British Precast Concrete Federation

• Document No.

• Audit Title

• Client / Site

• Conducted on

  Date

• Prepared by

• Location
  Address

• Personnel

Type & Scope of the Audit

• First Annual Charter Audit

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Routine Annual Charter Audit

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Documentary Audit for an "Exempt" Company:

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Telephone Audit for an "Exempt" Company:

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• PFF COP Audit at a Building Site:<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• PFF COP Audit at a Manufacturing Site:

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Outcome of the Audit:

• Matters arising from the previous audit: <br>Date of Previous Audit:<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

List any significant non-conformances, examples of good practice identified in this audit, which might be shared with other BPCF / PFF members: NOTE: The summary of non-conformances / agreed actions may be the subject of change when the final report is issued, after the completion of the audit and justification for any change(s) will be reported.

• Auditor Name

  Sign

• Auditee Name

  Sign

Recommended Charter Status:

1.0 Introduction: Pre-Site Tour: Sections :

General

1.1 - Introduction and discuss the purpose of the audit and site tour. COP Ref N/A

• 1.2 - Explain how the audit will be structured (e.g. Introduction, Site walk-about and Document review etc). COP Ref n/a

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 1.3 - Is the auditee knowledge of the PFF Code of Practice (COP) for the Safe Stressing of Wire / Strand, acceptable? COP Ref - n/a

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 1.4 - Describe the structure of the audit report, circulation list and actions that might be required post-audit. COP Ref - n/a

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 1.5 - Explain that a hand written audit summary page will need to be signed at the end of the audit. COP Ref - n/a

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 1.6 - Is it clear that there are specific site rules that need to be followed during the audit? COP Ref - n/a (eg use of mobile phones, cameras, visitor sign in book, accident book etc)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 1.7 - Is it clear what levels of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required whilst on site? COP Ref - n/a

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 1.8 - Is induction training . Awareness needed before the site tour? COP Ref - n/a

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Safety Documentation:

• 1.9 - Is a "Safe Working Method Statement" (SWMS)available, covering hazardous activities associated with stressing? COP Ref - n/a <br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 1.1O - Does the SWMS contain suitable and sufficient information to ensure tasks are carried out safely? COP Ref - n/a

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 1.11 - Is the SWMS suitable communicated to all relevant personnel? COP Ref - n/a

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 1.12 - Are there any other H&S documents to support the SWMS (e.g. brochures, booklets, risk assessments, H&S plans etc)? COP Ref - n/a

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 1.13 - Is a daily "Pre-start Checklist" used by the Company and suitably completed and signed off by a competent person? COP Ref - n/a <br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Maintenance of Stressing Equipment:

• 1.14 - Are periodic inspections made of all components, particularly the hoses and couplers and records maintained? COP Ref - 2.3 <br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 1.15 - Are prestressing pumps and jacks kept clean and serviced regularly and suitable records maintained? COP Ref - 2.3

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 1.16 - Are prestressing pumps and jacks calibrated at suitable intervals (e.g maximum period of 6 months)and records maintained?COP Ref - 2.3 Amended<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 1.17 - Are maunufacturers maintenance instructions followed, with oil levels checked as part of the regular maintenance rourine? COP Ref - 2.3 Y/N <br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 1.18 - Is the system re-calibrated after any component changes to the pump or jack? COP Ref - 2.3 <br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 1.19 - Is a system in place to maintain the integrity of the mouldage and stressing abutments, using independent verification? COP Ref - 2.4

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 1.2O - Can the competence of the engineer responsible for regular inspection of mouldage & abutments be demonstrated? COP Ref - 2.4.3

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 1.21 - Has the safe working capacity of the moulds been independently verified? COP Ref - 2.4.3

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 1.22 - Are changes to the set loads and wire / strand positions approved in writing by the engineer responsible? COP Ref - 2.4.3

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 1.23 - Are the permanent anchorage points at the stressing bed-ends regularly cleaned and examined by a competent person? COP Ref - 2.4.3

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 1.24 - Are suitable inspection records available for all equipment used in the stressing process? COP Ref - 2.4.3

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Ref: Comments arising from this section and agreed actions if appropriate (refer to section number):

2 - Site Tour: Delivery, Unloading, Handling and Storage of Wire / Strand: COP Ref Section 3:

Steel Purchasing:

• 2.1 - Is the steel ordered to an apppropriate standard? In most cases steel should be ordered to the BS for prestressing steel and High tensile steel wire and strand for prestressing of concrete , BS 5896:2012. COP Ref 3.3

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 2.2 - Is the steel purchased from an approved supplier who operates an ISO 9001 QMS? COP Ref - 3.3

