Before the lift starts, verify the nine steel joist safety rules against the specific regulatory sources governing your site.
Steel joist safety checks for daily site coordination
These checks define the daily coordination scope for steel erection crews. They rely on specific regulatory citations rather than universal industry assumptions.
What is the scope of these rules?
WAC 296-155-704 lists RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060, chapter 49.17 RCW, and 29 C.F.R. as its statutory authority, according to Washington State Legislature. This specific regulatory framework does not apply to every site or jurisdiction.
Federal regulation 29 CFR 1926.757 addresses open web steel joists; consult Legal Information Institute when reviewing the federal requirements alongside the state rules. Do not treat one publisher's rule as the rule everywhere.
Review the erection drawings to confirm the bolt size and bridging sequence before the next lift.
Key takeaways for steel joist erection safety checks
- Verify that GovRegs specifies 3/4-inch (19 mm) bolts, or the equivalent, for steel joist attachments.
- Confirm that Washington State Legislature requires written approval from a qualified person before using steel joists as fall arrest anchorage points.
- Check the construction-load restriction from Washington State Legislature: except for (d) of this subsection, loads are prohibited until every bridging connection is installed and anchored and every joist-bearing end is attached.
- Check that California Department of Industrial Relations prohibits using bundle packaging and strapping for hoisting unless specifically designed for that purpose.
- Confirm the personnel-hoisting conditions in California Department of Industrial Relations: cranes or derricks may lift employees on personnel platforms during work under the cited section, provided General Industry Safety Orders, Section 5004 requirements are met, except for subsection (c).
Reference table of steel joist rules by publisher
The following table lists the nine specific safety rules for steel joist erection, organized by the publisher that states each requirement. Each row corresponds to one of the nine checks required before the lift starts.
| Rule Number | Publisher | Requirement Summary | Source Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GovRegs | 3/4-inch (19 mm) bolts, or the equivalent. | GovRegs |
| 2 | Washington State Legislature | Bridging attachments must not protrude above the top chord of the steel joist. | Washington State Legislature |
| 3 | Washington State Legislature | You must not place a steel joist or steel joist girder on any support structure unless such structure is stabilized. | Washington State Legislature |
| 4 | Washington State Legislature | When steel joist(s) are landed on a structure, you must secure them to prevent unintentional displacement prior to installation. | Washington State Legislature |
| 5 | Washington State Legislature | You must not use steel joists and steel joist girders as anchorage points for a fall arrest system unless written approval to do so is obtained from a qualified person. | Washington State Legislature |
| 6 | Washington State Legislature | During the construction period, the employer placing a load on steel joists must ensure that the load is distributed so as not to exceed the carrying capacity of any steel joist. | Washington State Legislature |
| 7 | Washington State Legislature | Except for (d) of this subsection, no construction loads are allowed on the steel joists until all bridging is installed and anchored and all joist-bearing ends are attached. | Washington State Legislature |
| 8 | California Department of Industrial Relations | Bundle packaging and strapping shall not be used for hoisting unless specifically designed for that purpose. | California Department of Industrial Relations |
| 9 | California Department of Industrial Relations | Cranes or derricks may be used to hoist employees on a personnel platform when work under this section is being conducted, provided the provisions of General Industry Safety Orders, Section 5004 [except for subsection (c)] are met. | California Department of Industrial Relations |
Verify each rule against the specific erection drawings and local jurisdictional requirements before authorizing the next lift.
Bolting and bridging requirements
Before the crane hook moves, verify the fasteners match the design. The regulation specifies 3/4-inch (19 mm) bolts, or the equivalent, for steel joist connections, according to GovRegs. Check the erection drawings to confirm this size or its approved equivalent for your specific joist model. Do not assume a different bolt size is acceptable without checking the manufacturer’s specifications. If a bolt differs from the specified 3/4-inch (19 mm) size, check that it is an equivalent before using it. Record the bolt size used in your daily log to maintain a clear audit trail.
Bridging attachments have a strict height limit. Washington State Legislature rules state that bridging attachments must not protrude above the top chord of the steel joist, according to Washington State Legislature. This prevents the bridging from interfering with other structural elements or creating a snag hazard for workers. Inspect the joist bundles before lifting to ensure no bridging hardware extends beyond the top chord plane. If bridging hardware protrudes above the top chord, consider correcting the attachment as part of your recommended pre-lift checks. This check is part of the pre-lift verification process.
Action step: 1. Confirm bolt size: Verify the bolts are 3/4-inch (19 mm) or the specified equivalent. 2. Check bridging height: Ensure no bridging attachments protrude above the top chord. 3. Log findings: Record the verification in your site safety log.
