TWf Library

Assessment and management of outrigger loading (TWf2022.02, September 2022) 

13-09-2022 13:14

Assessment and management of outrigger loading
Document, TWf2022:002; Published, September 2022

Outriggers (or stabilisers) maintain the stability of many types of construction plant such as mobile telescopic cranes, concrete pumps, lorry loaders and mobile elevating working platforms (MEWPs) during setup and when in use. The outrigger (or stabiliser) foot typically applies a vertical load to the ground, often via a spreader mat (commonly known as an outrigger mat) to reduce the bearing pressure. The management of outrigger loading is a specific part of the wider management of this type of construction plant operation. It is a potentially complex area of temporary works, which must consider the interface between the outrigger, outrigger mat and the underlying ground. It can require coordination between several different designers, construction personnel and plant/equipment suppliers, often remotely from one another and frequently at short notice.

This guidance sets out best practice for the assessment and management of outrigger loading. It aims to align with (and signpost to) existing good guidance on the wider management of construction plant operations and temporary works. It seeks only to complement existing guidance and good practice relating to the calculation of maximum outrigger load and minimum required bearing area.

The primary aim of the guidance is to provide clarity regarding the selection of a suitable outrigger mat or mat arrangement with sufficient capacity to spread the maximum outrigger load to the minimum required bearing area. Assessment of the capacity of outrigger mats or mat arrangements has been identified as an area of particular weakness in existing guidance. Specifically, the Temporary Works Forum (TWf) highlighted concerns regarding the stated capacity of some outrigger mats/systems in a safety bulletin [1.]. This guide makes specific recommendations with the aim of addressing these concerns, and more general recommendations regarding the assessment of outrigger mats in all materials.


[1] TWf Safety Bulletin – Plastic Outrigger Mats/Systems (Ref: TW21.144), https://www.twforum.org.uk/viewdocument/twfsafety-bulletin-plastic-outrig (Issued 20th December 2021)


#assessment
#manage
#outrigger
#loading
#TWf2022.02

Statistics
0 Favorited
356 Views
1 Files
0 Shares
310 Downloads
Attachment(s)
pdf file
TWf2022.02   591 KB   1 version
Uploaded - 05-04-2023
Assessment and management of outrigger loading (TWf2022.02, September 2022)

Related Entries and Links

No Related Resource entered.