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 2.3 - Does the supplier of steel provide test certificates for each coil? COP Ref - 3.4

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Unloading / Handling:

• 2.4 - Is wire and / or strand off-loaded from trucks using suitable overhead cranes or forklift trucks? COP Ref - 3.5

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 2.5 Are suitable straps, lifting bar or C hook used to offload wire and / or strand? (Note - chains and steel straps should not be used since they may damage the wire or strand and slings will distort the coil of strand and can cause coils to collapse). Refer to HSG 246, for further safety info.)COP Ref - 3.5

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Storage

• 2.6 - Is wire stored where it will not be exposed to the elements , off the ground and safe from being accidentally damaged (for example by a FLT or from welding sparks etc)? COP Ref 3-6

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 2.7 - If coils of wire are stored "eye to sky" are they a maximum 3 high and in a protected area? COP - 3.6.2 <br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 2.8 - If coils are stacked "eye to side" are chocks used tp prevent the coils rolling? COP Ref - 3.6.2

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 2.9 - Is a system in place to ensure stock rotation of steel product? COP Ref 3.7

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 2.1O - If stored for a long time is the steel stored under cover or suitably sheeted for extra protection? COP Ref - 3.7 <br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Cutting of strapping:

• 2.11 - Is steel strapping cut using a special steel-strapping cutter? (Note: steel straps must not be cut using an angle grinder, hammer and chisel or cutting torch) COP Ref 3.8

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Dispensing of wire and strand:

• 2.12 - Is a system in place to identify the top of the coil and pulling wire from this end? COP Ref - 3.9

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 2.13 - Is the ground where the coil is placed for decoiling , flat and free draining to minimise risk of rusting? COP Ref - 3.9.1

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 2.14 - Is the coil raised off the ground (good practice)? COP Ref 3.9.1

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 2.15 - Do operatives inspect the coils for any damaged or kinked wires? COP Ref. 3.9.2

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 2.16 - To prevent tangling, is a system in place to identify direction of pull (i.e. left or right)? COP Ref - 3.9.3

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 2.17 - Are measures in place to prevent hot metal working near any strand / wire, particularly if stressed? COP Ref -3.9.4<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 2.18 - Is care taken with electric cables to prevent a short or arc which could damage the strand / wire? COP Ref - 3.9.4<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Ref: Comments arising from this section and agreed actions if appropriate (refer to section number):

3 - Site Tour: Wiring up the beds: Section 4:

General

• 3.1 - Are the coils of wire / strand suitably contained in order to minimise risk of damage that could result in future failure?<br>COP Ref - 4.1

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 3.2 When pulling wire / strand , either by hand or with a machine, is allowance made for the residual twist ? (Note: If restrained by grabbing or clamping, pressure can build up and can cause injury and damage) COP Ref - 4.1

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 3.3 - When pulling wire / strand, is the wire / strand allowed to rotate freely? COP Ref - 4.1 <br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 3.4 Are other suitable PPE worn by the operatives (e.g. Hard hats, fluorescent jackets, ear and eye protection etc )? <br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Pulling by Hand:

• 3.5 - Are suitable gloves used, with a hard palm, so that layers of strand does not trap the glove material or skin? COP Ref - 4.1 <br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 3.6 - Are the number of wires / strands pulled, controlled to minimise the risk of manual handling injury to operatives? <br>COP Ref - 4.1

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 3.7 - Is the walkway for the operatives pulling the wire / strand clean and clear of obstacles etc? COP Ref - 4.1

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Machine-assisted Pulling:

• 3.8 - If strand pushers and / or "rabbits" are used, is suitable care taken to ensure the residual tension of wire / strand is controlled?<br>COP Ref - 4.1

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 3.9 - Is suitable guarding in place to protect operatives from flaying wire / strand during dispensing an preparation? COP Ref - 4.1

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Wire / strand Cutting:

• 3.1O - Which of the following methods of cutting is used (can be more than one)? COP Ref - 4.2<br>Angle Grinder: COP Ref - 4.3 <br>Bolt Cropper (manual, pneumatic, hydraulic): 4.4<br>Gas Cutting: COP Ref - n/a <br>Plasma Cutting: COP Ref - n/a <br>Pneumatic and hydraulic Cutter: COP Ref - n/a (Note: It is not advisable to use gas or plasma to cut free strand or wire)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 3.11 - Are operative suitably trained in the use of the specified cutting method?<br>COP Ref - 4

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 3.12 - Is suitable PPE available and being used correctly? COP Ref - 4<br>(Includes Gloves, impact lens goggles / mask , hard hat, overalls, fluorescent jackets and respirators etc) <br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 3.13 - Is wire / strand placed on timber packing, as opposed to concrete or steel, to minimise the risk of flying debris?<br>COP Ref - 4

