HSE launches falsework guidance

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has today (Friday) published guidance providing advice on how to safely erect, use and dismantle falsework. 

Falsework is any temporary structure used to support a permanent structure while it is not self-supporting, either in new construction or refurbishment.

The collapse of falsework structures is often the subject of enquiries to the HSE and others in the industry. The causes of many past failures were often foreseeable and could have been prevented by proper consideration when planning, erecting, loading or dismantling the falsework. 

Investigations into falsework collapses have identified a lack of co-ordination between the various trades and suppliers of falsework as a major cause so the HSE has produced the guidance, aimed at preventing further failures.