METHOD STATEMENT & RISK ASSESSMENT

BLOCK WALL WITH CONCRETE LINTEL

& COLUMNS

Project Name:
TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. GENERAL

2. REFERENCE DOCUMENTS

3. RESOURCES

4. PROJECT EXECUTION OF THE CONCRETE MASONRY WALLS

5. NIGHT WORKS

6. STORING AND PROTECTION OF MATERIALS

7. CLOSING OUT

8. QUALITY ISSUES

9. HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT PLAN

 1. GENERAL

The purpose of this Work Method Statement is to define the methods a

steps to be carried out for the construction of Concrete Masonry Units walls
and partitions of Main Site and Substation Area. This method is to be applied
by the main contractor and its Subcontractors for the recent Project.

This Work Method Statement will describe the successive steps and the
technical details set forth for the preparation and laying of the concrete
masonry units, the preparation and installation of the reinforcement needed,
the concreting of lintel beams, the vertical and horizontal stiffeners and the
inspections to be carried out during and after the execution of the works.

1.1 Scope of Works

Setting
out of wall
Placemen
t of
reinforce
ment
Laying of concrete masonry units
Concrete lintel beams, vertical and horizontal stiffeners

2. REFERENCE DOCUMENTS

2.1 Specification Document

2.2 Work Method Statement
2.3 HSE Procedure
2.4 Drawings

3. RESOURCES
3.1 Human resource man power
The human resources deployed for the execution of the task in
Main Site and Substation Area are detailed as follows (Typical
Team):
Resources for the
general attendance
 Site Engineer - 1
General
Foreman - 1
Surveyor
(when
required) - 1
Crane Operator (when required) 1
Forklift Operator
(when required) - 1
Mason Foreman - 1
Masons- 5
Helpers - 5
Steel Fixers / Scaffolds - 2

3.2 Materials

Concrete Masonry Units (Hollow and Solid blocks) shall comply

with approved as per specification.
Steel reinforcement shall comply with approved as per specification
Mortar Grout for anchor shall comply with approved as per specification
Portland cement shall comply with approved as per specification
Washed Sand shall comply with approved as per specification
Potable water shall comply with approved as per specification
Fixing nails for accessories shall comply with approved as per
specification
Filler board shall comply with approved as per specification

3.3 Equipment

The following minimum equipment shall be used for the walls

concreting works scaffoldings as required

Truck mounted crane as required
Tower crane if required
Cement mortar mixing pan as required
Concrete/Cement mortar mixer as required
Concrete transit mixers if required
Forklift as required
Steel Basket or Metal Cage as required
Hand tools (hammer, trowel, plumb bulb, cutting machine, water level bar
and hose, etc.)
4. PROJECT EXECUTION OF THE CONCRETE MASONRY WALLS

The building wall should be located with reference to the dimensioned setting
out drawings, which may be on a grid system and building lines.

The height of masonry walls and partitions shall be as per the approved
shop drawings. All movement joints and control joints shall be established
and will be based in the approved shop drawing before the work proceeds.

4.1 Delivery of materials on site

All materials will be delivered on site by truck/trailer and unloaded

by using the crane mounted truck or a forklift. The materials will be
placed close to each working location and shall be stored
horizontally and clean. Pallets of blocks will be protected and
handle safe in order not to damage the edges and to prevent
breakage.
Reinforcement strip mesh, boarding ties etc. shall be stored in the
dry place/store room.
Mortar grout for anchor delivered at site in original unopened
container or bundles with labels indicating manufacturer, product
name and designation, color, expiration date, pot life, airing time
and mixing instruction for multi component materials. Also, must
stall strictly in accordance to manufacturer written instruction.
4.2 Lifting operation

Lifting plan of the palette and reinforcement bars shall be carried

out as per the HSE Lifting operation management plan.
The weight of the load shall be considered prior to the lift;
competent rigger will choose the appropriate sling base on the
weight of the loads and attach the lifting shackles to the lifting
points.
To secure the balance of the load, lift the load 30cm above the
raft/truck and proceed lifting of load with guidance of the rigger
until it is placed to points of location.
The load shall be kept secured on transport truck till all rigging gear
is properly fixed to the load as per lifting plan. Then competent
rigger has to make sure to release the load right before or after
lifting.
The concrete masonry units are commonly packed on wooden
pallet and transferred to the working area using the pallet truck,
forklift or truck mounted crane. In other elevated area (if
required}, place the masonry to metal basket and hoist using
tower/mobile crane.

