STANDARD

INDUSTRI
PEMBINAAN
(CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY STANDARD)

CIS 13:2021
GUIDELINES ON HANDLING, TRANSPORTATION, STACKING AND
INSTALLATION OF STRUCTURAL STEEL

Descriptors: handling, transportation, stacking, installation, structural steel, safety

© Copyright
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD

Construction Industry
Development Board Malaysia
LEMBAGA PEMBANGUNAN INDUSTRI PEMBINAAN MALAYSIA
Ibu Pejabat CIDB,
Tingkat 10, Menara Dato’ Onn, Pusat Dagangan Dunia
No 45, Jalan Tun Ismail, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel:603-40477000 Faks:603-40477020
https://www.cidb.gov.my
GUIDELINES ON HANDLING, TRANSPORTATION,
STACKING AND INSTALLATION OF STRUCTURAL
STEEL
CIS 13: 2021 Guidelines on Handling, Transportation, Stacking and Installation of Structural Steel

© Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia 2021

All enquiries regarding this book should be forwarded to:

Chief Executive
Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia
Level 10, Menara Dato’ Onn,
Pusat Dagangan Dunia,
No 45, Jalan Tun Ismail,
50480 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.

Tel : 603-4047 7000

Fax : 603-4047 7070
Email : standard@cidb.gov.my
Website : www.cidb.gov.my

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, whether
mechanical or electronic including photocopying and recording without the written consent of CIDB.

Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Committee Representative i
Preface ii

SECTION 1: GENERAL 1
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 Objectives 1
1.3 Scope 1
1.4 Definitions 2
Low rise building or structure 2
Multi-storey building or structure 2
Other work 2
Static lines 2
Travelling anchorage 2
Toolbox meeting 2
Design review 2
Shop Drawing 2
1.5 Normative References 2
1.6 Responsibilities 3
Superintendent Officer 3
Site Engineer 3
Site Supervisor 4
Construction Worker 4
Transport operator 4
Steel Fabricator 4
System Provider 4

SECTION 2: HANDLING, STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION OF STRUCTURAL STEEL 5

2.1 Common fabricated structural steel section 5
2.2 Planning for transport and handling 5
2.3 Handling 5
Marking of Prefabricated Steel Components 7
Crane layout 7
2.4 Storage 8
Material storage area 8
Stacking 9
i
2.5 Transportation 10
Secure and Restraint 10
Temporary Support 10
Protection for Coated Structural Steel Section 10
Guidelines for transportation 11
Powerlines 11
Protection and Preservation 11
Delivery and Transportation 12

SECTION 3: INSTALLATION AND ERECTION 14

3.1 Design and Planning Considerations 14
Design and Planning 14
Stability 14
Work at Heights 14
3.2 Responsibilities of Parties 15
The Main Contractor 15
The Steel Fabricator and Erector 16
General Safety 16
3.3 Erection of Steelwork 16
Erection Stability 16
Assembly and alignment 17
Assembly of connection involving tensioned bolts 18
3.4 Bracing 18
Column Stability 19
Site Modifications to Steelwork 19
Type of Bracing 23

SECTION 4: SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT 24

4.1 General 24
4.2 Safety Consideration 24
Weather 24
Lighting 24
Maintenance of Equipment 24
Safety Helmets 24
Footwear 25
4.3 Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk Control (HIRARC) 25
ii
 Identify the Hazard 25
Assess the Risk 25
Control the Risk 25
Maintain and Review the Control Measures 26
4.4 Personal Protective Methods 26
Safety Harnesses 26
Anchorage Methods to Structure 27
Static Lines 27
Safety Eyebolt 27
4.5 Working at Heights Consideration 28
Reduction of Work at Heights 28
Limitations on Work at Heights 28
Selection of Access to Working Places 29
Vertical Movement on Steelwork 29
Horizontal Movement 30
Ladders 31
Work Platforms 33
Personnel Boxes 33
Fall Protection 34
Safety Harnesses and Anchorage Techniques 35
ANNEX A ERECTION SEQUENCE 37
ANNEX B VIEW OF TYPICAL BUILDING SHOWING ARRANGEMENT OF COMPONENTS 40
ANNEX B ACCES TO WORKING PLACES 41
ANNEX C WORKING AT HEIGHT CHECKLIST 43
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 44

Figure

1 Lifting of steel material 7

2 Sticker marking of steel material (Source: NS BlueScope Lysaght) 8
3 Crane layout planning 8
4 Frame stored vertically 9
5 Frames stacked horizontally 10
6 Unloading of steel material using lifting sling 13

iii
 7 Temporary bracing (Source: Ajiya Green Integrated Building System) 20
8 Lifting of steel section (Source: Steel Designers Manual 6th Edition, Buick Davison & Graham W. 21
Owens)
9 Connection of ladder to a column 22
10 Worker attached by harness 22
11 Safety harness training (Guidelines on Occupational Safety and Health in Construction Industry 29
(Management) Department of Occupational Safety and Health (2019))
12 Remote Release Shackle 30
13 Walking on the top surface of the Beam - below 4m only 33
14 Straddling the beam 33
15 Walking on the Bottom Flange 33
16 Ladders 34
17 Ladders 34
18 Fall Arrestor 35
19 Hanging work platform 35
20 Steel Riggers Hook 38
21 Girder Grip Device 38
22 Construction Joint 43

Table

1 Floor Opening Protection 36

iv
Committee Representative

This Construction Industry Standard (CIS) was managed and developed by the Construction Industry
Development Board Malaysia with the assistance of the Technical Committee on Development of
Standard for Industrialised Building System (IBS). Which comprises representatives from the following
organizations: -

Asia Roofing Industries SDN BHD

Lavenda Building System SDN BHD
Mega Building System SDN BHD
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)
Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)
NS BlueScope Lysaght Malaysia SDN BHD
Wira Kerjaya SDN BHD

i
Preface

The Guidelines on Handling, Transportation, Stacking and Installation of Structural Steel is defined as
a guideline of processes and controls necessary to help support best practice outcomes for all
stakeholders associated with the process of steel structures to be supplied and well deliver to the sites.
The aim of the guide is to coordinate and direct the stakeholders as best practices as whole which may
be considered and implemented the legislative requirements in each state for all parties to understand
their obligations.

In order to provide a balanced view on industry good practice, the document was prepared by expert
working group including representatives from various industry including engineers, fabricators, erectors
and academia. It is intended for industry awareness and education and to drive positive change, which
forms a component of the Enforceable Undertaking.

In overall, this guideline provides a practical guidance for the safe and efficient erection of structural
steelwork, besides determining procedures for proper handling, storage and protection requirements of
materials, products and works to prevent damage, deterioration or loss and accident on site. Besides,
the establishment framework of the guideline system in ensuring the structural steel supply and deliver
to the project sites are handled orderly and was based on requirements of this guideline. This document
scope is focusing on the multi various projects including the residential, low-rise and multi-storey
buildings or structures.

The key process to Handling, Transportation, Stacking and Installation of Structural Steel typically starts
with:

1. Handling, transporting and storing the construction steel components

2. Best practices in guiding the safe and efficient erection of structural steelwork

3. A guideline for inspection based on existence of conformance to requirements.

With a well-structured practice, the overall handling, transporting, stacking and handling could focus
more on creating a safe and organised especially in organized the components without any damaged
which later may affect the structural integrity. Besides the best practice, able to tracked problem matters,
especially in providing the preventive measures on defects and construction related issues prior to
project completion.

As conclusion, this document able to ensure effectives of handling the steel structures components that
reflect the technical and specifications conformance and full acceptance of the project.

ii
 GUIDELINES ON HANDLING, TRANSPORTATION, STACKING
AND INSTALLATION OF STRUCTURAL STEEL

SECTION 1: GENERAL

1.1 Introduction

This guideline is intended for any person involved with the design, coordination, fabricated or system
provider which may be cited as the approved guideline for the safe erection of structural steelwork.
Transportation of structural steel refers to the process of delivery of fabricated structural steel sections
from the fabrication workshop or factory to the designated area or job safely.

Planning and controls for the safe erection of structural steelwork should start at the design stage.
Design engineers should take into account the need to ensure safe working conditions for those
involved in the construction stage.

Failure to plan and design for safety at the earlier stages can encourage or lead to unsafe practices on
site and to structural instability during erection or dismantling. Accidents in the erection of structural
steelwork on site are not limited to falls. Other accidents occur because of structural instability during
erection, and while handling, lifting and transporting material. Hence, this document provides the best
practice which applies to all work place in building operation and work of engineering construction
activity in Malaysia.

1.2 Objectives

The purposes of this guideline are:

1. To provide practical guidance involved with the design, coordination, fabricated or may be cited as
the approved guideline for the safe and efficient erection of structural steelwork in low-rise and multi-
storey buildings or structures.
2. To define procedures for proper handling, storage and transportation of materials, products and
works to prevent damage, deterioration or loss.
3. To establish a standard setting based on the minimum specification used by the designer,
fabricator, system provider and contractors.

1.3 Scope

This document contains useful information on method of handling, transporting and erecting of structural
steelwork. This document comprises of 3 main parts to be covered in the next sections. Section 2
contains information on the handling, storage method and transportation of steelwork. Section 3
presents the method on installation of steelwork in term of planning, responsibilities of contractors,
safety, and accuracy of work. Section 4 discuss on the general safety consideration during construction
work. This documents discusses the guidelines for method of handling, transporting and erecting that
is applicable for both cold-formed steelwork and hot-rolled steelwork. The structural steel components
covered in this guideline include the erection of columns, beams, rafters, purlins, girts, bridging, bracing
beams and also other steelwork. This procedure applies to all project works sites.

