Open Web Steel Joists
Some of the most serious risks facing the ironworker are encountered during the erection of open web steel joists, particularly landing loads on unbridged joists and improperly placing loads on joists.
Based on a recent analysis of OSHA data, more than half of ironworker fatalities due to collapse are related to the erection of steel joists.
Where steel joists are used and columns are not framed in at least two perpendicular directions with solid web structural steel members, a steel joist must be field-bolted at the column to provide lateral stability to the column during erection.
The purpose of this requirement is to prevent joists from collapsing due to insufficient stability of the columns that are supporting them.
A field-bolted joist is required in order to provide stability at a column that is not framed in at least two directions with solid web structural steel members (see, for example, column A in the image).
Field-bolting Columns
This requirement does not apply to a column in a line parallel to the joists that does not help bear the joists (such as columns B and C in the image). Column support in this context means the column is supported in two axes so the column cannot fall (column D in the diagram above is framed in two directions with solid web members).
More information can be obtained by reading OSHA Standard 1926.757.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
3-12. Based on a recent analysis of OSHA data, what was the cause of more than half of all ironworker fatalities due to collapse?
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