Constructing walls safely

Working with concrete and masonry walls can be risky because of the extremely heavy loads that need to be supported. According to OSHA, serious injuries or even fatalities can occur when jacks or lifting equipment are used to position slabs and walls, or when shoring is required before structures are fully stable. To avoid these hazards, OSHA recommends:

• Never load lifting devices beyond their capabilities.
• Do not place construction loads on a concrete structure until a qualified person has verified that it can support the load.
• Adequately store or brace structures until permanent supporting elements are in place or until concrete has been tested to ensure sufficient strength.
• Take measures to prevent unrolled wire mesh from recoiling, such as securing each end or turning the roll over.