Investing in safer frames and trusses

The PlaceMakers detailing team is working hard to design frames and trusses that can be installed with less risk to builders – by providing smaller, lighter components wherever possible

Installing frames and trusses can be dangerous work. In 2019, WorkSafe reported three instances of life-changing injuries sustained while installing frames and trusses. In one of these, three workers attempted to raise a frame by hand, with no mechanical or other devices. Two of them could not support the weight, so they let go and the frame fell onto the third worker, who is now paralysed.

To reduce the level of potential danger to tradies on site, PlaceMakers detailers are shifting their approach to frame and truss design.

“We’re trying to minimise the construction of large frames,” says PlaceMakers National Technical Resource Manager Pete Hammond. “It can be easy to forget how heavy the frames actually are in real life when you’re designing them on a computer screen.”

When it comes to frames and trusses, Pete says large and heavy is a bit of an understatement.

“On many occasions, PlaceMakers produced frames that weighed upwards of 200kg – a dangerous weight – and trusses spanning up to 15m.“

Although sometimes that size can be unavoidable, Pete says that nine times out of 10, detailers will be able to break it into lighter components that weigh around 150kg or less instead.

The sweet spot

With this in mind, Pete wants PlaceMakers detailers to find a sweet spot.

“We’re asking our detailers to make different drafting decisions to reduce the size of frames and trusses. We know we won’t be able to completely eradicate massive components, but we want to change the mindset, so that we’re only producing them when there’s no other choice.

“You don’t want to send heaps of bits to a site, but you don’t want pieces so large that they become a danger.”

To make sure detailers are constantly thinking about ways they can make frames more manageable, Pete has instigated a national, coordinated communication network.

“We have nine plants, each with a team of detailers. Historically, those detailers worked in silo but now we have a communications platform channel, where they can interact directly, sharing knowledge and information, as well as monthly newsletters with updates and advice.” 

Building safety into software

Pete is also looking into design software that makes detailers’ jobs easier.

“We’re looking to adopt the next generation of design software, which generates a frame’s weight as it’s being drafted, so the designer gets an instant view of it during the design phase.” 

With all those changes in the work, Pete knows PlaceMakers can help cut down on accidents on sites across New Zealand.

“We’re confident that if we can stop builders straining to drag large frames and trusses around, we can prevent some long-term health effects and we should stop those extreme injuries as well.

PlaceMakers produces frames and trusses at nine locations across New Zealand