1
1.4 Definitions

In this approved guideline:

Low rise building or structure

A single storey structure which may include a mezzanine floor over any part of its floor area and which
is intended for industrial, commercial, recreational, residential or community use

Multi-storey building or structure

A structure which consists of two or more floors or levels and which is intended for industrial,
commercial, recreational, residential or community use.

Other work

Operation, which is generally include procedures such as welding, drilling, bolting, painting, and other
task of a similar nature

Static lines

A line extending between two or more anchorages which has been designed to sustain the mass of
workers who may be connected to the static line through travelling anchorages.

Travelling anchorage

A fitting which many travel along a static line and to which a safety line and harness may be attached.

Toolbox meeting

Toolbox meeting is an informal group discussion that focuses on a particular safety issue. Your team
can raise any concerns they have, as well as discuss incidents that have happened since the last talk.

Design review

A design review is a milestone within a product development process whereby a design is evaluated
against its requirements in order to verify the outcomes of previous activities and identify issues before
committing to - and if need to be re-priorities - further work.

Shop Drawing

Shop drawing is a drawing or set of drawings produced by the contractor, supplier, manufacturer,
subcontractor, consultants, fabricator or system provider.

1.5 Normative References

The Normative references clause lists, for information, those documents which are cited in the text in
such a way that some or all of their content constitutes requirements of the document.

1. AS 4100 – 1998 Steel Structure

2. Department of Occupational Safety and Health. (2019). Best Practices on Occupational Safety and
Health in Construction Industry

2
3. Factories and Machineries Act 1967 (General Work Site Safety), Revised 2007

3. Guidelines for the Prevention of fall at Workplaces (2007)

4. Institute of Engineers Singapore (2012). Steelworks Supervision Guide.

5. Jabatan Kerja Raya Cawangan Kejuruteraan Awam Struktur & Jambatan. (2011). Specification
Pre-Fabricated Cold-formed Steel Roof Trusses

6. Jabatan Kerja Raya Cawangan Struktur dan Kejuruteraan Pakar. (2001). JKR Standard
Specification for Structural Steel Work

7. Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (Act 514)

8. Occupational Safety and Health Standards (United States Department of Labor) – Personal Fall
Protection System

9. NASH Standard (2005). Residential and Low-rise Steel Framing (Part 1: Design Criteria)

10. SCI (Steel Construction Institute), Davison, B., & Owens, G. W. (2003). Steel Designers’ Manual
(6th Ed). Wiley Blackwell

11. Guidelines for Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk Control (2008), Department of
Occupation Safety and Health Ministry of Human Resources Malaysia

12. Garis Panduan Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pekerjaan Industri Pembinaan (2020)

13. Road Transport Act 1987 [Act 334]

14. Practical Guide to Planning the Safe Erection of Steel Structures 1st Edition (2016), Australian
Steel Institute

1.6 Responsibilities

This section on discuss a typical roles and responsibilities as a guidance and is not compulsory to
follow as stated as different project will have different requirement on different work scope.

Superintendent Officer

A construction superintendent is the individual who oversees every step of the construction process,
from planning to completion. They are in charge of conducting interviews and selecting the workers
they want on the job site. Some construction superintendents specialize in a certain type of construction,
whether residential, commercial, or industrial. They take full responsibility for their jobs sites, overseeing
everything from making schedules to selecting materials

Site Engineer

Engineers are very important on a jobsite. The site engineer should possess basic knowledge about
the practical construction procedures in site, along with the details of how they are planned. The
responsibilities of a site engineer are wide as he must provide sufficient advice and supervision when
there are any technical issues, or for proper management and for the preparation of day to day reports
of the construction works. The site engineer is the one who have to ensure that the site have adequate
resources to complete the tasks. This is conducted by having procurement schedules for the jobs
carried out and liaise with the procurement department regarding the same.

3
 Site Supervisor

The site supervisor acts as an intermediary between the field workers and the management office to
ensure effective communication. They are responsible for any problems or conflicts that may arise
between the field and the office. They have to ensure the construction sites follows safety regulation
and regularly inspect the construction site to identify and eliminate potential safety hazards.

Construction Worker

Construction workers are the driving force of every project. They must be able to operate heavy
machinery, lift large objects, and perform typical construction tasks. Aside from their physical
requirements, they must be able to effectively comprehend instructions they receive from their
supervisors, and work collaboratively with other team members.

Transport operator

A transport operator transports steel product from the production facility. The transport operator may
be part of the manufacturer’s organization, the customer organization, or a third party contractor. The
transport operator shall be a fully competent person and with an active licenses. The transport operator
needs to ensure that the transport process follows the instruction from the shop drawing and comply
with the requirements from JPJ.

Steel Fabricator

Steel fabricator responsible to cut metal parts and fit or assemble them into structure following the
technical drawing. Steel fabricator must be able to precisely follow the technical drawing with a specific
tolerance for different type of components. Steel fabricator shall be competent person and certified by
any third party trainer authorized by CIDB.

System Provider

A system provider in the general sense is a vendor who supplies services, rather than actual products.
System provider have to ensure the work progress as planned during planning phase. Before the
contract is entered into, the provider of services must, as far as possible, provide the client with all
useful information about the service to be provided. When the provider of services supplies the tools,
materials and other items, she must guarantee that they are of good quality and appropriate for the
work.

4
SECTION 2: HANDLING, STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION OF STRUCTURAL
STEEL

2.1 Common fabricated structural steel section

Items below shows the general fabricated structural steel section that applicable for this guideline:

1. Fabricated structural steel sections of any shape, sizes and type of material

2. Single profile / piece / section with or without welded plate connection / attachment in different lengths.

3. Built-up girder section of any shapes, sizes and length

4. Built-up trusses of any sizes and lengths.

5. Completed or semi-completed of structural component such as bridges, ducts, stacks, drums and
tower crane components etc.

2.2 Planning for transport and handling

Transportation of steel components to the construction site need to be planned according to the site
condition and the installation sequence. Planning for transportation should start at the very beginning
of the design process. Failure on planning could result effect the cost, quality, safety and the schedule
of the construction.

Site supervisor shall provide all weather access for the delivery vehicle to and around the site. To
minimize double handling, site supervisor shall instruct the transporter to unload the materials at a
suitable unloading area as planned during planning phase.

The transporter must ensure that the vehicle used is suitable to transport the materials and that the
materials are properly secured. A vehicle must not be moved without the load being secured in the
appropriate manner. The transporter must ensure that drivers have been adequately instructed in the
safe transportation of the materials, with particular attention given to:

a) Power lines;

b) Recognized truck routes for over dimensional loads; and

c) Roundabout and reverse camber in the roads.

Before the shop drawings are prepared, element sizes and transportability should be reviewed to
confirm that the proposed elements are able to be transported to the building site and be erected. The
feasibility of transporting a crane of the required type and capacity to lift the elements also needs to
be taken into account.

2.3 Handling

Site supervisor shall ensure the following, where applicable, in handling materials of raw steel and
fabricated steel:

a) Proper lifting equipment shall be used to transport the materials

b) Materials shall be given proper packing, where applicable, before stacking them for handling by
cranes and forklifts

c) Identification marks shall be made on these materials, if required

5
d) Lifting belts / slings shall be checked for damage before lifting heavy materials

e) Hooking point shall be checked to prevent slippage

f) When using lifting belts over painted areas, care shall be taken not to damage the painted surface

g) Cranes shall not lift weights that are beyond the capacity of the lifting belts/ wire ropes

h) Materials shall not be stacked too high to avoid excessive bearing stress to the bottom layer

i) Painted materials shall not be shifted during rain to avoid slipping off

j) Inspected materials for dispatch shall not be mixed with other materials

k) During handling, great care shall be taken to avoid damage to the materials and lifting tool

l) A signaler, rigger and lifting supervisor shall be provided for all lifting operations

m) When handling materials, all workers should stand clear, with loads never being swung above the
heads of those onsite

n) Tag lines should be utilized to control loads (refer Figure 1)

o) Lifting of steel component shall be propped in a manner that minimizes lateral bending and
distortion, and strain on the joints.

p) Members which have been damaged and their structural integrity are impaired shall not be used.

q) Consideration should be given to the use of lifting beams with appropriately spaced lifting points
and slings or lifting with properly spaced forklift tines.

Figure 1 Lifting of steel material

6
 Marking of Prefabricated Steel Components

All prefabricated steel components shall be bundled together for delivery purposes by manufacturer
and shall be marked and labeled with sticker, stamped, or stenciled to indicate conformance of the
followings:- base steel thickness (BST), metallic coating grade (Z,AZ), minimum yield strength, product
name, product length, product weight, project name and name of the manufacturer/ system provider
(refer Figure 2).

Truss members used in the steel truss construction shall be individually identified with a legible sticker,
stamp, stencil, or embossment, which states the following: - truss component marking, length.

Trusses shall be marked with tags or other eligible markings to document the orientation of the parallel
chord trusses, location of special bearing conditions and web member permanent bracing locations.

