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Regulation Review Part 29

Workers in Manitoba have legislated regulations to help keep us safe, day in and day out – no matter what job we do. These regulations are a part of the framework for building safe workplaces in Manitoba.

The Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Act and associated regulations are in place to protect you – the worker – from workplace hazards and the risks they present. Manitoba Regulation 217/2006 is a 44-part document containing requirements and guidelines for workplaces, including site-specific rules and other valuable information to prevent harm from coming to workers.

Safety Check is profiling one part of the Regulation in each issue to help remind you of the Regulation’s specifics and to help keep safety top-of-mind for all Manitobans.

This issue, it’s Regulation Part 29: Falsework and Flyforms.

Regulation Part 29 applies to all workplaces where falsework or flyform systems are used. In these workplaces, SAFE Work procedures must be developed and implemented and workers must be trained on them.

The Regulation states only workers or supervisors who are trained and can use falsework and flyform systems can oversee the construction, installation, maintenances and dismantling of the systems.

Falsework

Falsework must be designed and certified in accordance with CSA standards by a professional engineer. Drawings and information must include:

  • Information that enables assembly according to design requirements
  • Minimum dimensions and materials of sills and other foundation members, including load-bearing capacity
  • Where concrete is to be placed – the sequence, method and rate of concrete placement to prevent overloading
  • All field design details and any field modifications
 

Falsework used for concrete must be inspected to ensure it’s constructed according to design drawings before each placement. It can’t be removed as a temporary support structure until the concrete is strong enough. Where re-support is required after removal, the method for re-support must be approved by a professional engineer.

Flyform systems
Flyform systems must be designed and certified by a professional engineer. Design and installation drawings must include a plan view, a longitudinal section and a cross section of each type of panel to be used. The drawings must also indicate the calculated position of the centre of gravity of the panels.

Every panel must be able to resist a minimum horizontal load of 345 kg applied on the upper edge. Each must also have a safety factor against overturning of at least 2.0 (legs placed to attain this safety factor) and have a safety factor of at least 1.5 against sliding.

If panels are assembled to form a continuous piece of falsework, it must meet safety standards.

Finally, if a worker is rigging the panel or system near the edge of a structure, he or she must be attached to a lifeline in accordance with fall protection requirements.

The panel or system must be cleared of all material that is not part of the design prior to the move and it must be inspected by a competent person immediately after the move to ensure stability and fulfillment of design specifications.

For more information and a full description of the Regulation, read it in its entirety.