Erection and Construction

The next Steps cover Cal/OSHA safety regulations for Erection and Construction. Where appropriate, we have referenced the code from Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations.

The topics we will cover in this Navitent are:

-Safety Orders
-Truss and Beam Requirements
-Structural Steel Erection
-Permanent Flooring-Skeleton Steel Construction in Tiered Buildings
-Columns
-Wood/Light Gauge Steel, Residential and Light Commercial Frame Construction

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Safety Orders

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 5 Steps will describe the Safety Orders that address these hazards.

Truss and Beam Requirements

-Trusses and beams must be braced laterally and progressively during construction to prevent buckling or overturning. The first member shall be plumb, connected, braced, or guyed against shifting before succeeding members are erected and secured to it

-An erection plan and procedure must be provided for trusses and beams more than 25 feet long. The plan must be prepared by a California-registered Professional Engineer, and it must be followed and kept available on the jobsite for inspection by Cal/OSHA staff

Structural Steel Erection

-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) and drawn wrench tight

-Steel joists or steel joist girders shall not be placed on any support structure until the structure is stabilized

-When steel joist(s) are landed on a structure, they shall be secured to prevent unintentional displacement prior to installation

-Floors must be planked at every other story or 30 feet, whichever is less

-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.

-Fall protection is required when workers are connecting beams where the fall distance is greater than two stories or 30 feet, whichever is less
Note: at heights over 15 feet. and up to 30 feet, workers performing connecting operations must wear personal fall protection that gives them the ability to tie off.

-During work other than connecting operations, fall protection is required where the fall distance is greater than 15 feet

-Before any steel erection begins, the controlling contractor must provide the steel erector written notifications related to concrete strength and anchor bolt repair/replacement

-Prior to removal of planking or metal decking, all employees must be instructed in the proper sequence of removal and safety

-Requirements for the working area where floor openings are to be uncovered:
a. The area must be in the exclusive control of steel erection personnel and shall be barricaded to prohibit unauthorized entry.
b. The floor area adjacent to the floor opening shall be barricaded or the floor opening shall be covered when not attended by steel erection personnel.
c. Floor openings shall be guarded by either temporary railings and toeboards or by covers.
d. Covers shall:
1. Be capable of safely supporting the greater of 400 pounds or twice the weight of the employees, equipment, and materials that may be imposed on any one square foot area of the cover at any time.
2. Have not less than 12 inches of bearing on the surrounding structure.
3. Be checked by a qualified person prior to each shift and following strong winds.
4. Never be removed by walking forward where the walking surface cannot be seen.
5. Bear a sign stating, “OPENING—DO NOT REMOVE”, in 2 inches high, black bold letters on a yellow background.

-Permanent Flooring-Skeleton Steel Construction in Tiered Buildings (Unless the structural integrity is maintained by the design 1710(k)):
a. There shall be not more than eight stories between the erection floor and the uppermost permanent floor.
b. There shall be not be more than four floors or 48 feet, whichever is less, of unfinished bolting or welding above the foundation or uppermost permanently secured floor.

- All columns must be anchored by a minimum of four anchor bolts
Exception: when columns are braced or guyed to provide the stability to support an eccentric load as specified in 1710(f)(1)(B).
Note: persons engaged in steel erection should review and be knowledgeable of all the requirements contained in section 1710.

Permanent Flooring-Skeleton Steel Construction in Tiered Buildings

Unless the structural integrity is maintained by the design 1710(k):
a. There shall be not more than eight stories between the erection floor and the uppermost permanent floor.
b. There shall be not be more than four floors or 48 feet, whichever is less, of unfinished bolting or welding above the foundation or uppermost permanently secured floor.

Columns

All columns must be anchored by a minimum of four anchor bolts.

Exception: when columns are braced or guyed to provide the stability to support an eccentric load as specified in 1710(f)(1)(B).

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

Wood/Light Gauge Steel, Residential and Light Commercial Frame Construction

-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

-Employees shall not work from or walk on structural members until they are securely braced and supported

-Before manually raising framed walls that are 15 feet 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

-When installing windows wall openings shall be guarded as required by 1632, however, the guardrail may be removed for actual window installation if necessary

-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

-Employees exposed to fall hazards must be trained to recognize and minimize the fall hazard

-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

How much did this Navitent help you to understand the Cal/OSHA safety regulations for Erection and Construction, including:

-Safety Orders
-Truss and Beam Requirements
-Structural Steel Erection
-Permanent Flooring-Skeleton Steel Construction in Tiered Buildings
-Columns
-Wood/Light Gauge Steel, Residential and Light Commercial Frame Construction

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