what is the requirement for rebar safety caps

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This information is provided free of charge by the Department of Industrial Relations from its web site at www.dir.ca.gov. These regulations are for the convenience of the user and no representation or warranty is made that the information is current or accurate. See full disclaimer at https://www.dir.ca.gov/od_pub/disclaimer.html. Subchapter 4. Construction Safety Orders Article 29. Erection and Construction Return to index New query ## §1712. Requirements for Impalement Protection. (a) Scope. This section applies to all work sites and locations where employees work around or over exposed, projecting, reinforcing steel or other similar projections. (b) Definitions. - Job-Built. As used in this section, protective covers and troughs usually constructed at the job-site of wood or other materials of equal or greater strength and designed specifically for covering exposed ends of reinforcing steel or other similar projections at a specific job-site. - Protective Covers. Manufactured or job-built apparatus designed to cover exposed ends of reinforcing steel or other similar projections so as to prevent impalement. - Troughs. Manufactured or job-built protective covers designed to cover two or more exposed ends of reinforcing steel or other similar projections so as to prevent impalement, and which meet the applicable requirements in subsection (d). (c) Protection from Reinforcing Steel and Other Similar Projections. (1) Employees working at grade or at the same surface as exposed protruding reinforcing steel or other similar projections, shall be protected against the hazard of impalement by guarding all exposed ends that extend up to 6 feet above grade or other work surface, with protective covers, or troughs. (2) Employees working above grade or any surface and exposed to protruding reinforcing steel or other similar projections shall be protected against the hazard of impalement. Protection shall be provided by: (A) The use of guardrails, or (B) Appr…

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# §1711. Reinforcing Steel and Post-Tensioning in Concrete Construction. (cont.) (4) Adequate benching and/or shoring in accordance with the provisions of Sections 1541 and 1541.1 prior to the commencement of reinforcing operations in excavations and/or trenches. (d) Written Notifications Prior to Commencement of and Immediately Following Reinforcing Steel Installation and Concrete Placement. - The controlling contractor shall ensure that the reinforcing steel contractor on the project is provided with the following written notifications at the times indicated: (1) Prior to commencement of reinforcing steel installation, that formwork and falsework have been inspected and determined to meet the design requirements by a competent person of the installing formwork/falsework contractor as indicated in subsections (d)(2) and (3) below and immediately after the installation of reinforcing steel and placement of the concrete. (2) Prior to commencement of reinforcing steel installation, that the vertical formwork, elevated decks, and other working/walking surfaces are structurally stable and remain adequately braced, guyed, or supported in accordance with Sections 1713 and 1717 to allow safe access of reinforcing ironworkers, materials, and equipment. (3) Prior to commencement of reinforcing steel installation, that the benching and/or shoring for excavations have been inspected by a competent person. (e) Stability Requirements for Vertical and Horizontal Columns, Walls, and Other Reinforcing Assemblies. (1) Reinforcing steel for walls, piers, columns, prefabricated reinforcing steel assemblies, and similar vertical structures shall be guyed, braced, or supported to prevent collapse. (2)(A) Systems for guying, bracing, or supports shall be designed by a qualified person. (B) Guys, braces, and supports shall be installed and removed as directed by a competent person. (3) Reinforcing steel shall not be used as a guy or brace. (4) - Wire mesh rolls shall be …

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## $344.90. Impalement Protection. Specifications and Testing Criteria (See Construction Safety Orders, Title 8, CCR §1712). (cont.) (A) The sandbag shall be generally round, and shall have a circumference of 36" to 42". When filled with 250 lbs. of sand, the bag shall be tightly closed by use of crimping, drawstring, or twisting at the top level of the sand so that there is little extra room in the bag to allow the sand to shift. The bag shall be constructed and reinforced (as necessary) with material, which will not rupture or be penetrated by the protective cover for rebar. (B) The protective cover for rebar shall be installed over the sheared end of a piece of #4 rebar. The rebar shall be mounted on a support with 6" of the rebar projecting vertically above the surface of the support. The support shall be of such height and width that it shall not interfere with the falling sandbag, and shall allow the full initial impact of the sandbag to be borne by the protective cover. (C) The drop test shall be repeated three times, using a new protective cover for each test. One drop test shall be performed with the protective cover sitting squarely on top of the rebar; the other two drop tests shall be performed with the protective cover sitting at the maximum angle out of square (out of level) that the protective cover will permit with its stabilizer vanes/fins removed. (2) Protective covers for projections or equipment other than rebar, (such as lightning rods,) shall be tested in the same manner as protective covers for rebar, except that protruding equipment which is normally installed with a protective cover as a single unit may be tested as a unit, using the equipment in lieu of the rebar. (3) Rebar troughs shall be tested for penetration by dropping a 250-lb bag of dry sand (less than 10% moisture by weight) onto the subject trough from a height of 10'. The 10' shall be measured from the bottom of the bag to the top of the protective cover. (A) The sand…

