OSHA Qualification/Disclaimer

Nicholas J. Bouras, Inc. (The New Columbia Joist Company) proposals for steel joists and joist girders conform to the NEW (effective date 1-18-02) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements contained in 29 CFR part 1926.757 "Open Web Steel Joists" and current Steel Joist Institute (SJI) specifications. Several items contained in the new OSHA Steel Erection standards that pertain to the installation of steel joists and/or steel joist girders are qualified below:

1) 29 CFR 1926.757 (a)(3) During the final placing of open-web column joists (located at or near columns and span 60 feet or less) the load shall not be released from the hoisting line until the joist is determined to be plumb and true and each end is secured with at least two bolts of the same size and strength as shown in the erection drawings, drawn up wrench-tight (snug) or the equivalent as specified by the project structural engineer of record. This applies to standard parallel chord, under slung joists that are installed horizontally (i.e. sloped no more than 1/4" per foot) with bottom chord struts restrained by the column stabilizer plate (where the joist is located directly "at" the column).

If an open web steel column joist does not conform to the above criteria the joist cannot be designed to support an employee without bridging installed and will be furnished with a "Danger" tag. It should be noted that employees ARE NOT allowed on these joists until adequately stabilized and special erection methods MUST be incorporated.

***IMPORTANT*** ► This provision deals with joists that are commonly referred to as “column joists”.  These joists are typically erected first and are used to “tie” adjacent columns together.  OSHA has issued a draft directive entitled “Inspection policy and procedures for OSHA’s steel erection standards for construction” that specifically addresses “column joists”.  The directive effectively delays implementation of this provision until July 18, 2003. In answering the question “… How will OSHA enforce this provision during this period?” the directive states, Until July 18, 2003, for ALL JOISTS (emphasis added) at or near columns that span 60 feet or less, employers will be considered to be in compliance with §1926.756(a)(3) if they erect these joists either by: (1) installing bridging or otherwise stabilizing the joist prior to releasing the hoisting cable, or (2) releasing the cable without having a worker on the joists.  On July 18, 2003 OSHA issued Directive extending the July 18, 2003 enforcement policy deadline to July 18, 2004. In early July 2004 OSHA issued a new Directive extending the enforcement policy for an indefinite period of time citing the following:  “The industry has conducted a number of tests to determine if joists that are now available would meet the requirements of 1926.757(a)(3).  Their tests showed that of the joists now available, some would meet the requirement, but only if erectors followed a number of erection criteria that are not in the steel erection standard. Also, for some spans and dimensions, there still are no joists that would meet the requirement (even if those additional criteria were followed)”. “Therefore, the enforcement policy (directive* ) that was scheduled to expire on July 18, 2004, will remain in effect indefinitely”.

2) 29 CFR 1926.757 (8) Field Bolted Joists. All steel joist spanning 40'-0" and greater will be furnished with two (2) 9/16" x 2" long slots ("K"-series short span joists) or 13/16" x 1-1/4" long slots ("LH" and "DLH"-series long span joists) as required. Where joists spanning 40'-0" and greater bear on steel joist girders (furnished by NJB) two (2) 9/16" or 13/16" round holes will be furnished at each panel point location on the top chord of the joist girder with the two (2) A307 bolts.

However, it must be noted that these bolts are temporary erection bolts and the final connection must be made by welding or as specified by the engineer of record.

Where joists spanning 40'-0" and greater bear on steel members not furnished by NJB - erection bolts will not be furnished by NJB.

3) 29 CFR 1926.757 (5)(d) Erection Bridging. OSHA erection bridging regulations mandate the use of bolted diagonal erection bridging as specified in the Steel Joist Institute Specifications and Load Tables.