Packing of Masonry

Unit
Lifting block bv the
Truck Mounted
Crane
When the forklift is used, ensure that the pallet is properly hooked and balanced before the lift,
secure the balanced of the load and must be guided with the competent banks man. Areas shall
be barricaded and equipped with safety precaution for the workers awareness. All equipment
operation shall be carried out as per manufacturer instruction

Loading tunloading ttransferring block by Forklift

 Transferring
block by Pallet
truck

Strictly precautions should be taken to ensure that stacks of material

on floor slabs do not overload the structure. This is particularly
important where masonry units delivered in packs are hoisted direct to
areas where they are to be used.

4.3 Laying of Concrete Masonry Units

Concrete masonry walls / partitions are constructed with

200x200x400mm and 200x100x400mm blocks. All blocks are to be
adequately wetted with water before they are laid and the top layer
of walls left off from the previous day's work are to be similarly
wetted before the succeeding layer commence.
Ensure that the materials such as blocks, mortar, grout and
reinforcement are sufficient and prepared in the work location
before to proceed.

Installation of stiffener columns and bond beams

The location and the reinforcement of the stiffeners columns and bond
beams shall be in accordance with the approved shop drawings.
The delivery of the reinforcement bars will be as per site
requirements. They will be hoisted directly to the working area.
Wooden beams shall be placed to support the bars and to provide
a gap from the floor.
To install the stiffener column's starter bars on the floor slab, drill holes
 and place the starter bars with approved mortar grout materials, the
whole depth shall be in accordance with grouting manufacturers
recommendations

DOWELING OFSTARTER REBAR

Once the starter bars of a stiffener column have been doweled to the floor slab, splice
the vertical reinforcement w h tie wires at minimum of 40 bar diameter or as indicated
as per approved shop drawings.
The stiffener columns will be poured in 2 times. The first pour will be up to 2 meters high.
The second pour will be up to the top of the wall or up to 4 meters high, whichever is the
highest. Please note that there will be a 20mm gap between the top of the stiffener column
and the slab soffit. This gap will be filled w h the fire proofing complex.
Prior to pouring, ensure that the steel reinforcement is clean, free of loose flaky crust,
oil or other coatings that will destroy and reduce the bond. The pouring of the stiffeners
columns will be done once the surrounding blocks partitions are higher than the height
of pouring. The 2 faces of the wooden shutters shall be closed and the pouring of
concrete will be done using the plastic pail and compacted by wooden rod. Concrete
shaII be as per the approved mix design
For the bond beam, the reinforcement shall be installed as per approved shop
drawings directly on the top of the blocks. The 2 faces of the wooden shutters shall
be closed and the pouring of concrete will be done using the plastic pail and
compacted by wooden rod. Concrete shall be as per the approved mix design

Setting Out of the block Wall

The surveyor will establish the layout of the wall /partition location.
The maximum permitted/acceptable deviation shall be in
accordance with the Project specification:

a. Position in plan of any point in relation to the specified

building reference line and/or point at the same level:15 mm
b. Straightness in any 15m length: 15 mm
c. Verticality up to 2m in height: 15 mm
d. Level of bed joints up to 3m (block masonry):15 mm

Lay out walls in advance for accurate spacing of surface bond patterns
with uniform joint thickness and for accurate location of openings,
movement-type joints, returns and offsets, all shall be carried out as per
the approved shop drawings.
Laying of blocks

The blocks shall be wetted with water before laying.

Prior to laying of first layer, ensure the location of the stiffener
columns are marked as per the approved design
coordinates/shop drawing on the floor slab, existing finishes
flooring shall be chipped off and scrabbled to expose tough
concrete surface, the full mortar bed is laid, then start the first
layer with solid blocks.
Place the blocks layer by layer with mortar in all joints. The
layer shall not leave any part more than 800mm lower than
another. Jointing shall be consistent in thickness and in
accordance with the approved shop drawings. Each block shall
be adjusted to its final position while the mortar is still plastic.
Any block which is moved after mortar has hardened shall be
removed and re-laid with fresh mortar. Mortar joint thickness
shall be consistent as per approved shop drawings and project
specification. Ensure that the block is not damage, cut blocks
with proper cutting machine to provide clean and straight
edges as required to provide a continuous pattern and to fit
adjoining construction.
Place the horizontal joint reinforcement as the masonry
work progresses. Horizontal reinforcement shall beset in a
full bed of mortar at every three {3) layers and ensure that
the joint reinforcement is not closer than 20mm in the face
of the wall. The lapping of joint reinforcement shall be
carried out as per the approved shop drawing.
Ensure all perpends, quoins and joints are kept true and
square, other angles and faces are plumbed. One leaf of a
wall is not to be built more than 1500mm high in one day.
For the wall where the opening is located or left at different
levels, blocks shall be cascaded.

CASCADED

WALLOPENING
 Clean the surface of masonry wall as the work progresses by
dry brushing to remove mortar fins and smears.
During laying of block, mortar joints shaII be observed as follows:

a. All mortar joints to be of a consistent thickness.

b. Tooling of joints to be carried out while the mortar is workable.
c. Excess mortar from the joints to be removed as work progresses.
d. No washing or scrubbing of the finished face with
proprietary cleaners or acids is allowed. To avoid
staining of the surface, use brush and water only.

