Toolbox Talk: Concrete Rebar Protection

Rebar poses an impalement hazard that can be prevented by using rebar caps. OSHA standards require rebar to be protected when an employee could fall onto and into the rebar. While falling off an elevated surface onto vertical rebar can pose the most serious injury, tripping and falling onto rebar on the same walking surface—as well as eye injuries from horizontal rebar or rebar at eye level—can be more common and equally preventable.

Points to Remember:

1. Protect all rebar onto which you could fall or into.

2. Protection methods can include rebar caps or covering groups of protruding rebar with planking or other covers.

3. Be aware that rebar that is sticking out horizontally can still pose an impalement hazard and has the potential for a major eye injury. Placing rebar caps on horizontally protruding rebar is also recommended.

4. Some rebar caps cannot provide proper impalement protection as they lack reinforcement that prevents the rebar from pushing through the cap. The standard “mushroom cap” is typically only going to provide scratch protection. Only those caps rated to take a 250-pound load falling from 10 feet are considered safe for impalement protection.

5. While rebar impalement is specifically listed as an OSHA standard, be aware of other impalement hazards like grade stakes, form pins, conduit, and other types of protrusions that pose an equal hazard.

Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin | Friede & Associates

Employees:
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Toolbox Talk: Concrete Rebar Protection

Employees: Complete the form below to certify that you have been trained and understand the safety talk outlined above.

Employees:
Complete the form below to certify that you have been trained and understand the safety talk outlined above.