Unguarded protruding steel reinforcing bars are hazardous. Even if you just stumble onto an unguarded rebar, you can impale yourself, resulting in serious internal injuries or death.
CRSI takes the position that using 180 degree bends (candy canes) and/or 90 degree bends in reinforcing bars are inadequate as a means of impalement protection. Various studies have been conducted that show impalement occurs when candy canes or 90 degree bends are struck by an object simulating a full-size human body. CRSI recommends that members promote the exclusion of this practice and specification to their customers. CRSI members should foster the use of troughs and approved dowel caps.
- Guard all protruding ends of steel rebar with rebar caps or wooden troughs, or
- Bend rebar so exposed ends are no longer upright
- When employees are working at any height above exposed rebar, fall protection/prevention is the first line of defense against impalement.
- Bear in mind that, where possible, fall protection is still the best solution. A fall from 6 (six) feet or more on to a wooden trough or steel reinforced cap, even if it doesn’t result in impalement, is still likely to produce serious injury.
