Those involved in the construction industry all have an important part to play in
ensuring safe work practices. This report provides guidance and advice about how
structural steel can be erected safely.
There are four key foundation elements to the information provided in this report and
these elements are required to ensure worker safety during steel erection on every
project.
1. Ironworkers are certified, competent, and qualified to perform the work
involved.
2. Employers develop and use a Health and Safety Management System/Program
that enables effective analysis of health and safety hazards at the work site and
implements control measures to eliminate hazards.
3. Industry members are aware of and comply with Occupational Health and
Safety (OHS) Act, OHS Regulation, and OHS Code. Many of the
requirements of this legislation are identified throughout this report, which can
be referenced for further information.
4. An erection plan is created for each project, in which safe work practices are
considered and built into each stage of construction, from pre-planning to
completion of erection.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
[ OHS CODE PART 18, PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT ]
• Employers and workers must ensure that this equipment is used whenever a worker
is exposed to the relevant hazard.
• All PPE must comply with standards referenced in the OHS CODE.
• Additional PPE is supplied as required for various tasks.
• Hard hats should be worn reversed only if they are specifically designed and
approved by the manufacturer for that purpose.
• Pant legs and laces must be tied or taped to avoid tripping hazards.
Referring OHS ACT section 228 Duty to use personal protection equipments.
If the hazard assessment required by section 7 of the OHS Code indicates
that PPE is required, the employer must ensure that workers wear and use the
required PPE properly. Ensuring that workers have and wear their PPE is not
enough. The employer must ensure that the PPE is used properly.
STEEL FABRICATOR’S RESPONSIBILITY
The steel fabricator is responsible for:
• Providing detailed connection information to ensure that the structure can be safely
erected.
• Providing, where required, safety attachments or anchor points as outlined in project
specification/design documents.
STEEL ERECTOR’S RESPONSIBILITY
The steel erector is responsible for:
• Ensuring workers are adequately qualified, suitably trained, and with sufficient
experience to safely perform the assigned work.
• Informing the prime contractor about access needs to the site and specific work
areas.
• Pre-planning work activities to ensure that workers are not required to work under
unsafe or suspended loads. If workers must work beneath a load (e.g., connectors),
they must be informed about the danger. [ OHS CODE SECTION 69 ]
• Developing site-specific work instructions and procedures that identify access and
area needs. [ OHS CODE SECTIONS 7 TO 9 ]
• Ensuring that requirements for moving loads over working areas are met. The steel
erector and crane operator must comply with the general and specific requirements of
lifting and handling loads. [ OHS CODE SECTION 69 ]
• Ensuring the prime contractor has provided a report verifying concrete strength.
A way to prevent hazards cost by the unsafely steel erections on worksite is to have a
[Site-Specific Erection Plan]
Prior to starting erection activities, every worker involved in the erection should
review the site-specific erection plan.
The site-specific erection plan includes:
• A site-specific hazard assessment. [ OHS CODE SECTION 7 ]
• Erection drawings and erection procedures for connecting the structural parts of a
skeleton structure. [ OHS CODE SECTION 190 ]
Erection drawings and erection procedures for connecting the structural parts of a
skeleton structure must be:
• Prepared and certified by a professional engineer. [ OHS CODE SECTION 190 ]
• Contain the components as shown in Table 1.
• Made available to and reviewed by all workers before work begins.
[ OHS CODE SECTION 190, SKELETON STRUCTURES ]
These erection drawings and procedures must:
• Show the sequence in which the structure is erected.
• Show the horizontal and vertical placement of base structures and footings.
• Ensure that the structure is stable during assembly, which may include the size and
location of temporary bracing.
• Ensure that any erection procedures that have been added or changed on-site have
been prepared and certified by a professional engineer before they are used.
• Include pertinent information
Steel Erection
Activities
• Verify anchor bolt/rod placement
• Notification of repairs and modifications
• Identify all lifts, including critical lifts
• Erection of structural steel components
• Stability: temporary and permanent bracing and guying
• Plumbing
• Securing connections
INSTALLING SINGLE COLUMNS
• All main structural columns should be anchored by a minimum of 4 anchor bolts.
