Construction Health and Safety

PILING

Section 8F
8F - 1

Acknowledgement
Special Acknowledgement is made to the Federation of
Piling Specialists (FPS) for their invaluable assistance in
the preparation of this section

CONTENTS

8F - 2

PILING
General precautions
Use of Cranes with piling
Materials handling

8F-3
8F-3
8F-4
8F-5

PILING TECHNIQUES
Driven piling
Driven Precast
Driven cast-in situ piling
Driven sheet piling
Gate systems
Pitching sheet piles
Sheet piling methods
Extracting sheet piles
Piling Hammers
Double acting air hammers
Internal drop hammers
Helmets and inserts
Pile extraction
Rotary Bored piling
CFA (Continuous Flight Auger) Piling
Extraction of pile casings
Mini Piling
Tripod bored piling
Piling from barges and pontoons
Other techniques

8F-5
8F-5
8F-5
8F-5
8F-5
8F-5
8F-5
8F-5
8F-6
8F-6
8F-6
8F-6
8F-6
8F-6
8F-6
8F-7
8F-7
8F-8
8F-8
8F-8
8F-8

CHECKLIST for piling method statements

8F-8

REFERENCES

8F-9

June 2010

PILING
Piling operations can give rise to different hazards
dependent upon the type of piling being undertaken.
Certain hazards are, however, generally common on all
types of piling and the following gives both the general
precautions to be taken and the special precautions relating
to the different types of piling.

General precautions
a) For all types of piling it is essential that a working
surface designed to support the plant & equipment
safely when working and moving, is provided.
Failure of the Working Platform (piling mat) accounts for
30% of dangerous occurrences involving piling
equipment. Any such failure is potentially fatal.
It is important that the responsibility for design,
construction and maintenance of the working platform is
established and agreed, before work commences.
Use of the Federation of Piling Specialists Working
Platform Certificate (WPC), is recommended. This
confirms that the working platform has been properly
designed and constructed in the accordance with the
design, and will be adequately maintained to ensure the
integrity of the platform is maintained. Guidance on the
latest best practice in relation to working platform design
is available on the FPS web site (www.fps.org.uk).
Piling contractors will provide details of their equipment
to assist contractors in constructing suitable access and
working surface in the piling area. Piling contractors are
to ensure that their access and work area remains
suitable and in good order.
b) Piling contractors normally operate under a Permit to dig
/ pile system issued by the Principal Contractor (PC)
stating that it is safe to pile in the defined area. Prior to
piling, all underground services in the area should be
located and marked where they cannot be rendered safe.
It is important that the PC consults the statutory authorities
in the area on these matters. A check should also be
carried out to ensure that there are no cellars,
underground watercourses, ground conditions or made
up or soft ground, etc., which could create hazards
during the operation. Consideration must also be given to
potential instability, which may be caused by the weather.
c) Where the site is contaminated, consideration must be
given to the type of piling used and additional welfare
facilities provided (see Section 31 - Contaminated Sites).
Appropriate and timely information must be made
available to the piling contractor so that a suitable
method statement can be prepared and implemented in
advance of work commencing. Consideration will also
need to be given to environmental aspects associated
with the work.
d) Piling contractors should be requested to provide an
appropriate written method statement. A general
checklist for the production and checking of such method
statements is provided at the end of this section. It is
essential that induction training and information specific
to the method statement is provided to piling operatives
and where necessary other contractors on site.
e) Particular attention should be given to planning activities
concurrent with piling including identifying safe working
zones and pedestrian and traffic access routes. In
addition the planning of the location of the piles
themselves must take into account adjacent buildings
and the condition of the structures involved.
f) All persons working on piling operations must wear
appropriate PPE as identified in the method statement.
(Section 18).
g) When piling from a pontoon or adjacent to water, a
suitable and sufficient risk assessment must be carried
out identifying appropriate control measures e.g..life
June 2010