Alternatively, it shall be acceptable for the truss designer to provide this information to the installer by
means of indicating in the truss design drawings and/or on a separate detail drawings.

Parallel chord trusses shall have the top chord clearly marked, with tags or otherwise, to prevent upside
down installation.

Trusses having bearing locations other than at the end of the heel locations shall have bearing points
clearly marked on the truss design drawings in a manner that permits verification during and after
installation.

Figure 2 Sticker marking of steel material (Source: NS BlueScope Lysaght)

Crane layout

It is important to decide on the type, size and number of cranes that are allowed to carry out the work,
since each has a designated range of positions relative to the work it is to perform. These positions
are then coordinated into an overall plan which enables each crane to work without interfering with its
neighbours, and at the same time enables each to work in a position where adequate support can
safely be provided (refer Figure 3). This plan will then form the basis of the erection method statement
documentation. The plan shall consider the routes for suspended loads, it needs to be arranged to
ensure that no person is required to work directly below a suspended load except for person engaged
in the initial connection, hooking or unhooking of the load.

A major factor in planning cranage is to ensure that access is both available and adequate to enable
the necessary quantity and size of components to be moved. On large greenfield developments these
movements may often have to take place along common access roads used by all contractors and
along routes which may be subject to weight or size restrictions. On a tight urban site the access may
be no more than a narrow one-way street subject to major traffic congestion.

7
 Figure 3 Crane layout planning

2.4 Storage

Material storage area

Selection of material storage area shall be selected in such manner so as to prevent deterioration and
to ensure the preservation of their quality. Site supervisor need to ensure the following:

a) Material storage area shall be placed beside or nearby the fabrication yard.

b) This area need to be barricaded to separate the storage area from the site road and traffic.

c) Ground conditions must be checked to ensure that the mass of the materials can be supported and
the ground needs to be well drained to avoid any differential ground settlements which may damage
the stored materials.

d) In case of long time storage or storage in coastal areas, steel materials shall be stacked at least
200mm above ground level

e) Where frames are stored on site, they should be blocked above the firm ground to protect them
from ground water as follows:
i) If the frames are stored horizontally, the blocking should be at 1.0m to 1.5m centers or as required
at joints, to prevent bending of the frames. (Figure 5)
ii) If the frames are stored vertically, they should be supported at the designed support locations and
in a manner that will prevent them from tipping or toppling. (Figure 4)

f) The steel shall be stored well protected from the effect of weather

8
 Figure 4 Frame stored vertically

Figure 5 Frames stacked horizontally

Stacking

Improper stacking and storage can result in injuries to workers and damage to costly materials. For
those units where support points are critical, for stacking, transport or long term storage, the locations
for dunnage or support should be noted on the approved shop drawings. Site supervisor must ensure
the following:

a) The materials stacking height shall follow the method statement. If height of stacking is not available,
the stacking height shall not be more than five feet.

b) Ensure that the materials stored on a platforms or in building does not exceed its safe floor-loading
specification

c) Allow sufficient clearance around stacks for safe handling and easy access

d) Ensure the stacks of materials don’t block emergency exits, emergency equipment or fire alarms

e) Stacks are not be built within 450mm of a wall

f) Where frames are stacked horizontally on site, they should be centrally above each other.

g) The stacked height of structural steel section must be limited to ensure that the bearers and lowest
section can support the load from above and that stack remain stable during transportation.

9
Extra care should be taken if the storage area is subjected to vibration from machineries or vehicles
around the construction site or outside of construction site. If racking system is used, it must be designed
by a qualified engineer.

2.5 Transportation

Secure and Restraint

Securing and restraint of structural steel sections on vehicles is important especially for those over
length or size sections and circular type of steel sections in preventing accidents and injuries.

The transporter must ensure that all section is safe and securely restrained. This means that the
structural steel sections:

a) Must be restrained by an appropriate method and

b) Must not be placed in a way that makes the vehicle unsafe and unstable

The adequacy of a particular method of restraint will depend on the type of structural steel sections
being transported and the type of vehicle being used.

When transporting heavy structural steel sections, the transporter must ensure that suitable vehicles is
used to transport structural steel sections of different types or shapes and sizes and that they are
properly secured. A vehicle must stay stationary if the load has not been secured in an appropriate
manner.

Restraint equipment and anchor point must be strong enough to hold the weight of structural steel being
transported. The equipment must be inspected before use to ensure that it is serviceable.

Shortly after commencing the journey, the driver must stop to check the load again for possible
movement or settlement to anchorage and restraints. If movement or settlement is spotted, the load
must be re-secured and constrained before continue the journey.

Temporary Support

Temporary supports for over size structural steel sections or frames during transportation must be
designed to withstand loads and extra forces during loading, transportation and unloading. Refer Figure
4 for example of temporary supports

All temporary supporting structures or frame shall be properly secured to the main steel structures use
method specified by method statement as instructed by the design engineer.

If timbers are used as temporary support for over size or odd shapes structural steel sections, the
transporter has to ensure the timbers are properly secured without risk of falling off the vehicle.

Protection for Coated Structural Steel Section

Point of contact between steel section, supports, and restraints must be provided with protective
material to prevent damage to the protective coating either of painting or hot dipped galvanized.

For the same purpose, edge protectors must be used under all restraints. Materials such as timber,
rubber pads and rags should be used to protect the protective coating.

Structural steel sections must be stacked in such a way that each section can support the load from
above. The supporting point must be directly above each other unless otherwise specifically designed.

10
 Guidelines for transportation

To ensure transportability and safety during delivery, the following shall be considered:

a) Specific design requirement such as the stability of an oversize or unusually shaped structural steel
component during transportation.

b) Local traffic regulations governing maximum weight, length, width and height of the laden vehicle.
The steel components’ height should not exceed 4.5m when loaded on the trailer; the components
could not enter the highway system if they exceed a height limitation ranging from 4.8 to 5.1m. The
steel component should not exceed 7 tonnes to ensure that a crane can easily transport and erect the
material on-site.

c) Providing all weather access for the delivery vehicle to and around the job site.

d) Small size structural steel sections should be packed or bundled together for transportation

e) Smaller steel component should be packed on wooden pallets for easy handling and safe
transportation without any worry of falling off the vehicle

f) Transportation of structural steel sections should utilize trailer with doors (cargo trailer) for safety
reason unless or otherwise oversize

g) To avoid mixing of small structural steel sections with heavy structural steel section in planning for
transportation

h) Temporary storage and relocation of structural steel should be minimized or avoided to prevent
damage to the protective coating or steel section itself during handling.

i) Flimsy brackets should be supplied separately for bolting on at site

Note: the transporter have to ensure the fabricated steel section and the transporting vehicle comply Road
Transport Act 1987 [Act 334] and follows all safety procedure

Powerlines

Special attention should be given to any overhead powerlines in the vicinity of the work site. Where the
powerlines are near the crane operating area, the requirements of the relevant regulations shall be
followed. In particular, no plant or equipment shall be used within 4.5 meters of a live electrical
powerlines.

Where this minimum clearance cannot be maintained, steps shall be taken to have the electricity supply
authority either:

a) Re-route the conductors, or

b) Isolate the conductors, or

c) Insulate the conductors, for the duration of the construction work.

Protection and Preservation

All steel components, fabricated items and completed works shall be appropriately protected or
preserved from damage and deterioration until used or handed over.

11
Defective section or raw materials shall be repaired or rejected without delay having regard to the extent
of the damage.

Structural steel should be supported by blocks to protect them from wet condition. If the trusses are
stored horizontally, the supporting blocks should be placed as provided by approved shop drawing or
method statement as instructed by the design engineer. This is to prevent bending of the trusses. If the
trusses are stored vertically, they should be supported at the designed support location or bottom chord
panel points, and in a manner that will be prevent tipping or toppling.

Applicable safety requirements related to protection and preservation shall be observed at all times.
Additional protection and preservation measures arising from or required to meet contractual
requirements shall be observed.

Delivery and Transportation

Before the approved shop drawings are prepared, structural steel element sizes and transportability
should be reviewed to confirm that the proposed elements are able to be transported to the building site
and erected. The feasibility of utilizing / transporting a crane of the required type and capacity to lift the
structural steel sections also need to be taken into account. Strapped steel components for delivery
shall be transported to the jobsite on flatbed trailers with a roller deck or a special pole-type’ trailer to
minimize damages to the trusses.

The fabricator must ensure that the structural steel sections are loaded in a sequence compatible with
the required unloading and erection sequence on-site. Lifting points should be colored in yellow for clear
identification during loading and unloading process. Structural steel sections should be loaded in such
way that identification marks or numbers are visible during unloading. Finished steel components shall
be banded with steel straps in convenient bundles. The straps help to maintain the components
alignment and the bundle strength minimize damages during the storage and delivery (refer Figure 6).

Figure 6 Unloading of steel material using lifting sling

Vehicles used to transport heavy and over size structural steel sections should be loaded such that the
centre of the gravity of the load is as low as possible. Placement of the steel sections should evenly
spread the load along the vehicle's centre line.

12
Particular care must be taken during loading and unloading of heavy structural steel section onto and
from the vehicle to ensure that the vehicles remain stable at all stages.

Lifting points on heavy structural steel section should be checked to ensure they are correctly oriented
or installed in accordance to the lifting planning and compatible with the lifting system used. Lifting of
all steel components shall be propped in a manner that minimized lateral bending and distortion, and
strain on the joints.

