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Rebar placement job hazard analysis (JHA) template

Placing and tying rebar means heavy bundles, sharp ends, awkward lifting and falls onto bars that can impale. OSHA requires all protruding reinforcing steel onto and into which employees could fall to be guarded to eliminate the hazard of impalement (29 CFR 1926.701(b)). Guard the ends before the crew works above them.

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JHA template

Rebar placement

StepHazardControls
1. Plan the placement and receive the deliveryBundle slips or swings while being unloadedHave bars delivered cut and bent to shape, and…
2. Stage the bundlesStacks shift, roll or collapseStack, block, interlock or otherwise secure…
3. Cut and bend the barsCuts, flying pieces and tool hazardsUse powered bar cutters and benders with their…

The task

Receiving, staging, cutting, placing and tying reinforcing steel for a slab, wall or column, and capping the bar ends.

Steps, hazards and controls

Controls run from most effective to least. A citation beside a control means an OSHA paragraph requires it; with no citation it is good practice.

StepHazardControls
1. Plan the placement and receive the deliveryBundle slips or swings while being unloaded
  1. Eliminate: Have bars delivered cut and bent to shape, and bundled for the crane, to cut down on handling on site.
  2. Engineering control: Inspect the rigging used to hoist bundles before use on each shift, and remove any defective rigging from service. (29 CFR 1926.251(a)(1))
  3. Administrative control: Keep workers out from under the load and use tag lines to steer it.
  4. PPE: Wear gloves, a hard hat and safety-toe boots at the delivery.
2. Stage the bundlesStacks shift, roll or collapse
  1. Engineering control: Stack, block, interlock or otherwise secure materials stored in tiers to prevent sliding, falling or collapse. (29 CFR 1926.250(a)(1))
  2. Engineering control: Inside a building under construction, keep stored bars at least 6 feet from hoistways and floor openings, and 10 feet from an exterior wall that does not extend above the stack. (29 CFR 1926.250(b)(1))
  3. Administrative control: Stage bars close to where they will be placed so crews do not carry them far.
3. Cut and bend the barsCuts, flying pieces and tool hazards
  1. Engineering control: Use powered bar cutters and benders with their guards in place when the tool is designed to take guards. (29 CFR 1926.300(b)(1))
  2. Administrative control: Keep hand and power tools in safe condition.
  3. Administrative control: Use double-insulated or properly grounded electric tools. (29 CFR 1926.302(a)(1))
  4. PPE: Wear eye protection when cutting or bending. (29 CFR 1926.102(a)(1))
4. Carry and set the barsBack strain, hand cuts and strains
  1. Substitute: Use two-person carries, a cart or a lift assist for long or heavy bars.
  2. Administrative control: Plan a clear path and keep rebar from being dragged across other trades.
  3. PPE: Wear the protective equipment the hazards call for, such as cut-resistant gloves, long sleeves and safety-toe boots. (29 CFR 1926.95(a))
Falls from a bar mat or form edge
  1. Engineering control: Provide fall protection for employees on the face of formwork or reinforcing steel 6 feet or more above a lower level. (29 CFR 1926.501(b)(5))
  2. Administrative control: Lay planks or a walkway over mats so crews do not walk on top of the bars.
  3. PPE: Use a personal fall arrest system, safety net or positioning device system where the face of the formwork or rebar is 6 feet or more above a lower level. (29 CFR 1926.501(b)(5))
5. Tie the barsRepetitive strain from stooping and twisting tying tools
  1. Substitute: Use a powered rebar tying tool or a long-handled tool to reduce bending.
  2. Administrative control: Rotate tasks and take stretch breaks.
  3. PPE: Wear padded gloves and knee protection.
6. Cap and guard the endsFalling on protruding bars
  1. Engineering control: Guard all protruding reinforcing steel onto and into which employees could fall, so impalement is eliminated. (29 CFR 1926.701(b))
  2. Engineering control: Use impact-rated rebar caps or wooden troughs over the ends, and replace damaged caps.
  3. Administrative control: Check every cap before the crew works above the bars.
7. Coordinate with the pour and clean upLoose bars and tie wire become trip hazards
  1. Administrative control: Clear scrap, tie wire and trimmings from the work area.
  2. Administrative control: Verify cover, spacing and ties with the inspector before concrete placement, and keep the mats protected from the pump hose.

Required PPE

What the standard says

  • Guard protruding reinforcing steel to eliminate impalement. (29 CFR 1926.701(b))

    “Reinforcing steel. All protruding reinforcing steel, onto and into which employees could fall, shall be guarded to eliminate the hazard of impalement.”

  • Provide fall protection on the face of formwork or reinforcing steel at 6 feet or more. (29 CFR 1926.501(b)(5))

    “Formwork and reinforcing steel. Each employee on the face of formwork or reinforcing steel shall be protected from falling 6 feet (1.8 m) or more to lower levels by personal fall arrest systems, safety net systems, or positioning device systems.”

  • Secure materials stored in tiers. (29 CFR 1926.250(a)(1))

    “General. (1) All materials stored in tiers shall be stacked, racked, blocked, interlocked, or otherwise secured to prevent sliding, falling or collapse.”

  • Inspect rigging equipment before each shift. (29 CFR 1926.251(a)(1))

    “General. (1) Rigging equipment for material handling shall be inspected prior to use on each shift and as necessary during its use to ensure that it is safe. Defective rigging equipment shall be removed from service.”

  • Power tools must be guarded when designed for guards. (29 CFR 1926.300(b)(1))

    “Guarding. (1) When power operated tools are designed to accommodate guards, they shall be equipped with such guards when in use.”

  • Use appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to hazards. (29 CFR 1926.102(a)(1))

    “The employer shall ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles”

  • Provide head protection where there is a danger of head injury from impact or falling objects. (29 CFR 1926.100(a))

    “Employees working in areas where there is a possible danger of head injury from impact, or from falling or flying objects, or from electrical shock and burns, shall be protected by protective helmets.”

Frequently asked questions

Does OSHA require a JHA for rebar placement?
OSHA does not require a written JHA for rebar work. It does require guarding of protruding reinforcing steel and fall protection on the face of reinforcing steel (29 CFR 1926.701(b), 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(5)). A JHA is a good way to plan the delivery, handling and capping sequence.
What goes in a rebar placement JHA?
Include delivery and hoisting, staging, cutting and bending, carrying, tying, capping bar ends and clean-up. For each hazard list controls from strongest to weakest and name who checks the caps.
What must be done with exposed rebar ends?
All protruding reinforcing steel onto and into which employees could fall must be guarded to eliminate the hazard of impalement (29 CFR 1926.701(b)). Rebar caps or troughs are common choices. Replace any that are damaged.

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