect shall not be used.
(2)Shoring or other support for any part of an excavation, shaft, earthwork, underground work or tunnel shall be of good construction, sound material, free from patent defect and of adequate strength for the purpose for which it is used and shall be properly maintained.
(3)All struts and braces in any excavation, shaft, earthwork, underground work or tunnel shall be properly and adequately secured so as to prevent their accidental displacement or fall. Excavations etc. Likely to Reduce Security of a Structure 24. No excavation, shaft, earthwork, underground work or tunnel which is likely to reduce, so as to endanger any employee or other person at work, the security or stability of any part of any structure, whether temporary or permanent, shall be commenced or continued unless adequate steps are taken both before and during the progress of the work, to prevent danger to any such person from collapse of the structure or the fall of any part thereof. Fencing of Excavations, etc. 25.
(1)Every accessible part of an excavation, shaft, pit or opening in the ground near to which persons are working and into or down a side of which a person is liable to fall a distance of more than 2.00 metres shall be either provided with a suitable barrier placed as close as is practicable to the edge or securely covered.
(2)Paragraph
(1)shall not apply to any part of an excavation, shaft, pit or opening while, and to the extent to which, the absence of such barrier and covering is necessary for the access of persons or for the movement of plant or equipment or materials or while, and to the extent to which, it has not up to then been practicable to erect such barrier or covering since the formation of that part of the excavation, shaft, pit or opening. Safeguarding Edges of Excavations, etc. 26.
(1)Material shall not be placed or stacked near the edge of any excavation, shaft, pit or opening in the ground so as to endanger persons at work below.
(2)No load, vehicle, or plant or equipment shall be placed or moved near the edge of any excavation, shaft, pit or opening in the ground where it is likely to cause a collapse of the side of the excavation, shaft, pit or opening and thereby endanger any person at work, and if necessary appropriate barriers shall be provided. PART 6 COFFERDAMS AND CAISSONS Construction and Maintenance
  1. Every cofferdam or caisson and every part thereof shall be of good construction, of suitable and sound material, free from patent defect and of adequate strength and shall be properly maintained. Means of Egress in Case of Flooding
  2. Every cofferdam or caisson shall be provided with adequate means for persons at work to reach places of safety in the event of an inrush of water or material. Supervision of Work and Inspection of Material 29.
(1)No cofferdam or caisson or part thereof shall be constructed or be placed in position or be substantially added to or altered or be dismantled except under the immediate supervision of a competent person and so far as practicable by persons possessing adequate experience of such work.
(2)All material used for the construction or fixing of a cofferdam or caisson shall be inspected by a competent person on each occasion before taken into such use and material, which is unsuitable or defective in any respect, shall not be used. Inspections and Examinations 30.
(1)Subject to paragraph
(3), any cofferdam or caisson in which persons are at work shall - (
  1. a)be inspected by a competent person at least once on every day during which persons are working therein, and (
  2. b)be thoroughly examined by a competent person - (
  3. i)in case explosives have been used in or near the cofferdam or caisson in a manner likely to have affected the strength or stability of the cofferdam or caisson or any part thereof, since the use of the explosives, and (
  4. ii)in case the cofferdam or caisson has been substantially damaged, since it was so damaged, and (iii) in any other case, at least once within the immediately preceding seven days.
(2)A report of the results of every examination made pursuant to this regulation signed by the person carrying out the examination shall be made on the day of the examination in the approved form.
(3)This Regulation shall not apply in relation to persons engaged in the construction, placing, repairing or alteration of the cofferdam or caisson or carrying out inspections or examinations required by this Regulation if appropriate precautions are taken to ensure their safety as far as circumstances permit. PART 7 COMPRESSED AIR Application of Part 7 31. In this Part of these Regulations:- “pressure” means pressure in kg/cm2 above atmospheric pressure. General 32. Where persons are required to work in compressed air - (
  1. a)appropriate precautions, arrangements and procedures shall be adapted, and (
  2. b)the work shall be planned and undertaken only under the supervision of a competent person. Plant and Equipment 33. All plant and equipment, including man-lock and air supply plant, and all parts and fittings thereof provided for use in relation to work in compressed air shall be - (
  3. a)of good design and construction, (
  4. b)of sound material and adequate strength, (
  5. c)free from patent defect, (
  6. d)properly maintained and used, and (
  7. e)suitable for the purpose used. Minimum Requirements 34. Work in compressed air shall be carried out in accordance with the minimum requirements specified in the Sixth Schedule. >PART 8 EXPLOSIVES Explosives 35.
(1)Explosives for use in construction work, shall not be stored, transported, handled or used except by or under the immediate control of a competent person with an adequate knowledge of the dangers connected with their use.
(2)All work involving the handling and use of explosives shall be carried out by competent persons and shall be organised and performed so as to avoid risks to persons at work.
(3)Suitable measures shall be taken to ensure that when a charge is fired - (
  1. a)persons at work are in places where, so far as can reasonably be anticipated, they will not be exposed to risk of injury from the explosion or from flying materials, and (
  2. b)other persons are not exposed to risk of injury.
(4)This Regulation shall not be construed as being in substitution for, or otherwise affecting any provision of the Explosives Act, 1875 (1875 c.17), or any provision of any other enactment which amends the law relating to explosive substances. PART 9 DANGEROUS OR UNHEALTHY ATMOSPHERES Health Hazards 36.
(1)Where a person at work is liable to be exposed to any chemical, physical or biological hazard to such an extent as is liable to be dangerous to health, appropriate preventative measures shall be taken against such exposure.
(2)The preventative measures referred to in paragraph
(1)above shall comprise - (
  1. a)the replacement of a hazardous substance by a harmless or less hazardous substance wherever possible, or (
  2. b)technical measures applied to the plant, machinery, equipment or process; or (
  3. c)where it is not possible to comply with subparagraphs (
  4. a)or (
  5. b)above, other effective measures, including the use of personal protective equipment and protective clothing. Disposal of Waste 37. Waste shall not be destroyed or otherwise disposed of on a construction site in a manner, which is liable to be injurious to health. Internal Combustion Engines or Dangerous Gas 38. No stationary internal combustion engine shall be used in any enclosed or confined place unless specific provision is made for conducting the exhaust gases from the engine into the open air or the place is adequately ventilated so as to prevent danger to health from such exhaust gases. PART 10 WORK ON OR ADJACENT TO WATER Transport by Water 39. When any person at work is conveyed to or from any place of work on water, proper measures shall be taken to provide for his safe transport and vessels used for this purpose shall be of suitable construction, properly maintained and in the charge of a competent person and not overcrowded or overloaded. Prevention of Drowning 40.
(1)Where, on or adjacent to a construction site there is water into which a person is, in the course of his work, liable to fall with risk of drowning, suitable rescue equipment shall be provided and kept in an efficient state and ready for use and measures shall be taken to arrange for the prompt rescue of any such person who is in danger of drowning.