The transporter must ensure that the drivers have been briefed adequately in the safe transportation of
heavy structural steel sections or over size steel structures with the particular attention given to

a) Power lines

b) Recognized truck routes for over size structural steel section

c) Round-about and reverse camber in the road

d) Bridges height

e) Road conditions

Delivery of structural steel materials or sections to the job site required cooperation and coordination
between the fabricator, the transporter and the erector. Delivery planning shall be coordinated in such
a way to minimize double handling, which could result in damage to the protective coating to the steel
sections due to impact or scratches.

Where unloading cannot take place on a firm level surface, heavy structural steel section must be
individually restrained and the loading configuration must be checked to ensure that removing individual
section does not result in the instability of the vehicle. Restraints must not be removed until the crane
takes initial weight of the steel section.

Only people who are involved in unloading the steel elements should be within the vicinity of the delivery
vehicle. Establish exclusion zone for person that are not required for the operation. Do not stand near
the vehicle in an area where an element would fall if the vehicle was knocked or moved, or if rigging
has failed.

If a steel panel was damaged during transport, the in-service design engineer and erection design
engineer should provide approval before the panel is unloaded from the delivery vehicle.

13
SECTION 3: INSTALLATION AND ERECTION

3.1 Design and Planning Considerations

Design and Planning

Safe erection of precast concrete elements depends on the pre-planning process. Key objectives and,
most importantly, starting and finishing dates must be clearly established and progress reviewed on a
regular basis. Failure to meet commitments can result in substantial cost penalties. Further
complications may easily arise which are totally disproportionate to the cause. In designing the structure
and its component parts, the design engineers should consider the effect on safety of the work practices
necessary to erect the structure as designed:

a) Site location

b) Access points

c) Structure location

The design engineer should also provide guidance to steel fabricators/erectors, so as to ensure safe
erection practices, on matters including:

a) Joint positions (as they affect erection sequences)

b) Accessibility of connections

c) Erection cleats

d) Fixing for working platforms, hand rails, etc

Stability

Safety implication design should include; but are not limited to stability during erection stage. Any
special or unusual features of the structural design which may affect stability during erection should be
highlighted by the design engineer.

In considering stability, all disturbing loads or forces likely to cause overturning, collapse or excessive
movement, especially during erection, should be assessed in their realistic combinations and used to
design suitable restraint systems.

The size and mass of individual members, in relation to crane size and site accessibility, should also
be considered.

When anchor bolts are embedded in concrete to resist overturning of single columns or column
assembles during erection, a minimum strength of the concrete should be specified in order that the
concrete may attain sufficient strength to retain the anchor bolts and safely restrain the column. The
footing design should also be checked to ensure that it will itself be stable and retain its structural
integrity during erection conditions, as well as provide the necessary stability to the steelwork.

Work at Heights

As far as practicable the design should minimize work at heights. For example, sections should be pre-
assembled on the ground and guard railing installed to perimeter members prior to hoisting. Refer
Section 4.8 for detailed explanation.

14
Where work at heights is necessary, anchorage points for static lines or safety nets should be provided.
Refer Section 4.7 for detailed explanation.

3.2 Responsibilities of Parties

The Main Contractor

The main contractor has the responsibility for providing and maintaining a work environment that is safe
and without risks to health, in relation to matters over which the main contractor has control.

The contractor also has responsibilities as an employer under the Statutory Regulation, in relation to
matters over which the contractor has control.

In the erection of structural steelwork, the main contractor should coordinate all contractors and other
(parties to ensure the programs for steel erection are integrated into the overall construction theme and,
safely carried out. The need for coordination is particularly important when there is more than one
contractor.

Accuracy of Work
The main contractor (or, where there is no main contractor, the project manager) should ensure that
the accuracy of each contractor's work is within the tolerance of the level or position nominated by the
design engineer. When these are not specifically nominated, the tolerance nominated in appropriate
standards or guidelines should apply. This will allow following trades or contractors to successfully
complete their work within the level of accuracy demanded of them. Failure to ensure the accuracy of
each steel fabricators and erector’s work could lead to unsafe working conditions for those following
and may even compromise the stability of the building or its component parts, especially during erection.
The main contractor shall provide adequate facilities for the inspection at any part of the steelwork
during the construction.

Site Modification
The main contractor should ensure that site modifications to the building layout or any other additions,
modifications or remedial work on the structure considered necessary are made with approval of the
design engineer.

Site Conditions
The main contractor shall ensure that the steel erector and other contractors on site have sufficient
space and clearance to allow safe access to the site and to safely maneuver to erect steelwork. Ground
conditions should be maintained to remain sound, and sustain traffic and to allow plant and equipment
to work and move about the site safely.

Within the site, movement may often be hampered by a variety of obstruction such as scaffolding,
shoring, pile caps, excavation, and so on. Services roads and off-loading areas need to be hard cored
and adequately drained to support heavy vehicles during the severest weather condition

Certification and Competency

Main contractors shall ensure that:

a) Workers engaged in the erection of steel are competent; and

b) Workers engaged in the operation of cranes are competent person whom holds valid competency
certificate issued by Department of Occupational Safety & Health (DOSH)

c) Steel installer are competent person undergoes training issued by Akademi Binaan Malaysia (ABM)

15
d) Welders are a competent person whom holds a valid competency certificate issued by Akademi
Binaan Malaysia (ABM)

e) Scaffolders are certified by Department of Occupational Safety & Health (DOSH)

In the event of any uncertainty as to appropriate certification the main contractor should refer the
relevant authorities (such as CIDB, DOSH, etc)

The Steel Fabricator and Erector

The steel fabricator bears the responsibility for the accurate detailing and fabrication of the steelwork
to ensure components fit together correctly. During detailing, consideration should be given to the ease
of making connections on site. The steel fabricator need to ensure that the components fabricated
following the construction drawing.

Steel members should be delivered to the site in a sequence as required for each stage of erection.
Co-ordination between the steel fabricator and the steel erector is essential. To achieve this, a formal
means of communication should be set up by the steel fabricator to monitor the site situation on a
regular basis. This is most important when the steel fabricator and the steel erector are different.

General Safety

Safety is an integral part of the erection process. Before commencing erection the steel erector should
ensure that all necessary planning has been carried out and shall ensure safe working practices in the
erection process. Contractor are responsible for ensuring the observance of all safety requirements by
their employees. Individual employees are also required to take care of their own safety and for the
health and safety of any other person who may be affected by the employee's acts at the work place.

3.3 Erection of Steelwork

Erection Stability

Erection Method
The steel erector should carefully follow the method or sequence of erection shown on the erection
drawings or described in the relevant contractual documents. The contractor shall prepare and submit
the method statement to the S.O for acceptance at least two weeks before erection commences.
Erection shall not commence before the method statement has been accepted by the S.O. Where no
erection method is shown or described the steel erector should erect the building according to the
method and sequence consistent with this guideline. In the event of any uncertainty the steel erector
should consult the design engineer. If required, the Steel erector shall carry out a trial assembly and
erection of the steel structure at fabrication yard or other convenient place.

The erection of any element or sub assembly should start only if all the necessary equipment and tackle
is on site, to ensure that stability is maintained at all times. Sufficient provision and appropriate use of
temporary guys should be made during all stages of erection to ensure the stability of all the parts of
the structure as well as the structure as a whole. Added care should be taken to ensure that all
temporary guys are appropriately attached and safely anchored. Annex A shows the erection sequence
for industrial structure.

The stability of a structure and the effectiveness of all temporary guys and supports should be checked
at the end of each shift and re-assessed at the beginning of each shift before further erection work
begins. Similarly, the stability of erected steelwork and temporary guys should be checked prior to work
being stopped because of adverse weather and again when work restarts.

16
 Assembly and alignment

General
If, in spite of having taken care over the initial levelling of packers and carefully positioning the column
bases to the pre-set lines on the foundations, the structure still needs adjustment during lining, levelling
and plumbing, then something may be wrong.. Each part of the structure shall be aligned as soon as
practicable after it has been erected. Permanent connections shall not be made between members until
sufficient of the structure has been aligned, levelled, plumbed and temporarily connected to ensure that
members will not be displaced during subsequent erection or alignment of the remainder of the
structure. Each part of structure’s installation shall conform to the CIS 12 (Tolerances) or NASH
Standard Residential and Low-rise Steel Framing (2005)

Alignment
If the steelwork has just been thrown together with no great regard for accurate positioning it will be
necessary to provide equipment and manpower to carry out the lining, levelling and plumbing. The
equipment will include jacks, tirfor-type wire pullers with wires, straining screws, wedges, piano wires,
and heavy plumb bobs with damping arrangements, all in addition to the level and simple theodolite
which are needed for the basic check.

It is necessary to do the lining and levelling check before final bolting up is done. In practice this means
that it must be done immediately following erection since it is inefficient to slacken off bolts already
tightened in order move the steelwork about. There is no way that erection can go ahead until the
braced bay is bolted up, and that cannot be done until it is level and plumb.