[SEE FIGURE 4]
• Columns should be set on levelling plates, levelling nuts, shim packs, or level
finished floors for adequate transfer of construction loads.
• Any repairs, replacements, or field modifications of anchor bolts must be performed
by a competent person with the approval of a professional engineer.
• Before erecting a column, the prime contractor should notify the steel erector if there
has been any repair, replacement, or modification of the anchor bolts for that column.
• Attach the column rigging through a bolt hole in the top of the column in the web or
a beam clip. If column rigging cannot be attached to the column due to the shape of
the column, then a choker may be used provided that a way to prevent the choker
from sliding up the column is in place.
• Signal the crane to lift column. Adjust the crane’s line (by signaling the operator) to
remain above the column rigging (pick point) of the lift as the column is being raised.
• Once the column is lifted off the ground and the crane has the complete weight, stop
the lift until the load settles (if required). Once the load settles, proceed to signal the
crane operator to move the column into position.
INSTALLING COLUMNS IN A FRAME
• Note: Frames are often referred to as bents.
• Space columns out on the ground and place beams, bracings, or frames between
columns as shown in the structural drawings to make large frame. Attach lower or
upper beam framing between the columns as required. Ensure that the crane capacity
for the lift will not be exceeded.
• Attach rigging to the frame. Ensure the rigging is set up to pick a balanced, level
load through the placement of the choker(s), and that the member attached to the
rigging has the capacity to support the total weight of the frame being lifted. Load
may be rigged off level in order to suit its final placement angle. If this is required,
use clamps or erection lugs to prevent the chokers from slipping or shifting during the
lift.
• Signal the crane operator to lift frame. Adjust the crane’s line (by signalling the
operator) to remain above the rigging (pick point) of the lift as the frame is being
raised.
STRUCTURAL STEEL ERECTION BEST PRACTICES PAGE 19
• Once the frame is lifted off the ground and the crane has the complete weight, stop
the lift until the load settles (if required). Once the load settles, proceed to signal the
crane operator to move the frame into position.
• Lower the frame onto the anchor bolts. Watch for pinch points.
• Once the base plate of the column touches the shims, put the washers and nuts on
the anchor bolts. Plumb the frame by tightening the anchor bolts.
• Release the weight of the frame from the crane.
• Before releasing the rigging, make sure columns are secure on the anchor bolts. If
required, install temporary bracing before releasing the rigging to ensure the structural
integrity at all times.
INSTALLING A SINGLE BEAM
• Note: Beams include purlins and girts.
• Attach rigging in centre of load using the appropriate choker.
• Signal the crane operator to lift beam. Adjust the crane’s line (by signalling the
operator) to remain above the rigging point of the lift as the beam is being raised.
• Once the beam is lifted off the ground and the crane has the complete weight, stop
the lift until the load settles (if required). Once the load settles, proceed to signal the
crane operator to move the beam into position.
• Attach beam to supporting structure using a sufficient number of bolts or sufficient
amount of weld to ensure the structural integrity before weight of load is placed on
the connection plates.
• Ensure columns have sufficient lateral support before installing members, such as
crane beams, girts, and outriggers, which could cause the column to be eccentrically
loaded.
• Once load line on the crane has no weight, check the structural stability of the
member. If it’s secure, release choker from beam. If required, add additional
temporary bracing to secure the member before releasing crane hoist.
STRUCTURAL STABILITY
• Ensure that structural stability is maintained at all times.
• Construction loads must not be placed on any structural steel unless such framework
is safely bolted, welded, or otherwise adequately secured.
• When used, temporary bracing must be in place and properly installed in
conjunction with the steel erection plan to ensure the stability of the
structure.
• Temporary bracing can be removed only with the approval of a competent person.
WALKING/WORKING SURFACES
4.8.1 SHEAR CONNECTORS FOR COMPOSITE DESIGN
(E.G., NELSON STUDS)
• Avoid the use of shear connectors, where possible, that could create tripping
hazards.
4.8.2 SLIP RESISTANCE ON SKELETAL STEEL STRUCTURES
• Workers should avoid, where possible, walking on the top surface of any coated
structural steel member that is slipperier than normal primed steel.
CONNECTIONS
• During the final placing of solid web structural members, the load should not be
released from the hoisting line until the member is secured with at least two bolts per
connection, wrench tight. Secondary members must have one bolt wrench tight.
