Page 90 - Safety Memo

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Note: For other falsework, approval may be provided by a Guardrails
manufacturer’s representative or a licensed contractor’s
qualified representative. 1717(b)(2)(B),(C) Guardrails must be installed at the open sides of all work
3. Falsework plans must be available at the jobsite. 1717(b)(3) surfaces that are 7 1/2 ft. or higher above the ground, floor, or
level underneath, or workers must be protected by other fall
4. Minimum design loads are as follows: 1717(a)(2)
protection or, if justified, by a valid fall protection plan. 1621(a)
a. Total combined live and dead load: 100 psf.
A. Guardrailing specifications. 1620
b. Live load and formwork: 20 psf.
1. Railings shall be constructed of wood or in an equally
5. Additional loads must be considered in the design. 1717(a) substantial manner from other materials, and shall consist
of the following:
B. Erection of falsework
a. A wooden top rail that is 42 in. to 45 in. high and that
1. Falsework must be erected on a stable, level, compacted measures 2 in. x 4 in. or larger.
base and supported by adequate pads, plates, or sills.
1717(b)(4) b. A mid-rail shall measure at least 1 in. x 6 in. and shall
be placed halfway between the top rail and the floor
2. Shore clamps (metal) must be installed in accord with when there is no wall or the parapet wall is less than
manufacturer’s instructions. 1717(d)(2) 21 in. high.
C. Inspection c. Screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members, solid
1. Before pouring concrete on falsework requiring panels or equivalent members, may be used in lieu of
design approval, an engineer (Ca PE) or the engineer’s a mid-rail subject to the following:
representative must inspect for and certify compliance with 01. Screens and mesh shall extend from the top rail
plans. 1717(c)(1) to the floor and along the entire opening between
Note: For other falsework, the inspection and certification top rail supports.
may be provided by a manufacturer’s representative 02. The gap between the intermediate vertical
or a licensed contractor’s qualified representative. members shall not be greater than 19 in.
1717(c)(2)(B),(C)
03. Other intermediate members such as solid panels
2. A copy of the inspection certification must be available at shall not have gaps more than 19 in.
the jobsite. 1717(c)(3)
d. Wood posts shall be not less than 2 in. by 4 in. in
D. Access to forms and falsework
cross section, spaced at 8 ft. or closer intervals.
1. Joists (5 1/2 in. wide) at not more than 36 in. o.c. may be Note: Use only “Selected Lumber” — free from damage that
used as walkways while forms are placed. 1717(d)(3)
affects its strength for wood railings. Steel banding and
2. A plank (12 in. wide) may be used as a walkway while joists plastic banding shall not be used as top rails or mid-rails.
are placed. 1717(d)(5)
2. All railings and components shall be capable of
E. Fall protection withstanding a force of at least 200 lbs. applied to the
top rail within 2 in. of the top edge, in any outward or
Periphery rails are required as soon as supporting members downward direction, at any point along the top edge.
are in place. 1717(d)(4)
3. Mid-rails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members,
Note: The area under formwork is a restricted area and must solid panels, and equivalent members shall be capable
be posted with perimeter warning signs. 1717(d)(6)(A) of withstanding a force of at least 150 lbs. applied in any
downward or outward direction at any point.

68 Cal/OSHA Pocket Guide for the Construction Industry | June 2015 Cal/OSHA Pocket Guide for the Construction Industry | June 2015 69