Keywords
Citation
(1999), "Structural Safety 1997-99: Review and Recommendations", Structural Survey, Vol. 17 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/ss.1999.11017cae.001
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 1999, MCB UP Limited
Structural Safety 1997-99: Review and Recommendations
Structural Safety 1997-99: Review and Recommendations
Keywords Health and safety, Building industry
The Standing Committee on Structural Safety (SCOSS) has published its 12th report. SCOSS is an independent body supported by the Institutions of Civil and Structural Engineers and the Health and Safety Executive to maintain a continuing review of building and civil engineering matters affecting the safety of structures. The main recommendations are:
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A review of the whole code production and writing process ... to overcome the problems of the growing portfolio of codes of practice, the inadequacies and confusions within them and need for a single set of codes.
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The preparation of guidance on procedures for assessment of hazards and risks affecting structural safety that should be followed as part of an explicit risk management process starting at the design stage of projects.
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The regulatory requirements for risk management should be clarified by the relevant government departments.
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Managers of quality assurance systems relating to structural design should ensure that they are explicitly based on a direct response to the specification clauses of ISO 9001. In particular design management controls for verification and review should be based on ISO 9001 Clause 4.4.
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Educators and CPD providers in universities, engineering institutions and government, should provide more guidance on understanding structural behaviour and its modelling for computer analysis, and on avoiding uncritical reliance on computer-generated results.
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DETR should continue consideration of the SCOSS recommendation that resistance to disproportionate collapse (robustness) should be required by regulation for all structures, especially those where large numbers of people may congregate.
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DETR should issue approved document guidance on the design of structures for robustness and provision against accidental actions including advice on identification of hazards and analysis of critical situations.
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Owners and operators of buildings and other structures should arrange for periodic inspections and structural appraisals to ensure their safety is adequate as they continue in use; this process is particularly important for structures where large numbers of people may congregate.
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The review in progress by DETR and HSE of the respective roles and responsibilities of the HSE and Building Control Authorities for the continuing safety of permanent and short life structures should be completed to determine an adequate regulatory and enforcement regime.
The report also includes recommendation on specific topics relating to the safety management of bridges, multi-storey car parks and edge barriers, stadia structures, periodic inspection of cladding, bridge strikes, reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete planks, and lighting columns.