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All
construction workers should be alert to the potential hazards associated with
concrete and masonry operations. Among the most critical unsafe practices
are:
*
premature removal of formwork;
*
failure to brace masonry walls;
*
failure to adequately support pre-cast panels;
*
inappropriate operation of equipment;
*
failure to guard the end of reinforcing steel;
*
inadequate shoring, which can lead to formwork collapse.
General
safety requirements should always be followed on construction, demolition,
alteration or repair worksites-not just because of OSHA standards, but because
serious accidents and injuries may happen if they are not.
o
Construction Loads: Construction loads must not be placed on a concrete
structure unless it has been determined that the structure is capable of
supporting the intended loads, based on information received from a person who
is qualified in structural design.
o
Reinforcing Steel: All protruding reinforcing steel, onto which an
individual could fall, must be guarded to eliminate the hazard of impalement.
o
Post-Tensioning Operations: No one (except those essential to
post-tensioning operations) should be permitted behind the jack during
tensioning operations. Signs and barriers must be erected to limit worker
access to the post-tensioning area during tensioning operations.
o
Concrete Buckets: Under no condition may employees ride concrete
buckets.
o
Working Under Loads: Never work under concrete buckets while
the buckets are traveling, being elevated or lowered into position. Elevated
concrete buckets must be routed so that no employee is exposed to the hazards
associated with falling concrete buckets.
o
Personal Protective Equipment: Protective head and face equipment
must always be worn when applying cementitius grout through a pneumatic hose. A
safety harness must be worn or equivalent fall protection provided while
placing or tying vertical reinforcing steel and working more than 6 feet above
any adjacent working surface.
o
Masonry Construction: Whenever a masonry wall is being constructed,
a limited access zone must be established prior to the start of construction.
The limited access zone must be as follows:
*Equal
to the height of the wall to be constructed, plus 4 feet, and running the
entire length of the wall;
*On the
side of the wall that will be unscaffolded;
*Restricted
to entry only by employees actively engaged in constructing the wall;
*Kept in
place until the wall is adequately supported to prevent overturning and
collapse. If the height of the wall is more than 8 feet and unsupported,
bracing must remain in place until permanent supporting elements of the
structure are in place.
Be aware
of the hazards of concrete and masonry operations and pre-plan your
work!
Short
cuts and haste can lead to painful accidents!
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Safety Issues