(2)Where there is special risk of such a fall from the edge of adjacent land or from a structure adjacent to or above the water, or from a floating stage, secure fencing shall be provided near the edge to prevent such a fall, but such fencing may be removed or remain unerected for the time and to the extent necessary for the access of persons or the movement of materials. PART 11 TRANSPORT, EARTHMOVING AND MATERIALS-HANDLING MACHINERY, AND LOCOMOTIVES General 41.
(1)All transport vehicles, earth-moving and materials-handling machinery and locomotives shall - (
  1. a)be of good design and construction taking into account as far as possible ergonomic principles, (
  2. b)be maintained in good working order, (
  3. c)be properly used, (
  4. d)not be operated otherwise than by a competent person who has attained the age of eighteen years but notwithstanding the foregoing operation shall be permissible for the purpose of training by a person who is under the direct supervision of a qualified person for the purpose of training, (
  5. e)in circumstances where the operator's visibility is restricted, be fitted with an efficient warning device.
(2)On all construction sites on which transport vehicles, earth-moving or materials-handling machinery or locomotives are used - (
  1. a)safe and suitable access ways shall be provided for them, and (
  2. b)traffic shall be so organised and controlled as to secure their safe operation. Rails and Rail Tracks 42.
(1)All rails on which any locomotive, truck or wagon moves shall - (
  1. a)have an even running surface, be sufficiently and adequately supported and be of adequate section, (
  2. b)be jointed by fishplates or double chairs, (
  3. c)be securely fastened to sleepers or bearers, (
  4. d)be supported on a surface sufficiently firm to prevent undue movement of the rails, (
  5. e)be laid in straight lines or in curves of such radii that the locomotive, truck or wagon can be moved freely and without danger of derailment, (
  6. f)be provided with an adequate stop or buffer on each rail at each end of the track.
(2)All rails and equipment referred to in this Regulation shall be properly maintained but paragraphs
(1)(b) and
(1)(c) shall not apply if other adequate steps are taken to ensure the proper junction of the rails, and to prevent any material variation in their gauge. Clearance 43.
(1)In connection with the erection, installation, working or use of any line of rails on which any locomotive, truck or wagon moves, there shall be adequate clearance so that persons are not likely to be crushed or trapped by a locomotive, truck or wagon or any part of a load thereon.
(2)Where it is not practicable to provide clearance in accordance with paragraph
(1), such suitable arrangements shall be provided as are necessary to ensure that persons at work are not exposed to unnecessary risks. Riding in Insecure Positions on Vehicles, etc. 44. No person at work shall ride or be required or permitted to ride on the buffer, running board or other insecure position - (
  1. a)on any transport vehicle, earthmoving or materials handling machinery, or (
  2. b)on any locomotive, truck or wagon, and shall only ride on the part thereof provided for that purpose. Vehicles Near Edge of Excavations, etc. 45. Where any vehicle or machinery is used for tipping material into any excavation or shaft or over the edge of any embankment or earthwork or into water adequate measures shall be taken where necessary so as to prevent such vehicle or machinery from overturning or from overrunning the edge of such excavation, shaft, embankment, earthwork or water. Protection of Driver 46. Where appropriate, excavating machinery and materials handling machinery shall comply with the provisions of any relevant Directive of the European Communities which is applicable as regards the protection of the driver against being crushed if the machine overturns and against falling objects. PART 12 DEMOLITION Application of Part 12 47. The requirements of this Part of these Regulations shall apply to the demolition of the whole or any substantial part of a building or other structure. General 48. When the demolition of any building or structure might present danger to persons at work and others - (
  3. a)appropriate precautions, methods and procedures shall be adopted, including those for the disposal of waste or residues, (
  4. b)the work shall be planned and undertaken only under the supervision of a competent person. Fire and Flooding 49. Before demolition is commenced and also during the progress of the work, appropriate steps shall be taken to prevent danger to persons at work - (
  5. a)from risk of fire or explosion through leakage or accumulation of gas or vapour, and (
  6. b)from risk of flooding. Precautions in Connection with Demolition 50.
(1)No part of a building or other structure as regards which demolition is carried out shall be so overloaded with debris or materials as to render it unsafe to any person at work.
(2)The following operations shall be carried out only under the immediate supervision of a competent person or by persons trained and experienced in the kind of work and under the direction of a competent person - (
  1. a)the actual demolition of a building or other structure or part thereof, except where there is no risk of a collapse of any part of the building or the structure in the course or as a result of the demolition which would endanger persons at work, (
  2. b)the actual demolition of any part of a building or other structure where there is such a risk of collapse, whether of that or of any part of the building or structure, in the course or as a result of the said demolition, (
  3. c)the cutting of reinforced or prestressed concrete, steelwork or ironwork forming part of the building or other structure which is being demolished.
(3)Before any steelwork or ironwork is cut or released, precautions shall be taken to avoid danger from any sudden twist, spring, or collapse.
(4)Where demolition is being carried out all appropriate precautions shall be taken to avoid danger from collapse of a building or other structure when any part of the framing is removed from a framed or partly framed building or other structure.
(5)Before demolition is commenced and also during the progress of the work precautions shall, where necessary, be taken by adequate shoring or otherwise to prevent the accidental collapse of any part of the relevant building or structure or of any adjoining building or structure, the collapse of which may endanger persons at work, but this requirement shall not apply in relation to any person actually engaged in erecting or placing shoring or other safeguards for the purpose of compliance with this requirement, if appropriate precautions are taken to ensure his safety as far as circumstances permit.
(6)Before demolition is commenced and also during the progress of the work all appropriate steps shall be taken to ensure that there is no danger to persons at work from electric cables, gas pipes, water mains, sewers or other underground watercourses.
(7)Appropriate steps shall be taken to suppress, either by water sprays or other means, any dust generated during the process of demolition. PART 13 WORKING AT HEIGHTS Provision of Scaffolds, etc. 51. Where work cannot safely be done on or from the ground or from part of a building or other permanent structure, there shall be provided, placed and kept in position for use and properly maintained either scaffolds or, where appropriate, ladders or other means of support, all of which shall be sufficient and suitable for the purpose for which it is used. Supervision of Work and Inspection of Material 52.
(1)No scaffold shall be erected or be substantially added to or altered or be dismantled except under the immediate supervision of a competent person and by persons trained and experienced in the kind of work.
(2)All material for any scaffold shall be inspected by a competent person on each occasion before being taken into use. Construction and Material 53.
(1)Every scaffold and every part thereof shall be of good design and construction, of suitable and sound material and of adequate strength for the purpose for which it is used.
(2)Sufficient material shall be provided for and shall be used in the construction of scaffolds.
(3)Timber used for scaffolds shall be of suitable quality, be in good condition, and have the bark completely stripped off.
