Acknowledging the direct correlation between safety incidents and lack of regulations specific to reinforcing steel and post-tensioning activities, the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board has voted to change its safety rules to the stricter standards used by the Iron Workers International.

The rule-making package addresses potential structural collapse of vertical formwork, decks, and columns; impalement hazards; misuse of material-handling equipment; site conditions; inadequate work space and work platform areas; communication between workers performing post-tensioning, supervisors, and the controlling contractor; hoisting and rigging; and training on post-tensioning techniques.

The new standards are expected to take effect in January 2018. A series of town hall meetings will be held throughout California to help reinforcing steel contractors and ironworkers prepare for implementation.