jackets lifebuoys, safety boat, a rescue plan and

equipment available along with sufficient personnel
trained in its use. ( Section 8E Working Over Water)
h) Where fluid concrete is used provision for the washing
out of static plant and delivery vehicles must be made,
as the watercourses and drains must be protected
against pollution. (Section 34-23 - Environment).
i) Rated capacity indicators / limiters ( RCI/L) see page 922 are not required to be fitted on piling rigs when used
for normal piling operations. Likewise, an RCI/L - is not
required when a rig is being used to erect another rig,
provided that the weight of components is accurately
known and does not exceed 75% of the safe working
load (SWL) of the rig. However, if a rig with a SWL of
more than one tonne is used for general lifting
operations, such as the loading and transport of
materials on site, it must be fitted with an RCI/L.
j) Machine operators must be at least 18 years of age,
trained, competent, medically fit and authorised by site
management to operate the machine. The operator must
be in possession of a current, appropriate Construction
Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) card issued by the
CITB or is a nominated person undergoing a supervised
training program.
k) Piling rigs are classed as lifting equipment and therefore
require a thorough examination at least once in every
twelve month period. When rigs are erected at a site an
inspection should take place to ensure that all locking
pins etc are firmly in place. This inspection must be
recorded. Where a piling rig has a man riding platform
fitted this must be examined at least every 6 month.
Inspections and maintenance must also be carried out at
suitable intervals. Any lifting accessories, chains, slings,
shackles etc. would require a thorough examination at
least every 6 months.
l) Piling rigs and cranes should only travel on slopes at
gradients approved by the machine manufacturer and
"slew pins" must be used in theses circumstances to
reduce the risk of overturning.
m) Generally, guards must be fitted to the dangerous parts
of the rig however, as one of the principal elements of
the equipment, the auger, (see fig 1) is itself a dangerous
part and this presents
operational difficulties.
Further
details
on
guarding are contained
later in this section and in
guidance published by the
Federation
of
Piling
Specialists. This is correct
at time of going to press.
The matter is under review
and it is recommended
that the latest situation
should be ascertained
from the FPS.
n) Ordnance. Unexploded
ordnance (UXO), largely
originating from World
War
2
bombing,
continues to have the
capacity to maim and kill
long after it has been
exposed
to
the
environment.
It
is
estimated that of the many
thousands of bombs that
fell on major cities and Fig 1. Auger guarding and
industrial areas, 10% of mechanised cleaning
high explosive ordnance (Picture by Bachy Soletenche Ltd)

8F - 3

and as much as 50% of incendiary devices failed to

explode. These continue to present a potentially serious
hazard to construction workers, property and third
parties. Brown field sites that were previously MoD land
are also high risk locations, especially if they were used
for training purposes. Whilst these comprise the major
areas of risk, UXO are found in the most unexpected
places such as beaches where ordnance is washed up
following post war dumping and the action of
underwater currents and wave action over many years.
See section 8B-3 Excavation for full guidance.
o) Piling adjacent to a railway
Where piling is to take place on or adjacent to Network
Rail Managed Infrastructure but is not on or near the
line (i.e. within 3m of the closest running line) the work
should be planned and managed in accordance with
Network Rail Company Standard NR/L3/INI/CP0063
Piling adjacent to the running line. This standard is
mandatory from June 2010 and sets out the procedures
to be put in place where, in the event of failure or
mishandling, any part of the equipment in use or its load
may fall within 3m of the closest running line. This
standard enables piling to proceed whilst the railway is
still operational without resorting to possessions and
isolations. The standard has been developed by
Network Rail in association with the FPS.
When piling on or near the line possessions (and
isolations where appropriate) will be necessary.

8F - 4

Use of Cranes with piling

It is important to differentiate between cranes and piling
rigs.
Cranes are widely used conventionally for load handling
in association with piling activities. Some techniques (e.g.
sheet piling) also use cranes to install piles and remove
them.
a) Piling rigs are either purpose made machines or cranes
specially adapted for piling by the fitting of masts /
leaders and / or sub assemblies to power boring
equipment.
b) Cranes must be selected and used in accordance with
BS 7121 and with the Lifting Operations and Lifting
Equipment Regulations 1998 (see Section 9 - Lifting
Operations).
c) Cranes, which have been employed on piling duties
should be subjected to a thorough examination before
being returned to general lifting operations.
d) Any crane used for raising or lowering people must be
fitted with a dead man's handle and the descent must be
effectively controlled. Properly constructed man carrying
cages, designed to prevent crushing and falls of people
that are unable to spin or tip, must be used. The cages
should be regularly and carefully inspected. Any item
of lifting equipment used to carry persons must be
thoroughly examined by a competent person at six
monthly intervals.

