Site Preparation
Preparing the site before steel erection begins is a key step in keeping workers safe. This includes planning the site layout, organizing overhead hoisting activities in advance, and creating site-specific erection plans when needed. These actions reduce confusion, support safer workflows, and help prevent accidents during the early stages of steel erection.
This module discusses initial site layout, site-specific erection plans and construction sequences detailed within OSHA 1926.752, Site layout, site-specific erection plan and construction sequence.
Proper communication between the controlling contractor and the steel erector prior to the beginning of the steel erection operation is essential to employee safety. Many accidents involving collapse can be averted if adequate pre-erection communication and planning occurs.
Focus of This Module
- This module explains how to set up the site, when and how to use a site-specific erection plan, and the order of construction steps based on OSHA 1926.752, Site layout, site-specific erection plan and construction sequence.
- The goal is to help employers and workers understand the rules and best practices that make steel erection jobs safer from the start.
Importance of Communication and Planning
- Clear communication between the controlling contractor and the steel erector is critical before any steel work begins.
- Important topics include the timing of deliveries, crane paths, ground conditions, and any safety hazards already present on the site.
- When planning and communication are done correctly before work starts, it can prevent serious incidents, including collapses during erection.
- Early planning gives all teams a shared understanding of responsibilities, schedules, and safety measures, helping to protect everyone on site.
Approval and Commencement
The controlling contractor must provide written notification to the steel erector ensuring that:
- Concrete in footings, piers, and walls has been cured to a level that will provide adequate strength, as required by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), to support any forces imposed during steel erection.
- Anchor bolt repairs, replacements and modifications were done with the approval of the project Structural Engineer of Record (SER).
A steel erection contractor should not erect steel unless he or she has received written notification that the concrete in the footings, piers and walls, or the mortar in the masonry piers and walls has attained, either:
- 75% of the intended minimum compressive design strength, or
- sufficient strength to support the loads imposed during steel erection.
This determination should be based on an appropriate ASTM standard test method of field-cured samples.
The controlling contractor should keep a copy of the written notification(s) required by this section on the site for review until completion of the project.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-1. Who should the controlling contractor communicate with prior to the beginning of the steel erection operation.
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