Method Statement-Application of Plaster to Walls Including Skim on Plasterboard

Plastering Tools & Plastering Drywall or Plasterboard Works

Purpose

This method statement (MS) has been created to provide a Safe System of Work (SSOW) and must comply at all times, any essential alteration from this system must first be authorised by the site Project manager or safety Engineer. It is requested to read the complete sheet before proceeding to the procedure, if you face any technical problem to this procedure or have any questions please contact your Project manager/Engineer or assigned safety representative.

Scope of Work

This Method Statement applies to Application of plaster to walls including skim on plasterboard at [Facility Name]. Manpower and equipment shall be organized to meet the schedule as per the required Organization or other National or International approved plaster of walls program. 

The Main Hazards to Safety and Health Are:

• Falls from the height.
• Contact with live electrical installations/cables.
• Injury from incorrect Manual handling. 
• Skin and eye irritation from plaster dust.
• Respiratory tract irritation from inhaling plaster dust.
• Injury from slips trips and falls.
• Lone working.
• Injury to other organization’s staff or members of the general visitors.

Preventative Measures Must Adopt:

• A person must be “competent” to carry out the task.
• The person must use residual current devices with electrical equipment.
• Warning signs must be installed/applied around the workplace area.
• The person must not lift beyond his physical capabilities, get help if required.
• A person must follow all directions given by the site foreman or his agents. 
• The person must have suitable respiratory protection.

Personal Protective Equipment Person Must Wear:

1. Dust masks.
2. Eye protection.
3. Safety boots.
4. Protective Overall.
5. Protective Neoprene or PVC Gloves.
6. Environmental Protection Measures must take.
7. A person must dispose of waste to the designated area provided for waste.

Quality Control

• Adhere strictly to the following procedure to make sure the quality of service. 
• If you have any doubt contact the project manager/engineer for clarification before proceeding.

Equipment Required:

• Warning signs.
• Residual Circuit Breaker. 
• Plaster mixing tools
• Plaster application tools
• General Precautions

To be checked by organization’s all staff at all times, any alteration from these control procedures must be authorised by the site foreman or safety representative.

Staff and Training

The task will be accomplished by staff from [Organization Contractor], all staff are well qualified, competent, experienced and receive on the job training, and hold the required qualifications. A site project manager will be appointed to each contract he will be accountable for quality and safety

Personal Protective Equipment

All workplace workforce completely complies to the health and safety policy of the organization and will wear Safety shoes, Hi-Visibility jackets, Dust mask, safety helmets, eye protection, gloves and recommended protective clothing at all times (during the working hours).

Preparation & Induction

A hazard identification/risk assessment will be conducted for all work activities which will be addressed and discussed with all stakeholders including members of staff and the sub-contractors, any critical issue or concerns will be highlighted and discussed with the contract line or project manager who will ensure it is dealt with. All staff, sub-contractors, outsource third parties will be inducted essentially at the worksite by the main contractor and will follow all workplace rules and safety procedures.

Welfare

The principal contractor is accountable for the provision of adequate/appropriate washing, toilet, drying and refreshment facilities for [Organization/Company] staff and sub-contractors, contractors or other stakeholders are accountable for ensuring that such essential welfare facilities are maintained in a clean and good manner.

First Aid

It is the accountability of all stakeholder including the main contractors & sub-contractors to ensure appropriate first aid provision for its staff.  Essential appropriate provision of a well and competent trained first aider, suitable first aid equipment, machinery or the provision of a designated person as a minimum.

An Appointed first aider is a person provided by the employer to take charge of the emergency (e.g., to call an ambulance) if a serious injury/illness occurs in the absence of a first aider. The Appointed Person can deliver emergency first aid if trained to do so.

Worksite Access and Egress

The main and or primary contractor is accountable for the provision of safe and secure access and egress to the worksite, [Organization/Company] staff will ensure safe access and egress is preserved for themselves and other contractors in the working they are assigned to do. Appropriate and essential good housekeeping will be maintained.

Material Handling

All materials, substances, objects needed for the workplace will be uploaded to an assigned unloading and storage area which will be away and isolated from the working area as far as is practicable. This area will be kept well cleaned and free from all trip hazards. Materials, substance, or machinery or equipment as and when needed will be taken from the storage area to the worksite area. All workplace workforce and or employees will take great care while handling materials.

