Steel Erection

What are the hazards associated with steel erection?

The principal hazards associated with steel erection are serious injury and death due to: working under suspended loads that are improperly rigged; structural collapse of steel columns and joists that are not properly anchored and secured; falls to lower levels; and overhead hazards not associated with hoisting operations, such as tools and other equipment that are not properly secured.

What can I do to protect myself?

Workers engaged in steel erection operations must be trained by a qualified person to perform the tasks they are expected to do. They must understand the types of hazards to which they may be exposed while working at the job site. Personal fall protection equipment must be examined prior to its use and replaced if necessary before working at an elevated level.

What resources are available to assist employers?

Safety and Health Programs

The steel erection - cranes inspection form and steel erection plan can assist the employer in developing a plan for the work site. In addition, this fall prevention plan guidance document can assist the employer in preventing falls.

Other applicable example programs include cranes and derricks - mobile auxiliary crane plan and procedures and cranes and derricks - multiple crane and derrick operational plan and procedures are available for employer use. In addition, crane inspection checklists are also available for employers to customize to suit the equipment that will be used and conditions in which work will be done. This includes forms for crawler locomotive and truck crane, luffing tower crane - preshift,  mobile crane - monthly, and tower crane - preshift.

Training and Outreach Services

Presentations on steel erection, fall protection, struck-by/caught between and cranes and derricks are available that can be customized to fit an employer's worksite conditions.

In addition, the education, training and technical assistance bureau provides free online safety and health training and outreach services (i.e., speaker's bureau requests, safety booths) upon request. 

Further, the NCDOL Library offers free safety and health videos (including streaming video services) and related research assistance on consensus standards (i.e., ANSI, NFPA, NEC).

Safety and Health Topics

Other relevant information can be found on the cranes and derricks, big four in construction and fall protection safety and health topics page. 

Consultation Services

The consultative services bureau provides free and confidential onsite consultation regarding worksite safety and health hazards.

Which standards apply?

OSH has adopted the following standards which are applicable to steel erection in North Carolina. Note: Please also check the standards information and activity webpage to see if there has been any recent or upcoming regulatory activity on this topic. 

Construction

• 29 CFR 1926 Subpart R - Steel Erection
  • 29 CFR 1926.750 - scope
  • 29 CFR 1926.751 - definitions
  • 29 CFR 1926.752 - site layout, site-specific erection plan and construction sequence
  • 29 CFR 1926.753 - hoisting and rigging
  • 29 CFR 1926.754 - structural steel assembly
  • 29 CFR 1926.755 - column anchorage
  • 29 CFR 1926.756 - beams and columns
  • 29 CFR 1926.757 - open web steel joists
  • 29 CFR 1926.758 - systems-engineered metal buildings
  • 29 CFR 1926.759 - falling object protection
  • 29 CFR 1926.760 - fall protection
  • 29 CFR 1926.761 - training

Other standards closely related to steel erection includes:

• 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC - cranes and derricks
• 29 CFR 1926.502 - fall protection systems criteria and practices

Other Applicable Standards

The Which OSHA Standards Apply webpage can also help identify other standards that may be applicable to your worksite.

Where can I learn more?

Compliance Documents

• Compliance Directive: CPL 02-01-034, Inspection Policy and Procedures for Steel Erection in Construction, establishes the enforcement policy and provides an explanation of the steel erection standards to ensure uniform enforcement.
• Compliance Directive: CPL 02-01-040 - Enforcement Policy on Column Joists - OSHA Instruction CPL 02-01-034 (CPL 2-1.34) “Inspection policy and procedures for OSHA’s steel erection standards for construction,” was issued March 22, 2002. In Question and Answer #32, a compliance policy was announced with respect to the column joist requirements in 29 CFR 1926.757(a)(3), with a termination date of July 18, 2003. The effective date of this enforcement policy has been extended indefinitely.
• Compliance Directive: CPL 02-01-048 - Clarification of the Enforcement Policies Relating to Floors/Nets and Shear Connectors clarifies OSHA's enforcement policies on the requirements regarding: (1) fully planked or decked floors or nets and (2) the use of pre-installed shear connectors during steel erection.
• Operational Procedure Notice (OPN) 121, Steel Erection Standard, establishes North Carolina policy for enforcement of the steel erection standards. It modifies the provisions of CPL 02-01-034 to incorporate state-specific rule 13 NCAC 07F. 0205 to clarify the definition of steel erection activities.

Industry Guides

• Industry Guide 48 - OSHA Construction Industry Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training provides requirements for standards related to steel erection.

Fact Sheets

• NCDOL Investigates Crane Accidents describes the investigation process when a work-related accident involves a crane or derrick.

Technical Assistance

Inquiries about workplace safety and health requirements can be submitted to Ask OSH through the online form, by email to ask.osh@labor.nc.gov, or by phone at 919-707-7876.