Scope of Steel Erection
Activities Covered
- Hoisting, laying out, and connecting structural steel members
- Installation of metal decking
- Erection of metal buildings
- Column anchorage and foundation preparation
- Beam and column placement
- Joist and purlin installation
- Stairway installation
- Roof decking operations
- Curtain wall installation
Key Participants
- Controlling Contractor: Responsible for site conditions
- Steel Erector: Performs steel erection activities
- Project Structural Engineer of Record: Ensures structural stability
- Qualified Person: Plans and directs steel erection activities
- Competent Person: Identifies and corrects hazards
- Connectors: Workers who connect structural members
- Riggers: Workers who handle rigging for hoisting operations
- Signal Person: Directs crane movements
Site Preparation and Foundation Requirements
Site Layout and Preparation
- Adequate access roads for equipment
- Level and properly compacted laydown areas
- Overhead power line identification and protection
- Designated crane operating areas
- Secured perimeter to prevent unauthorized entry
- Written notification that concrete has cured to 75% of strength
- Survey and marking of underground utilities
- Drainage control to prevent water accumulation
Anchor Bolt and Foundation Requirements
- Minimum of 4 anchor bolts per column
- Repair, replacement, or field modification of anchor bolts approved by structural engineer
- Adequate concrete strength before erection begins
- Column base plates properly grouted
- Proper tensioning of anchor bolts
- Documentation of any modifications
- Pre-installation inspection by competent person
- Proper leveling of base plates
Plumbing-Up and Stability
- Maintain stability during all phases of erection
- Install adequate bracing specified by structural engineer
- Do not remove guy wires or temporary bracing until structure is stable
- Connections complete before releasing hoisting cables
- Multi-story structures adequately braced at each level
- Plumbing-up equipment installed before final connections
- Written notification that frame is stable before decking
- Follow specified sequence of connections
Fall Protection Requirements
General Fall Protection
- Fall protection required at heights of 15 feet or more
- Guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems
- Fall protection plan if conventional systems create greater hazard
- 100% tie-off when exposed to falls
- Inspection of all fall protection equipment daily
- Anchorage points supporting 5,000 pounds per worker
- Training on fall protection equipment
- Rescue plan for fallen workers
Special Fall Protection for Connectors
- Fall protection required at heights of 15 feet or more
- May use connector travel restraint systems in controlled decking zone
- Maximum fall distance of 2 times the beam height
- Training on connector fall protection
- Proper connector access to work points
- Fall protection equipment compatible with task
- Overhead protection from falling objects
- Proper storage and handling of fall protection equipment
Controlled Decking Zones (CDZ)
- Limited to initial installation of metal decking
- Must be under control of competent person
- Clearly marked boundaries
- Access limited to trained workers
- Fall protection required at perimeter and for holes
- Limited to 90 feet wide and 90 feet deep
- Safety deck attachments installed with decking
- No CDZ during adverse weather conditions
Roof and Floor Holes and Openings
- Cover or protect all holes and openings
- Covers capable of supporting twice expected load
- Covers secured and marked "HOLE" or "COVER"
- Covers installed as soon as created
- Opening protection in place before removing covers
- Documentation of cover specifications
- Regular inspection of covers
- Warning signs or barriers around unprotected openings
Hoisting and Rigging Operations
Pre-Lift Planning
- Determine load weight and center of gravity
- Assess site conditions and hazards
- Verify crane capacity for lift
- Develop lift plan for critical lifts
- Hold pre-lift meeting with all involved personnel
- Inspect all rigging equipment
- Verify signal person is designated and qualified
- Plan for load landing and securing
Rigging Requirements
- Proper rigging selection based on load
- Inspection of all rigging before use
- Verification of load capacity of all components
- Protection of rigging from sharp edges
- Proper placement of connection points
- Multiple lift rigging procedures (Christmas treeing)
- Tag lines for load control
- Removal and storage of rigging after use
Multiple Lift Procedures
- Maximum of five pieces per lift
- All employees trained in procedure
- Specialized rigging equipment with certified capacity
- Rigging connection above center of gravity
- Set pieces from bottom to top
- All employees clear of suspended loads
- Hooks with self-closing latches
- Controlled load lowering
Crane Safety
- Verify ground conditions can support crane
- Maintain minimum clearance from power lines
