A Client’s Temporary Work Coordinator has a responsibility to establish whether back propping is required when using Access Platform Decking Systems. The self-weight of the system rarely requires back propping, but it may be required if the system is being loaded out at first floor level.

FASET Members can provide data on the loads imposed by the unloaded Access Platform Decking system to enable a competent Temporary Works Engineer to establish whether back propping is required (both due to the self-weight of the system and the loads the Client is proposing to impose upon it).

Access and loading of an Access Platform Decking system needs to be controlled by the Client to ensure the maximum loads established by the Temporary Works Engineer are not exceeded.

Temporary Works Designers detailing Back Propping need to ensure that access to the upper floor and Access Hatches are not being restricted by the placement of the prop as can be seen in Figure 2.