Reducing Deck Installation Falling Hazards

SUMMARY

Metal deck installation is one of the most hazardous tasks that ironworkers face during the structural steel erection process. The first step in the decking process is the hoisting and landing of the deck bundles on the floors or roof.  During this first step if the deck bundle is not properly landed on the framing or the deck bundle is not tightly nested from the plant (imagine an unshuffled deck of cards) it can cause a falling hazard.

This unforeseen hazard occurs when the bottom sheet(s) of decking are not properly supported on the ends.  As a result the ironworker installing the deck will lose their footing when stepping onto these last sheets.  As he/she moves forward the sheet of deck will either move out from under him/her or the gap could be large enough that he/she goes “in the hole!”  This fall hazard can be avoided with proper training.

This is NOT the proper way to land decking.

In this example, the bundle to the left was properly landed. The bundle to the right is not properly landed.

This is the CORRECT way to land decking.

This example is just plain terrible — not the right way to land decking.

BEST PRACTICES

• Inspect the bundles of decking prior to landing them on the iron.
• Train the ironworker connectors on proper deck landing techniques.
• Train decking installers to inspect the deck bundles prior to and during the installation process.
• In extreme cases, decking bundles should be unbanded and restacked tightly prior to landing.

 
RESOURCES

OSHA DECKING RULES/REGULATIONS
Metal decking.

• 1926.754(e)(1) Hoisting, landing and placing of metal decking bundles.
• 1926.754(e)(1)(i) Bundle packaging and strapping shall not be used for hoisting unless specifically designed for that purpose.
• 1926.754(e)(1)(ii) If loose items such as dunnage, flashing, or other materials are placed on the top of metal decking bundles to be hoisted, such items shall be secured to the bundles.
• 1926.754(e)(1)(iii) Bundles of metal decking on joists shall be landed in accordance with § 1926.757(e)(4).
• 1926.754(e)(1)(iv) Metal decking bundles shall be landed on framing members so that enough support is provided to allow the bundles to be unbanded without dislodging the bundles from the supports.
• 1926.754(e)(1)(v) At the end of the shift or when environmental or jobsite conditions require, metal decking shall be secured against displacement.

This Safety Flash was contributed by Greg Phillips, of Titan Steel Erectors LLC, Memphis, Tenn., in cooperation with SEAA’s Safety Committee. It is designed to keep members informed about ongoing safety issues and to provide suggestions for reducing risk. Best practices are gathered from a variety of sources. They may be more or less stringent than individual corporate policies, and are not intended to be an official recommendation from SEAA. Always get approval and direction from your company officers on any new practice or procedure as these best practices may not work for all situations.

Everyone benefits when a worker avoids injury. Submit your ideas for Safety Flash to executivedirector@seaa.net.