Free toolbox talk · Fall · 10 min

Structural Steel — Bolting and Welding

Construction · Ver en español

Talking points

  1. At least two bolts must be installed and tightened at each connection before the crane releases the load. This is the minimum for structural stability.
  2. Fall protection is required for connectors above 15 feet and for all other ironworkers above 6 feet (or 30 feet for decking in a controlled decking zone).
  3. Structural welds are made by welders qualified under AWS D1.1 — the structural welding code your project specifications and the building code invoke — using approved procedures. Inspect joints visually and per the inspection plan.
  4. Temporary bracing may be required until permanent connections are completed. Do not remove temporary bracing until the engineer authorizes it.
  5. Bolt inspection (torque verification or turn-of-nut method) must be performed per the project specifications. Under-torqued bolts compromise structural integrity.

Ask the crew

Are all connections in today's work area secured with at least two bolts — and has anyone verified the torque?

Standards this talk is built on

A toolbox talk is a short safety briefing. It supports the training a standard requires; it does not replace it.

Run this talk with your crew and keep the record

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Sign-in sheet

Print this page to collect signatures, or run the talk in Jobsite and workers sign in on their phones.

NameSignatureDate

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