Safety Method Statement - Chimney Removal

Actions Details

Brief description of the workand location

Sequence of work and howoperations are controlledIdentifying : Access / Egress; Place of workAdequate Lighting: Is Permit to Work Required?

Removal of chimney at second floor level, installation of structuralsupports at window / internal supporting wall and main supports.

NOTE THIS IS A PRELIMINARY METHODOLOGY - STRUCTURALENGINEERS DETAILS AND BUILDING CONTROL APPROVAL AREREQUIRED PRIOR TO COMMENCEMENT OF ANY ELEMENT OFTHIS WORK.

Ensure structural engineers design is available and building controlhave approved the proposed works. Where necessary exposesupporting structure / footings as may be required by Building ControlOfficer - where required a separate method statement shall be writtenwith regard to access arrangements.

Assess weight and length of steel work specified by engineer and -once known - develop methodology for delivery to site andmanoeuvring to the work-face.

Carefully access loading onto areas where beams C and D are to beinstalled and support all structural elements as may be required.Ensure load is passed through temporary propping and pinning tostructural elements below this area that can accommodate the loadsimposed.

TEMPORARY SUPPORTS AND WORKS. All such works shall berecorded in a suitable file / record sheet to provide a record oftemporary supporting elements to ensure their removal uponcompletion.

Safety Method Statement - Chimney Removal

Actions Details

Sequence of work and howoperations are controlledIdentifying : Access / Egress; Place of workAdequate Lighting: Is Permit to Work Required?

Ensure support C & D are correctly installed and ready to acceptproposed loading (all concrete and mortar joints having reachedstrength).

Following engineers design support all elements of structure that arecurrently loaded onto the chimney - i.e. Ceiling joists, lath and plasterceilings and binders. Roof timbers, lead-work and associated battensand supports maybe loaded onto chimney stack. Once supported thecareful dismantling may commence.

The masonry structure shall be removed in a careful and consideratemanner. Avoiding unnecessary disturbance to structures andtransference of shock through the building fabric. As materials becomedislodged from the stack they shall be removed from the building towaste. Do not let debris collect on the timber floors, spread loadsacross floors and remove from the building as soon as possible.

Each Steel shall be inserted in turn as defined by the structural design.It is envisaged that the first beam shall be inserted with be Beam A1,and the masonry will only be reduced in height just enough to securethe steel in place. This shall then be grouted in place and left toachieve strength.

The second steel is envisaged to be beam A2, again just enoughmasonry removed to allow the beam to be placed and grouted up.

It is envisaged that the masonry under beam A1 (or A2) will then begradually removed and the central beam (or beams) lifted into place.Once these steels are in place the building officer will be required toreview the loading construction. Ensure that a steels and lintels haveadequate bearings and that the chimney remaining above thesteelwork is adequately supported.

NOTE : This work needs a full structural design prior tocommencement. This methodology is a preliminary appraisal of issuesthat may be encountered during this work and to identify that furtherwork is required.

On site supervisionarrangementsIdentify person in overall charge and detail hisresponsibilities

All works associated with the chimney removal shall be overseen byMr S Jones. Who shall ensure that supervisory consultants(structural engineer) and statutory authority (building control) areprovided with all necessary information and that their designs /comments are complied with.

Safety Method Statement - Chimney Removal

Actions Details

Plant and equipment to be usedAnd operator training requirements

Hand tools - no breakers to be used on masonry without prior agreement withengineer.

Acro Props, strong boys and spreader beams / timber needles and associatedtemporary supports.

Occupational Health Assessments(Risk, Noise, COSHH etc)

Dust and air bourne debris will present a health issue when removing thechimney. All staff within the work face area will be issued with appropriate dustmasks and visually monitored during the works. Breaks being regularly givenwhen dust becomes dense and when it interrupts vision.

Noise will be mitigated by the predominate use of hand tools rather thanmechanical breakers.

Safety of third partiesIdentify works which may present a risk to thirdparties and detail control measures.

The removal of the chimney breast has the potential for collapse if propersafety measures are not followed and the approved engineers details are notfollowed. This could result in transfer of debris through the structure, andpotentially from the scaffold.

The scaffold is to be fitted with debris netting and toe boards. The chimneybreast removal will not be attempted until formal procedures and designs areaccepted by the statutory bodies and the Principal Designer.

Environmental ControlsControl of harmful emissions, eg, noise, dustprocedures for the disposal of waste.

Dust shall be kept to a minimum by the careful and considerate removal of thechimney breast and bagging up of debris within the work face area, prior toremoval to the scaffold.

Noise will be maintained by the predominate use of hand tools and nonmechanical construction.

Waste away shall be largely in rubble sacks.

First Aid and PPE requirementsIdentify additional first aid or PPE.Eg resusitator, eye wash, gloves, respirator,hearing protection.

Hard HatsGlovesEye ProtectionSafety BootsMasks / respirator (as maybe deemed necessary on site).

Emergency ProceduresAre any additional emergency proceduresrequired. Will any existing procedures requirechanging (escape routes, location of extinguishersetc)

Record of temporary supports and structural designs to be available to providedirectly to emergency services should need arise.

Trevor Blake Ltd G Cawse Consultant 09.09.15