New York Construction Site Safety Code

PART 23
PROTECTION IN CONSTRUCTION, DEMOLITION AND EXCAVATION OPERATIONS
(Statutory authority: Labor Law, §§27-a, 27, 29)

SUBPART 23-2     CONSTRUCTION OPERATIONS

23-2.1     Maintenance and housekeeping
23-2.2     Concrete work
23-2.3     Structural steel assembly
23-2.4     Flooring requirements in building construction
23-2.5     Protection of persons in shafts
23-2.6     Catch platforms required
23-2.7     Stairway requirements during the construction of buildings
23-2.8     Painting

SUBPART 23-2
CONSTRUCTIONS OPERATIONS

Historical Note
Subpart (§§23-2.1 - 23-2.8) added, filed May 30, 1972 eff. June 1, 1972.
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§ 23-2.1 Maintenance and housekeeping.

(a) Storage of material or equipment. (1) All building materials shall be stored in a safe and orderly manner. Material piles shall be stable under all conditions and so located that they do not obstruct any passageway, walkway, stairway or other thoroughfare.

(2) Material and equipment shall not be stored upon any floor, platform or scaffold in such quantity or of such weight as to exceed the safe carrying capacity of such floor, platform or scaffold. Material and equipment shall not be placed or stored so close to any edge of a floor, platform or scaffold as to endanger any person beneath such edge.

(b) Disposal of debris. Debris shall be handled and disposed of by methods that will not endanger any person employed in the area of such disposal or any person lawfully frequenting such area.

Historical Note

Sec. added, filed May 30, 1972 eff. June 1, 1972.
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§ 23-2.2 Concrete work.

(a) General requirements. Forms, shores and reshores shall be structurally safe and shall be properly braced or tied together so as to maintain position and shape.

(b) Inspection. Designated persons shall continuously inspect the stability of all forms, shores and reshores including all braces and other supports during the placing of concrete. Any unsafe condition shall be remedied immediately.

(c) Beams, floors and roofs. (1) Necessary horizontal and diagonal bracing shall be provided in both longitudinal and transverse directions to provide structural stability of beams, floors and roofs. Shores and reshores shall be properly seated top and bottom and shall be secured in place.

(2) Where shores or reshores rest upon the ground, mud sills or other bases shall be provided.

(3) Where the sum of the dead and live loads on the forms may exceed 150 pounds per square foot, the design of such forms, including shores, reshores and bracing, shall be as specified by a professional engineer licensed to practice in the State of New York. Such design plans and specifications shall be kept on the job site available for examination by the commissioner. All forms, shores, reshores and bracing shall be constructed and installed in accordance with such design plans and specifications.

(d) Stripping. After stripping, forms shall be promptly stockpiled or removed from areas in which persons are required to work or pass. Protruding nails, wire ties and other form accessories not necessary for subsequent work shall be pulled, cut or otherwise made safe.

(e) Reshoring. Reshoring shall be provided when necessary to safely support slabs and beams after stripping or where such members are subjected to superimposed loads due to construction on upper levels.

Historical Note

Sec. added, filed May 30, 1972 eff. June 1, 1972.
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§ 23-2.3 Structural steel assembly.

(a) Placing of structural members. (1) During the final placing of structural steel members, loads shall not be released from hoisting ropes until such members are securely fastened in place. Structural steel members shall not be forced into place by hoisting machines while any person is so located that he may be injured thereby.

(2) Open web steel joists that are hoisted singly shall be transferred from their place of storage directly to their permanent location and secured against dislodgment. Such a load shall not be released from the hoisting rope until it is so secured. Bundles of such joists shall be so placed as to prevent accidental dislodgment while being hoisted. Immediately upon the release of the ties or straps from such bundles, the individual joists shall be distributed to and placed in their permanent positions and secured against accidental dislodgment.

(3) Loads shall not be placed on open web steel joists until such joists are permanently located and secured including the installation of required bridging.

(b) Holing or cutting of structural steel members. Load-bearing structural steel members shall not be materially weakened by holing, cutting or by any other means except in accordance with the advice of the designer thereof or of a professional engineer licensed to practice in the State of New York.

(c) Tag lines. While steel panels or structural steel members are being hoisted, tag lines shall be provided and used to prevent uncontrolled movement of such panels or members.

(d) Erection of lintels. Where exterior metal lintels are erected in steel or concrete frame buildings or other structures after the permanent floors have been installed, a suitable scaffold constructed and installed in compliance with this Part (rule) shall be provided and used unless each person engaged in the work of erecting such lintels is provided with and wears an approved safety belt or harness in compliance with this Part (rule).

(e) Tandem loads. The suspension of tandem loads from the boom or hook of any crane or derrick over any area or location where persons work or pass is prohibited.

Historical Note

Sec. added, filed May 30, 1972 eff. June 1, 1972.
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§ 23-2.4 Flooring requirements in building construction.

(a) Permanent flooring – skeleton steel construction in tiered buildings. The permanent floors of such buildings or other structures shall be installed as soon as possible as the erection of structural steel members progresses. In no case shall there be more than eight stories, floors or equivalent levels or 120 feet, whichever is less, between the erection floor and the uppermost permanent floor.