- Use spotters when operating near structures
- No suspended loads over workers
- Barricaded swing radius
- Weather monitoring for wind and storms
- Crane operator certification verification
- Daily crane inspection documentation
Structural Steel Assembly
Column and Beam Placement
- Minimum of 4 bolts per connection
- Temporary connections secured before releasing hoisting lines
- No more than 8 stories between permanent floors
- Anchor bolts not repaired, replaced or field-modified without approval
- Perimeter columns with attached safety cables or equivalent
- Solid web structural members used for walking/working surfaces secure
- Double connections done one side at a time or secured with seat
- Column splices done at least 4 bolts per side before erecting next tier
Metal Decking
- Secured immediately after placement
- Do not place bundles on joists until all bridging installed
- Bundle placement planned to ensure capacity not exceeded
- Decking secured against displacement during installation
- Cutouts and holes protected immediately
- No placing decking during high winds
- Warning line or control line around deck installation area
- Verification of support before standing on decking
Joist and Purlin Installation
- Joists set in final position before releasing hoisting cables
- Bottom chord of joist bridged before allowing loads
- No placing loads on joists until secured
- Field-bolted joists secured with two bolts minimum
- No modification of joists without approval
- Erection bridging installed immediately
- Weight of special loads marked on joists
- Attachment of joists to supports before bridging
Other Hazards and Controls
Falling Object Protection
- Install toeboards, screens, or canopies
- Barricade areas below overhead work
- Secure tools and materials to prevent falling
- Use debris nets where appropriate
- Hard hat requirement for all personnel
- Proper storage of materials on elevated surfaces
- Safety monitoring during overhead work
- Removal of loose items before end of shift
Crane and Equipment Hazards
- Clear communication between crane operator and ground crew
- Use of standard crane signals
- Protection from suspended loads
- Equipment maintenance and inspection
- Outrigger placement on stable ground
- No operating equipment during high winds
- Verification of load capacity for all lifts
- Barricaded equipment swing areas
Welding and Cutting Hazards
- Fire watch during and after hot work
- Proper ventilation for fume control
- Fire extinguishers readily available
- Shielding for arc flash protection
- Proper storage of gas cylinders
- Protection of flammable materials
- Ground clamps secure and cables protected
- Inspection of all equipment before use
Weather-Related Hazards
- No work during thunderstorms
- Wind speed monitoring and limits
- Ice and snow removal before work
- Protection from extreme temperatures
- Proper clothing and PPE for conditions
- Lightning protection protocols
- Slippery surface mitigation
- Emergency evacuation procedures
Training Requirements
Required Training for All Workers
- Hazards specific to steel erection
- Fall hazards and protection systems
- Multiple lift procedures if used
- Connecting procedures
- Controlled Decking Zone procedures
- Proper equipment use and inspection
- Emergency procedures and evacuation
- Site-specific hazards and controls
Connector and Rigger Training
- Special training for connector work
- Fall protection for connectors
- Connector travel restraint systems
- Choker placement and rigging techniques
- Multiple lift rigging procedures
- Load control and tag line use
- Recognition of defective components
- Signal person communication
Supervisor and Competent Person Training
- Recognition and correction of hazards
- Structural stability requirements
- OSHA standards for steel erection
- Inspection procedures and documentation
- Accident investigation techniques
- Emergency response coordination
- Communication with other contractors
- Written safety program implementation
Pre-Planning and Documentation
Site-Specific Erection Plan
- Sequence of erection activity
- Stability considerations during erection
- Requirements for temporary bracing
- Column foundation details
- Special procedures for unique conditions
- Fall protection requirements and exceptions
- Crane locations and travel paths
- Public protection measures
Required Written Notifications
- Concrete strength requirements met
- Repairs, modifications to anchor bolts
- Commencement of steel erection
- Changes to the erection sequence
- Hazards and abatement procedures
- Multi-employer worksite coordination
- Temporary bracing requirements
- Authorization for decking operations
Safety Coordination
- Hold pre-erection conference
- Coordinate with other trades
- Communication protocols established
- Site-specific emergency procedures
- Crane path and lift coordination
- Schedule to minimize overlap of trades
- Clear delineation of responsibilities
- Daily safety briefings