Welding and fabrication · Canada

FLHA for structural steel erection

By Safety PaperworkBuilt from provincial OHS law and CCOHS guidance · How we write and check theseUpdated November 9, 2026

Provincial OHS law requires hazards to be assessed and controlled before work starts. A field level hazard assessment (FLHA) for structural steel erection is done on site at the start of the shift and again whenever conditions change.

It lists the tasks, hazards and controls, and every worker signs on before starting and signs off at the end of the shift. The main hazards are falling from height, welding and cutting fumes, aerial work platform tip-over or crush and fire from hot works.

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FLHA example: structural steel erection

This is a complete FLHA for structural steel erection, with 9 job steps. Open it in the builder to add your site, crew and signatures, change anything, and download a PDF. Or download the free Word template below and fill it in by hand.

Field Level Hazard Assessment (FLHA)

Structural steel erection · Welding and fabrication · Example

Document FLHA-001 · Rev 1

Job steps, hazards and controls

#	Job step	Hazards	Risk before	Controls	Risk after
1	Review the erection sequence and lift plan, and check the crane sits on firm ground	Crane and lifting failure Structural collapse during alterations	High	Barricade the lift zone and keep everyone out from under the load. Engineering (guarding) Use a crane rated for the load at the radius, set up on firm ground with outrigger pads. Engineering Check slings, chains, shackles and hooks before use. Remove anything damaged or not tagged. Engineering Plan the lift: weight, radius, ground, path and landing area. Use a written lift plan for complex lifts. Administrative Use certified crane operators and trained riggers and signallers, as your province requires. Administrative Use tag lines to control loads and agree on clear radio or hand signals. Administrative Stop lifting in high wind or when the operator cannot see the signaller. Administrative Never ride on a load or hook. Administrative Wear a hard hat, hi-vis, gloves and safety boots. PPE Get an engineer to check before removing any wall, beam, post or bracing that may be load-bearing. Elimination Keep everyone clear of the area under and next to the work. Engineering (guarding) Structural collapse during alterations: see step 7 for the full controls Administrative	Medium
2	Check for power lines and set the exclusion zone	Contact with overhead power lines Public entering the work area Falling tools and materials	High	Ask the utility to de-energize, move or insulate the lines before work starts. Elimination Use non-conductive (fibreglass) ladders near any power lines. Substitution Mark the safe distance with flags, tape or goal posts and keep all equipment and people outside it. Engineering (guarding) Keep to the provincial limits of approach and contact the utility before working near lines. Administrative Use a dedicated spotter whenever equipment moves or raises anything near lines. Administrative Treat all lines as live. If equipment touches a line, stay in the cab and keep everyone well away. Administrative Fence off the site with secure temporary fencing and lock the gates when you leave. Engineering (guarding) Give pedestrians a safe, marked path around the work, with ramps for strollers and wheelchairs. Engineering (guarding) Use hoarding, covered walkways or catch fans where work is above public areas. Engineering Put signs at each entry: site name, contact number and "No unauthorised entry". Administrative Make the site safe at the end of each day: cover holes, lower buckets and booms, remove ladders and lock tools away. Administrative Barricade and sign the drop zone under overhead work so nobody walks beneath. Engineering (guarding) Fit toe boards, kick plates and mesh screens on scaffolds and edges. Engineering Falling tools and materials: see step 5 for the full controls Administrative	Medium
3	Check holding down bolts and footings are ready before steel arrives	Structural collapse during alterations	High	Install temporary props, needles or shoring as designed before removing any support. Engineering Follow the engineer's sequence. Do not change it without approval. Administrative Structural collapse during alterations: see step 7 for the full controls Administrative	Medium
4	Sling and lift members with a qualified rigger and signaller	Crane and lifting failure Falling tools and materials Strong wind and storms	High	Crane and lifting failure: see step 1 for the full controls Administrative Use catch fans, debris netting or covered walkways where people pass below. Engineering Tether hand tools when working at height. Engineering Falling tools and materials: see step 5 for the full controls Administrative Check the forecast each morning and plan work at height and lifting around the weather. Elimination Tie down or weigh down loose sheets, panels, boards and rubbish at the end of each shift. Engineering Strong wind and storms: see step 7 for the full controls Administrative	Medium