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 3.14 - If using gas or plasma cutting, are precautions taken to protect plant / operatives from contact with hot tendons? COP Ref - 4 This may need to be removed

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Note: see Audit section on "Stressing the Beds" for details of safety chains and guarding

Ref: Comments arising from this section and agreed actions if appropriate (refer to section number):

4 - Site Tour: Barrels and Wedges (B&W): COP Ref - Section 5:

General

• 4.1 - Is a system in place to mark with the size of wire / strand to be used with? COP Ref - 5.1

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 4.2 - Is a system in place to mark with a maximum stressing load capacity and traceability code? COP Ref - 5.1<br> (Note: This is not the site stressing load and reference should be made to site design engineer to determine the required load)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 4.3 - Is a system in place to ensure that different manufacturers B&W cannot be mixed? COP Ref - 5.1

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 4.4 - On receipt of B&W, either new or from external cleaning, is a visual inspection done to ensure those received are fit for purpose and the right components? COP Ref - 5-4

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 4.5 - Is stock rotation practiced to avoid mixing older wedges and barrels with new components? COP Ref - 5.2

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 4.6 - Are B&W stored in a dry atmosphere, away from moisture and not immersed in oil? COP Ref -5.2

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 4.7 - Are all B&W thoroughly examined after each use, including cleaning and re-lubrication? COP Ref - 5.3

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 4.8 - Is the cleaning and inspection carried out in-house? COP Ref - 5.3

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 4.9 - Is the cleaning and inspection carried out externally? COP Ref - 5.3

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 4.1O - Are wire / strand couplers used at the site and if so, is a visible mark used to identify slippage? COP Ref - 5.4.4

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 4.11 - If button heading is used, has a test procedure been carried out to confirm the tension of failure? COP Ref - 5.4.5

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 4.12 - Are the manufacturers of all stressing equipment and anchors all externally certified to ISO 9001? COP Ref - 5.1

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 4.13 - Are accurate steel insert tools, available from barrel manufacturers, used to check barrel wear? COP Ref - 5.3 New

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 4.14 - Are springs used in spring-loaded anchors and double-ended joiners, changed regularly? COP Ref - 5.3 New

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 4.15 - Is anchor maintenance carried out regularly and consistently in an area away from production, by personnel not involved in the production process? COP Ref 5.3

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 4.16 - Every six months, are inspections of the barrels and wedges carried out by another inspector? COP Ref - 5.3 New

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Fitting the Barrels and Wedges(B&W): When fitting the BWs to the wire / strand, are the following factors considered?

• 4.17 - Is it the correct grip for the application? COP Ref - 5.5

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 4.18 - Is the grip the correct size for the wire / strand? COP Ref - 5.5

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 4.19 - Is it clean and correctly lubricated? COP Ref - 5.5

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 4.2O - Are the teeth in good condition? COP Ref - 5.5

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 4.21 - Is the "O" ring serviceable? COP Ref. - 5.4.1

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 4.22 - Is the spring full length? COP Ref - 5.4.2 <br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 4.23 - Has the B&W been correctly locked off? (NOTE: Good practice is to use a locking-off tube with a "protective guard" to minimise risk of injury) COP Ref - 5.4

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 4.24 - Are barrels and wedges at the non-stressing end seated correctly with the wire / strand projecting least 100mm?<br>COP Ref - 5.5 New

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Ref: Comments arising from this section and agreed actions if appropriate (refer to section number):

5 - Site Tour: Stressing the Beds: COP Ref - Section 6:

Single Stressing:

• 5.1- Has the degree of tension applied to each wire / strand been pre-determined by a competent person (e.g. Structural engineer)?<br>COP Ref - 6.1.1

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 5.2 - Have the manual handling aspects of the jack (considering weight and manoeuvrability), been assessed? COP Ref - 6.1.1

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 5.3 - Has the manometer been suitably calibrated to ensure correct stressing load is applied to the wire / strands? COP Ref - 6.1.1

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 5.4 - Is the operative stressing the wire / strands in the correct safe sequence to reduce risk of injury? COP Ref - 6.1.1

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 5.5 - Is the operative standing to the side of stressed wire to reduce risk of injury in the event of wire failure? COP Ref - 6.1.1

  Yes

  No

  N/A

5.6 - Are safety guards, fitted with timber, in place to absorb the energy in the event of a wire / strand failure? COP Ref - 6.1.1

• 5.7 - Are suitable safety guards lowered over the ends of the wires / strands to fully encapsulate the wire ends? COP Ref - 6.1.1