June 2010

Materials handling
a) Materials handling is generally carried out by crane,
forklift or excavator. Where this is the case refer to
sections 9 and 19 for relevant guidance on their safe
use
b) Piles and other materials should be stacked safely on
ground of equal bearing ability, with safe access for
subsequent removal and use in mind.
c) Circular objects should be chocked to prevent rolling.
d) Where there are marked lifting points they should be
used. Bundles must never be lifted by their security ties,
suitable slings must be used.
e) Flat and bundled items (e.g. sheet piles, bundles of
reinforcement) must be lifted with the correct lifting
accessories and spacers placed between layers so that
chains etc. can be safely removed after setting down.
f) Hand tag lines should be used for long or bulky items
which are likely to spin, especially in windy conditions.
(see "Pitching sheet piles").

PILING TECHNIQUES
Driven piling
Specialist piling rigs incorporating a leader or mast which
guides the pile driving hammer and driving head are used.
Due to the intense hammering process of driven piling an
increased risk is present, larger exclusion zones are
normally required with this type of piling. No spoil is
generated with this type of piling. The selection of pile
driving methods should take account of good practice as
described in the Control of Noise at Work Regulations
2005.

Driven Precast
Precast concrete reinforced piles are fitted to the driving
head, pitched at the required position by the rig and driven
to the required depth.. Piles may be extended to meet
technical criteria.
a) All machinery should be in good condition and no lifting
equipment should be used unless there are current
records of thorough examination and where
appropriate, testing of the equipment in existence.
b) All control levers on the piling rig should be clearly
marked to indicate their purpose and mode of
operation.
c) Persons not directly involved must stand well clear at all
times when the rig is operating.
d) Hearing protection is likely to be required, details of
which should be within the method statement.
e) When piles are extended by welding full precautions for
temporarily securing the additional length and welding
must be observed.
f) When piles are extended using proprietary jointing
systems the manufacturer's safety and technical
procedures must be followed.
g) Where persons have to approach the rig mast and the
raised hammer for alignment and, or maintenance
purposes the hammer must be secured to prevent its
unintentional release.

Driven cast-in-situ piling

This discipline uses the same specialist piling rigs as precast piling and generally, precautions applied to pre-cast
piling will also be applicable for cast-in-situ piling
a) The process involves driving a steel tube fitted with a
sacrificial piling shoe at the bottom into the ground to the
required depth.
b) Access is gained to the top of the driven tube by way of
manriding platforms which forms part of the rig.
c) The pile cage is placed into the driven tube using the
auxiliary winch guided by the leading hand from the
working platform.

June 2010

d) The auxiliary winch is then used to raise the concrete skip

which is emptied into the tube to the required level. The
tube can then be withdrawn.

Driven sheet piling

The assessment of risk must consider the following in
connection with the sheet piling process.
a) How the position and verticality is maintained during
driving.
b) How piles pitched are held in position until driving takes
place.
c) How access is provided for any essential working at
height.
d) What method of installation is to be used.
Gate systems
a) Depending on length of pile it is possible to use single
guide frames but this is not recommended on lengths
above 4m.
b) A single gate system will benefit from a shallow guide
trench being dug for the short piles to be located into as
they are interlocked.
c) A twin support system will usually consist of two levels
of guide frames supported on purpose made trestles
which not only take the weight of the guide frames but
provide safe access + egress onto the platform. This is
required so that operatives can align each pile through
the guide frames prior to the toe being accurately
positioned using a device such as a toe jack.
d) The guides are usually made from 610 x 305 x
238kg/m steel beams with tensioned wire handrails at
2 levels.
e) Permanent ladder access must be secure and extend
above the gates sufficiently to provide a safe handhold.
f) When piling is progressing and temporary or part
driven piles are used to support the gate system purpose
made hanging brackets are used and any welding
required should only be carried out using competent and
suitably trained welders.
Pitching sheet piles
a) It is good practise to consider the method of pile
pitching.
b) If pitching holes are to be burnt in the sheet piles they
should be far enough from the top to give adequate
strength to allowing lifting from the horizontal stack to
the vertical pitching position to be done safely with the
aid of a properly manufactured and tested Quick
Release Shackle (QRS).
c) Typical hole size would be 40mm diameter with the
centre at 140mm from the top of pile.
d) No piles should be lifted into the vertical position until
there is 100% certainty that the pin in the QRS is
properly engaged and that there is no danger of the
release rope becoming snagged or being blown around
in the wind and subsequently becoming inaccessible
(using heavy duty tape is recommended.) Tying a weight
to the rope is not good practice as it could cause
snagging or hit somebody as it is lifted into position by
the crane)
e) Interlocking piles together at height must not proceed
until a suitable risk assessment has taken place and all
operatives have been briefed on the chosen method.
f) Available safe options are: the use of a MEWP, pile
threader, manriding basket, pitch + drive.
g) When using a MEWP or manriding basket the
operative should wear a harness at all times with a short
fixed lanyard secured to the equipment.
Sheet Piling methods
a) Impact hammers
I. suitable ear protection must always be worn and a zone