(4)Timber used for scaffolds, trestles, ladders, and folding step ladders shall not be so painted or treated that defects cannot easily be seen.
(5)Metal parts used for scaffolds shall be of suitable quality and be in good condition and free from corrosion or other patent defect likely to affect their strength. Defective Material 54.
(1)No defective material or defective part shall be used for a scaffold.
(2)No rope or bond, which is defective whether through contact with an acid or other corrosive substance or otherwise, shall be used.
(3)All material and parts for scaffolds shall when not in use be kept under good conditions and apart from any materials or parts unsuitable for scaffolds. Maintenance of Scaffolds 55. Every scaffold shall be properly maintained and every part shall be kept so fixed, secured or placed in position as to prevent accidental displacement. Partly Erected or Dismantled Scaffolds 56.
(1)No scaffold or part of a scaffold, which is partly erected or partly dismantled, shall be used unless the scaffold complies with this Part of these Regulations.
(2)In case a scaffold or part of a scaffold which is partly erected or partly dismantled does not comply with this Part of these Regulations either (
  1. a)a prominent warning notice indicating that the scaffold or part, as the case may be, is not to be used is affixed near any point at which the scaffold or part, as the case may be, is liable to be approached for the purpose of use, or (
  2. b)access to the scaffold or part, as the case may be, shall be prevented by suitable barriers or other equally effective means. Standards or Uprights, Ledgers and Putlogs 57.
(1)Standards or uprights of scaffolds shall - (
  1. a)where practicable, be either vertical or slightly inclined towards the building or other structures, and (
  2. b)be fixed sufficiently close together to secure the stability of the scaffold having regard to all the circumstances.
(2)The foot or base of any such standard or upright shall be placed on an adequate base plate in a manner to prevent slipping or sinking, or its displacement shall be prevented in some other sufficient way.
(3)Ledgers of scaffolds shall be as nearly as possible horizontal and shall be securely fastened to the standards or uprights by efficient means.
(4)Putlogs or other supports on which a platform rests shall be securely fastened to the ledgers or to the standards or uprights or their movement shall be prevented by other efficient means, and where one end of a putlog is supported by a wall, that end shall extend into or on to the wall sufficiently to provide a supporting surface of sufficient area.
(5)The distance between two consecutive putlogs or other supports on which a platform rests shall be fixed with due regard to the anticipated load and the nature of the platform flooring. Stability of Scaffolds 58.
(1)Every scaffold shall be securely supported or suspended and shall where necessary be sufficiently and properly strutted or braced to prevent collapse and shall be rigidly connected with the building or other structure unless the scaffold is so designed and constructed as to ensure stability without such connection.
(2)Every structure and appliance used as a support for a scaffold shall be of sound construction, have a firm footing or be firmly supported and shall, where necessary, be sufficiently and properly strutted or braced to prevent collapse and to ensure stability.
(3)Every scaffold, not being a suspended scaffold or slung scaffold, which can be moved on wheels or skids shall - (
  1. a)be constructed with due regard to stability and, if necessary for stability, be adequately weighted at the base, (
  2. b)be used only on a firm and even surface not so sloping as to involve risk of instability of the scaffold or any load thereon, (
  3. c)be adequately secured to prevent movement when any person is working upon it or upon any ladder or other plant or equipment, being a ladder or plant or equipment which is supported by the scaffold, and (
  4. d)be moved only by the application of force at or near the base.
(4)Loose bricks, drain pipes, chimney pots or other unsuitable material shall not be used for the construction or support of scaffolds. Slung Scaffolds 59.
(1)No chain, wire rope, lifting gear, metal tube or other means of suspension for slung scaffolds shall be used unless the following requirements, in so far as they are applicable, are observed, that is to say - (
  1. a)it is suitable and of adequate strength for the purpose for which it is used, (
  2. b)it is properly and securely fastened to safe anchorage points and to the scaffold ledgers or other main supporting members, (
  3. c)it is so placed as to ensure stability of the scaffold, (
  4. d)it is as nearly vertical as is practicable, and (
  5. e)it is kept taut.
(2)No rope other than a wire rope shall be used for the suspension of a slung scaffold.
(3)Where chains or wire ropes are used for the suspension of a slung scaffold, steps shall be taken to prevent such chains or wire ropes coming into contact at points of suspension with edges where this would cause danger.
(4)Every slung scaffold shall be secured to prevent undue horizontal movement while it is used as a working platform. Cantilever, Jib, Figure and Bracket Scaffolds 60.
(1)No cantilever scaffold or jib scaffold shall be used unless it is adequately supported, fixed and anchored, has outriggers of adequate length and strength and is where necessary sufficiently and properly strutted or braced to ensure rigidity and stability.
(2)No figure or bracket scaffold supported or held by dogs, spikes, or similar fixings liable to pull out of the stone work, brickwork or other surface in which they are gripped or fixed shall be used. Support for Scaffolds, etc. 61. No part of a building or other structure shall be used as support for a scaffold, ladder, folding step-ladder or crawling ladder or for part of a scaffold, ladder, folding step-ladder or crawling ladder unless the part of the building or other structure is of sound material and sufficiently stable and of sufficient strength to afford safe support. Suspended Scaffolds (not power operated) 62.
(1)This Regulation applies to - (
  1. a)every suspended scaffold, and (
  2. b)plant or equipment which is permanent plant or equipment of a building and which, but for the fact that it is permanently provided, would be a suspended scaffold, which is not raised or lowered by a power-driven lifting appliance or power driven lifting appliances and no such suspended scaffold, plant or equipment shall be used unless it complies with the requirements of this Regulation.
(2)In this Regulation, references to suspended scaffolds shall include references to plant or equipment referred to in paragraph
(1)(b).
(3)Every suspended scaffold shall be provided with adequate and suitable chains or ropes and winches or other lifting appliances or similar devices and shall be suspended from suitable outriggers, joists, runways, rail tracks or other equally safe anchorage.
(4)The winches or other lifting appliances or similar devices of a suspended scaffold shall be - (
  1. a)provided with a brake or similar device which comes into operation when the operating handle or lever is released, and (
  2. b)adequately protected against the effects of weather, dust or material likely to cause damage.
(5)The suspension ropes or chains of a suspended scaffold shall be - (
  1. a)securely attached to the outriggers or other supports and to the platform framework or to any lifting appliance or other device attached thereto, as the case may be, and (
  2. b)kept in tension.
(6)Every part of a suspended scaffold and all plant and equipment, including supports, outriggers and counter weights, used for the purposes thereof shall be of good design and construction, suitable and sound material, of adequate strength for the purpose for which it is used and shall be properly maintained, and, where constructed of metal, shall be free from corrosion and other patent defects, being corrosion and defects likely materially to affect its strength.
