Steel Erection Safety for Ironworkers

15 feet, 30 feet, and who it applies to

Connectors between 15 and 30 feet

At heights over 15 and up to 30 feet, a connector must be provided with a personal fall arrest, positioning device or fall restraint system and wear the equipment needed to be able to tie off, or be provided other fall protection.

Perimeter cables

On multi-story structures, perimeter safety cables are installed at the final interior and exterior floor perimeters as soon as the metal decking is installed.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.760(a)(1) · 29 CFR 1926.760(a)(3) · 29 CFR 1926.760(b)(1) · 29 CFR 1926.760(b)(2) · 29 CFR 1926.760(b)(3) · 29 CFR 1926.760(a)(2)

Controlled decking zones (CDZ)

A CDZ may be set up over 15 and up to 30 feet above a lower level, where metal decking is first being installed and forms the leading edge.

• Workers at the leading edge in a CDZ must be protected from falls of more than two stories or 30 feet, whichever is less.
• Only employees doing leading edge work may enter.
• Boundaries are designated and clearly marked with control lines or the equivalent, no more than 90 feet wide and 90 feet deep from any leading edge.
• Each employee working in the CDZ must have completed CDZ training.
• Unsecured decking in a CDZ must not exceed 3,000 square feet.
• Safety deck attachments go from the leading edge back to the control line, with at least two attachments per panel.
• Final deck attachments and shear connector installation are not done in the CDZ.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.760(c) · 29 CFR 1926.760(c)(1) · 29 CFR 1926.760(c)(2) · 29 CFR 1926.760(c)(3) · 29 CFR 1926.760(c)(4) · 29 CFR 1926.760(c)(5) · 29 CFR 1926.760(c)(6) · 29 CFR 1926.760(c)(7)

Under the load

Routes for suspended loads must be pre-planned so that no employee is required to work directly below a suspended load, except:

• Employees doing the initial connection of the steel, or
• Employees needed to hook or unhook the load.

When someone must work under the load

• Materials being hoisted are rigged to prevent unintentional displacement.
• Hooks have self-closing safety latches or the equivalent.
• All loads are rigged by a qualified rigger.

Do not ride the headache ball, hook or load. It may not be used to transport personnel, except on a personnel platform meeting the crane rules. The crane operator has the authority to stop and refuse to handle loads whenever there is any doubt as to safety.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.753(d)(1) · 29 CFR 1926.753(d)(2) · 29 CFR 1926.753(c)(3) · 29 CFR 1926.753(c)(1)(iv) · 29 CFR 1926.753(c)(4)

Do not release the beam too soon

Structural stability must be maintained at all times during erection. For you as a connector, a key part of that is the bolts.

For cantilevered members, a competent person decides whether more than two bolts are needed. If they are, they must be installed.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.756(a)(1) · 29 CFR 1926.756(a)(2) · 29 CFR 1926.756(b) · 29 CFR 1926.754(a)

Holes, covers and loose items

Deck holes and covers

• Do not cut a hole in metal decking until immediately before it is permanently filled with the equipment or structure meant for it, or cover it immediately.
• Covers must support, without failure, twice the weight of the employees, equipment and materials that may be on them at any one time.
• Covers must be secured so wind, equipment or people cannot displace them.
• Covers must be painted with high-visibility paint or marked "HOLE" or "COVER".
• An installed skylight or smoke dome is not a cover unless it meets that strength requirement.

Decking

Outside a CDZ, lay metal decking tightly and secure it immediately on placement. At the end of the shift, or when conditions require, secure decking against displacement.

Falling objects

All materials, equipment and tools not in use while aloft must be secured against accidental displacement. The controlling contractor must bar other work below steel erection unless overhead protection is provided for the employees below.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.754(e)(2)(iii) · 29 CFR 1926.754(e)(3)(i) · 29 CFR 1926.754(e)(3)(ii) · 29 CFR 1926.754(e)(3)(iii) · 29 CFR 1926.754(e)(3)(iv) · 29 CFR 1926.754(e)(5)(i) · 29 CFR 1926.754(e)(1)(v) · 29 CFR 1926.759(a) · 29 CFR 1926.759(b)