Working with structural steel involves inherent risks due to the heavy materials, heights, and specialized tools involved in erecting steel frameworks. To protect workers and minimize accidents, it is essential to strictly follow safety precautions at every stage of the erection process. This article highlights critical safety measures that help maintain health and safety standards on structural steel sites.
Safety for Workers at Structural Steel Sites
The foundation of a safe work environment begins with the workers themselves. All personnel assigned to structural steel erection should undergo thorough health check-ups to ensure they are physically fit for the job. Moreover, supervisors must confirm that workers are adequately skilled and trained for their specific tasks.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is a non-negotiable requirement on site. Workers must wear safety helmets and goggles at all times, especially during hazardous operations like drilling, cutting, and welding. Those handling gas cutters and welders should be equipped with additional protection such as gloves, safety boots, aprons, and hand shields to prevent injuries.
Work areas must be carefully secured with barricades to prevent workers or bystanders from falling into excavations or being struck by falling objects. Warning signs indicating electrical hazards, no smoking zones, and work-in-progress alerts should be prominently displayed to maintain awareness.
Electrical safety is critical. Low-voltage (preferably 24V) handlamps should be used to avoid electric shocks, and all electrically powered hand tools must have double earthing. When unloading large steel components like trusses and girders, the remaining load should be securely tied to prevent accidents.
Proper assembly practices contribute to structural safety. Workers should have an adequate supply of bolts, rivets, washers, and pins. Each steel piece must be connected with at least two bolts to ensure stability under load. Connections on crane girders, columns, and similar critical components must be fully bolted, riveted, or welded as specified before erection.
Complex structural members requiring special hooks or cleats should be preassembled in the workshop to minimize risks during onsite erection. Safety belts and chemically treated ropes resistant to rot must always be available and properly used. Ropes must not be tied over sharp steel edges to avoid damage.
In handling guy derricks, controlling tension with hand winches reduces jerks that can cause accidents. The number, size, and spacing of wire rope clamps should correspond to the wire rope diameter to ensure secure attachments.
For ease and safety, small materials like bolts and drift pins should be carried in sturdy containers such as bolt baskets with handles. Workers must be trained to keep tools organized and stored when not in use. Material dumping overboard during scaffold movement is prohibited to prevent hazards below.
Rivet heaters must be managed carefully with safe containers for hot rivets at the end of workdays. When erecting tall buildings, nylon safety nets installed 3 to 4 meters above the ground provide an additional layer of protection against falls.
Fire Safety Measures
Structural steel erection often involves fire risks, particularly during flame cutting, burning, heating, or riveting operations. Establishing strict fire protection procedures is essential. Workers should be explicitly instructed not to discard hot rivets, cigarette butts, or other potentially ignitable materials carelessly.
Fire extinguishers of the soda acid type must be strategically placed at designated points throughout the site, including cranes, compressors, and hoists. Where electrical equipment is involved, carbon dioxide (CO2) or dry powder extinguishers should be used instead of soda acid types to prevent electrical hazards.
Wire ropes with broken strands must never be used for erection, as they pose serious safety risks. Only manila ropes or wire ropes conforming to recognized standards should be employed for guying structural components.
Conclusion
Ensuring safety in structural steel work requires a comprehensive approach combining proper training, use of appropriate protective equipment, organized work procedures, and strict adherence to fire safety measures. By implementing these precautions, construction sites can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and injuries, fostering a safer working environment for all involved.