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# RE-BAR & IMPALEMENT HAZARDS Date Posted: 05/13/2025 ## Re-bar & Impalement Hazards Steel reinforcing bars, also known as re-bar, pose a common safety hazard on construction sites. These thin steel bars can stick out from construction projects and cause injuries to workers who can cut or scratch themselves on their sharp ends. In addition, workers who stumble or fall onto the exposed steel bars can be pierced or impaled on them, which can lead to severe internal injuries and even death. Rebar and other protrusions on a worksite should be guarded or covered to prevent impalement hazards. Moreover, it is crucial for workers to be protected from falling through hazard elimination so that they are not exposed to an impalement hazard or by wearing proper fall protection equipment when working above rebar or other sharp protrusions. According to WAC 296-880 and WAC [redacted identifier], all protruding reinforcing steel onto and into which workers could fall must be guarded and protected. This includes work situations where rebar or other impalement hazards are below grade or in a basement. ## RE-BAR AND OTHER IMPALEMENT HAZARDS Impalement hazards are not limited to protruding re-bar. Any projection on the job site that is an impalement risk must be guarded, including, but not limited to: - Unprotected vertical re-bar dowels. - Using the wrong protective caps for impalement hazards. • Improper or lack of fall protection methods at any height over an impalement hazard. • Concrete formwork pins protruding. • Concrete footing re-bar protruding into walking spaces. • Horizontal re-bar protruding from concrete foundation work. • Re-bar scraps are left lying about the job site. • Protruding pipes, conduit, or bolts stubbed out through floors or walls. - Reinforcing wire. • Stored materials. - Debris. • Any other projection that presents an impalement risk. ## GUARDING AND PROTECTING FROM RE-BAR HAZARDS It is crucial to take precautions against rebar i…

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This information is provided free of charge by the Department of Industrial Relations from its web site at www.dir.ca.gov. These regulations are for the convenience of the user and no representation or warranty is made that the information is current or accurate. See full disclaimer at https://www.dir.ca.gov/od_pub/disclaimer.html Chapter 3.2. California Occupational Safety and Health Regulations (CAL/OSHA) Subchapter 2. Regulations of the Division of Occupational Safety and Health Article 14. Limitations on Division Eligibility for Certifications, Licenses, and Registrations for Aliens. Return to index New query ## $344.90. Impalement Protection. Specifications and Testing Criteria (See Construction Safety Orders, Title 8, CCR §1712). (a) Scope: This section governs the testing of manufactured protective covers designed to prevent accidental impalement from exposed reinforcing steel (rebar) or other similar projections. (b) Effective Date: This section applies to all protective covers manufactured on or after October 1, 2000. (c) All manufactured protective covers used as protection against impalement for workers at grade or the same level as the projection shall: (1) Pass the drop test described in subsection (e) of this section, except that the drop height may be reduced to 7 1/2'. (2) Meet all other applicable requirements of section 1712 of this Code. (d) All manufactured protective covers used as protection against impalement for work performed at levels not to exceed 7 1/2' above grade shall: (1) Have a minimum of 4" by 4" square surface area, or if round, a minimum diameter of 4 1/2". Troughs shall be at least 4" wide. (2) Pass the drop test specified in subsection (e) of this section. (3) Meet all other applicable requirements of section 1712 of this Code. (e) Manufactured protective covers shall be able to pass the following penetration tests, as verified by a person, firm, or entity with appropriate registered-engineering competence, or …

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# Improper Scaffolding Construction (cont'd) (cont.) 6 PREVENTING FALLS IN CONSTRUCTION # Unguarded Protruding Steel Rebars Unguarded protruding steel rebars are a serious threat to safety on the jobsite. Even a small trip or slip can cause impalement. Unguarded steel rebars become an even greater threat when workers are elevated above them without proper fall protection. When working with rebar at grade level, the risk of impalement depends on a number of factors, including: proximity of rebar to worker; height of the rebar; etc. For example, working at grade around rebar that is 3-6 feet high would be unlikely to cause an impalement. Protective rebar caps should be used to prevent cuts, abrasions, or other minor injuries. Remember, when working at a construction site you must take full responsibility for your own personal safety. If you see uncovered rebar, do not proceed with the job until it has been correctly guarded. ## How can I avoid these Hazards? ## DO: Ensure a competent person assesses the site for rebar-related hazards prior to beginning work. ✓ - Cap all protruding ends of steel rebar with steel-reinforced rebar caps or wooden troughs. ✓ If caps are unavailable, bend rebar so exposed ends are no longer upright. - When employees are working at any height above exposed rebar, fall protection must be used as the first defense against impalement. ## DO NOT: - Work around unprotected rebar, especially from heights. - Use rebar caps made of plastic.

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Kiprc KENTUCKY INJURY PREVENTION AND RESEARCH CENTER Kentucky Occupational Safety & Health Surveillance Program # SAFETY BULLETIN # Preventing Construction Injury Due to UNGUARDED PROTRUDING STEEL REBARS Even a small trip near unguarded protruding steel bars can lead to impalement. Remember to: <table><tr><th></th><th>Ensure a competent person assesses the site for rebar-related hazards prior to beginning work.</th></tr><tr><td></td><td>Cap all protruding ends of steel rebar with steel-reinforced rebar caps.</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>If caps are unavailable, bend rebar so exposed ends are not upright.</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Always use fall protection when working above exposed rebar.</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Never work around unprotected rebar, especially from heights.</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Never use rebar caps made of plastic, as they may fail upon impact.</td></tr></table> Released May 2017 Produced by the Kentucky Occupational Safety & Health Surveillance Program, Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center (KIPRC). KIPRC is a bona fide agent of the Kentucky Department for Public Health. All photo credit to Occupational Safety & Health Administration, US Department of Labor. Kentucky Public Health