Manual Handling

All workforce and employees of the [Company/Organization] and stakeholders including sub-contractors, third parties and visitors to the site have been instructed appropriately on the potentially fatal dangers of manual handling, and have been inducted properly with manual handling training. Organization’s staff and sub-contractors will not involve any lifting activity for any items, tools, machinery or equipment beyond their capabilities or without any certifications, and licenses. All lifting activities that involve heavy or awkward items will be broken down into smaller units. Site foreman is responsible and accountable to highlight, identify and control potentially dangerous manual handling situations as they happen at the workplace daily. In most of the Circumstances, mechanical handling aids will be used.

Working from Step Ups

The most of workplace activities that involve working at height will be accomplished and conducted using the step-up before using the floor area should be clean & tidy, well housekeeping practice, free from waste or other tripping objects on level ground (trailing cables & uneven floors). The step-up should be inspected, observed very closely and carefully for any possibility and sign of damage before use and if damaged removed from use promptly and ASAP.

Working from Step Ladders

At the workplace, most of the jobs are conducted at height involve working below 6-feet from step ladders; all workers and general staff have been made aware of the critical dangers of working from step ladders and have been inducted on the safe use of any type of ladders. Only competent and skilled members of staff will be permitted to work from step ladders and site foreman is responsible and accountable to ensure conditions are safe before allowing any ladder work to take place. 

Contractor/Visitor Safety

[Organization/Company] will be communicated with other sub-Contractors’ staff on a day-to-day basis and will make sure that they are well aware of the fatal risks present during the working activities. Organization’s workforce and or contractors will not leave any area of work in a dangerous condition for other stakeholders including contractors, tenants, or general visitors. All tools, equipment and machinery will be cleared to secure and safe storage after each shift. Scaffold, ladders and any other access to height will be made secure and easy inaccessible.

Tools and Electrical Equipment

All items of tools and equipment will be visually inspected regularly, defective or damaged equipment will be removed from service. Electrical tools, equipment or light machinery will be battery operated or 110 Volts where possible or applicable, sub-contractors will not be allowed to bring on to site any damaged or defective tools, the site foreman is responsible for ensuring that all tools and equipment brought onto the site are fit for purpose.

Manpower

Staff:

• Construction Manager
• Site Engineer
• Supervisor
• QC Engineer / Inspector
• Quantity Surveyor
• Safety Officer

Labour:

• Foreman
• Trade workers
• Helpers / Labours
• Drivers

Responsible Personnel on Site

1. The Project Manager/Engineer shall be responsible for the overall construction activities.
2. The Construction Manager, Site Engineers, Supervisors and Foremen shall implement this Method Statement.
3. The Material controller shall be responsible for receiving materials on-site warehouse.
4. Site Engineer/Supervisor shall check the materials as per manufacturer's recommendation before installation and shall be responsible for the installation as per approved shop drawings.
5. Safety Officer shall ensure that appropriate/necessary measures are in place at the work location to avoid any unexpected events.
6. QAQC Inspector shall be responsible for carrying out inspections for the materials delivered on-site. He shall document such inspections.
7. QAQC Engineer/Inspector shall monitor the installation activities progressively and shall record all deviation from the specification in a form of snags or further as non-conformance notification.

Health, Safety and Environment

Safety of all personnel and equipment is the highest priority of [Organization] during the execution of the Works.

• Personnel Protective Equipment
• Safety Helmet
• Safety Goggles (during drilling and use of grinders)
• Face shield (during grinding)
• Safety Footwear (steel toes)
• Safety Gloves (for material handling)
• Coverall (as protective clothing)
• Full Body Harness 
• Respiratory Mask (if require)
• Tool Box Talk (TBT)
• Safety Tool Box Talk shall be given by the site supervisor every week and/or as deemed necessary.
• Safety tool Box Talk shall brief the task/subject and shall be given in languages understandable by the multinational workforce.
• Safety Tool Box Talk attendance shall be recorded on a sheet and signed by attendees.

Signage & Barrication

1. All necessary safety warning and caution signs shall be displayed at work locations.
2. QC Approval and Other Documentary Requirements (Attachment)
3. Material Technical Submittal Approval
4. Shop Drawing Approval
5. Material Inspection Report (MIR) approval
6. Installation Request for Inspection & Approval (RFIA)

Material Inspection / Storage

• All materials and/or equipment received or purchased shall be inspected and approved by the Supervision Consultant before using on-site. 
• Unload the panels in the designated unloading area. Use forklift or crane to unload self-standing panels.
• Proper care must be observed during off-loading to prevent unnecessary damage for sub-main & distribution boards.
• Ensure that sub-main & distribution boards are stored in a dry and clean area.
• Before acceptance, an inspection regarding the physical condition of the panels shall be conducted and to ensure that the country of origin, components are following the approved material submittal.
• Ensure that the sub-main & distribution boards are properly protected and covered by a tarpaulin.
• Submit Material Inspection Request to the consultant for their inspection and approval.

