Sustainability, Health, Safety

Environmental, Quality & Technical

Alert

Learning from Experience

Alert No 116

Date: July 2011

LIFTING OF FORMWORK USING CLAMPS

A proprietary Peri lifting clamp used to lift panel formwork

unintentionally released from the shutter it was lifting and toppled
over as it was being positioned.
The clamp had a spring loaded safety catch that failed to properly engage
with the top of the shutter which was badly deformed and bent. This
allowed the clamp to come free when the tension was released from the
crane as the shutter was landed on the slab.
No one was standing in the fall zone as per recognised procedures of
landing / placing the shutters. Slinger / Banksman stands to the side of the
column.
The clamp had previously been inspected and found to be in good order

The clamp is made from two opposing section a hook with a 'tooth' that fits into the channel on the
underside of the top beam of the panel and a spring loaded right angled safety clutch that opposes the
hook of the clamp forming a secure connection. The damaged condition of the panel prevented the
clutch from properly engaging with the square edge of the panel
In light of this incident all sites using this or similar systems should:
Ensure that delivered formwork is examined on arrival at site and regular checked for impact or
user damage. All damaged formwork to be quarantined and repaired
Slinger / Banksman to check that the lifting attachment is functioning correctly prior to the lift
Consideration should be given to fitting of two clamps - as a fail safe
Contents of this alert should be issued to all key site personnel including Slinger / Bankman
What are you doing differently as a result of this Alert?

Project Name _________________

Signed by Project Manager__________________________