When a new masonry wall is to be installed on existing

finished f floors, the existing finished material shall be chipped
off and scab bled to expose rough concrete surface.
Walls which are to be filled solid shall be built up in lifts
not exceeding 1.2m and shall be filled after a minimum
period of 24 hours to allow the mortar to harden.
 The cavities of the hollow block walls are to be filled solid
in the following situations
a. Jambs of all openings
b. Ends, angles and junctions of walls and partitions
c. At sills

4.4 Curing

Keep walls wet with dampened hessian or water spray for three days
after building.

4.5 Movement joints and control joints

Movement joints should be formed as the work proceeds, install

blocks in full size on each end and half block as shown on alternate
course.

4.6 Construction of concrete lintels

Wall with openings shall be constructed w h concrete

lintel to support the load to the finish level. The concrete
lintel bearing on each side of the opening will be carried
out as per the approved shop drawings.
All openings are to be square, vertical and formed with
the uncut faces of the blocks. The cavities of the hollow
blocks forming the jambs of the opening are to be filled
solid.
After the blocks reach to the top level of the opening,
install the bottom panel formwork of the lintel with proper
support, fix the steel reinforcement, close the two faces
of the lintel beams and start the pouring of concrete
using the plastic pail and compacted by wooden rod.
Concrete shall be as per the approved mix design.
The formworks shall be removed after the concrete has
achieved sufficient strength. Bottom of lintel should be
properly propped and allow sufficient time to develop
adequate strength. De-propped the beams after the whole
lift is completed and the grouts of each cavity is properly
cured for a minimum of 72 hours.
Precast concrete lintel shall be used if required, ensure
the dimension and adequate curing of precast concrete
prior to installation. The fabrication shall be carried out
with approved mix and will in place at the area advise by
engineer. Provide proper scaffold during installation and
the area must equipped with safety precaution and
 barricade prior to lifting. Install the lintel manually with
Safety procedures as required.

4.7 Fixing and other embedded items

4.7.1 To eliminate unnecessary cutting away and making

good, sleeves and chases shall be installed in
correct positions and should be provided during the
erection of the masonry. If cutting of chases is
required, use the suitable power tools to finish the
work.
4.7.2 Where built-in items are to be embedded in
cores of hollow masonry units such as fixing
blocks, anchors, accessories, wall ties etc., place
a layer of metal lath in the joint below and filled
solid with mortar.
4.7.3 The installation of other services should be
completed before plastering or other finishing work.

4.8 Intersection and connection of masonry walls to

the structural elements Intersection and corner of

masonry walls

Concrete Hollow Blocks walls

4.8.1 Walls and partitions shall be fully bonded

together by keying at corners and
intersections unless movement joints are
located.
4.8.2 Lay the blocks simultaneously to produce keyed
joints, provide horizontal reinforcement and fill the
cavities of the hollow blocks which are keyed;
ensure the verticality of the wall as the work
progresses.

4.9 Cavity walls

Cavity walls are made up of two walls separated by a

minimum space of 50mm and bonded together with
steel or approved other cavity wall ties. Please note
that when the two walls are located on each side of
an expansion joint, they are not considered as
 forming a cavity wall.
Both lift of cavity walls shall be raised at the same time wlh two
leaves difference in height of the other lift from another to secure
the installation of vertical I wall ties interval. Horizontal wall ties
spacing shall be carried out as per the Table 5.2 of QCS 2010
Section 13, Part 5 as shown below or as indicated on the approved
drawings

Cavity Width Maximum Horizontal Maximum Vertical

(mm ) Spacing Spacing
(mm) (mm)

50 - 75 1,000 40
75 - 100 800 40

100-150 500 40

Notes

a. The spacing of ties may be varied providing that the

number per unit area is maintained.
b. The Table is applicable to cavity walls constructed of two tt>ck work
skins.

Ensure and keep the air space between

walls are clear and clean of mortar and
other material as the work progresses.
Clearing operation should be carried out
carefully to avoid damage of the
constructed walls.

4.10 Repair or replacement of Concrete Masonry Units

Joints surrounding masonry units which are to

be removed and replaced are to be cut with a
cutting machine. Once the units are removed,
old mortar is to be carefully chiseled out, and
all dust and debris are to be swept out with a
brush. If the units are located in a cavity wall,
care should be exercised not to allow debris to
fall into the cavity.
The surface of the surrounding units is to be
dampened before the new units are placed. The
existing masonry should absorb all surface
 moisture prior to the installation of the new
replacement units. App mortar on contact
surfaces of the existing masonry and the new
replacement masonry units are to be buttered
with mortar. The replacement masonry units
should be in center of the opening and push into
position. Remove excess mortar on joints by
trowel and when the mortar becomes
"thumbprint hard", joints are to be tooled.