Method Statements

Task Description

This Method Statement (MS) elaborates the work process for the application of plaster to walls and also includes wall repairing work.

Preparation

• [Organization] staff will be inducted onto sites by the main contractor; all members of staff are obliged to follow the main contractor rules and regulations whilst on site.
• Where [Organization] are in control of a site, the site foreman will ensure that all safety measures are followed, the site foreman will set up and manage work patterns, equipment, machinery or substances storage, control of visitors and protection of clients and members of the public.
• All materials and equipment will be delivered to site by suppliers and kept in designated storage areas.
• The site foreman will ensure staff are competent to complete the job safely and that any apprentices are properly supervised.
• Test the operation of the RCD or any other safety devices.
• Physically check all equipment for signs of undue wear or damage, particularly plugs and cables.

Step by Step Guide

• If possible, inform the principal contractor’s representative at the start of plasterwork activity.
• Ensure the area to be worked has been signed and marked out with warning tape; if necessary erect physical barriers to prevent unauthorized access.
• Put on your protective equipment.
• Prepare the area to be plastered by maintain good housekeeping, remove all unwanted material sand objects to ensure the surface to be plastered is clean.
• Use Polyvinyl acetate (PVA) bonding coat where required and allow to dry.
• Collect the required materials from the storage area; ensure that you follow good manual handling techniques for heavy material such as 25kg plaster bags.
• Ensure the RCD is in the socket before connecting any electrical device.
• Do not leave tools and equipment unattended at any time.
• Mix gypsum plaster by hand or mechanical paddle using a clean container, ensure all material in a batch is mixed thoroughly.
• Ensure that dust is kept to a minimum during mixing and that mixing is carried out in a well-ventilated area.
• Apply the plaster to the designated areas as per work instructions and training.
• If working from step ladders follow the working at height procedure.
• Apply any finish coats following the procedures defined above.
• Keep the work area clean and tidy at all times, remove rubbish and debris as it accumulates

Spray Plastering

• If possible, inform the primary contractor’s representative at the start of plaster works.
• Ensure the area to be worked has been signed and marked out with warning tape; if necessary erect physical barriers to prevent unauthorized access.
• Put on your protective equipment.
• Ensure that you follow good manual handling techniques for heavy machinery.
• Develop the area to be plastered removing any loose material, make sure the surface to be plastered is appropriately clean and tidy.
• Collect the obligatory materials from the storage area, and make sure that person adopts good manual handling techniques for heavy material for example 25kg plaster bags.
• Ensure the Residual-Current Device (RCD) is in the socket before connecting any electrical device.
• Never leave tools unattended at any time to avoid any misuse.
• Fill up the hopper with plaster powder to the recommended required level.
• Dust must be kept to a minimum quantity and level during mixing and that mixing is conducted in a well-ventilated area.
• Fill the water bucket to the recommended required level.
• Switch on the PFT G5 machine.
• Apply the plaster to the assigned areas as per plastering work instructions from top to bottom.
• If personals working from step ladders, then he must follow the working at height procedure.
• Practice good housekeeping at all times, remove rubbish and debris as it accumulates.

Skim Plastering on Plasterboard

• Ensure intensity and direction of lighting are suitable to enable a satisfactory finish.
• Fit the appropriately specified beads to the plasterboard.
• Mix gypsum plaster by hand or mechanical paddle using a clean container, ensure all material in a batch is mixed thoroughly.
• Ensure that dust is kept to a minimum during mixing and that mixing is carried out in a well-ventilated area. Wear the appropriate dust mask.
• Apply gypsum finish to a uniform thickness.
• Smooth with a steel trowel.
• Do not try to use any mix after initial set, and do not attempt to re-temper; discard all such mix ASAP.
• Do not try to plaster the walls or area where extremes temperature or moisture will alter the finish.
• Remove all debris to designated area, leave the area clean and tidy.

Housekeeping & Care of Equipment

• Housekeeping shall be maintained by all personnel working at the site. Housekeeping for fabrication and installation shall be as per the project safety plan and [Organization] Safety Manual.
• Ensure all equipment is cleaned and returned to the storage area, do not leave tools and equipment unattended.
• Do not leave any powered tools connected when unattended.
• Where possible lock all tools away after use.

Download File

Method Statement-Application of Plaster to Walls