(7)Adequate arrangements shall be made to prevent undue tipping, tilting or swinging of a suspended scaffold and to secure it to prevent undue horizontal movement while it is being used as a working platform. Boatswain's Chairs, Skips etc. (Not Power Operated) 63.
(1)A boatswain's chair, cage, skip or similar plant or equipment, other than a boatswain's chair, cage, skip or similar plant or equipment which is raised or lowered by a power-driven lifting appliance, shall not be used unless- (
  1. a)it is of good construction, suitable and sound material, adequate strength, free from patent defect and properly maintained, (
  2. b)the outriggers or other supports are of adequate strength and properly installed and supported, (
  3. c)the chains, ropes, lifting gear or other means of suspension used therewith are securely attached to the outriggers or other supports and to the chair, cage, skip or similar plant or equipment or to any lifting appliance or other device attached thereto, as the case may be, (
  4. d)suitable means are provided to prevent any person at work falling out, (
  5. e)it is free of materials or articles liable to interfere with such person's handhold or foothold or otherwise endanger him, (
  6. f)suitable measures are taken to prevent spinning or tipping in a manner dangerous to any such person, (
  7. g)in the case of any skip or other receptacle it is at least 950 millimetres deep, and has at least a toe board, a main handrail and an intermediate handrail, (
  8. h)its installation has been, and its use is, supervised by a competent person.
(2)No boatswain's chair, cage, skip or similar plant or equipment, other than a boatswain's chair, cage, skip or similar plant or equipment which is raised or lowered by a power driven lifting appliance, shall be used as a workplace in circumstances in which a suspended scaffold could be used unless the work is of such short duration as to make the use of a suspended scaffold unreasonable or the use of a suspended scaffold is not practicable. Trestle Scaffolds 64.
(1)All trestles and supports used for the construction of any trestle scaffold shall be of good design and construction, suitable and sound material, adequate strength for the purpose for which they are used and free from patent defect and shall be properly maintained.
(2)A trestle scaffold shall not be used if constructed with more than one tier.
(3)No trestle scaffold shall be erected on a scaffold platform unless - (
  1. a)the width of the said platform is such as to leave sufficient clear space for the transport of materials along the platform, and (
  2. b)the trestles or supports are firmly attached to the said platform and adequately braced to prevent displacement. Inspection of Scaffolds, Boatswain's Chairs etc. 65.
(1)Subject to the provisions of this Regulation, no scaffold, including any boatswain's chair, cage, skip, or similar plant or equipment, and no plant or equipment used for the purposes of any of the foregoing shall be used unless - (
  1. a)it has been inspected by a competent person before being taken into use; (
  2. b)it has been inspected by a competent person since any modification, period without use, exposure to bad weather or seismic tremors, or any other circumstance which may have affected its strength or stability or displaced any part of it, (
  3. c)it has been inspected by a competent person since being taken into use, at least once within the previous seven days, and (
  4. d)a report has been made of the results of every such inspection in the approved form and signed by the person making the inspection.
(2)Paragraph
(1)(
  1. d)shall (
  2. a)not apply to a trestle scaffold or a scaffold from any part of which a person is liable to fall a distance of more than 2.00 metres, (
  3. b)not be construed as requiring a scaffold to be inspected by reason only of the fact that it has been added to, altered or partly dismantled. Scaffolds used by Employees of Different Contractors 66. Where a scaffold or part of a scaffold is to be used by or on behalf of a contractor other than the contractor for whose employees it was first erected, the first-mentioned contractor shall, before such use, and without prejudice to any other obligations imposed upon him by these Regulations, either personally or through a servant or agent, satisfy himself that the scaffold is stable, that the materials used in its construction are sound and that the safeguards required by this Part of these Regulations are in position. Construction of Working Platforms, Gangways, Runs and Stairs 67.
(1)Working platforms, gangways, runs and stairs shall be constructed, dimensioned, protected and used in such a way as to prevent persons at work from falling or being exposed to falling objects.
(2)Working platforms, gangways and runs shall be of a sufficient width to allow the safe passage of persons at work and of materials where appropriate.
(3)Working platforms shall be of sufficient width to afford adequate working space at every part. Decking of Working Platforms, Gangways and Runs 68.
(1)Every board, plank or other decking forming part of a working platform, gangway or run shall be of a thickness and width which are such as to afford adequate strength and security having regard to the distance between the supports.
(2)No board, plank or other decking which forms part of a working platform, gangway or run shall project beyond its end support to a distance which, having regard to the thickness and strength of the decking, renders the projecting part of the decking an unsafe support for any weight liable to be upon it unless it is effectively secured to prevent tipping.
(3)Suitable measures shall be taken by the provision of adequate bevelled pieces or otherwise to reduce to a minimum the risk of tripping and to facilitate the movement of barrows where boards, planks or other decking which form part of a working platform, gangway or run overlap each other, or are not of reasonably uniform thickness where they meet each other, or, owing to warping or for some other reason, do not provide an even surface.
(4)Paragraph
(3)shall not apply to a working platform, gangway or run one side of which is contiguous to a curved surface of any cylindrical or spherical structure.
(5)Every board, plank or other decking which forms part of a working platform, gangway or run shall - (
  1. a)rest securely and evenly on its supports, and (
  2. b)rest on at least three supports unless, taking into account the distance between the supports and the thickness of the board, plank, or other decking, the conditions are such as to prevent undue or unequal sagging. Guard-rails and toe-boards at working platforms and workplaces 69.
(1)Every side of a working platform or workplace, being a side from which a person at work is liable to fall a distance of more than 2.00 metres, shall, subject to the following paragraphs, be provided with a suitable guard-rail or guard-rails of adequate strength to a height neither greater than 1.20 metres nor less than 950 millimetres above the platform, and with toe-boards or other barriers up to a sufficient height which shall in no case be less than 150 millimetres.
(2)Guard rails and toe-boards or other barriers required to be provided under paragraph
(1)shall be so placed as to prevent, so far as practicable, the fall of persons at work, materials and articles from the working platform or workplace.
(3)Without prejudice to the generality of Regulation 55, the outward movement of guard-rails and toe-boards or barriers, shall, unless they are so designed and used as to prevent such movement, be prevented by placing them on the inside of the uprights or by other equally effective means.
(4)Where guard-rails are required to be provided, the distance between any toe-board or other barrier and the lowest guard-rail above it shall not exceed 800 millimetres.
(5)On the side of a suspended scaffold next to the wall or working face - (
  1. a)guard-rails required by this Regulation need not extend to a height of more than 700 millimetres above the platform if the work is impracticable with a guard-rail at a greater height; and (
  2. b)guard-rails and toe-boards or other barriers shall not be required if persons sit at the edge of the platform to work and ropes or chains affording all such persons a safe and secure handhold are provided.