4.11Mortar

Mortar class and type of use

4.11.1 The mortar mixed shall be class M6 or M7 as

per QCS 2010 Section 13. The proportions
specified are the following:

Mortar class M6: Mortar class M7:

Mix: 1: (2.5 to 3.5) masonry cement: sand -
Compressive strength at 28 days = 6N/mm2
Mix: 1: (4 to 5) masonry cement: sand - Compressive
strength at 28 days= 7N/mm2

As per QSC 2010 section 13 Part 4 table 4.5, we should use:

4.11.2 The mortar class M6 or higher for the

internal and external non-load bearing walls
Moreover, as per QSC 2010 section 13 Part
5 5.11, we should use:

The mortar class M7 or higher whenever we need to fill hollow

block walls.

Mortar preparation

4.11.3 The mortar (class M6 and M7) shall be carefully

mixed as per QCS 2010 Section 13 Part 4 in the
site only as and when required by using electric
driven concrete mixer, no hand mixed mortar
shall be allowed.
 Cement and sand shall be mixed dry, water will be added
until the color and consistency are uniform.
The quantity of water to be added is defined
as follow: Mortar M6: between 3/4 to 5/4
Mortar M7: between 1.5 to 2.5

All mortar shall be conveyed fresh to the work stations

as required for use. Mortar that have stiffened shall be
retendered by adding water as frequency as needed
to restore the required consistency. However, no
mortar shall be used beyond 2.5 hours after mixing.
Plasticizing and set retarder admixture shall comply
wtth BS 4887, supplied with instruction for use and
shall be added to the mortar mix to extend its
workability and pot life.
Mortar testing

Testing of mortars shall be carried out in accordance

with BS 56528:Pa rt, BS 4551 and BS EN 1015 or to
equal standards acceptable to the Engineer.
Specimens: number of specimens (6 per 150m2) of
walling or per storey whichever is the more frequent.
The minimum frequency of testing shall be no less
than required y BS 5628:Part 1and BS EN 1052: Part
1.

4.12 Cleaning

4.12.1 Exposed masonry surfaces shall be cleaned on completion of the

leaf.
4.12.2 Immediately when masonry unit has set, brush
surfaces free of mortar or other foreign matter.
4.12.3 Protect adjoining materials during
cleaning operation. Final touch up and
cleaning

4.12.4 Masonry shall be made good around pipes, ducts,

cables, grouting neat and tightly sealing in either
mortar/fire proof material.
4.12.5 Exposed surface shall be cleaned and free from dust,
dirt, mortar smear or broken unit, chips, cracks,
discoloration or other defects or damage.
4.12.6 Protect adjoining materials during cleaning operation.
Cleaning agent shall be used instruct compliance with manufacturer recommendations
 5- STORING AND PROTECTION OF MATERIALS

Steel reinforcement bars shall be placed on top of wooden blocks.

Masonry units shall be stocked in a clean area
and be clear of the other construction material to
avoid damage.
In periods of hot weather (ambient temperature above 40C with a drying wind of over 13 km/hr)
keep concrete masonry units by storing them in a shaded area

6- CLOSING OUT

Not Applicable.

7- QUALITY ISSUES

The purpose of the quality control is to provide a guideline for

a proper operation framework such as that the following
targets will be attained:

To achieve consistently high quality standards of

workmanship in all aspects of the works.
All quality matters shall follow as per Project
Quality Plan (PQP) and ISO Standard
requirements to ensure the quality in construction.

Quality of works will be monitored by all site personnel and

surveillance inspection will be carried out by QA/QC
personnel in ensuring the compliance with QCS 2010.

The materials must be visually inspected to

ensure its compliance with the approved materials
submittal.
Inspection and Test Plan

8- HEALTH, SAFETY & ENVIRONMENT PLAN

i. Health and Safety

1. The execution of the Concrete Masonry

Walls works will be done accordingly to
the Project Health and Safety Plan.

ii. Health, Safety & Environmental Risk Inventory and

Assessment

1. The HSE Rl&A of this Method Statement is

given in Appendix. All control measures will
have to be implemented in order to prevent
any work injury or environmental damage.

iii. Environment

The execution of Concrete Masonry Walls will be done accordingly to the

Construction Environment Management Plan.
As assessed in the Environmental Impact
Assessment the main significant environmental
impacts are:
The disturbance of traffic due to the delivery of
material and equipment. In order to prevent or
mitigate such environmental nuisances:
All delivery operations will be planned during night time whenever
possible; Traffic management plan has been defined and will be
implemented; Traffic officers will be assigned at the entrances/exits of the
construction site