5	Guide members into place with tag lines, never standing under the load, and line up bolt holes with a podger, never fingers	Falling tools and materials Crane and lifting failure	High	Barricade and sign the drop zone under overhead work so nobody walks beneath. Engineering (guarding) Fit toe boards, kick plates and mesh screens on scaffolds and edges. Engineering Use catch fans, debris netting or covered walkways where people pass below. Engineering Tether hand tools when working at height. Engineering Keep platforms tidy. Do not stack materials near edges or above toe board height. Administrative Lower materials with a hoist, chute or rope. Never throw or drop anything down. Administrative Wear a hard hat anywhere objects could fall. PPE Crane and lifting failure: see step 1 for the full controls Administrative	Medium
6	Bolt connections from the aerial work platform, clipped on	Aerial work platform tip-over or crush Falling from height	Critical	Check the ground before setting up. Use outriggers and spreader pads, and keep clear of trenches, pits and slopes. Engineering Use a platform with tilt alarm and secondary guarding (anti-entrapment) where there is an overhead crush risk. Engineering Operators are trained to CSA B354.8 and the manufacturer's instructions, and the platform is inspected to CSA B354.7. Administrative Do a pre-start check each day. Keep a trained person on the ground who can lower the platform in an emergency. Administrative Never exceed the safe working load, climb on the rails or use a ladder in the basket. Administrative In boom-type platforms, wear a harness clipped to the basket anchor point. PPE Do the work from the ground where you can, for example pre-assemble on the ground or use extension poles. Elimination Install guardrails or edge protection on all open edges before work starts. Engineering (guarding) Use a scaffold, mobile work platform or aerial work platform instead of working off a ladder. Engineering Where edge protection is not practical, use a fall restraint or fall arrest system on a rated anchor point. Engineering Fall protection plan in place where required. Workers trained in fall protection (Working at Heights training in Ontario). Administrative Have a rescue plan so a worker hanging in a harness can be brought down within minutes. Administrative Wear a full body harness with a shock-absorbing lanyard, clipped on at all times when using fall arrest. PPE	Medium
7	Install temporary bracing or guying to the erection design before releasing the crane from each member, and leave it until the permanent bracing is complete	Structural collapse during alterations Strong wind and storms	High	Get an engineer to check before removing any wall, beam, post or bracing that may be load-bearing. Elimination Keep everyone clear of the area under and next to the work. Engineering (guarding) Install temporary props, needles or shoring as designed before removing any support. Engineering Follow the engineer's sequence. Do not change it without approval. Administrative Check props daily. Do not remove them until the permanent support is in and approved. Administrative Wear a hard hat and safety boots. PPE Check the forecast each morning and plan work at height and lifting around the weather. Elimination Tie down or weigh down loose sheets, panels, boards and rubbish at the end of each shift. Engineering Set wind limits for roof work, platforms and cranes, using the manufacturer's limits, and stop when they are reached. Administrative Stop work and get down in lightning. Wait 30 minutes after the last thunder before going back up. Administrative Check scaffold, fencing and edge protection after strong wind before anyone uses them. Administrative Do not carry large sheets on roofs in wind. Administrative Wear a hard hat with a chin strap at height in windy conditions. PPE	Medium
8	Plumb the frame, then tension bolts or weld under a hot work permit	Welding and cutting fumes Fire from hot works Eye injuries	Critical	Remove paint, galvanising and coatings from the weld area first, or use a process that makes less fume. Substitution Use fume extraction (local exhaust ventilation) close to the weld. Engineering Weld outdoors or in a well-ventilated area, and keep your head out of the fume plume. Engineering Never weld or cut in a confined space without testing the air and using forced ventilation. Administrative Wear a powered air respirator or fitted respirator when extraction is not enough. PPE Use cold work methods where you can, such as bolting, press fittings or cutting with a saw instead of a torch. Elimination Move anything that can burn at least 10 metres away, or cover it with fire blankets. Engineering (guarding) Use fire-resistant screens to stop sparks reaching people or gaps in walls and floors. Engineering Get a hot work permit before starting. Administrative Keep a charged fire extinguisher and fire blanket at the work spot. Administrative Use tool guards and screens to stop flying particles. Engineering Use dust extraction and water to keep dust out of the air. Engineering Keep others out of the area when cutting, grinding or chipping. Administrative Keep an eye wash station or eye wash bottles on site. Administrative Wear safety glasses at all times, goggles for dust and chemicals, and a face shield for grinding. PPE	Medium
9	Check connections and permanent bracing, then clean up offcuts and bolts	Poor housekeeping and waste Falling tools and materials	High	Order materials to size and send packaging back where you can. Elimination Put waste bins and chutes close to the work. Engineering Clean as you go, and do a full clean up at the end of each day. Administrative Keep exits, stairs and walkways clear at all times. Administrative Stack materials neatly on level ground, away from edges. Administrative Wear gloves when handling waste. PPE Falling tools and materials: see step 5 for the full controls Administrative	Medium

