SAFETY NORMS IN ERECTION

OF STRUCTURAL STEELWORK 
 References
• IS 7205: 1974 – Code of Safety
for Erection of Structural Steel
Work
• SP 70: 2001 – Handbook on
Construction Safety Practices
Aspects: Clause 9.1 (SP:70-2001) and Clause
2.1 (IS:7205-1974)

Safety in
Erection of
Structural Steel

Advance
Field Operations
Planning
Scheme

 
 General Provisions
• Contained in IS 7205-1974, Clause 5 and its
sub clauses
• Before a man is engaged in some work, he
should be given thorough medical check up.
• The erection gang should have adequate
supply of bolts, washers, rivets, pins, etc., of
correct size.
• When fitter, riveters, etc., can work from a
planked floor or a planked area, the work can be
done safely and more expeditiously. When this is
not feasible scaffolding or floats should be used
•  When the men can work safely from the steel
structure itself, this is preferable to hanging
platforms or scaffolds, as it eliminates
additional operations, which in turn, reduces
the hazard of an accident.
• The men should be taught to clean their shoes
of mud, grease, oil, snow, ice or other slippery
material before climbing ladder or going on
steel or a planked floor, so that they will not slip
or drag slippery material for other to slip on.
• Men should avoid carrying tools or other
material when using a ladder, they should use a
hand rope to raise and lower such material.
 • When a number of trusses or deep girders are
loaded in one car or a truck, all but one being
lifted should be tied back unless they have been
tied or braced to prevent their falling over and
endangering men while unloading.
• If a piece is laterally unstable when picked at its
center, use of a balance beam is advisable ,
unless a pair of bridled slings can be placed far
enough for them to be safe lifting points
 Erection Equipments
• Contained in respective clauses of SP:70-2001 and IS:7205-
1974.
1. Cranes
• No crane should be used unless a competent person has
inspected and tested it and furnished a certificate specifying the
maximum working load.
• Access to and egress from the operator’s stand should be safe
from any position of the crane.
• Cranes should not be used to pull out fixed objects with a
slanting pull, drag objects or move vehicles.
• Before being put into use for the first time, jib cranes with
variable radius should undergo tests of stability and all
movements. • Jib cranes should not be operated in the proximity
to the electric power lines.
 2. Hoists
Hoists must be enclosed at ground level by substantial enclosures
and gates at least by 2 m high and the enclosures should be
extended to accommodate the engine or motor.
• Gates of the same height of 2 m must be provided at all landing
stages.
• The complete hoist way throughout its height shall preferably be
enclosed with a wire mesh in order to contain the accidentally
dislodged material from the hoist platform.
• There must be only one operating position for the hoist and the
driver must be trained in the job and able to see the platform
throughout the travel.
• Every hoist must be fitted with an automatic device which will
support the platform in the event of any failure of the ropes or
gear.
• Every hoist must be checked or inspected once in the week. 
 3. Wire ropes
• Wire ropes should be visually inspected daily
or at the start of shifts – Idea of thorough
inspection.
• One rope lay: Refers to the axial wire rope
length for one wire rope strand to completely
wrap around the wire rope assembly.
• Wires should be stocked for the machines
which are in continuous service.
• Signs of rope deterioration and guidelines of
replacement are as follows 
Columns
•Contained in SP:70-2001, Clause 9.3 and
its sub clauses.
• Get the first four columns of a bay facing
diagonally opposite to one another grouted
soon after bracing of the steelwork and its
aligning and plumbing the portion of steel
structure.
• For levelling, aligning and plumbing of
columns, screed bars or level pads shall be
provided.
• Stabilize the erected anchored columns by
fastening temporary wire guys till four
column square is completely braced,
levelled and plumbed.
• Filled in pits must be either manually
rammed or rolled over by a heavy roller and
sleepers should be laid over the area.
• Safety nets shall be provided within two
stories or 10 m below the height of the work
which is performed. 
Riveting Operations
• Contained in IS 7205:1974, Clause 5.26 and its Sub
clauses
• Rivets covered with slippery materials should not be
used in fabrication work. Care shall be taken while
handling rivets so that they do not fall, strike or cause
injury to men and material below.
• Rivet heating equipment should be as near as possible
to the place of work. A pail of water should always be
ready for quenching the fire, if it develops.
• Rivets, bolts and the like should be kept in the boxes
at working area to prevent falling down on men or
equipments
Erection of Bridge Girders
• Contained in IS:7205-1974, Clause 6.1 and its sub
clauses
• Careful inspection of machinery required for the
purpose and check for its capacity is needed. •
Care to protect the edges of members getting
marked or distorted, in the event of use of chains
for lashing.
• Temporary bracings shall be provided to care of
temporary stresses from erection equipments or
other loads.
• Provisions for lateral forces and wind loads as
per the local conditions
Slinging Operations
• While using multi legged slings each sling or leg should
be loaded evenly and the slings should be of sufficient
length to avoid a wide angle between legs.
• Only properly tested and marked lifting tackle of
adequate strength should be used.
• Allowances should be made for the weight of tackles.
• Load shall be free from any obstructions before it is
lifted. Hands should be taken away from the sling and
the slinging person should stand clear of the load
• Crane hook should be centrally placed over the load to
prevent the slipping and swinging of the load when it is
raised. 
• Joints shall normally be made by filling not less
than 50% of the holes with service bolts and barrel
drifts in the ratio 4:1. The service bolts are to be
fully tightened up as soon as the joint is assembled.
• In the event of emergency arising, such as the
structure in danger of being carried away by floods
before the riveting can be completed, the joints
shall be made secure by filling 40% of the holes
with cylindrical drifts and an equal number with
service bolts fully tightened up.
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration Provisions
• Safety for erection of structural steel is contained
in code 1926 and sub part R of OSHA.
• Provisions are related to;
1. Site layout, site specific erection plan and
construction sequence
2. Hoisting and Rigging
3. Structural steel stability requirements
4. Falling object protection
5. Fall Protection