Safety First!
Ironworkers are obligated to understand and follow the safety program of the Placing Subcontractor, the General Contractor’s project safety plan, the safety recommendations of the Associated General Contractors, and all governmental safety regulations. Safety is an everyday concern and requires the constant day to day attention of everyone on the job. Each person must firmly believe that all accidents are preventable and should strive to educate themselves on safety first principles and work together with everyone to achieve zero injury goals. The Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute does not support or represent that it is to be considered an occupational safety agency. Safety concerns vary between jobsites and it becomes the responsibility of the individual and employer to ensure a safe workplace.
The handling, fabrication, and placing of steel reinforcement has hazards, as do all aspects of the metalworking and construction industries. CRSI has a number of resources to help its members and the reinforcement and construction communities minimize risk to employees and others on jobsites. CRSI also distributes safety awards as a way of recognizing the top safety performers among members of the Institute. We recognize all members who achieve a full year without a recordable injury and all members who have an injury rate of less than half industry average rate. These recognitions are one way we encourage Institute members to focus on safe work practices and safe workplaces.
OSHA Regulations
In a Letter of Interpretation dated March 18, 2014, OSHA clarified impalement hazards on construction work sites. The agency recognizes there are objects other than reinforcing steel that can present potential impalement hazards, which is why it has two construction standards that apply.
- 29 CFR 1926.701(b) applies to reinforcing steel. It states: “All protruding reinforcing steel, onto and into which employees could fall, shall be guarded to eliminate the hazard of impalement.”
- 29 CFR 1926.25(a) applies to protruding nails. It states: “During the course of construction, alteration, or repairs, form and scrap lumber with protruding nails, and all other debris, shall be kept cleared from work areas, passageways, and stairs, in and around buildings or other structures.”