METHOD STATEMENT PROJECT: IRT PHASE 2A

Brickwork manhole and in-situ cast C / N. 305Q/2020/21

manhole top slab MS No. 049

1. TASK DESCRIPTION
Brickwork manhole and in-situ cast manhole top slab

2. PRE-START ACTIVITIES
 Samples of the blocks/bricks and the mortar mix design will be submitted to the Engineer for approval.
 Cement will be stored on pallets in a clean, dry store container
 Bricks will be stacked on pallets and stored in the laydown area close to the work. Laydown area to be authorised by
Ste Agent.
 Ladder used for access into manhole.
 Identify a dumping stockpile area to be used to stockpile waste, off-cuts, etc. until it can be carted away.
 Toolbox Talk involving all involved in the activities
3. RESOURCES

3.1 Plant & equipment:

 Surveying equipment/laser level.
 TLB Hand tools (Wire cutter, Pliers, four-pound hammers, Spade, picks, Wire Strainer, Measuring tape, spirit level
etc).
 Concrete mixing bucket (If required).
 Concrete truck (If required).
 Wheelbarrow.
 Compactor.
 Trowel.
 Wooden straight edge.

3.2 Labour:
 Foreman – responsible for overseeing the operation, ensuring productivity, and ensuring the safety of all.
 Surveyor – provide setting out, check position of fencing.
 Labourers.
 Brick Layer
 Brick Layer Assistant

3.3 Materials:
 Cement – stored in dry storage container
 Sand – bulk
 Bricks – approved by the Engineer
 Bricks reinforcement (2.8mm minimum diameter longitudinal wire)
 Ready mix concrete or hand mix concrete 20/20 for base.
 Sand.
 19 mm stone.
 Cem II/B-M (L-S) 42.5 N.
 20/20 concrete

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4. SEQUENCE OF ACTIVITIES
PREPARATION
 Before commencing, the area will be cleared of debris, loose material and litter.
 The FFL and critical levels will be confirmed and verified by the Site Agent before handing over to the bricklayer.
 The bricks and the mortar mix design will be as approved and available at the site.
 The masonry units will be carefully unloaded and handled to prevent chipping and breakage.
 Mortar will be batched by volume and mixed on site using a coffee pot concrete mixer and to the proportions
approved by the Engineer or delivered by ready-mix supplier.

GENERAL
 Boundary pegs will be check by the site surveyor. Pegs will be protected for future use or any further setting out.
 Offset pegs and profiles will be set out at 1.0 m offset.
 Setting out is checked independently by the Site Agent or Foreman to ensure correctness of position, line, and level.
 Corner pegs are driven and checked for squareness in relation to each other.
 Bricks are moved into the work area and placed within reach for each work team.
 Mortar is mixed on site using a coffee pot mixer and to the mix proportions approved by the Engineer.
 The existing brick walls will be broken up by using breakers, loaded into trucks and carted away.
 Masonry walls to be constructed using mortar Class II to SANS 10164-1(1 part cement: 1 part lime: 6 parts sand)

NFX LAYING
 Foundation NFX bricks are placed in the foundation courses and brick force installed to the detail contained in the
national building regulation and building standard.
 All masonry work in foundation and surface beds shall be in accordance with the relevant requirement of SANS
2001 -CC1 or SANS 2001- CC2 and SANS 2001-CM1.
 In accordance with SANS 2001-CM2 the concrete design for unreinforced base will class 20/20.
 Concrete mix ratio mixed by hand (1-part CEM II/B-M (L-S) 42.5: 3-part Sand: 3.5-part 19mm stone) as per
recommended PPC Cement Surebuild mix design.
 The dimension of the concrete footing will be 1.460m x 1.260m unreinforced.
 Lab test will be done on all concrete work.
 Brickwork will be laid according to the stretcher bond specified in the requirement of Nation building regulation and
building standard or as per site information.
 Following setting, exposed surfaces will be brushed free of mortar. Bricks will be laid with an average vert &
horizontal joint thickness of 10 mm.
 The bricks from the previous day’s work will be wetted down before starting each new shift.
 Bricks that are moved or laid after the mortar has stiffened will be removed and re-laid with fresh mortar.
 The work will be done course by course
 When pipes or conduits occur at least one web of the hollow masonry units will be retained.
 Back fill manhole
FORMWORK
 Mark the area where the top slab manhole cover and frame will be casted.
 Excavate the area to the required depth and size.
 Ensure the base is level and compacted

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  Install framework.
 Install cover and frame.
 Corrugated iron sheet will be installed to cover the opening between cover and frame and brickwork.
 Level pegs will be checked by the engineer.
 Corner pegs are driven and checked for squareness in relation to each other.
 Setting out is checked independently by the Site Agent or Foreman to ensure correctness of position, line, and level
of the cover and frame.
MIXING AND POURING OF CONCRETE
 Prepare the concrete mix 20/20
 Pour the concrete into the formwork, ensuring it’s evenly spread and compacted.
 Use a vibrating poker to ensure there are no air pocket or voids in the concrete
 Ensure the concrete is level and smooth using a trowel
CURING OF THR CONCRETE
 Concrete will be sprayed with an approved curing compound.
 Allow the concrete to cure for the required time as per the specifications 28 days
 The top slab manhole formwork will be strip after two days.
 Monitor the curing process and keep the area moist to prevent cracking
GENERAL
 Waste and rubbish to be cleaned up at the end of each day.
 Small batches of mortar will be mixed to suit the rate of construction and an allowance of 20 minutes for initial
setting applied.
 DPC will be bedded in fresh mortar.
 For face brick – bricks will be selected from different pallets minimise colour bonding.
 All mortar joints will be filled solidly to minimise water penetration.
 Mortar dropping from cavities will be cleaned regularly.
 Brick ties will be position inclining downwards to the outer skin. At the end of each working day clean the toe boards
closest to the wall and turn the boards back to prevent rainfall from splashing mortar and dirt onto the brickwork.
5. QUALITY CONTROL

 Quality Control to be actioned according to Quality Control Plan;

 Supervision over the works

6. HEALTH, SAFETY & ENVIRONMENTAL

6.1 Risks & H&S requirements
 H&S document: Risk Assessment
 Ensure workers use the required PPE such as hard hat, footwear, goggles, gloves, reflective vest.
 Fall protection plan must be reviewed, agreed and signed off by the H&S Officer AND the Site Agent before starting.
6.2 Toolbox Talk/Safe Work Procedure
 A Safe Work Procedure (SWP) may be developed for hazardous/unusual situations
 Workers are required to understand the SWP which will be communicated via Toolbox Talks or, for
hazardous/unusual situations, via SWP
 Ensure all understand the process for gaining access to the workface and that the ladders and access scaffolds have
been checked and approved as safe for use.
6.3 Environmental Monitoring

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  Spill or cement wash water – monitor readymix trucks and ensure they do not wash off on the site (unless a dedicated
wash area with closed sump is constructed;
 Dust control – monitor dust nuisance caused by this operation and wet down haul roads, accessways, stockpiles and
fills as necessary;
 Spills – ensure form oil is handled carefully and closed and put away when no required;

APPROVAL

Prepared by: Cameron May Approved by: Adie Theron Date: 14 March 2023
*Checker and Approver cannot be the same person. Checker to be either CM, H&S Officer or GF

Method statement record

I acknowledge I have received clear and detailed instructions of the requirements (including health & safety hazards and
requirements) for the completion of this task:

Name Company Signature Date

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