8F - 5

established around the equipment where suitable

protection is mandatory.
II. the driving cap must be suitable suitable for the section
of pile being driven otherwise equipment damage will
occur and the cap could shatter putting everybody in the
area at risk of injury from flying metal.
III. hoses/cables must be checked daily for damage as this
could result in oil leakage or equipment malfunction.
IV. a rope must be used to guide the hammer into position
and to ensure the crane is no longer supporting it before
starting up as this will result in serious shock loadings
imposed throughout the jib.
V. piles must not be overdriven beyond manufacturers
recommendations as this will damage the hammer and
possibly buckle the pile head making it difficult to
remove the equipment without a cutting torch.
VI. guide lines on refusal are 12 Blows/25mm for
continuous driving with 20 Blows/25mm accepted for a
short period of 2 minutes in order to substantiate the
set
VII.manufacturers recommendations on the safe use of the
equipment should be checked and understood by the
piling team.
b) Vibratory equipment
the hydraulic clamps must be fully engaged before
starting up the Vibratory Hammer, (usually indicated by
a light on the control panel)
the hammer should be started on low vibration and
increased as the ground conditions offer more
resistance.
the vibration levels should be slowly decreased as the
required level is approached. Full speed to stop should
not be undertaken in a single sudden action.
ensure there is slack on the lifting strop because if the
pile encounters a pocket of low resistance it will cause
shock loading to the crane and strop as the rate of
penetration increases rapidly in an erratic manner.
the pile should not be touched when vibratory driving is
being applied.
c) Pressing equipment
Many pile press techniques operate whilst fixed to
previously installed piles. In these cases it is important
that the stability of the piles is considered and that the
piles will provide a stable platform for piling operations.
This includes both the stability provided by ground
resistance and also the strength of the pile section itself.
If the piling equipment is located on the installed sheet
piles then the height above platform can be
considerable. In these cases the access and working
area for staff should be carefully considered.
Extracting sheet piles
Crane selection for Vibratory methods must make
allowance for the combined weight of the vibro+ Pile +
expected force required to overcome ground resistance
around the buried pile.
Selection of hydraulic extraction methods: e.g.,
Tosa/Giken or Rig mounted Press must have sufficient
force to extract the piles using hydraulic pressure and
reaction from existing piles as an anchor
Multi-fall Hook Block should be used at all times.
A check rope should be anchored to an adjacent pile to
stop any whiplash of the crane jib should the pile head
fail during the extraction process.
A vibro hammer should not be used for extraction if it
does not have check valves capable of maintaining jaw
pressure in the event of a burst pipe or sudden pump
failure.
Wherever possible a method should be used which
reduces the need for operatives to work at height.

8F - 6

Positioning auger with a guard in position

(Picture courtesy of Bachy Soletenche Ltd)

Piling Hammers
a) The recommendations of BS 5228 Pt. 4: Code of
practice for noise control applicable to piling
operations, should be closely followed.
b) Hammers, and in particular all clamping bolts, should
be regularly inspected and a record kept.
c) Use guide rope when positioning a hammer.
d) Stand clear when starting and operating.
e) ALL personnel should be at ground level during pile
driving .
f) Should the piston of a hammer jam, the trip-lever should
be pulled to the open position before removing the
hammer from the pile.
g) Damaged high-pressure airlines or high voltage cables,
feeding the hammer, can present a serious hazard to
persons working in the vicinity of the operation.
Therefore it is important to keep supply lines/cables
under constant observation to avoid damage by
trapping or from sharp objects.

