Safe Work Procedures
CANWIDE STEEL
Safe Job Procedure
OHS Program · SJP #20-11
Created: June 2025  ·  Last Rev: —  ·  Canwide Steel Ltd.
REINFORCING BAR FOR WALLS, COLUMNS AND SLABS
SJP #20-11
June 2025
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Structural Steel / Rebar
Safety Department
1 of 4
Section 1 — General Information
Prepared By Phone #
Date Site / Project
Site Address
Prime Contractor / Client
Prime Contact Person
(Position & Name)		 Phone #
On-Site Contact Person
(Position & Name)		 Phone #
Scope of Work Performed Erecting reinforcing bars for walls, columns and slabs using Crane and manually by hand.
Additional Documents Required?
(Hot work permits, Lift plan, Toolbox talk, etc.)
If YES — Type & Reason
Section 2 — Hazard Identification
PPE Requirement: All workers must wear the basic PPE and specialized PPE as required by site and task at all times during this scope of work.
Task / Activity Steps Potential Hazards Present Controls (PPE, Equipment, Training, Documents, etc.)
Erecting reinforcing bars for walls and columns
  • Crane lifts of rebar bundles
  • Manual placement and tying
  • Working at elevation on platform/scaffold
  • Stacking and handling bar stock
  • Exposed rebar (impalement)
  • Slips, trips, and falls (grade level)
  • Falling from height (platform / scaffold)
  • Falling materials and objects onto workers below
  • Incorrect setup / installation
  • Struck-by from crane swing or dropped bundle
  • Overexertion / manual handling injury
  • Adverse weather (wind, rain, ice)
  • Follow this SJP in full
  • Rebar end cap / dowel protection on all exposed ends
  • Two-way radio communication maintained at all times between rigger and crane operator
  • Follow Engineering Documents and structural drawings
  • Worker qualification, training, and trade certification
  • Fall Protection — full-body harness + 100% tie-off where height >3 m
  • Exclusion zone established below overhead work
  • Pre-task FLHA completed by supervisor
  • Hard hat, safety glasses, cut-resistant gloves, steel-toe boots, hi-vis vest mandatory
  • Suspend work in wind >45 km/h
Erecting formwork for walls & columns using Crane
  • Dropped load / rigging failure
  • Formwork collapse or instability
  • Workers in the swing radius
  • Certified rigger required for all picks
  • Signal person in constant communication with crane operator
  • Inspect all slings, chains, and shackles before each use
  • Tag lines on all crane picks — no one under suspended load
  • Engineer-approved formwork drawings on site
  • Verify formwork bracing and shoring before loading
Slab reinforcement — manual placement
  • Musculoskeletal injury (heavy lifting)
  • Laceration from bar ends and wire tails
  • Trip hazards from offcuts
  • Two-person carry for bars >20 kg
  • Use rebar supports / chairs to raise bar off ground
  • Cut-resistant gloves (Level A4+) mandatory
  • Bend wire tie tails inward; remove offcuts immediately
  • Maintain clear walking surfaces free of trip hazards
Section 3 — Procedure
Preliminary Activities
Mandatory Pre-Work Steps
Where multiple trade activity is scheduled, the priority of work will be reviewed for all trades by the prime contractor, and the appropriate time frame will be scheduled for each trade to complete their scope of work. Prior to any work commencing, supervisors must conduct a hazard assessment of all applicable work areas. Any hazards found during the assessment must be addressed before work begins. Record findings in the daily Field Level Hazard Assessment (FLHA) form.
General Guidelines for Working Safely
  1. Comply with all applicable OHS Regulations.
  2. Wear and use the required PPE and ensure that any equipment to be used is in proper working condition.
  3. Ensure the general public is protected by closing off / barricading areas which pose a hazard.
  4. All ladders, equipment, and PPE used must be inspected and confirmed safe to use as per manufacturer's instructions.
  5. Radio communication must be maintained at all times between rigger and crane operator. Ensure site radios are fully charged prior to starting the task.
