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Ergonomics in Construction >>

Erection and Construction

Every year many workers lose their lives or are seriously injured when they fall or are crushed or struck because the structure they are erecting shifts or collapses. The following SOs address these hazards:

A. Truss and beam requirements

  1. Trusses and beams must be braced laterally and progressively during construction to prevent buckling or overturning. The first member shall be plumbed, connected, braced, or guyed against shifting before succeeding members are erected and secured to it. 1709(b)
  2. An erection plan and procedure must be provided for trusses and beams more than 25 ft. long. The plan must be prepared by an engineer (Ca PE), and it must be followed and kept available on the job site for inspection by Cal/OSHA staff. 1709(d)

B. Structural steel erection 1710

  1. A load shall not be released from its hoisting line until the solid web structural members are secured at each connection with at least two bolts (of the same size/strength as indicated in the erection drawings), drawn wrench tight. 1710(g)(1)
  2. Steel joists or steel joist girder shall not be placed on any support structure until the structure is stabilized. 1710(h)1.(e)
  3. When steel joist(s) are landed on a structure, they shall be secured to prevent displacement. 1710(h)1.(F)
  4. Floors must be planked at every other story or 30 feet, whichever is less. 1635(b)(3), 1710 (l)(7)
  5. A floor must be installed within two floors below any tier of beams on which erection, riveting, bolting, welding, or painting is being done; otherwise, fall protection is required. 1635(b)(2)

    6. April 2007 Update

    Temporary Floors

    Section 1635, Erection and Construction (Steel Erection): Temporary removal of floor planks now includes metal decking. Prior to removal of planking or metal decking, all employees must be instructed in the proper sequence and safety. The working area must be in the exclusive control of steel erection personnel and openings must be covered, barricaded, and marked, as required by Section 1632 (page 94) and have not less than 12” of bearing on the surrounding structure. Covers must be checked by a qualified person prior to each shift and following strong winds. Covers shall never be removed by walking forward where the walking surface cannot be seen.

    http://www.dir.ca.gov/Title8/1635.html

  6. Fall protection is required when workers are connecting beams where the fall distance is greater than two stories or 30 ft., whichever is less. 1710(m)(1)

    Note: At heights over 15 feet and up to 30 feet, workers performing connecting must wear personal fall protection that gives them the ability to tie off.

  7. During work other than connecting operations, fall protection is required where the fall distance is greater than 15 ft. 1710(m)(2)
  8. Before any steel erection begins, the controlling contractor must provide the steel erector written notifications related to concrete strength and anchor bolt repair/replacement. 1710(c)
  9. All columns must be anchored by a minimum of 4 anchor bolts. 1710(f)(1)(A)

    April 2007 Update

    Erection and Construction

    Section 1710, Structural Steel Erection: Paragraph (f)(1)(A) provides an exception to the 4 anchor bolt requirement if the columns are braced or guyed to resist eccentric loads meeting the minimum requirements of paragraph (f)(1)(B).

    http://www.dir.ca.gov/Title8/1710.html

    Note: Persons engaged in steel erection should review and be knowledgeable of all the requirements contained in section. 1710

C. Wood/light gauge steel, residential and light commercial frame construction

  1. Joists, beams, or girders of floors below the floor or level where work is being done, or about to be done, must be covered with flooring laid close together. 1635(a)(1)
  2. Employees shall not work from or walk on structural members until they are securely braced and supported. 1716.2(d)
  3. Before manually raising framed walls that are 15 ft. or more in height, temporary restraints, such as cleats on the foundation or floor system or straps on the wall bottom plate must be installed to prevent inadvertent horizontal sliding or uplift of the framed wall bottom plate. Anchor bolts alone shall not be used for blocking or bracing when raising framed walls 15 feet or more in height. 1716.2(c)
  4. When Installing windows, wall openings shall be guarded as required by 1632, however the guardrail may be removed for actual window installation if necessary. 1716.2(h)
  5. Scaffolds used as an edge protection platform must be fully planked, not more than 2 feet below the top plate, and located no more than 16 inches from the structure. 1716.2(i)(3)
  6. Employees exposed to fall hazards must be trained to recognize and minimize the fall hazard. 1716.2(j)
  7. Employees performing framing activities who are exposed to fall heights of 15 feet or greater must be protected by guardrails, personal fall protection systems or other effective means. 1716.2(e)