Section 344.90 - Impalement Protection. Specifications and Testing Criteria (See Construction Safety Orders, Title 8, CCR Section 1712)(a) Scope: This section governs the testing of manufactured protective covers designed to prevent accidental impalement from exposed reinforcing steel (rebar) or other similar projections.(b) Effective Date: This section applies to all protective covers manufactured on or after October 1, 2000.(c) All manufactured protective covers used as protection against impalement for workers at grade or the same level as the projection shall:(1) Pass the drop test described in subsection (e) of this section, except that the drop height may be reduced to 7 1/2'.(2) Meet all other applicable requirements of section 1712 of this Code.(d) All manufactured protective covers used as protection against impalement for work performed at levels not to exceed 7 1/2' above grade shall: (1) Have a minimum of 4" by 4" square surface area, or if round, a minimum diameter of 4 1/2". Troughs shall be at least 4" wide.(2) Pass the drop test specified in subsection (e) of this section.(3) Meet all other applicable requirements of section 1712 of this Code.(e) Manufactured protective covers shall be able to pass the following penetration tests, as verified by a person, firm, or entity with appropriate registered-engineering competence, or by a person, firm, or entity, independent of the manufacturer of the subject protective covers, with demonstrated competence in the field of such evaluation.(1) Protective covers for rebar shall be tested for penetration by dropping a 250-lb. bag of dry sand (less than 10% moisture by weight) onto the subject protective cover from a height of 10'. The 10' shall be measured from the bottom of the bag to the top of the protective cover.(A) The sandbag shall be generally round, and shall have a circumference of 36" to 42". When filled with 250 lbs. of sand, the bag shall be tightly closed by use of crimping, drawstring, or twisting at the top level of the sand so that there is little extra room in the bag to allow the sand to shift. The bag shall be constructed and reinforced (as necessary) with material, which will not rupture or be penetrated by the protective cover for rebar.(B) The protective cover for rebar shall be installed over the sheared end of a piece of #4 rebar. The rebar shall be mounted on a support with 6" of the rebar projecting vertically above the surface of the support. The support shall be of such height and width that it shall not interfere with the falling sandbag, and shall allow the full initial impact of the sandbag to be borne by the protective cover.(C) The drop test shall be repeated three times, using a new protective cover for each test. One drop test shall be performed with the protective cover sitting squarely on top of the rebar; the other two drop tests shall be performed with the protective cover sitting at the maximum angle out of square (out of level) that the protective cover will permit with its stabilizer vanes/fins removed.(2) Protective covers for projections or equipment other than rebar, (such as lightning rods,) shall be tested in the same manner as protective covers for rebar, except that protruding equipment which is normally installed with a protective cover as a single unit may be tested as a unit, using the equipment in lieu of the rebar.(3) Rebar troughs shall be tested for penetration by dropping a 250-lb bag of dry sand (less than 10% moisture by weight) onto the subject trough from a height of 10'. The 10' shall be measured from the bottom of the bag to the top of the protective cover. (A) The sandbag shall be generally round, and shall have a circumference of 36" to 42". When filled with 250 lbs. of sand, the bag shall be tightly closed by use of crimping, drawstring, or twisting at the top level of the sand so that there is little extra room in the bag to allow the sand to shift. The bag shall be constructed and reinforced (as necessary) with material, which will not rupture or be penetrated by the protective cover for rebar.(B) The trough shall be installed over the sheared ends of three pieces of #4 rebar. The three pieces rebar shall be mounted in a straight line, 24" apart, on a support with 6" of each piece of rebar projecting vertically above the surface of the support. The trough shall be 72" in length, and shall be centered over the three pieces of rebar so that 12" of the trough extends beyond each of the outside pieces of rebar.(C) The drop test shall be repeated four times, using a new trough for each test. The sandbag shall be dropped: (i) once with the trough level and the sandbag centered over the middle piece of rebar;(ii) once with the trough level and the sandbag centered over one of the end pieces of rebar;(iii) once with the trough tilted (at the maximum angle allowed by the design) with the sandbag centered over the middle piece of rebar;(iv) once with the trough tilted (at the maximum angle allowed by the design) with the sandbag centered over one of the end pieces of rebar.(4) Other methods for penetration testing may be substituted for those set forth in this section where acceptable to the Division as being equally effective.(f) Each manufacturer, or other person or entity reselling or distributing manufactured protective covers, shall furnish the ultimate user of the protective cover with instructions regarding appropriate use of the protective covers. The instructions, written in English, shall include at least the following:(1) Instructions as to whether the protective cover is designed for use at grade or above grade.(2) A statement indicating the maximum height of fall that the cover is designed to protect against impalement, but not to exceed 7 1/2'.(3) Installation instructions.(4) Instructions regarding the inspection and/or use of damaged or defective protective covers. The effects, if any, of damaged stabilizer vanes/fins shall be included in this instruction.(5) Any other instructions deemed necessary by the manufacturer regarding the use of the protective covers.(g) Each employer whose employees use or work around or above protective covers shall inform its employees of the content of the manufacturer's instructions. Such information shall be provided to employees in a manner that allows them to understand the appropriate use of protective covers and the hazards associated with impalement.(h) Marking--Each protective cover shall be marked with the following information: (1) Model Number or Trademark.(2) California Approval Number as issued pursuant to Sections 1712 and 1505 of this Code.Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 8, § 344.90
1. New section filed 6-26-2000; operative 10-1-2000 (Register 2000, No. 26).
2. Change without regulatory effect amending subsection (e) filed 10-16-2000 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2000, No. 42).
3. Editorial correction of subsection (e)(2) (Register 2015, No. 29). Note: Authority cited: Sections 60.5 and 6308, Labor Code. Reference: Sections 60.5 and 6308, Labor Code.
1. New section filed 6-26-2000; operative 10-1-2000 (Register 2000, No. 26).
2. Change without regulatory effect amending subsection (e) filed 10-16-2000 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2000, No. 42).
3. Editorial correction of subsection (e)(2) (Register 2015, No. 29).