(6)Subject to paragraph
(7), paragraphs
(1),
(2)and
(3)shall not apply to - (
  1. a)a platform which is used only in the course of erecting any framework or prefabricated unit forming part of a building or other permanent structure for the purposes of joining, bolting up, riveting or welding work and which is used for such a short period as to make the provision of guardrails and toe-boards or barriers unreasonable, if the following requirements are complied with, namely - (
  2. i)the platform is of sufficient width, (
  3. ii)except where a person at work cannot fall from the platform a distance exceeding 2.00 metres, there is adequate handhold, and steps are taken to prevent persons working thereon from falling, and (iii) the platform is not used for the deposit of materials or articles otherwise than in boxes or receptacles suitable to prevent the fall of the materials or articles from the platform; (
  4. b)a temporary platform passing between two adjacent glazing bars of a roof with a sloping surface if those bars or the roof framework afford secure handhold along the full length of the platform.
(7)Not withstanding the provisions of paragraphs
(6)(
  1. a)and (
  2. b)toe-boards or barriers shall be provided on such platforms in accordance with paragraphs
(1),
(2)and
(3)except where the provision of toe-boards or barriers is impracticable on account of the nature or circumstances of the work.
(8)Paragraphs
(1),
(2)and
(3)shall not apply to - (
  1. a)a platform under a roof being a platform which is supported by or suspended from roof members or the roof and which is used only for work on or in the vicinity of the roof, being work which is of a light nature and of such short duration as to make the provision of guard-rails and toe-boards or barriers unreasonable if the following requirements are complied with, namely (
  2. i)there is adequate handhold at every working position and steps are taken to prevent persons working thereon from falling a distance of more than 2.00 metres, and (
  3. ii)the material required for the work is such that the platform can be used with safety, (
  4. b)a working platform or workplace one side of which is contiguous to the concave surface of a cylindrical or spherical structure for so long as practicable steps are being taken to prevent persons working thereon from falling a distance of more than 2.00 metres. Guard-rails, etc. for Gangways, Runs and Stairs 70.
(1)Every side of any gangway, run or stairs from which a person at work is liable to fall a distance of more than 2.00 metres shall comply with the following requirements - (
  1. a)it shall be provided with a suitable guard-rail or guard-rails of adequate strength to a height of not more than 1.20 metres nor less than 950 millimetres above the gangway, run or stairs, (
  2. b)except in the case of stairs, it shall be provided with toe-boards or other barriers, up to a sufficient height which shall in no case be less than 150 millimetres and placed so as to prevent, as far as possible, the fall of persons at work, materials or articles, and (
  3. c)the space between any toe-boards or barrier and the lowest guard-rail above it shall not exceed 800 millimetres. Platforms, Gangways, Runs and Stairs, etc. to Afford Safe Foothold 71.
(1)If a platform, gangway, run or stair becomes slippery, appropriate steps shall, as soon as practicable, be taken by way of sanding, cleaning or otherwise to remedy the condition.
(2)Every platform, gangway, run or stair shall be kept free from any unnecessary obstruction and material and free from rubbish and any projecting nails. Construction and maintenance of ladders and folding step-ladders. 72.
(1)Every ladder and folding step-ladder shall be of good construction, of suitable and sound material and of adequate strength for the purpose for which it is used and shall be properly maintained.
(2)No ladder shall be used from which a rung is ;missing or where a rung is defective.
(3)Every rung of a ladder shall be properly fixed to the stiles or sides.
(4)No ladders shall be used in which any rung depends for its support solely on nails, spikes or other similar fixing.
(5)Where in the case of a wooden ladder the tenon joints are not secured by wedges, reinforcing ties shall be used.
(6)Wooden stiles or sides and wooden rungs of ladders shall have the grain running lengthwise.
(7)This Regulation shall not apply to ladders to which Regulation 75 applies. Use of ladders and folding step-ladders 73.
(1)This Regulation applies to ladders and folding step ladders other than a ladder lying upon a roof or a crawling board or crawling ladder, being ladders and folding step-ladders which afford a means of access, egress, communication or support to a person at work.
(2)Subject to the provisions of paragraphs
(3)and
(4), no ladder standing on a base shall be used unless - (
  1. a)it is securely fixed near to its upper resting-place or, in the case of a vertical ladder near to its upper end, provided that where such fixing is impracticable the ladder shall be securely fixed at or near to its lower end, (
  2. b)it has a level and firm footing and is not standing on loose bricks or other loose packing, (
  3. c)it is secured where necessary to prevent undue swaying or sagging, and (
  4. d)it is equally and properly supported on each stile or side.
(3)Subject to paragraph
(4), where it is impracticable in relation to a ladder standing on a base to comply with the requirements of paragraph
(2)(a), a person who is at work shall be stationed at the foot of the ladder when in use to prevent it slipping.
(4)Paragraphs
(2)and
(3)shall not apply to a ladder which is not more than 3.00 metres in length and which is not used as a means of communication, if the ladder is securely placed as to prevent it from slipping or falling.
(5)No ladder shall be used unless - (
  1. a)(
  2. i)it extends to a height of at least 1.00 metres above the place of landing or the highest rung to be reached by the feet of any person at work using the ladder, as the case may be, or, if this is impracticable, it extends to the greatest practicable height, or (
  3. ii)there is other adequate handhold, apart from the ladder, and (
  4. b)there is sufficient space at each rung to provide adequate foothold.
(6)Every ladder, other than ladders standing on bases, shall before being used be - (
  1. a)securely suspended, (
  2. b)secured where necessary to prevent undue swinging or swaying, and (
  3. c)equally and properly suspended by each stile or side.
(7)No folding step-ladder shall be used - (
  1. a)unless it has a level and firm footing, or (
  2. b)while it is standing on loose ;bricks or other loose packing.
(8)No ladder or run of ladders rising a vertical distance of over 9.00 metres shall be used unless it is, if practicable, provided with an intermediate landing place or intermediate landing places so that the vertical distance between any two successive landing places shall not exceed 9.00 metres.
(9)Every landing place provided under paragraph
(8)shall be of adequate dimensions and, if a person at work is liable to fall from the landing place a distance of more than 2.00 metres, shall, except in so far as it is not practicable to do so, be provided with sufficient and suitable guard-rails to a height neither greater than 1.20 metres nor less than 950 millimetres above the landing place and with toe-boards or other barriers up to a sufficient height which shall in no case be less than 150 millimetres.
(10)Guard-rails provided under paragraph
(9)shall be so placed as to prevent as far as possible the fall of persons at work, materials and articles and so that the space between any toe-boards or other barriers up to a sufficient height which shall not exceed 800 millimetres.
(11)Where a ladder passes through an opening in the floor of a landing place, the opening shall be as small as is practicable. Openings, Corners, Breaks, Edges and Open Joisting 74.
