Housebuilders and building contractors are set to benefit from simple
new visual guidance designed to help them comply with health and safety
regulations when working with trussed rafters on site.

The ‘Trussed Rafters
On Site’ one-page
checklist has been produced by the Trussed Rafter Association (TRA) to illustrate the 10 fundamental steps
for site safety when working with trusses. These 10 steps form the basis for a
construction phase plan as required by the Construction Design and Management Regulations (CDM) 2015.

The visual guide can also be used as part of site inductions and
reminders for trained workers who might not always have easy access to the
TRA’s longer technical guidance. It covers all the basic dos and don’ts of
planning, mechanical lifting, storage, checking drawings, fixing, bracing and
supporting loads.

Trussed rafters
are an increasingly popular roofing component used by builders to improve the
speed and quality of new home construction. As an easily accessible product
that fits well with the industry’s move towards more modern methods of
construction (MMC), they also help improve safety and reduce on-site labour
costs.

Nick Boulton, TRA chief executive, said:

“Trussed
rafters are a simple but effective way of building a roof. This new infographic
is designed to provide information in a clear and visual way and has two main purposes. The first is
educational – ensuring site staff know how to safely work with trusses. The
second is to provide a clear and concise checklist which can be used to develop
a CDM-compliant construction phase plan.

“We want to make life on site as safe as possible
and that is why there is also more detailed information about each step on our
website. As it says in this new guide, ‘if in doubt please ask’. The TRA is
here to provide help and guidance when it comes to working with trusses and I
hope our members, contractors and housebuilders find this infographic a useful
tool.�

The Trussed Rafters On Site guide is available to
download from the TRA website.

The TRA offers
advice and guidance on technical issues, training and health and safety. It
collaborates with key organisations in the housebuilding industry to raise
standards and to advise housebuilders on trussed rafters and related products.