Formwork and Scaffolding CollapsesIMIA Working Group Paper WGP 80 (13)

IMIA Conference New Delhi, 23rd to 25th September 2013

Chairman:Martin Frey, Amlin Re Europe, Zurich, SwitzerlandSponsor:Max Benz, XL Insurance, Zurich, Switzerland

Working Group Members:Alon Eisenberg, Engineers, Surveyors & Loss Adjusters, Modiin,IsraelRichard Gordon, Infrassure Ltd, Zurich, SwitzerlandPatricia Marzullo, Farifax Brasil Seguros, São Paulo, Brasil

• The most internationally popular television franchise of all times (aired in more than 100 countries)

• Clever candidates• Tricky questions• Several Jokers• Substantial price money awarded

• 9 questions on «F&S collapses»• 3 Jokers

– Ask the audience– Ask the EC– Call a reinsurer

• Prestigious title: – YOU may be the first IMIANAIRE!

• Substantial price awarded:• Clever candidate volunteer• In case you fail:

Q1

What does IMIA not stand for?

A: Intl Medical Informatics Association B: Intl Marine & Industrial Applicators

C: An island in the Aegean Sea D: A popular name for girls in S. Africa

Q1• International Medical Informatics Association (founded in 1967: objectives

are: promotion of informatics in health care; advancement of international cooperation; stimulation of research, development and education; exchange of information )

• International Marine & Industrial Applicators (Coating Company)• 1996: The IMIA Crisis

• IMIA, we believe, is not a name for girls – Mia: «Dear», «Darling», «My»

Q2

We have historic evidence for the first use of scaffoldings for the period

A: After World War I B: During the industrial revolution

C: During the roman empire D: Some 4’000 years ago in Egypt

Q2The use of scaffoldings made of timber or wooden beams has a history dating back several thousand years. The picture below shows an example of a drawing found in the tomb of Rekhmire, a governor of Thebes who lived in the 14th century BC in Egypt. It illustrates the use of scaffolds consisting of tall vertical and horizontal poles lashed together with ropes and planks providing walk-ways for stonemasonry workers.

Q3

We have historic evidence for the first use of formwork for the period

A: After World War I B: During the industrial revolution

C: During the roman empire D: Some 4’000 years ago in Egypt

Q3One of the first and finest examples of skillful use of formwork to create a concrete structure is most probably the spectacular Pantheon Dome in Rome with a diameter of 43 meters. Believed to be built at the beginning of the second century AD, it has been admired throughout the ages till today.

Q4

When asking our cedents about F&S info and stats: which ONE reply did we get?

A: F&S is important in our RM on site B: We do not insure F&S

C: Our stats show that F&S is no issue D: «Oh, that’s unnecessary!»

Q4• No comment (D)

Q5

Which one is NOT a main cause of F&S losses?

A: The specific properties of concrete B: Inadequate foundations

C: Perils of nature D: Faulty workmanship/design

Q5 1/4

• Concrete properties are often underestimated:– Liquid– Thixotropic liquid– Creates unexpected load distributions– Time to cure.

• Inadequate foundations:– Very frequent contributing factor, indeed.– Soft soil, wet soil, temporary supporting structures

Q5 2/4

• Faulty design:– Missing lateral bracings – (example bridge deck)

Q5 3/4

• Faulty workmanship/design– Temporary placement of loads exceeding the design criteria (reinforcement bar, for example)– «Domino effect»

The progressive collapse of the middle portion on this 26-storey building in Baileys Crossroads in Virginia was caused by premature removal of formwork. It resulted in 14 fatalities and considerable damage and delay to the project.

The form of the floor was two stories high and supported by timber shores connected to a crossbeam. However, the crossbeam did not brace against lateral instability. Later, when 12 power buggies (each weighing some 1.5 tons) were driven across the formwork, they imposed a lateral thrust onto the deck. The lack of diagonal bracing members to transfer the lateral force caused the structure to sway and fail without warning.

Q5 4/4

For once NOT a main issue are: • Perils of nature

– Wind loads may be increased by dust protection and advertisement posters!

• Fire: – But it can cause one or the other loss, still…..

Q6

Which F&S systems do not exist?

A: Climbing B: Flying

C: Floating D: Hanging

Q6

Q6• Systems called: Table, Girder, Slab, Wall, Climbing, Gliding, Moving, Jump, Flying,

Self raising, …..