Double acting air hammers

a) All hose couplings should be properly manufactured and
matched. The joining of rubber pipes to brass spigots
should be by clamp and not hose clips.
b) Ensure that the oil bottle/filter lid is secure.

Internal drop hammers

a) Always place a swivel between the hammer and hoist rope.
b) Attachment of a hoist rope should always be done using
a properly matched anchor and pear; the dead end of
the rope should be secured to itself using a bulldog clip
or other approved means.
c) Intermediate linking shackle pins should be secured.
d) Hoist ropes should be inspected regularly during piling
operations and a record of inspections kept.

Helmets and inserts

Pile helmets or crowns must be well constructed, strong
enough and free from defect. Should packing or spacers be
needed, they should be drilled, tapped and screwed, to
secure in place, and then be welded. Remember that any
welds to a solid cast helmet will eventually crack.

Rotary Bored piling

This technique involves specialist piling equipment that
bores a hole which, depending on ground conditions may
be lined (cased). Relatively short rotating boring tools are
used which are withdrawn from the ground fully loaded
with spoil. Once the tool is above the ground the rig is
commonly slewed off the bore and the spoil is discharged.
Reinforcement bars and concrete are placed in the hole
and any temporary casing is extracted to complete the
process.
a) Personnel not directly involved with the activity should be
kept clear at all times, particularly from the boring and
spin off (spoil discharge) areas.
June 2010

The guard forms a natural resting position for the

banksman, this position is away from the auger.
(Picture courtesy of Bachy Soletenche Ltd)
b) Fixed guarding to Rotary Bored Piling Augers is not
practicable due to the nature of the equipment. A risk
assessment should be carried out to identify the size of
the controlled zone around the auger. This must take into
account the slew radius of the piling rig when
discharging spoil.
c) A banksman must be in attendance at all times while the
piling rig is active and must be given authority and
responsibility to ensure only authorised persons are
permitted within the controlled zone. No person is
permitted within the zone while the auger is rotating (this
precludes manual cleaning of the auger). Should any
manual intervention be required the auger must be
stopped. An excavator can be used within the zone for
the purposes of clearing spoil but only under the
banksmans supervision. All persons entering the
controlled zone must be properly informed and
instructed on the risks associated with this operation. The
banksman must be a trained CPCS slinger signaller and
have had a minimum of the equivalent of one days
safety training in the previous 12 months. The banksman
must be identified.

Auger guarding and mechanised cleaning

(Picture courtesy of Bachy Soletenche Ltd)
d) To remove spoil from the auger the loaded auger should
be carefully slewed off the pile position to the discharge
point in a controlled manner. When the auger is being
spun off it should be as close to the ground as possible to
minimise the spread of spoil and the auger spin speed
should be only sufficient to empty the tool so as to
minimise the spread of spoil.
e) Spoil from bores should be kept clear of the banksmans
working area and access to the borehole.
f) Open bores must be fitted with a cover or other suitable

June 2010

protection to prevent people falling into them. Common

practices include leaving the casing 1m above working
platform level and the auger or other boring tool in the
borehole.
g) Freshly completed piles must be marked individually or
in blocks to minimise trip hazards from reinforcement
and soft concrete. They should be backfilled with a
suitable fill to maintain the piling mat integrity, as soon
as technically possible, remembering that soft spots must
remain highlighted for the safety of people and plant
stability.
h) In the majority of circumstances there is no need for a
person to enter a pile bore/shaft and this should be
avoided. Remote means of inspection and sampling the
sides of shafts should be used wherever possible.
i) Where entry into a pile bore / shaft is unavoidable the
recommendations of British Standard BS 8008 must be
followed.

