Subchapter 4. Construction Safety Orders
Article 29. Erection and Construction

§1716.2. Residential-type Framing Activities, Wood and Light Gage Steel Frame Construction.

(a) Scope and Application.

This section applies to work directly associated with the framing of new buildings or structures using the operations, methods, and procedures associated with residential-type and light commercial framing activities, i.e., joists or trusses resting on stud walls.

(b) Definitions.

(1) Bottom Plate. The bottom horizontal member of a frame wall. Sometimes called the “sole plate.”

(2) Eaves. The lowest edge of a sloped roof.

(3) Fascia Board. The exterior trim board at the perimeter of the roof.

(4) Joist. One of a series of parallel beams used to create a structural support system for a floor deck or flat roof, onto which sheathing is fastened.

(5) Nominal Size. For purposes of this section, the commercial size designation of a standard width and depth of standard sawn lumber and glue laminated lumber grades; larger than the standard actual net size of the finished, dressed lumber. An approximate rough-cut dimension assigned to a piece of material as a convenience in referencing to the piece, such as “2 x 4”.

(6) Rafter. One of a series of structural members of a roof designed to support roof loads. A framing member that runs up and down the slope of a pitched roof. The beams that slope from the ridge of a roof to the eaves and make-up the main body of the roof's framework. The rafters of a flat roof are sometimes called roof joists.

(7) Residential-type Framing Activities. For the purposes of this section, residential-type framing activities include: installation of floor joists, floor sheathing, layout and installation of walls, hanging and nailing of shear panels, setting and bracing roof trusses and rafters, installation of starter board, roof sheathing, and fascia board; installation of windows, siding and exterior trim. The limited use of structural steel in a predominantly wood-framed home, such as steel I-beam to help support wood framing, does not disqualify a structure from being considered residential-type construction. Residential-type framing activities includes framing of commercial structures that use traditional wood frame construction materials and methods.

(8) Roof Slope. For the purposes of this section, the incline angle of a roof surface, given as a ratio of the vertical rise to the horizontal run. A 7:12 roof has 7 feet of vertical rise for 12 feet of horizontal run.

(9) Sheathing. The structural panel covering fastened onto studs, floor joists, and/or rafters/trusses.

(10) Starter Board. The board-type sheathing material installed at eaves and gable ends in the plane of the sheathing and visible from the underside.

(11) Stud. A vertical framing member in walls and partitions, also referred to as a wall stud, attached to the horizontal sole plate below and the top plate above.

(12) Top Plate. Top horizontal member of a frame wall supporting ceiling joists, rafters, or other structural members.

(13) Truss. Prefabricated structural roof unit consisting of triangular bracing (truss webs) between the ceiling joist (bottom chord) and the roof rafter (top chord) commonly installed parallel with other trusses to create a structural support system for a roof after which sheathing is fastened. The bottom chord often serves as a ceiling joist. Each member is usually subjected to longitudinal stress only, either tension or compression.

(14) Truss Support Plate. A temporary support structure erected near mid-span of an area with a large open span, such as a garage, to support trusses during installation.

(c) Raising Walls.

(1) Before manually raising framed walls that are 15 feet or more in height, temporary restraints such as cleats on the foundation/floor system or straps on the wall bottom plate shall be installed to prevent inadvertent horizontal sliding or uplift of the framed wall bottom plate.

(2) Anchor bolts alone shall not be used for blocking or bracing when raising framed walls 15 feet or more in height.

(d) Stabilization of Structures.

Employees shall not work from or walk on top plates, joists, rafters, trusses, beams or other structural members until they are securely braced and supported.

(e) Work on Top Plate, Joists and Roof Structure Framing.

(1) When employees are walking/working on top plates, joists, rafters, trusses, beams or other similar structural members 6 feet or more above the surrounding grade or floor level below, fall protection shall be provided by one or more of the following methods: scaffolding, guardrails, safety nets, personal fall protection systems, or, provided the employer demonstrates that the use of conventional fall protection methods are infeasible, a fall protection plan with safety monitors and controlled access zones as described in Sections 1671.1 and 1671.2.

(2) When walking/working on top plates, joists, rafters, trusses, beams or other similar structural members for interior framing activities between 6 and 15 feet above the surrounding grade or floor level below and all requirements in paragraphs (A) through (C) are met, the employer may use a fall protection plan with safety monitors and controlled access zones as described in Sections 1671.1 and 1671.2, instead of the conventional fall protection methods specified in subsection (e)(1):

(A) For structural members, they shall either be securely braced or during installation, are laid on their sides on the top plate; and,

(B) either the center spacing between structural members shall not exceed 24 inches or plywood sheathing shall be laid down to cover the spacing between structural members; and

(C) Employees are more than 6 feet from an unprotected side or edge.

