The Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) is inviting feedback on a new guidance document – “Ground Conditions for Construction Plant”, which is now available as a draft for public comment.
Failure of the ground on which construction plant stands and moves is a frequent cause of minor incidents and near misses on sites, together with a significant number of serious injuries and fatalities. In addition to the impact on the lives of those involved, these events can lead to delays in construction programmes and significant commercial loss such as unrecoverable management time, loss of reputation and effect on future workloads. An HSE publication on the cost of accidents, published in 1997, estimated that for each £1 of accident cost recoverable through insurance, a further £8 to £36 was unrecoverable and had to be borne by the employer.
The new guidance deals with ground bearing pressures and loadings from mobile plant, and assessment and engineering of the ground’s capability to withstand the loadings. The guidance addresses coordination of duties, with reference to CDM and to Temporary Works, and contains technical guidance presented in an accessible way.
Participating organisations included HSE, the Environment Agency, UKCG, CECA, Temporary Works Forum, specialist contractor organisations, and others.
The deadline is fast approaching and all comments must be in by 1st July 2014. Return your comments using the Comments Form downloadable off the CPA website. The form and the DPC can be found here http://cpa.uk.net/sfpsg/#groundconditions. Please return to: kevin.minton@cpa.uk.net
For further information on the Construction Plant-hire Association, contact Kevin Minton, CPA Director on 020 7796 3366.