CFA (Continuous Flight Auger) Piling

With this technique specialist piling rigs screw an auger
into the ground the full depth of the pile bore. Concrete is
then pumped through the hollow auger stem and spoil is
removed as the auger is withdrawn. Reinforcement is
placed in the bore after concreting.
a) The majority of rigs used for this type of piling have a
certain amount of guarding achieved by extending the
gate (guide), which is used to maintain the position of
the augers. However this gate does need to be opened
to allow the piling rig to achieve its full depth and to
facilitate the rigging of the augers and the gate will not
allow work immediately adjacent to structures,
especially in corners. Opening of the gates must be kept
to a minimum and where practicable designed out, in
any case opening should only be carried out when the
auger is stationary.
b) A risk assessment should be carried out to identify the
size of the controlled zone around the auger. at each
pile location. A banksman must be in attendance at all
times while the piling rig is active and must be given
authority and responsibility to ensure only authorised
persons are permitted within the zone. No person is
permitted within the zone while the auger is rotating (this
precludes manual cleaning of the auger). Should any
manual intervention be required the auger must be
stopped. An excavator can be used within the zone for
the purposes of clearing spoil but only under the
banksmans supervision All persons entering the
controlled zone must be properly informed and
instructed on the risks associated with the CFA piling
operation. The banksman must be a trained CPCS
slinger signaller and have had a minimum of the
equivalent of one days safety training in the previous 12
months. The banksman must be identified.
c) Spoil must be removed at a low level. Nowadays most
rigs are fitted with mechanical / automatic auger
cleaning devices. These should be suitable for the
ground conditions and applicable auger size to ensure
adequate cleaning of the auger, thus preventing spoil
rising to height.
d) All control levers on the piling rig should be clearly
marked to indicate their purpose and mode of
operation.
e) When ropes are subject to heavy wear, they must be
frequently inspected and changed as necessary.
f) Similarly, the auger section joints and their wedges must
be inspected on a daily basis for excessive wear.
g) Freshly completed piles must be marked individually or
in blocks to minimise trip hazards from reinforcement
and soft concrete. They should be backfilled as soon as
technically possible, remembering that soft spots must
remain highlighted for the safety of people and plant
stability.

8F - 7

Extraction of pile casings

This is a high risk process which requires careful
technical planning and supervision by competent persons
who know when to stop and seek further advice.
The crane involved must be working well within its safe
working load with all rope falls being used on the hook
block. The driver of the crane must be experienced, used to
operating the machine and competent.
The cranes hoisting mechanism alone, should be used to
extract the casing. Use of the derricking system coupled
with creeping the crane nearer and nearer to the pile must
be avoided as jib and other, more serious, damage may
occur. When oscillators or other accessories are used with
a piling rig they must be compatible and the manufacturers
instructions must be available on site. The advice in this type
of guide must be followed.

Mini Piling
The FPS differentiates between Mini Piling and other
bored piles on the basis of the rig having no cab in which
the operator sits at the controls. Mini Piling rigs may be
employed to construct small vertical or near vertical piles of
up to 600mm diameter, the depth of the pile being
achieved by adding lengths of drill string in sections.
a) The bore is advanced to the required depth using an
auger (either CFA or kelly). Casings may also be used to
provide support. To permit concrete or grout to be
introduced the tool is either withdrawn or the materials
can be pumped through the stem of the tools in a similar
fashion to CFA piling.
b) The key requirement is to have adequate guarding
arrangements in place. This generally means that an
interlocked guard should be in place. Further guidance
can be found in the - FPS Notes for guidance on PUWER
(regulations 11 & 12) Guarding and cleaning of augers
on piling operations.

Tripod bored piling

A tripod is set up over the pile position and various tools
are used to advance boring. These are raised and dropped
by a rope winch attached to the tripod. Casings are driven

to line the bore, their depth varying with ground conditions.

Spoil is removed as boring progresses. Reinforcement and
concrete is placed before the casings are withdrawn.
a) Each tripod leg must be identity marked and every
tripod and winch marked with its safe working load
(SWL). Identity marks must correspond with the
examination records.
b) Ropes should be secured with suitable fastenings, e.g.
bulldog clips. Where appropriate, properly constructed
saddles or hard eyes should be used.
c) Knots must not be tied in any rope used for lifting.
d) The tripod legs must not be overspread or overloaded.
The base plates should be adequate and secured to
prevent any accidental movement of the rig.
e) Only the correct pins should be used in the sheerlegs
(tripod).
f) All parts of the winch should be effectively guarded,
although it is acknowledged that access to the winch
drum is required to enable the rope to be pushed across
the drum during a gear change.
g) Constant attention must be paid to the condition of rope,
which should be changed as soon as it becomes
necessary.
h) When a rope/chain block is being used to extract the
casings, the capacity of the block must not exceed the
capacity of the rig.
i) Under no circumstances must there be less than 2 full
turns of the rope on the winch drum at any time.
j) Brakes and other locking devices and bars must be
maintained in good condition

Piling from barges and pontoons

The use of lifting appliances on barges and pontoons is
covered under Lifting Operations, (see Section 9 - lifting
operations and lifting equipment) .