A supply of steel landing wedges and slip plates is needed to adjust the levels. They must be positioned
in pairs opposite to each other on two sides of the base plate of the columns to be levelled. If the wedge
is placed on one side only the column will be supported eccentrically and can in fact be brought down,
especially if more than one column has been lifted on a series of wedges all driven in from the same
direction. Alternatively toe jacks (jacks that can be used in tight areas) can be used in pairs to lift the
columns. A temporary bench-mark should be established, and agreed with the client’s representative,
in the vicinity of the columns in a position where it cannot be disturbed. The level will then be used to
check the final setting with the seating packers inserted, and the column landed back on them and
bolted down with the holding-down bolts. The column can then be moved about in plan on these packers
to bring it into line and bay length from its neighbours.

The position of a line, offset from the column centreline in order to clear the columns, should be marked
and agreed. This line is then used either to string and strain a piano wire or to set and sight a theodolite
telescope. The readings from it will then give the amounts by which movements must be made to keep
the structure in tolerance.

The fact that the column bases are level does not mean that a level check is not needed on the various
floors in a tall building. It is important that the levels of any one floor are checked for variations from a
plane rather than on the basis of running vertical measurements from the base, since these are affected
by temperature and the variable shortening effect on the lower columns as weight is added to them.
Plumb can be most readily checked with a theodolite using its vertical axis and reading against a rule
held to zero on the column centreline. This eliminates the effect of rolling errors and is a check against
the same centreline used in the fabrication shops. If a theodolite cannot be used, a heavy plumb bob
hung on a piano wire and provided with a simple damping arrangement, such as a bucket of water into
which the bob is submerged, is a second-best alternative. Measurements are made from the wire to the
centrelines in the same way as before. The disadvantage of using a plumb wire is that all the operatives
have to climb on the steel to take and then to check the readings. Optical or laser plumbing units are
available; these are particularly useful for checking multi-storey frames.

17
 Assembly of connection involving tensioned bolts

Placement of nut
Nut shall be placed so that the mark specified in AS/NZS 1252 to identify a high strength nut is visible
after tightening.

Packing
Packing shall be provided wherever necessary to ensure that the load-transmitting plies are in effective
contact when the connection is tightened to the snug-tight condition. All packing shall be steel with a
surface condition similar to that of the adjacent plies.

Tightening pattern
Snug-tightening and final tensioning of the bolts in a connection shall proceed from the stiffest part of
the connection towards the free edges. High strength structural bolts that are to be tensioned may be
used temporarily during erection to facilitate assembly, but if so used, they shall not be finally tensioned
until all bolts in the connection have been snug-tightened in the correct sequence.

Retensioning
Retensioning of bolts which have been fully tensioned shall be avoided, except that if retensioning is
carried out, it shall only be permitted once and only where the bolt remains in the same hole in which it
was originally tensioned and with the same grip. Retensioning of galvanized bolts shall not be permitted.
Under no circumstances shall bolts which have been fully tensioned be reused in another hole.
Touching up or retensioning of previously tensioned bolts which may have been loosened by the
tensioning of adjacent bolts shall not be considered as retensioning.

3.4 Bracing

Erection should start at a braced bay in order that a stable and self-supporting portion of the structure
can first be constructed, having the necessary internal or in-built restraints. Such a stable and self-
supporting braced bay can then be used to stabilize and support subsequently erected steelwork. Until
the braced bay reaches the self-supporting stage, some temporary support to the steelwork may be
required (refer Figure 7). Generally this will be in the form of guys provided by the steel erector. All
connections for temporary bracing and members to be provided for erection purposes shall be made in
such a manner as not to weaken the permanent structure or to impair its serviceability.

18
 Figure 7 Temporary bracing (Source: Ajiya Green Integrated Building System)

Column Stability

Where anchor bolts are embedded in concrete to resist overturning of freestanding, single columns or
column assembly during erection, the main contractor should certify that the concrete has reached the
appropriate strength before erecting the columns. If the concrete has not been appropriately cured, it
cannot be relied on to have sufficient strength to retain the anchor bolts, nor to provide stability and
support to the column.

In any case the steel erector should give consideration to the use of tightly fitted steel wedges driven ,
under the edges of the column base plate to provide added stability, especially when less than four
anchor bolts are being used to anchor the column.

All columns should be considered freestanding except where the design engineer requires that the
column shall be guyed.

Once the column has been securely anchored and stabilised against overturning, the column lifting
sling may be released by remote release shackle or by using a ladder leaning against the column,
secured in accordance with Sections 4.8.

Site Modifications to Steelwork

Site modification or rectification of steelwork should only be made with the prior approval of the design
engineer. Where such modifications or rectifications are being carried out, the steel erector should
ensure the steelwork is safely and appropriately supported so as not to compromise the stability of the
structure or any member of the structure.

Lifting Steelwork
The steel erector should assess the weight of all steelwork to be lifted and should ensure that sufficient
cranage and slings of the appropriate type and capacity are being used. Cranes shall be operated within
their safe working capacity. All cranes used for steel erection should be fitted with weight load indicators.

Before lifting any steelwork, the steel erector should ensure that the members are safely and suitably
supported and that their ends are tied and held as necessary, to prevent uncontrolled movement of the
steel while it is being transported or lifted into position (refer Figure 8). Particular care should be

19
exercised with very long, slender or flexible members. In such cases, the use of spreader beams may
be appropriate to ensure member stability during lifting and positioning.

Figure 8 Lifting of steel section (Source: Steel Designers Manual 6th Edition, Buick
Davison & Graham W. Owens)

Where connections are made at levels four meters or more above decked or ground level, the initial
landing and bolting of the beam may be from:

a) A ladder, provided that the ladder is fixed to a column, adjacent secondary beam or core and the
steel rigger is attached to a fixture on the column, core or ladder; (See Figures 9 and 10).

b) A personnel box suspended from a crane;

c) A purpose built platform supported from a column or adjacent member (See Figure 9);

d) Rungs welded to a column (See Figure 9). In this case the steel rigger is to be attached to the column
by a safety harness, anchored above the work point to limit the distance of any fall;

e) A bosun's chair supported by an attachment at the top of a column with the steel rigger secured in
the chair and tied off to the column at the work point (See Figure 10);

f) A trailing scaffold or a platform below a core slipform assembly;

g) A power operated mobile platform;

h) The final bolting may be made in any of the above ways, or by straddling the beam, provided that the
steel rigger is attached by way of a safety line to the column, beam or wall at a point level with or above
the highest point of working.

20
 Figure 9 Connection of ladder to a column

Figure 10 Worker attached by harness

Rafters
For maximum safety and economy, a rafter spanning between adjacent columns should be erected in
one length involving one crane and a single lift. However, where this is not practicable, the rafter will
need to be erected in multiple lengths involving multiple lifts and at least two cranes. Only after a rafter
has been securely fixed in position and stabilized as necessary (by means of either roof bracing, purlins,
guys or other appropriate means), should support from the lifting crane be released and lifting slings
removed.

21
 Single Lift Erection
To erect a rafter in a single lift will generally require the rafter to be first bolted together on the ground
at the ridge point or possibly at an intermediate point. The rafter may then be lifted into position and
bolted to the portal columns and end-wall columns by steel riggers working from ladders leaning against
the columns.

Multiple Lift Erection

Where the rafter cannot be erected in a single lift but needs to be jointed in the air, the rafter to column
connections may be made by the steel rigger working from a ladder. The apex or intermediate rafter
joints may be made by the steel rigger whilst either straddling the beam or standing on the bottom flange
of the rafter wearing a suitably attached safety harness, or from a scissor lift, as appropriate for the
circumstances.

Employees that engaged in a multiple lift operation must be trained in these procedures. Due to the
specialized nature of multiple lift and the knowledge necessary to perform them safely, this training
requirement is necessary to ensure that employees are properly trained in all aspects of multiple lift
procedures. Refer to crane manufacturer manual before engaging in multiple lift erection as some crane
manufacturers often recommend that employers to not execute multiple lifting with their cranes.

Girts
Girts may be erected from a ladder. Individual girts should not be carried while climbing a ladder. Rather
they should be lifted into position by means of a hand line, or with mechanical equipment when the girts
are too heavy to safely lift by hand. Worker shall note that girts are not to be used as an anchorage
point for a fall arrest system.

a) To aid the erection of girts, a combined access lifting box may be used. With the latter the crane will
need to be suitable for person-riding and the box designed for the intended loading. Clearly marked
safe working loads should be displayed at each end, preferably in terms of the number of persons and
the total weight of girts allowed, as well as the total safe working load in kilograms.

b) Girt bridging and any associated sag rods may be erected from a ladder. Bridging should not be
carried up or down the ladder, rather it should be lifted from the ground by the steel rigger using a hand
line.

Purlins
a) Where the conditions allow, panels of purlins with all bridging installed should be made up at ground
level and a lifting frame used to raise and position each panel of purlins.

b) If it is not practicable to lift or install panels of purlins then a purlin bundle should be deposited at the
base of the rafter slope. Individual purlins may then be carried into position from the purlin bundle. The
steel rigger should wear a safety harness and safety line attached to a static line which should have
been installed to the rafter while it is at ground level.

Other methods of protecting workers against serious injury from falling are described in Section 4.8.

Where purlins cannot be erected directly from the rafter steelwork, alternate methods of safe erection
will need to be developed involving the use of suitable and appropriate equipment and procedures such
as the lifting frame.

Purlin Bridging
Steel purlins are designed to carry load in one direction only, which is at right angles to the roof plane.
They cannot be allowed to deflect from that line. Bridging is a method of stopping deflection and thereby
increasing the carrying capacity of any particular section.

