HSE press release E123:03 - 11 July 2003

NEW GUIDANCE ON THE SAFE ERECTION, USE AND DISMANTLING OF FALSEWORK

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has today published guidance providing advice on how to safely erect, use and dismantle falsework. Falsework is any temporary structure used to support a permanent structure while it is not self-supporting, either in new construction or refurbishment.

The collapse of falsework structures is often the subject of enquiries to the HSE and others in the industry. The causes of many past failures were often foreseeable and could have been prevented by proper consideration when planning, erecting, loading or dismantling the falsework. Investigations into falsework collapses have identified a lack of co-ordination between the various trades and suppliers of falsework as a major cause. As a result HSE has produced this guidance, aimed at preventing further failures.

With the release of information sheet - Safe erection, use and dismantling of falsework (Construction Information Sheet No. 56) - Principal Specialist Inspector, David Thomas said: "This information sheet provides practical advice for companies on how falsework should be safely erected, used and dismantled. It also outlines all the legal requirements when constructing falsework. It emphasises the importance of planning and management when constructing and using falsework, particularly the role of the temporary works co-ordinator."

He continued: "Many past failures were foreseeable and could have been prevented. This booklet outlines the contractor's responsibilities and the factors that need to be considered when erecting, using and dismantling falsework so as to prevent an accident."

Copies of Safe erection, use and dismantling of falsework (Construction Information Sheet No. 56) are available free from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 2WA, tel: 01787 881165 or fax: 01787 313995.

PUBLIC ENQUIRIES:

Call HSE's InfoLine, tel: 0845 345 0055, visit http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact, or write to: HSE Information Services, Caerphilly Business Park, Caerphilly CF83 3GG.

PRESS ENQUIRIES relating to this press release: Journalists only:

Anita Gardner 020 7717 6918.