(3) Truss Support Plate. Where a truss support plate is used during the installation of trusses, it shall be constructed of a 2x6 plank laid flat, secured lineally to a 2x6 plank laid on edge, supported with 2x4 wood members (legs) spaced no more than 6 feet on center and attached to diagonal bracing adequately secured to support its intended load. All material dimensions are minimum and nominal.

(f) Work on Floors and Other Walking/Working Surfaces. When working on floors and other walking/working surfaces that are 6 feet or more above the surrounding grade or floor level below and will later be enclosed by framed exterior walls, employees directly involved with the layout and construction of framed stud walls shall be protected from falling by one or more of the following methods: personal fall protection systems, scaffolding, safety nets, standard guardrails as specified in Section 1620 around all unprotected sides or edges, or, provided the employer demonstrates that the use of conventional fall protection methods are infeasible, a fall protection plan with safety monitors and controlled access zones as described in Sections 1671.1 and 1671.2.

(1) Floor, roof, and wall opening shall be guarded as required by Section 1632.

(g) Work on Starter Board, Roof Sheathing and Fascia Board.

(1) When installing starter board, roof sheathing, and fascia board, employees shall be protected from falls when 6 feet or more above the surrounding grade or floor level below by one or more of the following methods: scaffolding, safety nets, guardrails, personal fall protection systems, or, provided the employer demonstrates that the use of conventional fall protection methods are infeasible, a fall protection plan with safety monitors and controlled access zones as described in Sections 1671.1 and 1671.2.

(2) When work must be performed outside the gable end truss or rafter, the employee shall be protected from falling when working 6 feet or more above the surrounding grade or floor level below by one or more of the following methods: scaffolding, safety nets, guardrails, personal fall protection systems, or, provided the employer demonstrates that the use of conventional fall protection methods are infeasible, a fall protection plan with safety monitors and controlled access zones as described in Sections 1671.1 and 1671.2.

(h) Installation of Windows. Wall openings shall be guarded as required by Section 1632. The guardrail may be removed immediately prior to the installation of the window components if removal of the guardrail is necessary to install the window(s).

(i) Scaffolding.

(1) Where scaffolding is used, it shall be constructed in accordance with all applicable requirements of CSO Articles 21 and 22 (Scaffolds).

(2) Where scaffolds are installed parallel and adjacent to framed structure walls, the interior railing may be omitted for installing joists, rafters or trusses if the scaffold platform is 6 feet from the interior floor level below and the top plate is higher than the adjacent work platform.

(3) When a scaffold is used as an edge protection platform:

(A) The platform shall not be more than 2 feet vertically below the top plate, and shall be fully planked.

(B) The distance between the inboard edge of the platform and the building or structure wall shall not be more than 16 inches.

(4) Additional provisions where a metal frame scaffold is used as an edge protection platform:

(A) A 2″ x 6″ or larger toeboard shall be secured on edge parallel to the outer rail.

(B) Scaffolds shall be secured in tension and compression to the structure at or near the top of the scaffold at each end and at every other frame not to exceed 20-foot intervals.

(C) Guard railings shall extend not less than 42 inches vertically above the eaves if the outboard edge of the platform extends less than 12 inches horizontally beyond the eaves.

(j) Training:

Employees exposed to fall hazards shall be trained in accordance with the requirements of Sections 1509 and 3203 to recognize fall hazards associated with the erection and construction activities they will be performing and shall be trained in the procedures to be followed in order to minimize these hazards. Such training shall be documented in accordance with Section 3203.

Credits

Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.

History

1. New section filed 5-1-2002; operative 5-1-2002. Submitted to OAL for printing only pursuant to Labor Code section 142.3(a)(3) (Register 2002, No. 18).

2. Amendment of section heading and section filed 7-7-2004; operative 8-6-2004 (Register 2004, No. 28).

3. Amendment of section heading, subsections (a), (b)(7), (e)(1), (f), (g)(1) and (i)(2), repealer of subsections (b)(10), (e)(1)(A)-(B) and (g)(1)(A)-(2), new subsections (e)(2)-(e)(2)(C) and (f)(1), subsection renumbering and amendment of newly designated subsection (g)(2) filed 11-26-2024; operative 7-1-2025 (Register 2024, No. 48).