22
a) Purlin bridging may be erected from a scaffold plank spanning across the purlins. The scaffold plank
should have a minimum length equal to at least three purlin spaces plus 600mm. It should also have
attached some appropriate form of blocking piece or projection across the full width of the scaffold
plank, to ensure that the scaffold plank can engage on any purlin in order to prevent the scaffold plank
from sliding down the slope of the roof. The blocking piece or projection should be at least 100mm long
when measured at right angles to the scaffold plank. While working from such a scaffold plank the steel
rigger should ensure that the person is at all times wearing a safety harness attached by a safety line
to the purlin.

b) Bridging may need to be raised from the ground by the steel rigger using a hand line. The steel rigger
should never stand or walk on the scaffold plank spanning across the purlins but rather should work
from a seated or lying position. Progressive movement up or down the roof may be made by sliding the
scaffold plank across the purlins.

At no time should a steel rigger use the bridging for support or place any weight on bridging members.

Type of Bracing

Fly Bracing
Column fly bracing may be erected from a ladder. Rafter fly bracing (see Annex B) may be installed by
the steel rigger while straddling the rafter or standing on the bottom flange of the rafter.

Where rafter fly bracing cannot be erected directly from rafter steelwork, an alternate method of safe
erection will need to be developed, generally in conjunction with the erection procedure for purlins.

Wall Bracing
Wall bracing may be erected from a ladder. Bracing members should be lifted by a crane. Where the
weight of a bracing member is such that it can be safely lifted by hand, this may be done by the steel
rigger while working from a ladder, using a hand line to lift the bracing member from the ground.

Roof Bracing
Roof bracing may be erected by a steel rigger straddling the rafter, or standing on the bottom flange of
a rafter, which ever position is the more suitable and appropriate under the circumstances. Bracing
members should be lifted by a crane.

Where the weight of a bracing member is such that it may be safely lifted by hand, this may be done by
the steel rigger while working from the steelwork and using a hand line to lift the bracing from the ground.
Bracing systems should be assembled on the ground where possible.

Beams Connection
Beam connections should be made from a ladder or other steelwork. Where a continuous beam needs
to be joined at an intermediate joint this may be done from the steelwork itself. Such connections are
essentially identical to those in rafters and may be approached in a similar way.

Other Steelwork
All other steelwork not already covered should be erected in a manner consistent with the principles
and methods of erection described in this guideline for members performing essentially similar
functions.

23
SECTION 4: SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT

4.1 General

Safety in site operation is the utmost concern that need to be considered by all respected personnel.
Besides, safety is one of the main objectives in delivering a good project. The most common safety
hazard in erection of precast concrete elements is working at height. Thus, it is very essential for
related personnel to consider all the related safety hazards during the work.

This section mainly covers on working at height. It includes safety consideration, HIRARC, personal
protective methods, and guidelines on working at height.

It is more practical that this standard to be referred along with the Guidelines on Occupational Safety
and Health in Construction Industry (Management) (OSHCIM), 2019 and the Guidelines for Hazard
Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk Control (HIRARC), 2008 published by the Department of
Safety and Health (DOSH). Published by the Department of Safety and Health (DOSH)

4.2 Safety Consideration

Weather

Adverse weather conditions can make steel erection hazardous and unsafe. Weather conditions which
have an adverse effect on erection safety include:

a) Rain or dew;

b) Wind;

c) Conditions which cause poor visibility such as fog, haze, mist or glare.

Under such conditions, erection operations which become unsafe should be stopped, unless adequate
measures are taken to ensure that the risk is no worse than under normal weather conditions.

If, under adverse weather conditions, the decision is made to stop work, measures should be taken to
ensure the stability of the structure. Similarly, the stability of previously erected steelwork should be
reassessed before work is restarted.

Lighting

Adequate natural and/or other lighting shall be provided to all areas where work is to be carried out.

Maintenance of Equipment

Safety features built into tools and equipment are only as good as the safety practices of those using
them. The employer shall ensure that regular inspection and maintenance is carried out to ensure that
all tools and equipment, as well as plant and machinery, used in the erection of steelwork are always
in good condition and safe to use. Each type of plant or equipment should be used as intended and
within the limits of its rated capacity.

Safety Helmets

The wearing of a safety helmet is compulsory in areas designated as hard hat areas.

24
 Footwear

Persons erecting steel should wear non-slip footwear. Rubber soled shoes can be a hazard where wet
or slippery steelwork or surfaces are encountered. Consequently, work should not proceed during wet
weather or until such surfaces are dry, unless some other safe method of erection is employed.

4.3 Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk Control (HIRARC)

Identify the Hazard

Many things can pose a hazard in a construction project, such as deficient design of steel structure,
faulty steel material, and unauthorized modifications to steel components, poor lifting practices and
inadequate temporary support. Consider each stage of the project lifecycle and identify potential
hazards. For example:

a) Review proprietary documentation such as designer’s safety reports, design drawings, shop
drawings and erection instructions to identify hazardous tasks and the sequence of work.

b) Observe work locations and look for interactions with other activities, vehicles, pedestrians, structures
or underground essential services.

c) Consider the environment and check for features such as sloping ground, rough surfaces, holes,
excavations, trees, underground watercourses or other structures.

d) Review any inspection, maintenance, incident and injury records, including information on near
misses.

e) Review high risk construction work needs. Information about hazards should be recorded and given
to those involved in later stages of the structure’s lifecycle to enable effective consultation and risk
management.

Assess the Risk

If a hazard has been identified, the contractor or person involved should conduct a risk assessment to
determine how large the risk posed by the hazard is, what action is necessary to control the risk, how
urgently the action needs to be taken and who is responsible for implementing the control measure. In
some cases the risks and related control measures will be well known, but in other cases a more
comprehensive assessment will be required.

Control the Risk

The contractor must eliminate risks, so far as is reasonably practicable. Eliminating a risk means
removing it from the workplace. If elimination is not reasonably practicable, consider options in
accordance with the hierarchy of risk control. The hierarchy of controls requires the highest level of
controls to be implemented first, so far as is reasonably practicable:

a) Substitute a high risk activity with a low risk activity – for example use an element connection system
instead of relying on welding.

b) Isolate the hazard – for example use an exclusion zone to separate workers from mobile plant that
is erecting prefabricated concrete elements.

c) Implement engineering controls – for example provide overhead protective structures to prevent
objects falling and hitting people below the work area.

25
If it is not reasonably practicable to minimise the risk through substitution, isolation or engineering
controls, the risks must be minimised through lower level controls:

a) Introduce administrative controls – for example stop construction work at designated hold points until
engineering approval is obtained to progress to the next step of the process.

b) Use PPE – for example wear high visibility clothing, hard hats, protective hand and footwear. Use
PPE in addition to higher level controls when some risk still remains.

Maintain and Review the Control Measures

The contractor should review control measures regularly to ensure they are working as planned and
that risks are managed so far as is reasonably practicable. Consider any changes, the nature and
duration of work and whether the system is working as planned. When reviewing control measures,
review and revise any method statements that have been prepared in relation to high-risk construction
work.

4.4 Personal Protective Methods

Only to be used when other methods do not give required protection.

Safety Harnesses

Examples: Making connections when other means of assuring a safe place is not practicable.

Conditions of Use: Means of anchorage must be provided and correct length of safety line to be used.
Breaking strength of safety harnesses shall be tested not less than 22 kN.

Comments : The use of harnesses is preferred as this reduces injuries should a fall occur; harnesses
which incorporate tool frogs (a loop fastened to a belt to hold a tool) and pouches are to be encouraged.
Competent person need to check and maintain the harnesses. (Refer Figure 11).

26
 Figure 11 Safety harness training (Guidelines on Occupational Safety and Health in Construction
Industry (Management) Department of Occupational Safety and Health (2019))

Anchorage Methods to Structure

Example: To secure safety line of safety harness (a) in a free hole in structural steelwork, or (b) around
a structural member.

Conditions of Use: Inspected before use and attached properly before being relied upon

Comments: Single hand only required for attachment; and extra hole may have to be planned and left
open

Static Lines

Examples: For the attachment of a safety harness via a safety line and travelling anchorage.

Conditions of Use: Effective anchorages required; whole system should be designed for loads which it
is expected to take safely.

Comments: Use recommended only if direct fixing for safety line is not possible.

Safety Eyebolt

Examples: To secure safety line of safety harness in, for example, concrete or masonry. Security of eye
bolt should be checked before use.

27
4.5 Working at Heights Consideration

Reduction of Work at Heights

Whenever possible the need to work at heights should be avoided, to minimize the risk of falls. Some
alternative means of erection which may reduce the need to work at heights are:

a) Connecting as much steelwork as possible at ground level, from erected floor slabs or from decks in
the structure. This should be planned and included in the erection scheme;

b) Reducing the number of separate components lifted by connecting where practicable at ground level;

c) Using a remote release lifting device on the lifting gear where possible. (See Figure 12);

d) Inspecting and testing as shall follow the approved

Figure 12 Remote Release Shackle

Limitations on Work at Heights

Where work at heights is unavoidable, steel erectors shall ensure that employees have safe means of
access to working positions. Steel erectors shall ensure that workers are suitably secured or otherwise
protected against falling.

