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Health, Safety & Environmental Bulletin No 112

K Parmentier – 23 October 2008

False Ceiling Collapse

Please see below self explanatory Global Alliance Alert

False ceiling collapse – Lesson’s
Learnt

From: Martin Rackley Global Alliance HSSE
Manager

Ref. No E/08 Date: 29.9.08

The adjacent photo was taken on one of our sites.
It shows a section of false ceiling which collapsed.
Fortunately nobody was underneath at the time.
It was caused when the CCTV contractor was
pulling through cables to connect to monitors in
the manager’s office. The cable got snagged on
the aluminium support frame which gave way
after a few “tugs”.

Beware:

• Cables can often snag on other equipment and structures within false ceilings.
• Prior to pulling through cables, always make a visual check that there are no obstructions
beforehand. In this case the removal of a few ceiling tiles from some podium steps would have
been quick and easy.

• Maintain a visual check at all times when pulling cables through ceilings. If you need additional
people, speak with our Principal Contractor Site Managers who can assign one of their team if
required.

• Maintaining a visual check will also prevent others from walking underneath.

• If problems arise STOP WORK. Try to locate the obstruction at source. If in doubt speak with the
Site Manager and your supervisor.