TECHNICAL
REPORT
|
by
Gerald J. Bender
Molded Fiber Glass
Concrete Forms Co. |
 |
CONCRETE REINFORCING
STEEL INSTITUTE
FORMWORK SAFETY
The purpose of this report is to address
the importance of safety in concrete construction with an emphasis on formwork safety.
Safety also contributes to quality and economy. All three go hand in hand.
The object of formwork is to temporarily support itself, concrete,
workers, machinery, and material. To achieve safe formwork construction, one should always
build quality formwork. Quality does not mean expensive, redundant systems. Quality means
"Continuous Improvement," continuing to strive to be better. In formwork
construction, the requirements should be specified by the architect/engineer. Experienced
construction professionals can then design the formwork based on specified requirements.
With proper planning, quality formwork can be designed and built
economically, and perform safely. As we are well aware, short-cuts and efforts to save a
dollar are one of the main causes of formwork accidents. Factoring in the potential
liability inherent in this litigious society, the savings experienced by reducing formwork
expenditures are nothing but false economies.
Experience demonstrates that safety, quality, and economy are not
separate areas. We can and must provide all three when constructing formwork.
FORMWORK SAFETY - WHOSE JOB?
There are many people and trades involved in the concrete construction business. These
people have many titles -owner, architect/engineer, developer, contractor, or worker. With
all these people involved, who is responsible for Formwork Safety? Ultimately, full
responsibility falls on the employer - in this case, the contractor or formwork
contractor. This is because the contractor is there, on site, making decisions which
affect cost, time, life and limbs. Obviously, not all contractors have the full
knowledge of qualified A/E’s who are well versed in structural loads and analysis.
Using the A/E’s expertise does not absolve the contractor of responsibility but
enhances their ability to make safe and economical decisions.
In addition to the availability of an architect/engineer’s
involvement, there are other entities and factors which affect contractor responsibility.
The construction manager and/or construction management team may have policies and
practices to which the contractor must strictly adhere. These policies and practices
account for codes, regulations, and ordinances; and provide acceptable guidelines. In such
cases liability is not reduced, but shared.
It has to be remembered in all our discussions about liability and
responsibility that "just following orders" is not a valid defense. n addition
to the architect/engineer’s design skill and general practices, the contractor must
know the experience and skill level of the workers. It is the workers’ skill,
training, and diligence which transform independent pieces of material into an effective
and safe formwork structure. Yes, accidents and omissions do occur and it is the
contractor’s duty to supervise and assure a quality job because the contractor is
responsible for the actions of the workers.
CONDITIONS THAT INVITE FORMWORK FAILURES
It has been said that a wise and successful person learns more
from failure than victory. By examining formwork failures and their causes, areas needing
attention can be highlighted. Those that will be examined are not all inclusive nor in
order of importance, but meant to point out common areas which could lead to unsafe
formwork and tragic consequences.
ENGINEERING
INFORMATION PROGRAM-JUNE 1997 |