The method selected for the protection of employees will generally be determined by individual job
factors including the nature of the work, the size of the job, equipment availability, interaction with other
trades and the like. Methods of protection available include scaffolding, ladders, scissor hoists,
personnel boxes, safety nets, cherry pickers and safety harnesses.

Traversing steel beams, rafters, or similar structural components should be avoided except where the
worker is:

a) Working above scaffolding or similar structure, with a working platform not more than 4 meters; below
the worker; or

b) Wearing a safety harness securely attached to a static line as described in Sections 4.8.10; or

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c) Walking immediately above a safety net; or

d) Straddling an I-section beam which is deep enough, within a range 200 to 700mm, to allow
comfortable movement along the bottom flange and enable access to the working position. In such
cases both hands must be free to grip the top flange.

Selection of Access to Working Places

The following sections outline ways in which safe access and protection from falls may be achieved
while working at heights.

Annex C describes types of access to working places with conditions, comments and examples of their
use.

The sequence of erection should be planned so that the permanent structure can be used as much as
possible to provide safer access ways and working places, with little or no adaptation.

Access to working places should be restricted to persons actually engaged in work in that area. In
choosing a particular method of access to a working place, consideration should be given to:

a) Ground conditions. A greater variety of access aids, for example scissor lifts, can be used if suitable
hard standings or floor slabs are provided;

b) Any permanent access routes, such as stairways that could only be erected as construction
progresses;

c) Permanent access floors, if these are erected as the structure progresses;

d) Height and accessibility of connections;

e) The number of times access is required, including any necessary supervision and inspection;

f) The type of activity, tools to be used, and how long the activity will take;

g) The type of labour required to undertake the work i.e.; certified steel riggers and their supervision, or
other employees;

h) The availability of, and the clearances required for, any plant or equipment to be used;

i) The need to move access ways as the job progresses to form the shortest possible route;

j) Any abnormal site conditions (e.g.; unloading restrictions, limited hours of working, likely prevailing
wind conditions).

Vertical Movement on Steelwork

Stairs, ladders, or appropriate mechanical equipment such as personnel boxes, should normally be
used for vertical movement above four meters. Proprietary equipment is available. The use of cranes
and skylift to carry out the activities shall be visually inspected prior to commencement of operation in
accordance of crane or skylift inspection checklist. Riding of crane hooks or loads being hoisted is not
permitted.

Operator of the scissor lift (EWP), sky-lift and other working platform shall have a valid driving license
issued RTD and are familiar with the safe operation of respective machine. The work on respective
machine shall follow the manual issued by the machine’s company and Best Practice on Occupational
Safety and Health in Construction Industry 2019. Annex D shows typical the working at height checklist.

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 Horizontal Movement

Horizontal movement along beams may be required to reach a work area or to carry out the erection of
building components. Such horizontal movement may be executed in any of the following ways:

Walking the Top Surface

Walking along the top surface of a beam by competent steel riggers is an acceptable means of
horizontal movement providing the person can fall no more than four meters (See Figure 13). The beam
should be fixed, be sufficiently stable to permit such walking along the top surface and have a minimum
width of 130mm. The top surface of the beam should be free from shear bolts, cleats, and other
obstructions. At a height above four meters, attachment by safety harness to a suitable anchorage
should be used. For beams inclined at a slope greater than 15 degrees, an alternate method of
movement should be used.

Beam Straddling
Beam straddling is an acceptable means of horizontal movement to effect the erection of building
components, provided it is carried out on an I-section beam (See Figure 14). The beam depth should
be between 200mm and 700mm to allow the steel rigger to conveniently sit or stand astride the top
flange with adequate hand and foot holds. Obstructions should not necessitate the steel rigger changing
the basic position described and it should be noted that the presence of shearbolts, cleats, and other
obstructions precludes safe passage.

Beam straddling includes sitting astride the top flange of the beam or walking on the bottom flange while
straddling the top flange of the beam. For beams inclined at a slope greater than 30 degrees, an
alternate method of movement should be used.

Walking the Bottom Flange

Walking or standing on the bottom flange means walking or standing completely on one side of the
beam or rafter and does not imply or include a straddling position. Walking the bottom flange of a beam
or rafter is an acceptable means of horizontal movement (See Figure 15) provided that:

a) A secure handhold can be easily and conveniently reached by the steel rigger using both hands:

b) A secure foothold is available for both feet and can be used in conjunction with the handhold position
without losing co-ordination; and

c) The top flange or surface does not reach higher than the steel rigger's chest

For beams or rafters inclined at a slope greater than 30 degrees an alternate method of movement
should be used.

Figure 13 Walking on the top surface of the Beam - below 4m only

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 Figure 14 Straddling the beam

Figure 15 Walking on the Bottom Flange

Ladders

To attain temporary access, ladders may be used for the purpose of connections and for short term
operations such as the removal of lifting slings (See Figures 16 and 17).

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 Figure 16 Ladders

Figure 17 Ladders

Portable ladders shall be placed on a firm base. The slope of the ladder shall be about one (horizontally)
to four (vertically).

Where the ladder is used for a short term work such as disengaging lifting slings, a second person
should stand at the bottom of the ladder in such a way as to prevent slippage.

Where the work is of longer duration, the ladder should be secured at the top and the worker secured
by means of a safety harness. Vertical ladders in excess of 9m in height should incorporate a fall
arresting device, for instance, the rigid rail system.

Attachment to a fall arrestor (See Figure 18) should occur from this height.

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 Figure 18 Fall Arrestor

Work Platforms

There are different types of work platforms which may be used to attain access to steelwork. These are:

a) Temporary working platforms which can be fitted at ground level before erection. Design features of
such platforms should include easy and safe dismantling for re-use at other locations;

b) Lightweight, fabricated, hanging working platforms (See Figure 19) which can be used in many
locations if they are designed in such a way as to fit a variety of beam widths.

Figure 19 Hanging work platform

c) Elevating working platforms such as scissor lifts or cherry pickers which provide a safe working
platform suitable for tasks such as bolting up, purlin bridging and installation of sag rods.

The surface of working platforms and gangways shall be free of protrusions or obstructions and shall
be large enough and strong enough to carry the required loading of workers, tools and materials.
Working platforms should be able to resist other likely induced forces such as impact and environmental
conditions such as wind.

Personnel Boxes

Personnel boxes complying with the regulations can be used either to gain access onto the structure or
as working platforms. When used for access, the box should where possible, be landed on a firm, level
surface which is wide enough to fully support it. People should enter or leave the box one at a time and
the alighting area should allow them to climb in and out of the box easily and safely. There should also

33
be a safe means of access to the place of work from the box. When boxes are used as a working
platform for making connections on an open framework, people should not attempt to leave the box at
height unless a safety harness is used by each steel rigger to secure themselves to the box or structure.

Fall Protection

Safety Nets
Safety nets may be a satisfactory alternative means of protection in the event of falling, while also
allowing steel riggers maximum flexibility of movement.

In considering the use of safety nets as a fall protection measure, main contractors may take into
account the usefulness of safety nets for the safety of persons in other occupations, for instance, roof
plumbers.

Safety nets should be constructed in accordance with the Statutory Regulation. The use and
maintenance of the nets should be in accordance with the Statutory Regulation.

Floor Opening Protection

The floor opening on a floor surface should be covered by a specific material and specification with
respect to the opening sizes. The floor opening cover is categorized based on its size which is:

Table 1 Floor Opening Protection

Smaller than 250mm 18mm thick plywood and cover hole. The
plywood shall be fixed with concrete nails.

Greater than 250mm but less than Use 2 timbers run across the hole and then
1500mm covered with 18mm thick plywood which fixed
with iron nails to the timber runs, the surface of
plywood shall painted with warning sign indicator
with red and white paints (spacing 20cm, angle
of 45 degrees)
Cover the opening with 10mm thick plywood, and
fixed with Ф8mm diameter expansion bolts or
cement nails, surface painted with warning sign
indicator with red and white paints (spacing
20cm, angle of 45 degrees)
Greater than 1500mm but less than Setup Ф48mm diameter steel pipe guard rails
4000mm around the hole, pole spacing not exceeding
2000mm, lower part of the protective railing set
200mm high and 18mm thick plywood toe board,
top railings at 1.1m height and middle railing at
600mm height, all components must have
painted warning sign indicator with red and white
(with 400mm Spacing), guard rails setup full of
safety net close to the wall and display warning
signboard at the top of a horizontal railing bar
"beware of falling" poster signs.
Greater than 4000mm but less than Install guard rails use same type of material,
5000mm same pattern of installation except that install
additional guard rail in the bottom to ensure the
rigidity of the guard rails

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 Greater than 5000mm if encountered such scene of holes, should carry
out a special protection program with approval of
project manager.

Building Edge Protection

The followings are the minimum requirement for building edge protection which can be used as
necessary practicable:

a) When the window edge height is less than or equal to 800mm, the lateral width greater than 2000mm,
it needs to set edge protection

b) The building edge protection must have a strong connection of vertical post

c) The structural column shall be hoop up with steel pipe and other corresponding part adopt the span
method that buckled on the floor level with expansion bolt plug

d) The entire protection components shall brush painted red and white as warning indicator stripes
spacing shall be 400mm

e) Every guardrails space between any toe-board and the lowest guard-rail above it shall not exceed
690 mm

f) Toe-boards up to a sufficient height being in no case less than 200 mm

g) Top rails protection height are between 900mm-1100mm

Safety Harnesses and Anchorage Techniques

Safety harness equipment must fit correctly and be kept in good order. Safety harnesses, as opposed
to belts, should be used because harnesses provide for better protection.

