Working Platform Safety
Guide
What is Working Platform Safety Guide?
Serious incidents involving the failure of working or crane platforms have occurred, resulting in severe injuries and fatalities. This guide promotes safety in the design, installation, and operation of these platforms, emphasizing the importance of careful planning and ongoing maintenance.
The Federation of Piling Specialists (FPS) has initiated a drive to improve practices related to the use of piling and associated specialist plant. This article addresses the need for safety initiatives to enhance the approach and provision of working platforms. These platforms are subject to complex loading conditions, and specialist advice from a qualified Geotechnical Engineer is always required.
Scope of the Guide
The term “working platform” refers to ground-supported platforms for tracked plants, constructed of granular material. The platform includes associated ramps and accesses. The guidance avoids being overly prescriptive to encourage innovation and cost-effective solutions. It is an enabling document rather than a code of practice and does not limit the responsibilities of those involved in platform management.
Site activities that may affect platform integrity, like excavations, must be supervised and reinstated to original specifications. Damage should be repaired promptly, and empty bores backfilled with self-compacting granular material. The principal contractor holds overall responsibility for site safety, platform maintenance, and repairs.
Objectives of Working Platforms
Working platforms are crucial for plant stability, with safety as the primary objective. While safety is paramount, cost efficiency is also considered, as platform costs can significantly impact overall project expenses. Good platform design can improve construction performance and align with sustainable practices by minimizing excavation and maximizing recycled material use.
Platforms should be sized appropriately, and material specifications should allow for the use of recycled or secondary materials when feasible. If platforms are reused in subsequent construction phases, designs should be checked for suitability.
Causes of Failure
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Soft spots in the subgrade
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Poor backfilling of excavated holes
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Hard spots from old foundations or basements
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Inappropriate rig operation
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Lack of maintenance and repair
Soft Spots and Weaker Areas
A “soft spot” refers to a localized area where the subgrade is weaker than the surrounding ground, not necessarily soft in texture. The guide uses the term “weaker zone” to emphasize areas weaker than accounted for in design calculations, requiring careful identification and remediation.
Design Calculations
Geotechnical Engineers must perform site-specific design calculations, following a sequence from plant load assessment to platform thickness determination. Recommendations cover design loading conditions, soil strength parameters, and geosynthetic reinforcement requirements. Design assumptions should be critically appraised due to ground variability.
Design Life
Platform design should consider its intended duration and the potential degradation under repeated loading. Heavily trafficked sites may experience significant bearing resistance reduction. If platforms are incorporated into permanent works, this can save costs and encourage better care during use.
Operation and Maintenance
Competent site staff should oversee platform performance throughout its life. Contractual arrangements should ensure regular inspections and necessary maintenance. Key factors influencing platform performance include:
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Type of plant and operational effects
Permeability data helps design effective systems, ensuring proper drainage and preventing waterlogging.
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Frequency of heavy load crossings
Engineers and agriculturists must study how fluids move through soil masses for various applications.
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Drainage and contamination risks
Permeability affects air, moisture, and nutrient supply to plant roots.
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Adherence to minimum design thickness
Knowing permeability can prevent water seepage issues in excavation sites.
Platform Maintenance and Integrity
Platform issues often stem from poor maintenance rather than design flaws. Regular monitoring and timely remediation prevent hazards. Simple checks, like using profile boards, help assess platform thickness. High-traffic areas need special attention, and suitable materials should be used for repairs to preserve platform integrity.
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Have Questions? Let’s Clear Them Up
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A working platform is any platform used as a place of work or as a means of access to or egress from a place of work, this may include scaffolding, stairways, etc.
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There is no maximum height requirement for a working platform.
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All scaffolding must be compliant with Australian Standard 1576.1, this includes working platforms to have a minimum width of 450 mm.
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The working platform must be certified by a structural engineer and the footings must be certified by a geotechnical engineer prior to usage.
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Maintenance of working platforms includes monitoring certain parameters, such as vibration or temperature. Changes to the magnitude of a parameter may indicate the condition of the working platform has worsened.
