Improved on-the-job safeguards for the nation's iron workers and other Hardhats are on the way under new rules adopted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The new rule on steel erection, developed in concert with industry and union groups, is expected to prevent 30 fatalities and 1,142 injuries annually and save employers nearly $40 million a year. The rule was published last month.

The standard enhances protections provided to iron workers by addressing the hazards that have been identified as the major causes of injuries and fatalities in the steel erection industry. These are hazards associated with working under loads; hoisting, landing and placing decking; column stability; double connections; landing and placing steel joints; and falls to lower levels. "The new steel erection rule proves that cooperation and hard work have their rewards," said outgoing Secretary of Labor Alexis M. Herman. "When industry and labor work together, we can save lives." The rule was developed by members of the Steel Erection Negotiated Rulemaking Advisory Committee, representing employers and employees who had significant input on the standard. "Every year, an average of 35 iron workers die during steel erection activities and 2,300 more suffer lost workday injuries," said OSHA Administrator Charles N. Jeffress. "This standard will help prevent many of those fatalities and injuries. I commend business and labor interests for working together to develop this standard." Specifically, the new rules require:

• Certification of proper curing of concrete in footings, piers, etc. for steel columns.
• The controlling contractor to provide erectors with a safe site layout including pre-planning routes for hoisting loads.
• Pre-planning of key erection elements.
• Additional crane safety guidelines for steel erection.
• Minimizing employee exposure to overhead loads through pre-planning and work practice requirements.
• New procedures for multiple lifts.
• Providing safer walking/working surfaces by eliminating tripping hazards and minimizing slips through new slip-resistance requirements.
• Providing specific work practices regarding safely landing deck bundles and promoting the prompt protection from fall hazards in interior openings.
• Four anchor bolts per column along with other column stability requirements. The standard requires procedures for ensuring the adequacy of anchor bolts that have been modified in the field. The rule also eliminates extremely dangerous collapse hazards associated with making double connections at columns.
• Deckers in a controlled decking zone and connectors must be protected at heights greater than two stories or 30 feet. Connectors between 15 and 30 feet must wear fall arrest or restraint equipment and be able to be tied off or be provided another means of fall protection. Fall protection is also required for all others engaged in steel erection at heights greater than 15 feet.
• The steel erection advisory committee began meeting in 1994 with the goal of achieving a new standard. Involved parties who came to a consensus agreement included the Iron Workers and Operating Engineers, as well as the AFL-CIO Building Trades Department, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Associated General Contractors and the Associated Builders and Contractors.