First, describe the work and worksite
An erection crew will plumb a partially erected building bay using designed plumbing cables and adjustment equipment from protected access. The bay remains under its temporary stability plan throughout adjustment. This fictional learning example describes planned controls; it records no actual inspection or work authorization.
- Attachment locations, force path, permitted adjustment sequence and removal conditions come from the erection design.
- Required plumbing equipment is installed before construction materials load the frame.
- Initial beam connecting, final bolting, foundation-anchor alteration and permanent connection acceptance are separate activities.
Questions before work
- Where are the designed cable attachments and anchor reactions carried?
- Who controls adjustment and access to tensioned-line paths?
- What approval is required before plumbing equipment is removed?
Build the analysis one step at a time
What will the worker do? How could someone be harmed? What prevents or reduces that exposure? Who checks the control, and when?
1. Release the adjustment scheme
Hazard: An improvised pull can overload a member, anchor or unstable bay.
Control: Erection lead confirms the designed plumbing arrangement, sequence and current frame state. Do not substitute attachment points or remove existing stability measures without the required design review.
Verification: Lead compares equipment locations with the current erection documents.
Why this belongs in the analysis: Alignment forces must travel through a known structural path.
2. Inspect and attach equipment
Hazard: A damaged cable, attachment or adjustment device can fail under tension.
Control: Assigned personnel inspect rated plumbing gear and install attachments at specified locations from protected access. Keep people out of unsupported frame areas and tension paths.
Verification: Lead verifies attachments and gear before loading the system.
Why this belongs in the analysis: A convenient connection is not necessarily a designed plumbing attachment.
3. Establish the tension boundary
Hazard: Cable recoil or a moving member can strike workers and survey personnel.
Control: Define the full line-of-fire area for cables, anchors and frame movement. Position the survey team outside it; agree one adjustment leader and stop signals before tension is applied.
Verification: Adjustment leader checks all affected positions and communication.
Why this belongs in the analysis: The survey task must not place someone in the adjustment force path.
4. Adjust in the planned sequence
Hazard: Uneven pulls or overcorrection can destabilize the frame.
Control: Apply adjustment only in the designed sequence and limits, with survey feedback between increments. Stop for unexpected movement, anchor distress or abnormal equipment response; never release a loaded line casually.
Verification: Lead compares measured alignment and equipment response at each planned hold point.
Why this belongs in the analysis: Incremental observation catches changes before they become a larger release.
5. Secure the accepted position
Hazard: Removing a tensioned device before permanent restraint is ready can let the bay move.
Control: Complete the specified restraint and connection handover while maintaining required temporary support. Plumbing equipment removal requires competent-person approval and the project’s applicable release conditions.
Verification: Lead records support status and removal approval before unloading gear.
Why this belongs in the analysis: Aligned does not automatically mean self-supporting.
6. Remove and hand over equipment
Hazard: Stored tension or unidentified unfinished work can expose the next crew.
Control: Unload and remove equipment in the released sequence from protected positions. Inspect for damage and communicate remaining bracing, loading limits and unfinished connections.
Verification: Foreperson confirms the bay restrictions with the receiving trade.
Why this belongs in the analysis: The next crew must know which temporary measures remain necessary.
What does a useful control look like?
| Needs improvement | More useful for this scenario |
|---|---|
| Work carefully and wear PPE. | Define the full line-of-fire area for cables, anchors and frame movement. Position the survey team outside it; agree one adjustment leader and stop signals before tension is applied. |
| Check that everything is ready. | Erection lead confirms the designed plumbing arrangement, sequence and current frame state. Do not substitute attachment points or remove existing stability measures without the required design review. |
Decisions that change the analysis
May an aligned bay’s plumbing cables be removed immediately?
No. Alignment is a measurement, not the support-removal release. Confirm completed restraint and obtain the required competent-person approval before removing plumbing equipment.
What must the crew record for actual use?
Identify the actual equipment and work boundaries, responsible people, applicable criteria, inspection findings and open actions. Resolve changes with affected crews and obtain required project authorization before work.
Agree when the crew will pause
- Anchor distress, cable damage or unexpected frame movement.
- Design, force limits or survey communication is unresolved.
- Temporary support must change or removal approval is absent.
After a pause, correct the condition, reassess the work, and obtain required authorization before restarting. Keep unresolved actions visible.
Download the worked example and free template
No account or paid membership required. The worked example contains planned controls. The blank template is for your own work; neither includes fabricated inspection results, signatures or approval.
Your editable working copy
Build and download your draft
Start blank or load the learning example. Replace its assumptions with your actual conditions and involve the people doing the work. Your entries stay in this browser tab; download a copy before leaving or refreshing.
1. Describe your work and site
2. Work through each task
Describe an observable step, how someone could be harmed, and the control that acts on that hazard. Identify who checks it and what evidence is needed.
3. Record changes, checks, and open actions
Walk the work area, review with the crew, and resolve missing controls. Follow the required approval process. This tool does not judge completeness, verify signatures or authorize work.
Open the downloaded file in a browser, then use Print → Save as PDF for a printable copy.
Training needs to confirm
- Actual designed plumbing sequence and control of stored tension.
- Applicable steel-erection fall training, designated competent-person and survey/adjustment roles.
Confirm applicable qualifications, task instruction and actual training evidence for the people assigned. Related toolbox talks support crew discussion; they do not establish competence.
Common questions
Can this example be used as a JSA?
Adapt its Task | Hazard | Control analysis to the employer’s format and actual conditions. The example is a teaching aid, not evidence that controls were checked.
What changes if the project requires an AHA?
Use the governing AHA format, risk method, supporting records and acceptance process. The published formwork AHA demonstrates that additional structure; changing a JHA title does not supply it.
Are these resources part of a paid course?
This walkthrough, browser draft builder and downloads are free public resources, separate from Academy course enrollment.
References and source note
- OSHA 1926.754 Structural steel assembly
- OSHA 1926.760 Steel erection fall protection
- OSHA 1926.761 Steel erection training
Original instructional scenario with planned controls. Primary references support hazard planning. Use actual equipment and product instructions, project design and employer requirements to establish field criteria. Use actual equipment instructions and site requirements alongside these references. Reference review: October 9, 2026.