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 5.8 - Is suitable PPE being worn by operatives? <br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 5.9 - Are periodic checks of applied load carried out by a suitable method (e.g. deflection test, tension meter)? <br>COP Ref - 6.1.1 New<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 5.1O - Has a safe system of work been produced to ensure there is no dependency on the HHS relief valve? COP Ref - 6.1.1 New

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 5.11 - During stressing, has an exclusion zone been identified and number of operatives working in the area, limited?<br>COP Ref - 6.1.1 New

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 5.12 - After stressing, are exclusion barriers placed close around both ends to prevent operative access to the area behind the anchorges? COP Ref - 6.1.1 New

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 5.13 - Are end guards fitted with timber or other material capable of absorbing the energy from wires / strands? <br>COP Ref - 6.1.1 New<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 5.14 - Once stressed, are guards lowered over the ends of the wires / strands to fully enclose them? COP Ref - 6.1.1 New

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Multi Stressing:

• 5.15 - Has the degree of tension applied to each wire / strand been pre-determined by a competent person (e.g. Structural engineer)? COP Ref - 6.1.2

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 5.16 - Has the manometer been suitably calibrated to ensure correct stressing load is applied to the wire / strands?<br>COP Ref - 6.1.2

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 5.17 - Are safety guards, fitted with timber, in place to absorb the energy in the event of a wire / strand failure?<br>COP Ref - 6.1.2

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 5.18 - Are suitable safety guards lowered over the ends of the wires / strands to fully encapsulate the wire ends?<br>COP - 6.1.2

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 5.19 - Is the pump fitted with a pressure relief valve to ensure that wire / strand is not over-stressed? COP Ref - 6.1.2

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 5.2O - Are periodic checks of the applied load carried out by a suitable method (e.g. deflection test, tension meter)? <br>COP Ref - 6.1.2 New<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 5.21 - Have the manual handling aspects of the locking collars / chocks (considering weight and manoeuvrability), been assessed? COP Ref 6.1.2

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Placing of safety Chains:

• 5.22 - Are suitable safety chains used at regular intervals along the stressing bed, to reduce the risk of broken wire / strands from striking operatives and plant? (NOTE: minimum centres of 10 meter is recommended)? COP Ref 6.2

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 5.23 - Are the safety chains, straps, bars, bulk heads all able to withstand the forces generated by a release of a wire / strand to avoid failure and maximise containment? COP Ref - 6.2

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 5.24 - Are daily visual inspections carried out of all safety restraints and securing points by the stressing operator?<br>COP Ref - 6.2

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 5.25 - Are all restraints left in place throughout the production process until casting occurs? COP Ref - 6.2

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 5.26 - Are the restraints at suitable intervals along the bed ( generally no greater than 10 mt apart) based on a recent risk assessment? COP Ref - 6.2 amended

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Stressing Load Checks

• 5.27 - Are stressing load checks carried out routinely to ensure that the beds are stressed to the correct load? (e.g. Voigt Meter or Digiforce meter?) COP Ref 6.2

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Guarding and Warning systems:

• 5.28 - Has an effective Risk Assessment been undertaken to ensure that all failure modes are considered and protection provided?<br>COP Ref - 6.4

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 5.29 - At the start and during stressing, is a flashing light system , visible from both ends o f of the bed used to indicate that stressing is in progress. COP Ref - 6.5

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 5.3O - At the start and during stressing, is an audible warning (sirens) used , to support a visual system? COP Ref - 6.5

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 5.31- Are warning notices placed at all access points to buildings housing stressing beds, indicating that stressing is hazardous and that Access is restricted when the lights or sirens are in operation? COP Ref 6.5

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 5.32 - Is suitable PPE being worn by operatives? COP Ref - 6

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Ref: Comments arising from this section and agreed actions if appropriate (refer to section number):

6 - Site Tour: Concrete Casting COP Ref - Section 7:

• 6.1 - Are suitable restraints used on the wire / strand for as long as possible to avoid overload /damage ? COP Ref - 7.O

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 6.2 - During Machine casting, are measures taken to ensure that wire / strand is not damaged during the production of hollow-core flooring? COP Ref 7.1

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 6.3 - During wet-casting and use of vibration, are daily checks carried out to ensure that the moulds are not cracked / damaged?<br>COP Ref - 7.2

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 6.4 - Is self-compacting concrete used to remove the need for vibration? COP Ref - 7.2

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 6.5 - Prior to removal of tension, are concrete cubes crushed in order to determine the cured strength of concrete?<br>(NOTE: Des-tensioning must not be undertaken until such time as the concrete has achieved a maturity to prevent un-planned incident related to stressing occurring) COP Ref - 7.3

