Code of Constructions Safety Practice

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Steel Erection

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Introduction:
Construction workplaces are always associated with steel erection activities used in the construction
of single and multi-story buildings and bridges.

This chapter sets forth the safety procedures and rules to be applied to protect employees engaged
in steel erection from potential hazards associated with these activities.

Steel Erection Activities:

11- 1 General Requirements:
1. Prior to beginning the erection of any steel structure, the contractor shall develop a
detailed steel erection plan, includes, risk assessment, temporary supports, and
erection equipment used, and the sequence of erecting of these structures, and this
plan shall be submitted to the Consultant Engineer for approval.
2. A steel erection contractor shall not start steel erection unless ensuring that concrete has
attained and has sufficient strength to support the loads imposed during steel erection,
and obtains the approval of the consultant engineer according to the project
specifications.
3. The contractor shall provide his employees with all necessary personal protective
equipment and shall ensure their effective use.
4. Steel erection materials shall be stored and transferred in accordance with their erection
order and sequence.
5. Hand tools shall be protected from falling while steel erection activity is performed.
6. Adequate precautions shall be taken during hoisting and rigging activities of steel
structure to prevent their potential slipping out or fall. A structure engineer shall design
the location of load anchoring points, load balance and hoisting with reference to chapter
21 on lifting tools and equipment.
7. Load carrying capacity of the crane shall be determined to ensure that it is able to lift
the load. Hoisting processes shall be controlled so as not to allow swinging of joists or
any other structural members.
8. Adequate precautions shall be taken when working on suspended scaffolds. If
platforms are installed over those scaffolds they shall be free from bolts, nuts and debris
in accordance with chapter 8 on scaffolds and the technical guidelines no. (38).
9. When working on suspended scaffolds, employees shall be provided with harness
belts anchored to a stable and permanent structure. When guardrail or safety belt
systems are impracticable, a safety net shall be installed directly below the working area.
10. Work on open web steel joists shall not be permitted during strong winds or heavy rains
which endanger the safety of employees. Work shall be completely stopped when
wind speed is 38 km/h or more.
11. Each steel member shall be correctly erected in its place and adequately anchored
before removing the temporary supports or released from the hoisting line.
12. Trusses shall be adequately anchored or temporarily supported until completion of
permanent anchorage.

11.2. Material Hoisting and Rigging:

1. During hoisting operation, cranes and derricks shall be kept at a distance not less than
3 meters from electrical power lines.
2. Cranes used in steel erection activities shall be regularly inspected to ensure their
safe working condition.

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3. Routes of suspended loads shall be pre-planned to ensure that no employee is required

to work directly below a suspended load, unless there is a protective shields above them.
The area below the hoisting equipment shall be cleared (figure 1).

Fig. 1

4. Hoisting of different size steel bundles shall be avoided unless they are all tied in
one bundle to prevent slipping out.
5. Hooks with self-closing latches shall only be used in material hoisting activities.
6. Tag lines shall be used to control the movement of the suspended loads during
hoisting operations. Tag lines shall be properly attached to the load to prevent slippage
and displacement. (Fig. # 2).

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Fig. 2

7. Tightly closed boxes or basket nets shall be used to hoist small pieces, sheets and
small bundles.

11.3. Fastening with bolts and welding:

1. All bolts, nuts, tools and any other objects which might be scattered shall be kept in
boxes to avoid displacement resulting form work vibrations.
2. Welding machines’ cables, air lines and hoses shall be laid in a way to avoid tripping
hazards, and to protect them against damage. They shall not permitted to be laid in
aisles or corridors.
3. Welding cylinders shall be fixed in stable up-right position. Empty cylinders shall be
immediately removed from the worksite. Reference is made to chapter 15 on welding.

11.4. Temporary Platforms:

1. In multi-story steel web structural buildings, a temporary platform of metal sheets
with appropriate and adequate thickness and strength shall be installed. They shall be
capable of withstanding the imposed loads (figure 3) on the beams and girders until
permanent platforms have been installed. Temporary platforms shall be properly
anchored so as to prevent their movement, slippage or overturning when exposed to
loads. All fall protection systems shall be provided for employees.
2. Upon completion of joist installations, temporary platforms shall be installed over the
whole area except for the necessary openings for work purposes.

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Fig. 3

11.5. Column Anchorage:

1. Each structural column shall be anchored by a minimum of four anchor rods
(anchor bolts) provided that they are not less than what specified in the approved plans,
designs and execution methods. Employees shall not be permitted to climb those
columns (figure 4).

Fig. 4

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11.6. Beams and Columns erection:

1. During placing steel web structural members, the load shall not be released from
the hoisting line until the members are secured with at least two bolts per connection
provided that they are bolted in different sides of the bridge drawn up wrench-tight or
the equivalent as specified in the project structural design (figure 5).

Fig.5

2. Any structural member of the steel joists shall be permanently anchored in accordance
with the approved designs and specifications before the installation of other
completing members.
3. Columns shall be supported in compliance with the technical requirements to ensure
protection against overturning until permanently anchored.

11.7. Fall Protection:

1. Each employee engaged in a steel erection activity who is on a walking/working
surface with an unprotected side or edge more than 2 meters (6 feet) above a lower
level shall be protected from fall hazards by one of the following systems: (in line with
the technical guidelines no (19 ) on fall protection)
a. Guardrail Systems and Platforms
b. Lifelines & Safety Harness (figure 7,8 & 9)
c. Positioning Device System (figure 10 )
d. Warning Line System (figure 11)
e. Safety Net System (figure 12 & 13)

The distance between the top rail and the mid rail or between the mid rail and the toe-board shall not
exceed 47 cm.

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Fig.6

Fig.

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Fig. 8

Fig.9

Fig.10

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Fig.11

Fig.12

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