The safety line of the harness should be attached to the structure or a static line or other fixing point,
preferably above the working position to limit the height of any fall. Methods of attachment include:

a) Looping the safety line around a structural member and fastening the hook back onto the safety line.
The use of such a "choke hitch" is dependent on the overall size of the frame member encompassed
by the loop of the safety line or on the thickness of the extremities of the member which may be small
enough to cut the safety line if a fall should occur. In such cases the safety line should be increased in
thickness or be sleeved to prevent this cutting action;

b) Where frame members are too big to be choked around, a wire rope (minimum diameter 12.5mm)
may be secured around the member (preferably at ground level prior to erection) and the safety line
then attached to the wire rope itself;

c) Using proprietary girder grip devices. These may be:

i) Attached around, or onto a structural member of a suitable size range (See Figure 20); or

35
 Figure 20 Steel Riggers Hook

ii) Inserted into a suitable sized hole in the structural framework and locked to give a secure anchorage.
This use is dependent on there being a spare, correctly sized hole, and it should therefore be included
at the detailing stage. The frame material must also be suitable (see figure 21).

Figure 21 Girder Grip Device

Fall protection may also be achieved by the use of a parachute type, full body safety harness, attached
at the top dorsal position by a safety line to a static line, through a suitable travelling anchorage,
provided that:

a) The persons required to use the equipment are well trained personnel and supervised in its use;

b) Persons using a safety harness are not working in isolation;

c) Safety harnesses comply with the Statutory Regulation;

d) Harnesses and other equipment are maintained in accordance with Statutory Regulation;

e) Static lines and anchorages are designed for strength and movement restraint allowing for a minimum
factor of safety of 6 with a minimum line diameter of 12.5mm;

f) The free fall limit for a person wearing a full body harness attached to a safety line behind the user's
head at the top of the back, does not exceed 1.8 meters, in accordance with Statutory Regulation;

g) Safety lines have a minimum tensile strength of 22 kN;

h) There is a minimum of stack in the safety line, between the person and the attachment to the static
line or other anchorage;

i) The anchorage used is as high as the equipment permits and the hazard of working above the point
of anchorage is emphasized to workers;

j) The rescue and evacuation of a worker who is suspended in a full body harness occurs as soon as
possible and in any event within twenty minutes of an arrested fall.

36
 ANNEX A ERECTION SEQUENCE

(Source: Practical Guide to Planning the Safe Erection of Steel Structures 1st Edition (2016), Australian Steel Institute

37
(Source: Practical Guide to Planning the Safe Erection of Steel Structures 1st Edition (2016), Australian Steel Institute

38
(Source: Practical Guide to Planning the Safe Erection of Steel Structures 1st Edition (2016), Australian Steel Institute

39
ANNEX B VIEW OF TYPICAL BUILDING SHOWING ARRANGEMENT OF
COMPONENTS

Figure 22 Construction Joint

40
 ANNEX B ACCES TO WORKING PLACES

Access Mode Examples Condition of Use Comments

Walkways General Access Edge protection must be All permanent
and stairways adequate; grating or walkways, ladders and
flooring units must have steps should be
flush finish and be erected as early as
securely fixed; they must possible. Temporary
be maintained in a fit guard rails should be
condition and checked used, if necessary, in
regularly. order to advance the
use of those means of
access if the
permanent rails are not
available (fixings may
need to be built in for
temporary provisions).

Vertical Access to columns Securely fixed along Fix to column prior to

Ladders length; Capable of safe erection preferably on
removal; at edge of faces within the
structure or over 9m high building line. Ladders
a proprietary fall should be of good
protection system on the construction without
ladder should be used defects; Spaces to be
allowed for toes behind
ladder.

Inclined General access to General access to

Ladder heights for bolting up of heights for bolting up of
joints. joints.
Rungs Access to tops of steel Properly designed and
Welded to columns (requires some fabricated; pitch (or
Columns other form of access to spacing) of flats should
that point - such as a be based on
ladder); access for requirements for ladders.
maintenance if rungs not A proprietary fall
removed on completion of protection system should
erection. be incorporated on
columns in excess of 9m
in height.

Telescopic Access to, and making Firm and level purchase, Erection should be
Boom connections (particularly stable base; operators planned so that, for
Articulated for short duration should be trained and instance, previously
Arms (Single repetitive Work, such as competent to use the erected members will
Arm Scissor final bolt up). Inspection machine. not hinder the
Lifts) of completed or partially operation; ground
completed work. conditions for both use
and access to the point
of use should be
satisfactory; gives
increased speed of
access.

Personnel Access to, and making

Boxes connections on an open
structure (particularly
beams to columns).

41
Tower Making connections. Firm foundation, sound,
Scaffolds Permanent and welded even surface; erected by
connections. qualified persons only;
height to base width can
be critical and should be
checked for stability; safe
means of access to
working places.
Swing Stage Remedial work on Outriggers to be of
completed structure. adequate length and
correctly counterweighted
or securely fixed to the
structure.
Ready-made,
moveable access as
well as a working
place. Tower may need
to be secured.
Maximum load clearly
indicated. Fall arrest
device, on secondary
safety rope, to be
provided.

Bosun Chair Making connections Only to be used if access : If bosun chair is used,
and Safety where access from above from immediately below occupant must be
Chair is required. the connection is secured to the
unreasonable. suspension rope.

Common or At connections where a Fabricated platforms Removable platforms

Proprietary large number of fasteners
Scaffolds or welding is required.
Purpose Built At connections where a
Platform large number of fasteners
(e.g.; or welding is required.
fabricated)
Hung Atrium faces, below core
Scaffold slip form assemblies
Lightweight General Access; working
Staging place; more than one unit
may “required to provide
sufficient width for
intended use.
Scaffold General access; working
Planks place; normally more than
one plank will be required
to provide sufficient width
for intended use.
need to be properly
designed and
constructed; must be
capable of being removed
safely. Method of
connection to supporting
member should not allow
accidental release or
removal.
Removable platforms can
be lifted (empty) for reuse
at a new location. Fixed
platforms can be attached
to work-piece (e.g., to top
of column) prior to
erection.
Properly constructed with
suspension; inspected
regularly by competent
person.
Must be adequately
supported; must not be
able to move {or slide)
inadvertently; edge
protection should be
provided; safety
harnesses or belts may
be required if working
below guard rail.
Must be sound boards
used in accordance with
regulations.
can be lifted (empty) for
reuse at a new
location. Fixed
platforms can be
attached to work-piece
(e.g., to top of column)
prior to erection.
Scaffold may be
erected with work-piece
to avoid constructing
the working platform at
height.
Can provide ready-
made decking which
can be moved readily;
width can be increased
by providing extra
units; requires fewer
supports than scaffold
boards. May need
securing against
movement.
A regular check on
condition is required.
May need securing
against movement.

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ANNEX C WORKING AT HEIGHT CHECKLIST

(Source: https://hsseworld.com/work-at-height-checklist/)

43
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Construction Industry Development Board, Malaysia would like to extend our sincere appreciation to all
those involved in the development of this guideline.
Honorary advisor of Construction Industry Standard
Datuk Ir. Ahmad ‘Asri Abdul Hamid
Chairman of Construction Industry Standard Main Committee
Datuk Ir. Elias Ismail
Secretariat:
Ts. Dr. Gerald Sundaraj
Pn. Mazieana Che Amat
Ts. Dr. Hj. Mohd Khairolden Ghani
En. Ahmad Farhan Bin Roslan
Tc. Nuramin bin Baslan
Prof. Ir. Dr. A. Karim Mirasa
Prof. Madya Dr. Rozana Zakaria
Ts. Dr. Eeydzah Aminudin
Ts. Dr. Nor Hasanah Abdul Shukor Lim
Dr. Nur Izieadiana Binti Abidin
Dr. Nadirah Binti Darus
Prof. Ir. Dr. Mahmood bin Md Tahir
Prof. Ir. Dr. Mohd Hanim bin Osman
Prof. Madya Dr. Arizu Sulaiman
Prof. Madya Ir. Dr. Shek Poi Ngian
Mohd Fikri Bin Mohd Hanim
Sr. Dr. Siti Mazzuana Shamsuddin
En. Tee Sing Huat
En. Hairul Anuar Masrullah
Pn. Suraya binti Johari
En. Fong Chin Loong
En. Lim Yit Kian
En. Oh Yong Ee
En. Mohd Yusri Ismail
Dr. Hj. Mohd Fadhillah Mahmood
Chief Executive, CIDB Malaysia
Deputy Chief Executive l, CIDB Malaysia
Construction Industry Development Board
Construction Industry Development Board
Construction Research Institute of Malaysia
Construction Research Institute of Malaysia
Construction Research Institute of Malaysia
Universiti Malaysia Sabah
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
Universiti Teknologi MARA
Asia Roofing Industries SDN BHD
Asia Roofing Industries SDN BHD
NS BlueScope Lysaght Malaysia SDN BHD
Lavenda Building System SDN BHD
Mega Building System SDN BHD
Building System SDN BHD
Practical Engineering SDN BHD
Wira Kerjaya SDN BHD
44