• A competent person must determine whether more than two bolts are nrequired to
ensure stability of a connection.
• Avoid the use of connections, where possible, to the top flanges of beams, joists, or
beam attachments in which they project vertically from or horizontally across the top
flange.
• During erection, diagonal bracing must be secured by at least one bolt per
connection, wrench tight, before releasing load.
• If a seat or equivalent device is used, it must be sized to support the weight of the
construction
process.
• Where two beams, framing from opposite sides of a supporting member, share the
same
bolts, a clipped connection should be used unless a seated connection is used to
facilitate safe erection.
BOLTING AND TORQUING
• Follow the bolting instructions in the erection plan.
• Use retaining rings on impact sockets.
• Secure area below with flagging or signage where required.
• Inspect bolt bags daily for damage.
• Tie off impact wrench.
• Do not leave unsecured objects (e.g., bolt bags, tools, loose steel) at elevations.
• No more than four floors of unfinished bolting should be allowed above the
uppermost finished floor.
FIELD WELDING
• Welders must be certified, competent, and qualified to perform the work involved.
(The Welders Trade regulation outlines tasks that may only be performed by
Journeymen or Apprentice Welders, which are a “compulsory trade” under section 21
of Alberta’s Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act.)
• Welders must be employed by a company that is certified by the Canadian Welding
Bureau (CWB) to CSA Standard W47.1. The company must have CWB Welding
Procedure Specifications and Data Sheets available on site.
• All welding must be performed by a person who is qualified by the CWB to CSA
Standard W47.1 and who possesses the appropriate Performance Qualification card
for the processes and positions in use.
PRE-ENGINEERED METAL BUILDING SYSTEMS
• Pre-engineered metal building systems often use steel members (such as tapered
wide flange sections and coldformed purlins and girts) that may require a different
erection process than conventional steel.
• The metal building erector must have a site-specific erection plan as outlined in
Section 3.
ANCHOR BOLTS (ANCHOR RODS)
NOTE: The term “anchor bolt” is commonly used
• A minimum of 4 anchor bolts are important on main structural columns to ensure
stability during erection, although it may not be a design requirement to support the
completed structure.
• Wherever possible, the 4 bolt anchor pattern should be symmetrical.
• This type of anchor bolt is manufactured by the steel fabricator using rod specified
by the design engineer (e.g., A307, 44W). The specifications must include the
diameter, embedment, and hook length of the anchor bolt.
INSPECTIONS
• Careful consideration must be given to the ground conditions and the soil
compaction in areas in which cranes are to be moved and operated.
• If work is done or equipment is operated in the area of an energized overhead power
line, the employer must contact the power line operator to determine the voltage of
the power line, which determines the safe approach distance. Until the power line
operator verifies the voltage, the employer must maintain a safe clearance distance
according to OHS CODE PART 17.
• For lattice boom cranes, assemble the boom sections precisely according to the
manufacturer’s recommendations to attain the boom strength on which the capacities
in the load chart are based.
• On cranes operating with outriggers, the beams must be extended with the pads
down according to manufacturer’s recommendations. The ground should be checked
periodically for settling, and the outriggers reset if necessary.
• If a crane makes its lift on rubber (without outriggers), ensure that the tires are
properly inflated; otherwise, the capacity and crane stability will be reduced. Check
the ground periodically for settling.
• Always use outrigger mats or pads to provide additional support for the crane. In
unstable surface conditions, cribbing may be needed, which should be tightly spaced
using rigid timbers.
LOADING AND UNLOADING OF STEEL
• Workers must stay out of the danger zone created by moving equipment or loads to
prevent being struck. [ OHS CODE SECTION 258 ] If workers are in danger due to
the movement of a load being lifted, a tag line must be used to control the load.
[ OHS CODE SECTION 70 ]
• All goods, materials, and equipment at work sites must be stacked, stored, and
secured in such a way that they do not flow, move, roll, or collapse.
• Workers responsible for stacking, storing, or securing goods, materials, and
equipment must be trained in the safe methods for doing so.
[ OHS CODE SECTION 189; OHS REGULATION SECTION 15 ]