  6. Ensure Engineered drawings for the column, wall and upstand forms are readily available on site.
  7. Ensure the work area is adequately illuminated, free of unnecessary debris, materials and equipment.
  8. Workers are not permitted to climb the formwork panels.
  9. Ladders used for access must be leaning at a 4:1 ratio, on a firm, flat and level base, and secured in place.
  10. If tying-off the ladder is not practical, the ladder can be secured by a fellow worker holding the ladder.
  11. Supervisor, rigger and crane operator are to monitor weather for any strong winds that could affect the formwork panels when flying and until secured in place.
Safe Job Procedure — Erecting Walls & Columns with Crane
  1. Read, understand and follow this SJP and all applicable procedures before starting work.
  2. Read, understand and follow manufacturer's instructions and engineering drawings.
  3. Before starting, supervisor to ensure all required engineering drawings are available on site.
  4. Rigger to hook up the prefabricated columns or walls with the crane. Fly to where it is being erected as per drawings.
  5. Workers to attach the column or wall to the footings and add rebar ties to ensure its stability.
  6. Before disconnecting from crane, the chains must slowly release to ensure the column maintains upright and weight is properly distributed. Once confirmed, the rigger may disconnect the crane from the column.
  7. Repeat process for all columns or walls requiring crane.
Erecting Manually / By Hand — Safe Work Practices
Stacking materials can be dangerous if employees do not follow safety guidelines. Falling materials and collapsing loads can crush or pin employees, causing injuries or death. To help prevent injuries when stacking materials, employees must do the following:
  1. Stack materials on flat surface.
  2. Set area up by removing all debris to assure good housekeeping and stable, even surfaces.
  3. Depending on the materials being stacked, use dunnage when required.
  4. Ensure that stacks are stable and self-supporting.
  5. For all materials:
    • Band boxed materials or secure them with crossties or shrink plastic fibre.
    • Keep all materials away from all edges.
    • Stack and block structural steel, bar stock, and other cylindrical materials to prevent spreading or tilting unless they are on racks.
    • Use supports or chairs to raise rebar and prevent back injury when lifting.
Safe Job Procedure — Columns & Walls
  1. Read, understand and follow this SJP and all applicable procedures.
  2. Read, understand and follow manufacturer's instructions and engineering drawings.
  3. Before starting, supervisor to ensure all required engineering drawings are available on site.
  4. Workers to attach the reinforcement bars to the column or wall at the footings and add rebar ties to ensure stability.
  5. Repeat process for all columns or walls.
Safe Job Procedure — Slabs
  1. Read, understand and follow this SJP and all applicable procedures.
  2. Read, understand and follow manufacturer's instructions and engineering drawings.
  3. Before starting, supervisor to ensure all required engineering drawings are available on site.
  4. Workers to carry the reinforcement bars between two workers and place them on the slab as per engineer's drawing. Add rebar ties to ensure stability.
  5. Repeat process for all sections of slab.
Section 4 — Additional Requirements / Comments
Attach engineering drawings to this procedure before work starts.
All workers involved in the task must be trained on this procedure and signed off.
All workers involved must sign the Rebar Ties SJP sign-off sheet (Section 6).
Completed FLHA reviewed and signed by supervisor prior to work commencement.
Hot Work Permit obtained (if any hot work is required).
Crane Lift Plan reviewed and approved (for all crane picks).
Toolbox talk conducted and recorded.
Fall Protection Plan in place and workers trained on site-specific anchors.
First Aid resources confirmed available on site.
Emergency Response Plan communicated to all workers.
Section 5 — Site Specific Information
Complete this section with information specific to the active project site. Include any unique site hazards, access requirements, emergency contact points, or conditions not covered in the general procedure above.
Site / Project Name
Site Supervisor Emergency #
Nearest Hospital / EMS
Nearest First Aid Station
Muster / Assembly Point
Crane Setup / Swing Radius
Overhead Utilities / Hazards
Fall Arrest Anchor Locations
Section 6 — Signatures
Date: _______________
Date: _______________
Mandatory
All workers involved in this task must be instructed on this procedure and signed below. Use additional sign-off sheets when needed.
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CANWIDE STEEL LTD. · SJP #20-11 · Reinforcing Bar — Walls, Columns & Slabs · Created June 2025 · CONFIDENTIAL — FOR CANWIDE STEEL USE ONLY
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