Introduction

• Pages: 1-2

Introduction

The practical recommendations of this Code of Practice are

intended for the use of all those, both in the public and in the

private sectors, who have responsibility for safety and health in

the building, civil engineering and public works industries. The

Code is not intended to replace national laws or regulations or

accepted standards. It has been drawn up with the object of

providing guidance to those who may be engaged in the framing

of provisions of this kind and, in particular, governmental or other

public authorities, committees in civil engineering or public works

establishments, and safety committees or management in related

enterprises.

Local circumstances and technical possibilities will determine

how far it is practicable to follow its provisions. Furthermore,

these provisions should be read in the context of conditions in the

country proposing to use this information. In this regard, the

needs of the developing countries have also been taken into

consideration.

Building and civil engineering is an extremely comprehensive sub-

ject and it maybe divided into four main parts: work above ground,

work in open excavations, underground work and underwater work.

These parts can be subdivided in their turn. For instance, work

above ground can be divided into building construction, public

works construction and demolition. Detailed regulations have

been drawn up under all these headings and in many different

countries, and it is, therefore, not surprising that the present

document is voluminous.

Many of the provisions are common to all industries (for

instance, some of those concerning lifting appliances and gear,

machines, vehicles, welding, painting and handling materials)

but they have been included in the Code of Practice because it -

was felt that it should be as complete as practicable. The main

exception is maintenance and repair shops, which may be assimi-

lated to factories and thus come within the scope of the Model

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