(1)Paragraphs
(1)to
(3)apply to every opening, corner, break, or edge which any person at work is liable to approach or across which any such person is liable to pass, being an opening, corner, break or edge - (
  1. a)in or of a roof, other than a roof to which Regulation 76 of these Regulations applies, floor, wall or other similar part either of a building or of any other structure whether the roof, floor, wall or other structure is complete or only partly complete or is in course of construction, maintenance, repair or demolition, or (
  2. b)in or of a working platform, gangway, or run.
(2)Subject to Regulation 75, where a person at work is liable to fall from or through an opening, corner, break or edge to which this Regulation applies either a distance of more than 2.00 metres or into any liquid or material so as to involve risk of drowning or serious injury, then, either - (
  1. a)a suitable guard-rail or guard-rails of adequate strength shall be provided to a height of not less than 950 millimetres and not exceeding 1.20 metres above the surface across which such person is liable to pass, together with toe-boards or other barriers up to a sufficient height which shall be not less than 150 millimetres, and shall be so placed as to prevent, as far as possible, the fall of persons at work, materials and articles and so that the space between any toe-board or other barrier at the lowest guard-rail above it shall not exceed 800 millimetres, or (
  2. b)a covering shall be provided which is so constructed as to prevent the fall of persons at work, materials or articles and any such covering shall be securely fixed in position.
(3)Subject to Regulation 75, where materials or articles are liable to fall through or from an opening, corner, break or edge to which this Regulation applies, other than an opening, corner, break or edge to which paragraph
(2)applies, so as to endanger persons at work, suitable precautions by way of the erection of toe-boards, secure covering or otherwise shall be taken to prevent such falls.
(4)Subject to Regulation 75, when work is done on or immediately above any open joisting through which there is a risk of a person at work falling a distance of more than 2.00 metres, the following requirements shall be complied with, namely such joisting shall be securely covered by boards or other temporary covering to the extent necessary to afford safe access to or foothold for the work or other effective measures shall be taken to prevent persons at work from falling. Exceptions from Regulation 74 75.
(1)Guard-rails, toe-boards, barriers and coverings required by Regulation 74 may be removed or remain unerected - (
  1. a)where and when this is necessary in order to proceed with any permanent filling in, covering or enclosure, or (
  2. b)for the time and to the extent necessary for the access of persons at work or the movement of materials or other purposes of the work, but the opening, corner, break or edge shall not be left unattended and guard-rails, toe-boards, barriers and coverings removed or remaining unerected for any of those purposes shall be replaced or re-erected as soon as practicable.
(2)Without prejudice to Regulation 69, Regulation 74 shall not apply to any opening, corner, break or edge created in the course of demolition operations to which Part XII of these Regulations applies or to any opening, corner, break or edge created in the course of any other demolition operation if in the course of such last mentioned demolition operation the opening, corner, break or edge is not left unattended. Sloping roofs 76.
(1)In this Regulation - “sloping roof” means a roof or part of a roof being a roof or part having a pitch of more than 10 degrees which is covered either wholly or partly.
(2)This Regulation applies to a sloping roof which is - (
  1. a)in the course of construction, maintenance, repair or demolition, or (
  2. b)used as a means of access to or egress from work on a roof or part of a roof being work to which these Regulations apply.
(3)Except as provided in paragraphs
(7)and
(8), work on or from a sloping roof shall only be carried out by persons who are suitable for such work and in addition the requirements of paragraphs
(4)and
(5)shall be complied with.
(4)Where a sloping roof is used as a means of access to or egress from work on a roof or a part of a roof being work to which these Regulations apply, sufficient and suitable crawling ladders or crawling boards shall be provided on that sloping roof.
(5)Subject to paragraph
(8)where any work is done on or from any sloping roof sufficient and suitable crawling ladders or crawling boards shall be provided on that sloping roof and either - (
  1. a)a suitable barrier shall be provided at the lower edge of the sloping roof, other than the upper surface of a tank or similar structure of metal construction, of such a design and so constructed as to prevent any person at work falling from that edge, or (
  2. b)the work shall be done from a securely supported working platform of sufficient width and which complies with the requirements of paragraphs
(1)to
(5)of Regulation 69.
(6)Crawling ladders and crawling boards required to be provided by paragraph
(4)or
(5)of this Regulation shall be - (
  1. a)of good construction, suitable and sound material, adequate strength for the purpose for which they are used, free from patent defect and properly maintained, (
  2. b)properly supported, and (
  3. c)securely fixed or anchored to the sloping surface or over the roof ridge or securely fixed in some other way.
(7)The provision of crawling ladders or crawling boards shall not be required in the case of any sloping roof where the handhold and foothold afforded by the battens or other similar members of the structure are such that the said sloping roof is as safe for every person at work thereon as it would be if the said provision had been made.
(8)Paragraphs
(5)(a) and
(5)(b) shall apply only in the case of a sloping roof from the eaves of which a person at work could fall a distance of more than 2.00 metres.
(9)Suitable and sufficient means shall be provided to prevent the fall of materials or articles from a sloping roof. Work on or near fragile materials 77.
(1)A person shall not pass across, or work on or from, material which is liable to fracture if his weight were to be applied to it and it is so situated that if it were so fractured he could fall a distance of more than 2.00 metres unless such one or more of all or any of the following are provided, that is to say, suitable and sufficient ladders, crawling ladders, crawling boards and duck-boards, which shall be securely supported and, if necessary, secured so as to prevent their slipping, as are necessary to ensure that the weight of any such person so passing or working is wholly or mainly supported by such ladders or boards unless his weight is supported by other equally safe and sufficient means.
(2)A person at work shall not pass or work near material of the kind as specified in paragraph
(1)and so situated unless provision is made by means of such one or more of all or any of the following, that is to say, suitable guard-rails, suitable coverings and other suitable means as are appropriate for preventing any such person so passing or working from falling through the said material.
(3)A suitable warning notice “danger fragile roof” shall be affixed at the approach to material of the kind specified in paragraph
(1).
(4)References in this Regulation to a person's weight shall be construed as references to the aggregate of his weight and that of anything he may, for the time being, be supporting by his person.
(5)All plant and equipment provided in pursuance of this Regulation shall be of good construction, suitable and sound material, adequate strength for the purpose for which it is used, free from patent defect, properly maintained and used. Loads on scaffolds 78.
(1)A scaffold shall not be overloaded and so far as practicable the load thereon shall be evenly distributed.
(2)When any material is transferred on or to a scaffold it shall be moved or deposited without imposing any sudden shock.
(3)Materials shall not be kept upon a scaffold unless needed for work within a reasonable time. Prevention of falls and provision of safety nets and harnesses 79.
(1)Where, by reason of the special nature or circumstances of any part of the work to which these Regulations apply or of the access thereto or any egress therefrom, it is impracticable to comply with any of the requirements of Regulations 15
(2), 51, 67 to 71, 74, 76 and 77 those requirements shall be complied with so far as practicable and in any case, subject to paragraphs
(2)and
(3), there shall in addition where practicable be provided and so erected and kept in such positions as to be effective to protect persons carrying on that part of the work or using the said access or egress, suitable safety nets or safety sheets of such a design and so constructed and installed as to prevent so far as practicable injury to persons at work falling on to them.