(b) Temporary flooring – skeleton steel construction in tiered buildings. (1) Erection by tower crane or derrick.

(i) The erection floor shall be covered over the entire surface except for access openings. Such flooring shall be of the proper strength to support the working load intended to be imposed thereon. Such temporary flooring shall be laid tight and secured against movement.

(ii) There shall also be provided a tight and substantial floor within two stories or 30 feet, whichever is less, below and directly under that portion of each tier of beams on which any work is being performed. Such floor shall be of the proper strength to support the working load intended to be imposed thereon. Such floor shall be constructed of planking at least two inches thick full size or material of equivalent strength as a minimum.

(2) Erection by ground-supported crane. Where erection is being done by means of a crane operating on the ground, grade or equivalent surface, a tight, secure and substantial floor shall be installed within two stories or 30 feet, whichever is less, below and directly under that portion of each tier of beams on which any work is being performed. Such floor shall consist of planking at least two inches thick full size or of material of equivalent strength. As an alternative to such floor, an approved life net installed in compliance with this Part (rule) may be provided. Any such life net shall be installed and maintained not more than two stories or 30 feet, whichever is less, below and directly under that portion of each tier of beams on which any work is being performed.

(3) High one story skeleton steel construction. In the erection of one story skeleton steel buildings or other structures where the clear vertical height of such building or other structure is 30 feet or more, protection similar to that required for tiered construction as specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) above shall be provided.

(c) Flooring – other construction. (1) In the erection of any building or other structure having double wood floor or bar joist construction, the rough flooring shall be completed as the construction of such building or other structure progresses, including the tier below the one on which the wood floor joists or bar joists are being installed.

(2) In the construction of a building or other structure having single wood flooring or any other flooring system, the floor immediately below the story where the floor joists are being installed shall be kept covered. Such flooring shall be at least two inches thick full size or shall be of material of equivalent strength and be laid tight and secure.

Historical Note

Sec. added, filed May 30, 1972 eff. June 1, 1972.
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§ 23-2.5 Protection of persons in shafts.

(a) General. Persons required to perform work in or at shafts, other than elevator shafts, shall be provided with the following protection:

(1) Protection from falling material. A tight covering consisting of planks at least two inches thick full size, exterior grade plywood at least three-quarters inch thick or material of equivalent strength shall be installed so as to cover the entire cross-sectional area of the shaft. Such cover shall be located at a point in the shaft not more than two stories or 30 feet, whichever is less, above the level where persons are working.

(2) Protection from falling. (i) To minimize injuries from falls in shafts, a tight platform consisting of planks at least two inches thick full size, exterior grade plywood at least three-quarters inch thick or material of equivalent strength shall be installed not more than one story or 15 feet, whichever is less, in the shaft below the level where persons are working. In lieu of such platform, an approved life net installed in compliance with this Part (rule) may be provided. Such approved life net shall be installed in the shaft not more than one story or 15 feet, whichever is less, below the level where persons are working.
(ii) In buildings or other structures where stair halls, stairwells or other similar shafts are to be constructed of masonry, floor slab forms or planking at least two inches thick full size shall be installed as the work progresses. Such slab forms or planking shall be installed in such shafts not more than two stories or 30 feet, whichever is less, below the story on which any brickwork or masonry is being erected.

(b) Protection of persons in elevator shafts. (1) During the installation, repair or replacement of any elevator where persons are working in the elevator shaft, except for the stacking of elevator rails, a tight platform consisting of planks at least two inches thick full size, exterior grade plywood at least three-quarters inch thick or material of equivalent strength shall be installed not more than two stories or 30 feet, whichever is less, above the level at which any work is being performed so as to provide protection against falling objects or material. Such platform shall cover the entire cross-sectional area of the shaft except that spaces not exceeding 12 inches may be left for rail clearance between the edge of the platform and the sides of the shaft. Protection for persons stacking elevator rails shall be provided by the installation of a platform as described above which shall be installed immediately above the hitch point of the hoisting equipment.

(2) A similar platform such as is specified in paragraph (1) above shall be installed level with the top landing of each elevator shaft in which work is being performed to prevent any person from falling into such shaft.

(3) Where any elevator is being installed, repaired or replaced and persons are working in the shaft, a solid or wire mesh partition shall be provided where necessary to prevent such persons from contacting any adjacent operable elevator or counterweight.

(4) Where persons are required to perform any work at intermediate levels between stories in elevator shafts, such persons shall be provided with overhead protection from falling objects or material. Such protection shall be at least 27 inches in width and shall cover the area where the persons are working.

(5) Where persons are required to perform any work at intermediate levels between stories in an elevator shaft, such persons shall be provided with protection against falling. Such protection shall be either an approved life net installed in compliance with this Part (rule) or planking at least two inches thick full size or other material of equivalent strength. Such protection shall be located not more than two stories or 30 feet, whichever is less, below the point in the elevator shaft where such persons are working. In lieu of an approved life net or substantial covering, such persons may use approved safety belts or harnesses securely attached to hanging lifelines in compliance with this Part (rule).

