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Statement of Need: In 1989, the Ironworkers International Union and National Erectors Association petitioned OSHA to revise the steel erection standard through negotiated rulemaking. In light of the significant number of steel erection fatalities and injuries and concerns that the Agency's existing rule fails to adequately address a number of factors affecting safety, OSHA determined that the current rule needed to be revised.

Summary of the Legal Basis: The legal basis for the proposed steel erection rule is a preliminary finding that workers engaged in steel erection work are at significant risk of serious injury or death as a result of that work.

Alternatives: OSHA considered continuing to rely on the existing rule. The Agency also considered issuing a proposed rule without negotiated rulemaking. Leaving the existing rule unchanged was rejected because of the apparent inadequacies of the standard. Negotiated rulemaking was chosen to help resolve conflicts and produce a proposal sooner.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits: OSHA expects compliance with the proposal to impose annualized costs of about $50 million per year. Benefits are expected to include the prevention of about 14 fatalities and 824 lost workday injuries per year.

Risks: OSHA estimates that at least 28 workers die each year while engaged in steel erection. Falls continue to be the leading cause of job-related deaths among construction workers, and steel erection involves a significant degree of exposure to fall hazards.