• Technical Blogs
  • Dec 08, 2020

Safety Regulations for Element Rigging

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Specific guidelines are set in both Canada and the USA for safe rigging of construction elements. These guidelines are included in health and safety regulations of each specific jurisdiction where the project takes place. A safety factor or design factor is established in these regulations and must be included in all components used for element rigging including the rigging anchors. This blog post summarizes the minimum safety factor required for provinces of British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec in Canada and OSHA requirements in the USA and shows how MTC Solutions rigging anchors follow these rigging regulations.

Approximately 6-minute read.

 

Canadian Regulations

In Canadian regulations the commonly known “factor of safety” is defined as a “design factor”. This “design factor” is described as the theoretical reserve capability of a product, usually determined by dividing the breaking strength by the working load limit. These regulations also define rigging equipment as the fibre ropes, wire ropes, chains, slings, attachments, connecting fittings and associated components including the rigging anchors.

British Columbia (BC) 

In BC, the Workers Compensation Act: Occupational Health and Safety Regulation sets the acceptable design factor required for element rigging. Part 15.6 of this regulation requires a minimum design factor of 5 for all rigging components. This includes the anchor attachment system as per the definition. Other regulatory bodies such as WorkSafe BC also include additional specific requirements for rigging elements on-site.

Ontario

In Ontario, the Occupational Health and Safety Act- Ontario Regulation 213/91: Construction Projects sets the acceptable design factor required for element rigging. Section 172. (1) (d) of this regulation requires a minimum design factor of 5 for all rigging components. This includes the anchor attachment system as per the definition. Other regulatory bodies such as IHSA also includes a detailed manual for proper rigging practices on a construction site and guidelines for calculating working load limits.

Quebec 

In Quebec, the Safety Code for the Construction Industry Act: Respecting Occupational Health and Safety regulation, sets the acceptable design factor required for rigging. Chapter S-2.1, r.4 section 3.9.13 (4)(a) of this regulation requires hoisting to be in compliant with Hoisting and Rigging Safety Manual of the Construction Safety Association of Ontario. Based on the IHSA manual, a minimum design factor of 5 for all rigging components is needed. This includes the anchor attachment system as per the definition. Other regulator bodies in Quebec such as the CNESST include additional specific requirements for site safety and should be followed.

 

United States Regulations

In the USA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets regulation for proper rigging of elements. Per Clause 1926.753(e)(2) of the OSHA Safety and Health Regulations for Construction section, all components used in rigging shall have at least a safety factor of 5. This includes every individual attachment point including the rigging anchors.

 

MTC Solutions Rigging Systems

MTC Solutions Rigging Design Guide provides detailed information on various mass timber rigging anchoring systems. The anchor capacities in the design guide are derived from the testing done on the system and directly includes the required design factor of 5 set in the Canadian and US regulations.

The following is an example table from the USA Rigging Design Guide for flat CLT panel lifting using the Yoke 5T. A mean ultimate load of 27,810 lbs was recorded during the testing of the Yoke 5T with the Kombi ½”x 6-1/4” [12mmx 160mm] self-tapping screws. With the OSHA safety factor of 5 included in the reported capacities of the system, the design value becomes 5,500 lbs as seen in the last row of the table.

For proper site safety, the Rigging Design Guide includes additional safety considerations such as: modification factors when determining the element weight with various sling angles, safety factor for different rigging situations (in open or tight space) and dynamic acceleration of the elements being lifted

 

When rigging mass timber elements, all elements must always follow site safety requirements of the jurisdiction the project is located in. It is the responsibility of the rigging engineer and site supervisors to ensure proper rigging equipment is used with a minimum safety factor of 5. It also must be confirmed if the capacity for anchoring devices used directly includes this safety factor in the reported design values or if the values must be properly adjusted.  Proper rigging practices will ensure a safe working environment for workers and can reduce potential on-site injuries associated with these activities.

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