(2)Where by virtue of paragraph
(1)safety nets or safety sheets would be required to be provided for the protection of persons at work but all such person are able safely to carry on the relevant work or use the relevant access or egress by making use of safety harnesses or safety belts attached continuously to a suitable and securely fixed anchorage, such safety nets or safety sheets shall not be required to be provided if there are provided instead and properly used suitable and sufficient safety harnesses, safety belts or other suitable and sufficient safety equipment.
(3)In any of the following cases, that is to say - (a) where it is impracticable to provide all such safety nets or safety sheets as would be required to comply with the requirements of paragraph
(1), (
  1. b)where it is not practicable so to provide all such nets or sheets by reason of the frequent movement of materials or other purposes of the work, and (
  2. c)where the work is of such short duration as to make the provision of all such nets or sheets unreasonable, safety nets or safety sheets in accordance with the requirements of paragraph
(1)shall be provided to the extent to which it is possible to provide them and, in any such case, there shall also be provided suitable and sufficient safety harnesses or safety belts, together with suitable and sufficient anchorages, or other suitable and sufficient safety equipment having suitable fittings and being of such a design and so constructed as to prevent serious injury in the event of a fall to a person at work using them.
(4)All safety nets, safety sheets, safety harnesses, safety belts and other equipment provided in pursuance of this Regulation shall be properly maintained and used. PART 14 LIFTING APPLIANCES Construction, Maintenance and Inspection. 80.
(1)Every lifting appliance and every part thereof, including all working gear and all other plant or equipment used for anchoring, fixing or supporting such appliances, shall - (
  1. a)be of good design and mechanical construction, sound material, adequate strength and free from patent defect, (
  2. b)be properly installed and used, (
  3. c)be properly maintained, (
  4. d)be used only for the purposes for which they were intended, (
  5. e)as far as the construction permits, be inspected at least once in every week by the driver, if competent for the purpose, or if the driver is not competent, by some other person who is competent.
(2)A report of the results of every inspection, carried out under paragraph
(1)(e), signed by the person carrying out the inspection, shall be made forthwith in the approved form. Support, anchoring, fixing and erecting 81.
(1)Every lifting appliance shall be adequately and securely supported.
(2)Every part of a stage, scaffold, framework or other structure and every mast, beam, pole or other article of plant or equipment, supporting a lifting appliance or any part thereof shall, having regard to the nature of the lifting appliance, its lifting and reaching capacity and the circumstance of its use, be of good construction, adequate strength, sound material and free from patent defect.
(3)Every part of the framework of every crab or which, other than a jack roll, including its bearers, shall be of metal.
(4)Any anchoring or fixing arrangements provided in connection with a lifting appliance shall be adequate and secure.
(5)Every temporary attachment or connection of a rope, chain or other plant or equipment used in the erection or dismantling of any lifting appliance shall be adequate and secure.
(6)In the case of a crane which is on occasion dismantled or partially dismantled, any jib or boom which is separated from the crane in dismantling shall be clearly marked so as to indicate the crane of which it was a part. Precautions where Lifting Appliance has Travelling or Slewing Motion. 82.
(1)On every stage, gantry or other place where a lifting appliance having a travelling or slewing motion is in use, an unobstructed passageway not less than 600 millimetres wide shall be maintained between any part of the appliance liable so to move and any guard-rails, fencing or other nearby fixture.
(2)If at any time it is impracticable to maintain such a passageway at any place or point all appropriate steps shall be taken to prevent the access of any person at work to such place or point. Platforms for Crane Drivers and Signaller. 83.
(1)Where a platform is provided for the person or persons driving or operating a crane, or for any signaller, it shall be - (
  1. a)of sufficient area for the person thereon, (
  2. b)closely planked or plated, (
  3. c)provided with safe means of access and egress, and every side of such platform from which there is risk of a person at work falling a distance of more than 2.00 metres shall be provided with suitable guard rails and toe boards in accordance with Regulation 69
(1)and
(2).
(2)Guard-rails and toe boards required under paragraph
(1)may be removed and remain unerected only for the time and to the extent necessary for the access of persons at work or the movement of materials. Cabins for Drivers. 84.
(1)Subject to paragraphs
(2)and
(4), the driver of every power-driven lifting appliance shall be provided with a suitable cabin, which shall - (
  1. a)afford adequate protection from the weather, (
  2. b)be equipped with suitable fire fighting equipment and kept in a clean state, (
  3. c)be so constructed as to afford ready access to such parts of the lifting appliance as are within the cabin and need periodic inspection or maintenance, but no cabin shall be provided which prevents the driver from having such clear and unrestricted view as is necessary for the safe use of the appliance.
(2)Subject to paragraph
(4), the cabin shall, before the relevant lifting appliance is put into general use, be completely erected or other adequate provision shall be made for the protection of the driver from the weather.
(3)Subject to paragraph
(4), the cabin shall, where practicable when in use during cold weather, be adequately heated by suitable means.
(4)Paragraphs
(1)to
(3)shall not apply - (
  1. a)in cases where the driver is indoors or otherwise adequately protected from the weather, (
  2. b)to a hoist other than a hoist operated only from one position alongside the winch, (
  3. c)to lifting appliances mounted on wheels and having a maximum safe working load of 1000 kilogrammes or less, (
  4. d)to any machine incorporating a lifting appliance where the primary purpose of that machine is not that of a lifting appliance, (
  5. e)to mobile elevating work platforms, or (
  6. f)lifting appliances intended for occasional use or for use for only short periods. Drums and Pulleys. 85.
(1)Every drum or pulley round which the chain or wire rope of any lifting appliance is carried shall be of suitable diameter and construction for the chain or rope used.
(2)Every chain or rope which terminates at the winding drum of a lifting appliance shall be properly secured thereto and at least two turns of such chains or rope shall remain on such drum in every operating position of this appliance. Brakes, Controls, Safety Devices, etc. 86.
(1)Every crane, crab and winch (other than a jack roll) shall be provided with an efficient brake or brakes or other safety devices which will prevent the fall of the load when suspended and by which the load can be effectively controlled whilst being lowered.
(2)On every lifting appliance every lever, handle, switch or other device provided for controlling the operation of any part of the appliance, being a lever, handle, switch or device whose accidental movement or displacement is liable to cause danger, shall, where practicable, unless it is so placed or the appliance is so constructed as to prevent accidental movement or displacement, be provided with a suitable spring or other locking arrangement to prevent the accidental movement or displacement.
