Oregon Occupational Safety & Health Division (OR …

1 Oregon Occupational Safety & Health Division (OR-OSHA)1 FALL protection n Rebar and Concrete FormworkContentsIntroduction .. 2OR-OSHA's Fall protection Requirements forConstruction Work: 1926 Subdivision M .. 2 Fall protection requirements for rebar andconcrete formwork .. 3 Personal fall-arrest systems .. 3 Safety -net systems .. 3 Positioning-device systems .. 4 Climbing rebar .. 5 Capping rebar .. 6 Standard 6 Slipforms .. 7 Tilt-up work .. 7 Precast concrete .. 7 Exterior building work .. 8 Ladders .. 8 Protective equipment .. 8 Training .. 9 Retraining .. 9 Training records.

2 10 Emergencies .. 11 Responding to emergencies .. 12 Investigating accidents .. 12 Definitions of selected terms .. 13OR-OSHA services .. 162 FALL protection n Rebar and Concrete FormworkIntroductionFall protection is a concept that describes behaviors, systems, processes,procedures, equipment, and rules intended to protect workers from fallhazards. Fall protection doesn t mean bulky or cumbersome equipment. Itdoesn t interfere with work tasks and it doesn t get in the way of coworkersif you understand the concept and apply it appropriately. That s the pur-pose of this manual: to help you use appropriate fall protection for rebarand concrete s fall protection requirementsfor construction work: 1926 Subdivision MOR-OSHA s fall protection requirements for the construction industry areincluded in OAR 437, Division 3, Subdivision M, of the Oregon construc-tion Safety and Health code.

3 The requirements apply to virtually all walkingand working surfaces in construction M specifies: Where fall protection is required. What fall protection systems and methods are appropriate to use. Correct construction and installation practices for fall protection . Supervision requirements for workers using fall- protection . Safe-work procedures and requirements with fall- protection systems. Training requirements for workers using fall protection n Rebar and Concrete FormworkFall- protection requirements for rebar andconcrete formworkDivision 3, Subdivision M, requires workers on the faceof formwork or reinforcing steel to use fall protection ifthey are six feet or more above a lower level.

4 Workersand employers can choose from among the followingtypes of fall protection : personal fall-arrest systems, Safety nets, or positioning-device fall-arrest systemsPersonal fall-arrest systems are designed to stop aworker from free falling to a lower level. A personal fall-arrest system consists of an anchorage, connectors, anda full body system components may include a lanyard, alifeline, and a deceleration device. These componentsmust be used only for fall protection and not for anyother purpose. If the system, or any system component,is subjected to a fall, it must be immediately removedfrom service and cannot be used again until a competentperson determines it is is a competent person?

5 OR-OSHA defines a competent person as one who is capable of identifyingexisting and predictable hazards in the work environment and who hasauthorization to take prompt measures to eliminate the a personal fall-arrest system as fall protec-tion when you are constructing standard formsor doing dismantling work, exterior buildingwork, or erecting precast concrete systemsSafety-net systems consist of mesh nets, panels,connectors, and other impact-absorbingcomponents. Use Safety nets as fall protectionfor doing standard formwork, slipform work,and erecting precast concrete personal fall-arrest systemaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaA Safety -net system4 FALL protection n Rebar and Concrete FormworkPositioning-device systemsPositioning-device systems are the most appropriatetype of personal fall- protection for working on andplacing rebar.

6 A positioning-device system enablesone person to work on a vertical surface with bothhands free and it limits free-fall distance to two feetor less. The difference between a positioning devicesystem and a personal fall-arrest system is that apositioning-device system supports a worker onan elevated surface and limits a fall to two personal fall arrest system, on the other hand,prevents a worker from free falling more thansix major components of a positioning-devicesystem are:Body support a body belt or full body and connecting assemblies a chain/web rebar assembly or rope/web lanyard,snaphooks, and connector a carabiner or a rebar or other support systems must meet the followingrequirements.

7 Body supportA body belt must limit the maximum arrest force ona worker to 900 pounds and can t be used for anypurpose other than personal fall protection . A bodyharness must limit the maximum arrest force to1,800 pounds and must be used only for fall protec-tion. Make sure the body belt or harness has sideD-rings, or a single front D-ring for positioning.(Rear D-rings are for fall arrest only.) Finally, use abody belt or full body harness that is properly fitted;belts and harnesses come in different sizes. Bodybelts must not ride up and compress the rib positioning-device systemFull body harness with adjustablefront D-ring5 FALL protection n Rebar and Concrete FormworkConnectors and connecting assembliesConnecting assemblies must have a minimumtensile strength of 5,000 pounds.

8 Snaphooks andD-rings must be proof-tested to a minimumtensile load of 3,600 pounds without cracking,deforming, or breaking. They must be made ofdrop-forged steel or equivalent materials, thefinish must be corrosion-resistant, and the sur-faces smooth. The dimensions of snaphooksmust be compatible with the members to whichthey are connected or the snaphooks must be ofthe double-locking type to prevent roll systems must be secured to an anchorage that cansupport at least twice the potential impact load of a worker s fall or 3,000pounds, whichever is sure to inspect positioning device systems for wear, damage, ordeterioration before using them.

9 Remove defective componentsfrom rebarOR-OSHA permits you to free-climb concrete forms and rebar to reachwork areas. The maximum free-climbing height is 24 feet. The horizon-tal bars must be spaced not less than sixinches, or more than 16 inches on rebar spacing is more than 16 incheson center, use a ladder or lift to reach workareas. Upon reaching a work area, youmust use a personal fall-arrest system, safetynet, or positioning-device system for the rebar s rigidity beforeclimbing it. If it s not rigid, brace it tomeet the required 3,000-pound anchor-load climbing overhanging rebar or forms(see the figure at right).

10 This type ofclimbing increases your risk of falling andoverexerting your muscles and connecting assemblyAvoid climbing overhanging rebar or formwork. If youhave to work on overhanging objects, use a poweredelevated lift or protection n Rebar and Concrete FormworkCapping rebarWhenever you work above rebarthat protrudes from the floor, coverthe rebar with protective caps thatwill prevent you from being im-paled if you fall. Cap rebar protrud-ing horizontally to prevent scrapes,cuts, or eye formworkWhen you work on standard formsmore than six feet above a lower level, you must use appropriate fall protec-tion (personal fall-arrest, Safety -net, or positioning-device systems) or workfrom a platform such as a carpenter bracket scaffold.