ASSE Announces New 'Pile Installation & Extraction' Safety Standard
The American Society of Safety Engineers, which serves as the secretariat for the A10 Accredited Standards Committee on construction and demolition operations, announced the approval of the new "Safety Requirements for Pile Installation and Extraction Operations" (ANSI/ASSE A10.19-2008) voluntary consensus standard, designed to prevent injuries and illness among construction workers exposed to hazards associated with the installation and extraction of piles during construction and demolition operations.
According to the standard, a pile refers to a concrete, steel, or wood column, which is driven or otherwise introduced into the soil, usually to carry a vertical load or to provide lateral support. The ANSI/ASSE A10.19-2008 standard is one of a series of voluntary consensus standards that focus on construction and demolition operations. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved the standard on March 24, 2008.
"The value of workplace safety to workers in the construction industry and their families can not be overstated," said A10.19 Subcommittee Chair Philip Colleran, CSP. "The new A10.19 consensus standard establishes the necessary safety requirements to prevent injuries that are associated with pile installation and extraction hazards, helping construction and demolition workers to return home safely every day."
The A10.19-2008 standard applies to employment and places of employment where workers may be exposed to pile installation and extraction operation hazards during construction and demolition operations. The piles referred to in the standard include piles made of hot and cold rolled steel, concrete, wood, and composite materials. This standard does not apply to structural steel erection covered in ANSI/ASSE A10.13 or ANSI/ASSE A10.16 voluntary consensus standards.
The A10 standards serve as guides to contractors, labor and equipment manufacturers in the construction and demolition industry. The A10.19-2008 standard will be available soon in both print and electronic format, ASSE says. For more information on A10.19 or other ANSI/ASSE construction and demolition related safety standards, contact ASSE Customer Service at 847-699-2929 or visit ASSE's Web site, www.asse.org.