• Do all exist!

• Don’t think it’s «just» formwork!• New Formwork systems and technologies are being developed at a very high pace.

(eg prefabricated elements, re-use of forms, increasing mechanization on site) • A large proportion of the cost of conventional formwork is related to labor cost.• Strong push to «mechanize» F&S systems which results in a lot of innovation in all

aspects of construction techniques using F&S

• A lot of useful information can be found on homepages of F&S specialists such as: PERI.com, MEVA.de, DOKA.com

Q7

Which one is the most dangerous job on a construction site?

A: F&S worker B: Electrician

C: Crane operator D: Cook

Q7• Results of a Study on «Work system and perception of stress in the scaffolding

industry» by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology show:

• Scaffolding is the segment with the highest accident rate in the construction industry. There were 372 accidents per 1’000 workers reported per year in 1995. Prevention campaigns and training modules by the Swiss National Accident Insurance reduced this level to 250/1’000 per year in 2005.

Other findings:• Scaffolding activities are often subcontracted (mostly without written contract)• Qualification of workmen significantly influences the accident rate. • Size of the company influences the accident rate.• On average, a scaffolder lifts/carries 8.5 tons per day. In difficult climatic

conditions, often under time pressure and «difficult» accessibility of the worksite

Q7• Causes for accidents were found to be:

– Wrong or insufficient information – Planning deficits due to lack of preparation, short term changes– Insufficient level of qualification, misunderstandings (often due to limited language skills. Very high

percentage of foreign workers)– Low motivation (work conditions, perspectives)– Unsuitable or damaged equipment– No checks prior to use, no systematic checklists– Unclear responsibilities, organisation

Lessons learnt:• Know your partners. Insist on quality labels/certification of people you work with.

Qualified and motivated people are more expensive but cost less in the long run (average cost of an accident are CHF 27’000).

• Good planning, good communication good risk management

Q8

What is the best way to insure F&S?

A: By CPE Endorsement B: It is up to the F&S contractor

C: Should be included in the TSI D: It is automatically covered in a CAR Policy

Q8• The main issue in case of loss is:

– Is it considered «Plant» or «Temporary work» • Plant: for material which is not incorporated in the final project, can be reused• Temporary work: material and work intrinsically linked with the project,

«consumed» during the execution of the project

• «Plant» is normally excluded under a standard CAR policy unless endorsed by CPE• «Temporary work» is generally covered under a standard CAR policy

• Scaffolding and Formwork can have both characteristics…!– When delivered to the site before assembly: «Plant»– Fully erected and in use: Hardware «Plant», cost for erection «Temporary works» – Theory suggests to split loss costs accordingly

• Complication:– Which party carries the risk of «Plant» in the course of the project and has to arrange for insurance?

Q8Test questions:• Is it specifically built for the job? • Has it no residual value for reuse at the end of the project?

it is «Temporary work»,full value to be declared under the TCV, full value is indemnified

• Is it hired in? • Re- used on other sites?

it is «Plant»Insured and indemnified according to CPE wording

Note: • Responsibilities/ownership may change depending on the «nature»• Grey areas exist: S&F can change from being «Plant» (laying loose on site after

delivery) to becoming «Temporary work» when assembled!

Q8• Recommendations:• Policy language should be clear. Is it «in» or «out».• Coverage must be arranged for by “Endorsement” or by definitions of the scope of

cover.– Example: “It is specifically agreed that shuttering formwork scaffolding cofferdams sheet steel piling

temporary fabrication yards temporary bridges and temporary roads on or around the Project Site for the purpose of performing the Project and not being permanent works shall be regarded as Temporary Works”.

• This is even more important for large projects with complex and expensive S&F systems and cover extensions such as “ALOP”.

• Clarify ownership/responsibility for insurance. Declare the corresponding sums insured.

• For simpler cases, a “pragmatic” solution will have to be found in the loss adjustment process.

Q9 – The final question!!

What is the most effective way to reduce/avoid F&S losses?

A: Buy more insurance! B: Not much can be done!

C: Make sure adequate RM procedures are implemented!

D: Outsource to independent F&S Contractor!

Q9

• Guess what….• Our paper includes a chapter which details «best practices» in «F&S temporary

work procedures».