CASE STUDY. GRAYSTON DRIVE PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE COLLAPSE

In October 2015 a pedestrian bridge off Grayston drive collapsed, killing two and injuring 23 people. The bridge under construction was intended as a pedestrian and cyclist bridge crossing over the M1 between Alexandra and Sandton, Johannesburg for a safer and quicker route for approximately 10 000 people. Murray and Roberts (M&R) were the contractors appointed to construct and oversee the bridge construction. Murray and Roberts witnesses indicated that the collapse was a result of strong winds on that day; and they also claimed that the form-scaff design was inadequate. A Murray and Roberts spokesperson indicated that the form-scaff had not provided documentation with the sequence since the construction was standard practice; and that that Murray and Roberts was concerned that the design and drawings might not have been effectively communicated.

1.2 Using a permit to work procedure results from the recognition of high-risk tasks to be conducted. Discuss how Murray and Roberts could have used a permit-to-work procedure. (20)