waterway

recovery
group
Task Reference:

Method Statement / Safe System of Work

B 1.1

Revision

Task Description: Remove part course of bricks and Reinstate Brickwork

Location: Goughs Orchard Lock Phase 1A Cotswold Canals
Thames & Severn Canal
Duration: 18th June 2010 24th July 2010
Supervision: See Section 2.2.4
Goughs Orchard Restoration Plan (WRG-GO-001)

Description of Task:
Previous Canal Camps and working parties completed the dismantling of unsound brickwork,
and started to reinstate the brick wall. The partial course of bricks laid by a previous work
party needs to be removed to eliminate the large change in mortar bed thickness and a
further 2 (TBC) courses of bricks need to be reinstated before the coping stones can be
returned to the top of the wall.

All work will be conducted in accordance with the Practical Restoration Handbook
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Hazards:
(1) Height of Wall
(2) Use of Lime Mortar

Risk Assessment
Risk
Working at height

Manual Handling Injury

(e.g. trapping of
fingers, etc.)
Injury resulting from
fuel consumption /
explosion

Burns from using Lime

and mixing / using
Lime Mortar

Mitigation / Control
If brickwork extends beyond
a comfortable working
height, install low level
temporary working platform
PPE will be issued to
volunteers and use on site
is mandatory.
Fuels will be stored in a
purpose designed
containers, will be clearly
identifiable and stored in a
location away from naked
flame and sunlight.
Handling advice as
documented by
manufacturer is to be
followed.
PPE will be issued to
volunteers and use on site
is mandatory.

Residual / Comment
Platform to be constructed
of system scaffold with
continuous surface, toe
boards and hand rails.

Safe

All fuels to be removed

from site at the end of each
working day

All un-used lime to be

removed from site at the
end of each working day

List of detailed applicable risk assessments:

WRGGO/0001
WRGGO/0006
WRGGO/0008
WRGGO/0011
WRGGO/0012

Injury resulting from use of Hand Tools

Injury resulting from manual handling
Injury resulting from mixing or handling lime / cement mortar or concrete
Injury resulting from sharp drops
Injury resulting from working with static machinery / plant on site
(cement mixers, low powered generators etc.)

Equipment
Item
Electric Cement Mixer
Generator
Brick Kit / Hand tools
System Scaffold

Use
Mixing Lime Mortar
Powering Cement Mixer
Brick Laying / transfer of material / mixing mortar
Installation of low level working platforms (if required)

All work will be conducted in accordance with the Practical Restoration Handbook
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Materials
Item
NHL5 Lime
Sharp Sand (good
range of particle size)
Builders Sand
Bricks
Fuel

Use
Lime Mortar
Mortar
Mortar
Facing Brick reclaimed from existing structure and cleaned
Filling Brick new metric (smaller sized) bricks
Powering generator / Cement Mixer

Method Statement:
(1) Erect temporary low level working platform if required.
(2) Remove the part course of bricks at the right hand end of the wall (thick mortar joint).
(3) Before re-building the brickwork, ensure that the two top stop plank stones have been
reinstated to the top of the groove.
(4) Measure the height of the existing coping stones (on lock plateau above wall) and
compare this to the top stone on the stone wall (coal wharf) to the right of the wing wall.
(5) Determine how many more courses of bricks need to be inserted (2 more courses?)
(6) Clear top of existing wall of any loose debris / brickwork / slipped soil etc.
(7) Site cement mixer / generator on firm level ground away from the working site and away
from towpath and trackway running either side of the site.
(8) Mix Lime Mortar 1.5 parts Sharp Sand, 1 part builders sand and 1 part NHL5 Lime.
NB this type of lime mortar needs to be of a firmer / thicker consistency (as usually
used for pointing) and the bricks will need to effectively be shaken into position. A
thinner mix (normal brick laying consistency) will increase susceptibility to frost damage.
(9) Facing Bricks recovered and cleaned bricks. Back Bricks modern metric (smaller)
bricks. The two types of brick are to be interlocked within the wall so as to maintain the
bond.
(10) Where necessary, rake out old mortar (ensuring all roots are removed) and re-point the
wall where not previously completed and insert brickwork where a loose / failed brick has
been removed.
(11) All brick work to be covered in polythene sheet and Hessian at the end of each day.

Task Management
Task Briefing given by:
Briefed Volunteers:
Task Started:
Task Completed:

Scheduling / Timing
(1) Task to be completed before reinstatement of coping stones (B 1.2)
(2) Task to be completed after Stop Plank groove has been repaired (B 2.1).

All work will be conducted in accordance with the Practical Restoration Handbook
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Work In Progress Notes

Item

Notes

Action

All work will be conducted in accordance with the Practical Restoration Handbook
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