Other techniques
There are many other piling techniques in the market
place. Most are variants of the mainstream techniques
described above. Individual suppliers should be contacted
for specific details.

CHECKLIST FOR PILING METHOD STATEMENTS

Piling method statements should normally
include the following so far as is relevant in
the circumstances : Name and address of the piling contractor.
Name and address of the site to which the method
statement relates.
Names of the supervisor/foreman and appointed safety
adviser and arrangements for monitoring the work.
Description of the work to be carried out including the
number, type and size of piles and the method of
placing.
Duration of the work.
Hours of work.
Nature of the soil including details of any contamination
present and the precautions to be taken.
Access and Piling mat arrangements.
Details of the methods of locating and avoiding any
existing underground services, whether or not their
presence if known.
The presence and conditions of adjacent structures
Details of the personnel to be used and their training/
experience.
- Arrangements for the provision of a safe place of work
and safe access/ egress including work at height.

8F - 8

Details of plant and equipment to be used together with

confirmation that all necessary records will be provided
on site.
Details of auger cleaning device used and auger or drill
guarding provided.
Confirmation that man access will not be permitted to
under reamed pile shafts.
The precautions to be taken to reduce the exposure of
operatives to noise and to reduce environmental noise
Details of the PPE to be provided to personnel.
Arrangements for protecting openings.
Arrangements for the storage / stockpiling of materials.
Welfare arrangements
Actions required to reduce manual handling of casings
etc
Note :This checklist is intended to aid the production and
approval of method statements. It is not an exhaustive list
of every possible issue that may need to be addressed for
any given task.
Refer to Section 1 for general information on method
statements.

June 2010

REFERENCES
Legislation
Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
The Work at Height Regulations 2005
The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005
The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005

Approved Codes of Practice

L 22

Safe use of work equipment ACOP and

guidance
L 113
Safe use of lifting equipment ACOP and
guidance
Network Rail Company Standard
NR/L3/INI/CP0063 Piling adjacent to the
running line

British Standards
BS EN 996:1996
BS EN 791:1996
BS 2830
BS 5228
BS 8008

BS 7121

June 2010

Piling Equipment - Safety requirements

Drill rigs - Safety
Suspended safety chairs and cradles
for use in the construction industry
Code of practice for noise control on
construction and open sites
Guide to Safety precautions and
procedures for the construction and
descent of machine-bored shafts for
piling and other purposes
Code of practice for the use of cranes

Guidance
BRE 'Working platforms for tracked plant: good practice
guide to the design, installation, maintenance and repair of
ground-supported working platforms'
Safety of Piling Sites ISBN 1 85751 0003 revised 1999 (CITB )
HS(G) 47 Avoiding dangers from underground services
FPS Notes for guidance on PUWER (Regulations 11 & 12)
in relation to guarding and cleaning augers in piling
operations
British Drilling Association; Guidance for protection of
persons from rotating parts and ejected or falling material
involved in the drilling process. - (FPS)
CIRIA Report C681

Information sources
FPS - Federation of Piling Specialists, Forum court,
83 Copers Cope Road, Beckenham, Kent. BR3 1NR
CITB Publications, Bircham Newton, King's Lynn,
Norfolk, PE31 6RH

Training aids
Videos:

"Be Alive to Safety" and "Stay Alive to Safety"

- (CITB Publications or FPS)
Toolbox talks (set of 47 piling related) - (FPS)

The above reference material is available from:

Construction Industry Publications Ltd.,
c/o BTB Mailflight Ltd, 2B Viking Industrial Estate,
Hudson Road, Bedford MK41 0QB
Tel: 0870 078 4400
Fax: 0870 078 4401
email: sales@cip-books.com

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