Hoisting and landing procedures
Before the crane picks up the first steel joist, verify the condition of the support structure. Washington State Legislature requires that you must not place a steel joist or steel joist girder on any support structure unless such structure is stabilized, according to Washington State Legislature. Confirm that the support structure is secured against movement or collapse before the hoist begins.
Once the steel joist is landed on the structure, secure the member immediately. Washington State Legislature states that when steel joist(s) are landed on a structure, you must secure them to prevent unintentional displacement prior to installation, according to Washington State Legislature. The securing measure must be in place before the crew proceeds to the next installation task.
Check the hoisting rigging and packaging for compliance with design specifications. California Department of Industrial Relations specifies that bundle packaging and strapping shall not be used for hoisting unless specifically designed for that purpose, according to California Department of Industrial Relations. If the bundle strapping is not explicitly engineered for hoisting loads, it must not be used to lift the steel joist. Use only rigging components that meet the specific design criteria for the lift.
California Department of Industrial Relations allows cranes or derricks to hoist employees on a personnel platform when work under this section is being conducted, provided the provisions of General Industry Safety Orders, Section 5004 [except for subsection (c)] are met, according to California Department of Industrial Relations. Verify that the personnel platform meets these specific provisions before any employee is hoisted.
Review the landing sequence to ensure stability is maintained throughout the erection process.
Load limits and fall protection
Verify load distribution before any material moves onto the steel deck. During the construction period, the employer placing a load on steel joists must ensure that the load is distributed so as not to exceed the carrying capacity of any steel joist, according to Washington State Legislature. This requirement applies specifically to the period while construction is active, not after the structure is complete. Confirm the weight of each item and its placement before the crane operator begins the lift.
Bridging sequence controls when you can place construction loads. Except for a specific subsection exception, no construction loads are allowed on the steel joists until all bridging is installed and anchored and all joist-bearing ends are attached, according to Washington State Legislature. Do not assume that partially installed bridging supports construction loads. The rule requires both the installation and anchoring of all bridging, plus the attachment of all joist-bearing ends, before loads are permitted. Check the status of every joist end and bridging connection before allowing workers to place materials on the deck.
Fall arrest anchorage has a strict written approval requirement. You must not use steel joists and steel joist girders as anchorage points for a fall arrest system unless written approval to do so is obtained from a qualified person, according to Washington State Legislature. Verbal approval does not satisfy this rule. The approval must be in writing and must come from a qualified person. If your crew plans to tie off to joists or girders for fall arrest, stop and verify that the written approval exists and is documented before the shift starts.
Blank worksheet for daily verification
Prepare a blank worksheet for daily checks of the 9 steel joist safety rules before lifting, with columns labeled Check Item, Verified By, Time, and Notes. Fill in the Check Item column with the specific rule being verified, such as bolt size or bridging sequence. Record the name of the person performing the check in the Verified By column. Note the time of verification in the Time column and add any relevant details in the Notes column. This form helps maintain a clear record of compliance for your site coordination and safety logs.
Related guides
FAQ: Steel joist erection safety checks
What bolt size is specified for steel joist attachments?
According to GovRegs, the regulation specifies 3/4-inch (19 mm) bolts, or the equivalent. This requirement applies to the specific context of 29 CFR 1926.757 - Open web steel joists. Contractors should verify the specific manufacturer’s equivalent if a different bolt size is used.
Can steel joists be used as fall arrest anchorage points?
According to Washington State Legislature, you must not use steel joists and steel joist girders as anchorage points for a fall arrest system unless written approval to do so is obtained from a qualified person. Verbal approval is not sufficient; the approval must be in writing. This restriction is part of WAC 296-155-709.
When are construction loads allowed on steel joists?
According to Washington State Legislature, no construction loads are allowed on the steel joists until all bridging is installed and anchored and all joist-bearing ends are attached. This rule is found in WAC 296-155-709. The construction-load exception applies to (d) of the same subsection.
Can bundle packaging be used for hoisting steel joists?
According to California Department of Industrial Relations, bundle packaging and strapping shall not be used for hoisting unless specifically designed for that purpose. This rule is part of California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 1710. Structural Steel Erection. Do not assume standard packaging is safe for hoisting without confirming its design intent.
What is the requirement for bridging attachments protrusion?
According to Washington State Legislature, bridging attachments must not protrude above the top chord of the steel joist. This requirement is stated in WAC 296-155-709. Ensure that all bridging hardware is flush or below the top chord to comply with this specific provision.