(6) While any work is being performed in existing elevator shafts, all shaft doors shall be kept closed except where it is necessary to keep a door open in order to perform the work in which case either the elevator car shall be locked at such landing and a chain or other barrier between 36 and 42 inches in height shall be placed across the door opening, or a person shall be stationed at such door opening to prevent unauthorized entrance to such door opening.

Historical Note

Sec. added, filed May 30, 1972 eff. June 1, 1972.
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§ 23-2.6 Catch platforms required.

(a) During the construction of exterior masonry walls of any building or other structure, except chimneys, from a floor or scaffold inside the building or other structure and such floor or scaffold is more than 35 feet above the adjoining ground or equivalent surface, there shall be provided along the exterior face of such wall a catch platform, installed in compliance with this Part (rule) with the following exceptions:

(1) In lieu of the required barricade or fence on all open sides of the catch platform, such sides shall be provided with planks whose minimum cross-sectional dimensions shall be two inches by nine inches or material of equivalent strength having one dimension at least nine inches. Such planks or material of equivalent strength shall be so placed that the greater dimensions are vertical.

(2) A two-inch space may be left between the inner edge of the catch platform and the face of the wall of the building or other structure.

(b) Such catch platform shall be located not more than 20 feet below the floor or scaffold platform from which the work is being performed.

Historical Note

Sec. added, filed May 30, 1972 eff. June 1, 1972.
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§ 23-2.7 Stairway requirements during the construction of buildings.

(a) General requirements. During the construction of any reinforced concrete building or other structure, at least one stairway shall be installed which shall extend to a level not more than four floors or 60 feet, whichever is less, below the uppermost working floor or level. During the construction of other types of buildings or other structures, at least one stairway shall be installed which extends to a level not more than two floors or 30 feet, whichever is less, below the uppermost working floor or level. Such stairways shall be extended upward as the construction progresses to comply with this Part (rule).

(b) Stairway construction. Temporary stairways shall have treads constructed of wood planks not less than two inches by 10 inches in size, or metal not less than two inches in depth of equivalent strength. Such temporary stairways shall be not less than three feet in width and shall be substantially constructed and rigidly braced. Such stairways more than five feet in width shall be provided with intermediate or center stringers. Stairways with steel treads and landings which are to be subsequently filled in with concrete or provided with other permanent tread surfacing shall be provided temporary wooden treads carefully fitted in place and extending to the edges of the metal nosing and over the full width of the treads and landings.

(c) Skeleton iron or steel stairs. Skeleton iron or steel stairs shall have treads of wood planking not less than two inches by 10 inches in size.

(d) Vertical rise. Any temporary stairway shall not have a vertical rise of more than 12 feet between landings or floors.

(e) Protective railings. The stairwells of temporary wooden stairways and of permanent stairways where enclosures or guard rails have not been erected shall be provided with a safety railing constructed and installed in compliance with this Part (rule) on every open side. Every stairway and landing shall be provided with handrails not less than 30 inches nor more than 40 inches in height, measured vertically from the nose of the tread to the top of the rail.

Historical Note

Sec. added, filed May 30, 1972 eff. June 1, 1972.
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§ 23-2.8 Painting.

(a) Confined space definition. As used in this section, a confined space means a room, a portion of a room or an enclosure having no means of natural ventilation other than one entrance opening and which room, portion of a room or enclosure is of such dimensions that a painter is required to work inside such room, portion of a room or enclosure. Such confined space may be a tank, an elevator car, a compartment, a closet, the upper area of a high ceiling room or a similarly enclosed space.

(b) General requirements. The painting of confined spaces, including the use of coating materials, paint removers, stains, solvents and abrasives, shall be so performed as to prevent the dissemination of such harmful materials into the air where persons are located in quantities tending to injure the health of such persons.

(c) Paint spraying. Persons engaged in paint spraying operations and persons in such close proximity to such operations that they are exposed to the spray mists shall be provided with and shall use approved respirators. Operators of paint spraying equipment shall be provided with and shall use protective oil, grease or cream on the exposed parts of their bodies. Where such work is performed in tanks, vats and similar enclosed vessels, protection in addition to the required respirators shall be provided by means of mechanical exhaust ventilation.

(d) Brush work. Persons engaged in brush painting with other than water-mixed paints in confined spaces shall be provided with approved respirators. Where brush work is performed in tanks, vats and similar enclosed vessels, protection in addition to the required respirators shall be provided by means of mechanical ventilation.

(e) Coating removal. Where coating removal is being performed with any volatile solvent in a confined space, protection in addition to approved respirators shall be provided by means of mechanical ventilation.

(f) Machine sanding. An approved respirator shall be provided for, and shall be worn by, any person operating a sanding machine unless the sandpaper is wetted with oil or water or the sanding machine is provided with a dust collector.

Historical Note

Sec. added, filed May 30, 1972 eff. June 1, 1972.
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