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Ref: Comments arising from this section and agreed actions if appropriate (refer to section number):

7 - Site Tour: De-stressing COP Ref - Section 8:

Single Stressing Bed:

• 7.1 - Is the tension released in such a manner as to eliminate off-centre loadings and shock loads?<br>COP Ref - 8.2

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 7.2 - Where shock loads are unacceptable, is the load in the wires / strand released using a special stressing jack nose, or a fabricated tool, as per the suppliers instructions? COP Ref - 8.2

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 7.3 - If shock de-tensioning is carried out, using either a gas torch or disc cutter, is care taken to minimise injury from the cut wires / strands? NOTE: operator must stand in a position of safety during the detensioning process) COP Ref - 8.3.1

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Multi-stressing Bed:

• 7.4 - Is the tension in the wire / strands increased slightly, to allow removal of restraining/locking collars / chocks? COP Ref - 8.1

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 7.5 - Once these are removed, is the load then released fully until the multi-stressing head is fully retracted? <br>COP Ref - 8.1

  Yes

  No

  N/A

General:

• 7.6 - In all cases of de-stressing, is suitable PPE being worn by operatives working in this area of the process? <br>COP Ref - 8

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 7.7 - In the case of shock de-stressing, where wire / strands are cut with a gas torch or disc cuttter, is a safe system of work in place to protect operatives from sudden release of wire / strands (e.g exclusion zones etc)? COP Ref - 8.3.1

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Ref: Comments arising from this section and agreed actions if appropriate (refer to section number):

8 - Site Tour: Removing Barrels and Wedges: COP Ref - Section 9:

Cutting of wire / strand at Barrel and wedge end of the beds:

• 8.1 - Are suitable cutting tools used to cut the wire / strands before barrel and wedges are removed? (NOTE: These might include angle grinders, Stihl saws, bolt-croppers, gas torches and plasma cutting etc) <br>COP Ref - 9

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Removing Barrels & Wedges

• 8.2 - Is a suitable release agent used to aid removal of barrels and wedges after use?<br>COP Ref - 9

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 8.3 - If difficult to remove, is a stressing jack used to release the barrels and wedges? <br>COP Ref - 9

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 8.4 - Are special removal tools, supplied by the grip manufacturers, being used correctly, particularly if there is insufficient wire / strand length to allow a jack to be used? COP Ref - 9

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 8.4 - Are special removal tools used when wire / strand "joiners" require dismantling? COP Ref - 9

  Yes

  No

  N/A

General

• 8.5 - Is suitable PPE being worn by operatives working in this area of the process? COP Ref - 9

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Ref: Comments arising from this section and agreed actions if appropriate (refer to section number):

9 - Training , Certification and Competency: COP Ref - Appendix A & B: The Precast Flooring Federation (PFF) have worked with an external training body, the Mineral Planning Qualification Council (MPQC) to produce the following six modules for training of operatives involved with the activity of stressing. These modules are aimed at developing the skills and knowledge to undertake the various roles within stressing operations:

Module Reference 1 - Training and Maintenance of Training Logs 2 - PS1 General Stressing Awareness 3 - PS2 The Maintenance of Stressing Equipment (aimed at Maintenance Engineers, Foremen & Mechanics 4 - PS3 Receipt, Handling, Storage and Inspection of Stressing Tendons 5 - PS4 The Bed Operative Procedures 6 - PS5 Stressing Operation Procedures 7 - PS6 Management of Site Safety in the Pre Stressing of Precast Concrete

The Modules will be assessed using the following methods: 8 - PS1 Observations and questions 8 - PS2 Observations and questions 8 - PS3 Observations and questions 8 - PS4 Observations and questions 8 - PS5 Observation, oral and written questions with a minimum pass mark of 90% 8 - PS6 Written questions with a minimum pass mark of 90%

• 9.1 - During the site visit, can the management demonstrate that the necessary training has been carried out for all operatives (new and existing), with the use of training logs, certificates and exam papers etc? COP Ref - Appendix A & B

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 9.2 - Are systems in place to ensure that training certificates are renewed after three years?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 9.3 - Are refresher practical and theory tests undertaken to enable a renewal of training certificates?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

NOTE: For employees who only have the need for module PS1 - General Awareness, the certificate will be valid for a period of 5 years from the date of successful training completion, unless there have been changes on the plant of Legislation. Renewals of the certificates will be subjected to a period of grace of one calendar month from the expiry date. Certificates not renewed within this time frame will be deemed to have lapsed.

Ref: Comments arising from this section and agreed actions if appropriate (refer to section number):