(3)Every lever, handle, switch or other device provided for controlling the operation of any part of a lifting appliance shall have upon or adjacent to it clear markings to indicate its purpose and mode of operation.
(4)Paragraph
(3)shall not apply to rotating handles for raising or lowering the load in the case of a winch or nonderricking jib crane not operated by mechanical power. Safe Means of Access.
  1. Where, as regards any person engaged on the examination, maintenance, repair, cleaning or lubrication of any lifting appliance, there is a risk of the person falling a distance of more than 2.00 metres there shall, so far as is practicable, be provided and maintained a safe means of access to and egress from the place at which the person has so to work and, where necessary, the means shall be provided with such adequate handholds and footholds. Poles or Beams Supporting Pulley Blocks or Gin Wheels.
  2. No pulley block or gin wheel suspended from or supported by a pole or beam shall be used for raising or lowering materials unless it is effectively secured to the pole or beam and the pole or beam - (a) is of adequate strength for the purpose for which it is being used, and (b) is adequately and properly secured so as to support the pulley block or gin wheel and the load with safety and so as to prevent undue movement of the pole or beam. Stability of Lifting Appliances. 89.
(1)Appropriate precautions shall be taken to ensure the stability of lifting appliances used on a soft or uneven surface or on a slope.
(2)No crane shall be used for raising or lowering unless, so as to ensure stability, it is either - (
  1. a)securely anchored, or (
  2. b)adequately weighted by suitable ballast which shall be properly placed on the crane structure and sufficiently secured to prevent its being accidentally displaced.
(3)No part of any rails on which a crane is mounted or the sleepers supporting such rails shall be used as anchorage for the purposes of paragraph
(2).
(4)The whole of the appliances for the anchorage or ballasting of a crane shall be examined by a competent person on each occasion before the crane is erected.
(5)After each erection of a crane on a site to which these Regulations apply and after each removal of a crane about or to such a site, or any adjustment to any member of a crane, being a removal or adjustment which involves changes in the arrangements for anchoring or ballasting the crane, the security of the anchorage or the adequacy of the ballasting, as the case may be, shall, before the crane is used, be tested by a competent person, by the imposition either - (a) of a load of twenty-five per cent above the maximum load to be lifted by the crane as erected at the position where there is the maximum pull on each anchorage, or (b) of a less load arranged to provide an equivalent test of the anchorage or ballasting arrangements.
(6)A report of every test and the results thereof, signed by the person carrying out the test, shall be made forthwith in the approved form.
(7)If the person making tests under paragraph
(5)considers that the maximum load which may safely be lifted by a crane as erected is less than the safe working load of the crane he shall specify that maximum in his report pursuant to this Regulation and a loading diagram appropriate to the stability of the crane at the time of the test, taking into account, in the case of a crane mounted on wheels, the conditions of the track, and indicating a modified safe working load or loads shall be affixed in a position where it can readily be seen by the crane driver.
(8)Notwithstanding Regulation 2, the modified safe working load or loads specified under this Regulation shall be deemed for the purposes of these Regulations to be the safe working load or loads of the crane as erected.
(9)Where the stability of a crane is secured by means of removable weights, a diagram or notice indicating the position and amount of such weights shall be affixed on the crane so that it can be readily seen and each such removable weight shall be clearly stamped with its correct weight.
(10)A crane shall not be used or erected under weather conditions likely to endanger its stability.
(11)After exposure to weather conditions likely to have affected the stability of a crane, the anchorage arrangements and ballast shall be examined by a competent person as soon as practicable and before the crane is used, and any necessary steps shall be taken to ensure the stability of the crane. Rail mounted cranes. 90.
(1)All rails on which a crane moves shall - (
  1. a)be supported on a surface sufficiently firm to prevent undue movement of the rails, (
  2. b)have an even running surface, be sufficiently and adequately supported and be of adequate section, (
  3. c)be jointed by fish plates or double chairs, (
  4. d)be securely fastened to sleepers or bearers, (
  5. e)be laid in straight lines or in curves of such radii that the crane can be moved freely and without danger of derailment, and (
  6. f)be provided with adequate stops or buffers on each rail at each end of the track.
(2)All rails and equipment referred to in paragraph
(1)shall be properly maintained.
(3)The requirements of paragraphs
(1)(c) and
(1)(d) shall not apply in the case of cranes on bridge rails or in the case of any crane if other adequate steps are taken to ensure the proper alignment of the rails and to prevent any material variation in their gauge.
(4)Where a Scotch derrick crane is mounted on more than one bogie, trolley or wheeled carriage - (
  1. a)the crane sleepers or land ties, and if necessary the bogies, trolleys or wheeled carriages, shall be rigidly braced and properly connected together and the rails on which each bogie, trolley or wheeled carriage moves shall be level, and (
  2. b)the crane shall be moved on the track only in a manner not liable to cause instability, racking or distortion either to the crane structure or of the supporting framework or track.
(5)Every travelling crane on rails shall be provided with guards to remove from the rails any loose material likely to cause danger. Mounting of cranes. 91. Every bogie, trolley or wheeled carriage on which a crane is mounted shall, having regard to the purposes for which the crane is being used, be of good construction, adequate strength and suitable to support the crane and shall be of sound material, free from patent defect and properly maintained. Cranes with Derricking Jibs. 92.
(1)On every crane having a derricking jib operated through a clutch there shall be provided and properly maintained an effective interlocking arrangement between the derricking clutch and the pawl sustaining the derricking drum which shall ensure the clutch cannot be disengaged unless the pawl is in effective engagement with the derricking drum and the pawl cannot be disengaged unless the clutch is in effective engagement with the derricking drum.
(2)This Regulation shall not apply to any crane in which - (
  1. a)the hoisting drum and the derricking drum are independently driven, or (
  2. b)the mechanism driving the derricking drum is self-locking. Restriction on use of cranes. 93.
(1)The hoisting mechanism of a crane shall not be used for any purpose other than raising or lowering a load vertically unless no undue stress is imposed on any part of the crane structure or mechanism, the stability of the crane is not thereby endangered and unless such use is supervised by a competent person.
(2)In addition to the requirements of paragraph
(1), a crane with a derricking jib shall not be used with the jib at a radius exceeding the maximum radius required to be specified for the jib in the certificate of test and examination required by Regulation
  1. Erection of Cranes under Supervision.
  2. A crane shall not be erected or dismantled except under the supervision of a competent person. Competent Persons to Operate Lifting Appliances and Give Signals. 95.
(1)A lifting appliance shall not be operated otherwise than by a person competent to operate that appliance but, to notwithstanding the foregoing, it shall be permissible for the appliance to be operated by a person who is under the direct supervision of a qualified person for the purpose of training.
(2)No person under eighteen years of age shall be employed either to give signals to the operator of a lifting appliance driven by mechanical powe

🔗 To official source

AI explanation based on the official legal text. Indicative, not a substitute for legal advice.