Concrete Construction

The next Steps define the Cal/OSHA safety working practices for Concrete Construction. Where appropriate, we have referenced the code from Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations.

The topics we will cover in this Navitentare:

-Common Injuries and Illnesses
-Placement of Concrete
-Forms/Falsework and Vertical Shoring
-Masonry Construction
-Precast, Prefabricated Concrete Construction, Tilt-up, Panels
-Rebar and Other Impalement Hazards
-Concrete Finishing

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Common Injuries and Illnesses

Injuries and illnesses common to the concrete construction industry are as follows:

-Burns, rashes, and skin irritations from exposure to cement dust or wet concrete

-Silicosis, a respiratory disease caused by inhaling silica dust from exposure to concrete dust during such operations as concrete cutting, drilling, grinding, or sandblasting

-Broken bones, lacerations, and crushing injuries caused by falls from elevated work surfaces; impalement by rebar or other objects; impact from falling objects, form and shoring failure, and structural failure of components of the project

Because the hazards associated with concrete construction are great, employees must use appropriate personal protective equipment and conform to safe work practices at all times.

Steps 3 through 8 below outline the safe work practices.

Placement of Concrete

-Concrete pumping equipment and placing booms shall be set-up and operated according to manufacturer’s guidelines and the Title 8 Safety Orders

-The manufacturer’s operation manual shall be maintained in legible condition and available at the jobsite

-Controls in the equipment shall have their function clearly marked

-Operation of concrete placing booms in proximity of overhead high-voltage lines shall be in accordance with Article 37 of the High-Voltage Electrical Safety Orders

-Equipment shall be inspected by a qualified operator prior to daily use and the inspection must be documented

Forms/Falsework and Vertical Shoring

For the safety practices on Forms/Falsework and Vertical Shoring, go to the Navitent titled: 'Forms, Falsework, and Vertical Shoring'.

Masonry Construction

-All masonry walls more than 8 feet high must be braced to prevent overturning and collapse unless the wall is adequately supported through its design or construction method. The bracing shall remain in place until permanent supporting elements of the structure are in place

-A limited access zone (LAZ) shall be established whenever a masonry wall is being constructed and must conform to the following:
a) The LAZ shall be established before the start of construction.
b)The LAZ shall be established on the unscaffolded side.
c) The width of the LAZ shall be equal to the height of the wall to be constructed plus 4 feet and shall run the entire length of the wall.
d) The LAZ shall be entered only by employees actively engaged in constructing the wall. No other employee shall be permitted entry.
e)The LAZ shall remain in place until the wall is adequately supported to prevent collapse unless the height of the wall is more than 8 feet, in which case the LAZ shall remain in place until the requirements of 1722(b) have been met.

Precast, Prefabricated Concrete Construction, Tilt-up, Panels

-An erection plan, addenda, and procedure shall be prepared by or under the direction of a Professional Engineer registered in California

-The erection plan, addenda, and procedure shall be available at the jobsite

-Jobsite inspections shall be made by the responsible engineer (or representative) during the course of erection

-Proposed field modifications shall be approved by the responsible engineer

Rebar and Other Impalement Hazards

-Employees working at grade or at the same surface level as exposed protruding rebar or similar projections shall be protected against impalement by guarding exposed ends that extend up to 6 feet above grade or other work surface, with approved protective covers or troughs

-Employees working above grade or above any surface and who are exposed to protruding rebar or similar projections shall be protected from impalement by:
a) The use of guardrails, or
b) Approved fall protection systems, or
c) Approved troughs and covers per 344.90, 1712(c)

-Job-built wood protective covers and troughs shall be built of at least “standard grade” Douglas Fir

-Manufactured protective covers shall be approved by Cal/ OSHA per 344.90

-Personal fall protection must be used while employees place or tie rebar in walls, columns, piers, and other structures more than 6 feet high. (Exception: personal fall protection is not required during point-to-point horizontal or vertical travel on rebar up to 24 feet above the surface below if there are no impalement hazards.)

Note: go to 'Documents' above pages 21-23 of the Cal/OSHA Pocket Guide for more information and illustrations of Troughs, Protective Covers and Mushroom Cap.

Concrete Finishing

-Powered finishing tools must be equipped with a dead-man type control

-Bull float handles must be constructed of a nonconductive material if they could come into contact with energized electrical conductors

How much did this Navitent help you to understand the Cal/OSHA safety working practices for Concrete Construction, including:

-Common Injuries and Illnesses
-Placement of Concrete
-Forms/Falsework and Vertical Shoring
-Masonry Construction
-Precast, Prefabricated Concrete Construction, Tilt-up, Panels
-Rebar and Other Impalement Hazards
-Concrete Finishing

Select your response below.