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817 Steel Erection Safety
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817 Steel Erection Safety

Walking/Working Surfaces

Tripping hazards: To prevent tripping hazards, do not attach the components listed below if they project from the top flanges of beams, joists, or beam attachments until after the metal decking, or other walking/working surface, has been installed.

  • shear connectors (such as headed steel studs, steel bars, or steel lugs)
  • reinforcing bars
  • deformed anchors
  • threaded studs, unless they are factory installed and all workers, including connectors and deckers, use fall protection at all times

Shear Connectors

When shear connectors are used in the construction of composite floors, roofs and bridge decks, they must be laid out and installed after the metal decking has been installed.

Shear connectors laid out and installed on metal decking
Shear connectors must be laid out and installed after installing the metal decking.

The metal decking will then serve as a working platform.

Shear connectors may not be installed from within a controlled decking zone (CDZ).

Coated Surfaces

Workers are not be permitted to walk on the top surface of any structural steel member installed after July 18, 2006 that has been coated with paint or similar material, unless all of the following are met:

  • The coating has achieved a minimum average slip resistance of .50 in laboratory tests.
  • The tests were based on the appropriate ASTM standard test method and conducted by a qualified laboratory.
  • Documentation of the test results is available at the site and to the steel erector.

Plumbing-Up

It's important to make sure the structure being erected is "plumb" or exactly vertical. The process of lining up the building elements in a precise vertical direction is called "plumbing up."

Picture of site with multiple vertical determined to be plumb
It's important to make sure the structure being erected is vertical.
  • When a competent person deems it necessary, plumbing-up equipment must be installed during the steel erection process to ensure the stability of the structure.
  • When plumbing-up equipment is used, it must be in place and properly installed before the structure is loaded with construction material such as loads of joists, bundles of decking, or bundles of bridging.
  • Plumbing-up equipment may be removed only with the approval of a competent person.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

3-3. _____ may not be installed from within a controlled decking zone (CDZ).

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