Rebar

Hazard

Ends of reinforcing steel (rebar) expose workers to the hazards of tripping, lacerations (minor & major), or impalement depending on their orientation or location.

Prevention

The responsibility for the initial protection of rebar varies between the Concrete Reinforcing Contractor or the Formwork Contractor depending on whether the rebar poses a hazard at the time of installation. For example, vertical rebar that creates an impalement hazard at the time of installation (i.e. less than shoulder height) is the responsibility of the Concrete Reinforcing Contractor as it is a hazard upon installation. But, the top of a column or zone (i.e. greater than shoulder height) is not a hazard to workers until the Formwork Contractor assembles formwork in the area. In that case it would be the responsibility of the Formwork Contractor to protect the impalement hazard upon constructing formwork adjacent to the vertical rebar.

Practice

Vertical rebar ends that pose a hazard of impalement must be guarded with a system that will prevent such an injury before other work takes place in the area.

Plastic mushroom caps are recommended only for abrasion resistance and visual identification of ends of horizontal rebar.

Once the protection is initially installed by the responsible party, PCML will regularly inspect the area to ensure the protection is still in place and correct or direct other workers in the area to correct any deficiencies.