PPE

CSA green triangle safety boots (CSA Z195)Hard hat (CSA Z94.1)High-visibility vest (CSA Z96)Full body harness (fall arrest)Work glovesSafety glasses (CSA Z94.3)Welding helmet (CSA Z94.3)Welding glovesRespirator fit tested to CSA Z94.4 (P100 for dust, or the type the air test calls for)CoverallsFace shieldSafety goggles

Plant and equipment

Mobile crane: Provincial crane operator certification, qualified riggerBoom lift: Provincial aerial work platform operator training (CSA B354.8)Welding machinePower drillHand tools

Permits and plans

Lift planFall protection planHot work permit

Emergency

Call 911. Add the nearest hospital, the muster point and the first aid attendant for your site.

Sign-off

Supervisor and every worker sign to confirm they have read and understood this FLHA, then sign off at the end of the shift.

Free FLHA template for structural steel erection

Word (.docx) and PDF, Letter landscape, no email needed. Fill in your site details, then print or send it.

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Make yours in 2 minutes

Same document, filled in for your job. Answer a few yes or no questions, the crew signs on the phone, and you send the PDF.

Start this FLHA

Pre-start checklist for structural steel erection

Tick these off before work starts. They come from the hazards, permits and equipment in this job.

FLHA read, explained and signed by everyone on the job
Guardrails or fall protection in place before anyone works at 3 m or more
Aerial work platform pre-use inspection done and the operator is trained (CSA B354.8)
Overhead lines identified and safe distances marked
Hot work permit issued, extinguisher at hand, fire watch arranged
Exclusion zone below the work and public kept out
Wind and weather checked; stop work limits agreed
First aid attendant, first aid kit and emergency number (911) confirmed
PPE checked and worn: CSA green triangle safety boots (CSA Z195), hard hat (CSA Z94.1), high-visibility vest (CSA Z96), full body harness (fall arrest)

The safe sequence of work

Review the erection sequence and lift plan, and check the crane sits on firm ground
Check for power lines and set the exclusion zone
Check holding down bolts and footings are ready before steel arrives
Sling and lift members with a qualified rigger and signaller
Guide members into place with tag lines, never standing under the load, and line up bolt holes with a podger, never fingers
Bolt connections from the aerial work platform, clipped on
Install temporary bracing or guying to the erection design before releasing the crane from each member, and leave it until the permanent bracing is complete
Plumb the frame, then tension bolts or weld under a hot work permit
Check connections and permanent bracing, then clean up offcuts and bolts

Hazards to watch on structural steel erection

The hazards most specific to this job, and the step where each one comes up.

Step 8Welding and cutting fumesWelding, cutting and brazing give off metal fumes and gases that damage the lungs and can cause cancer.

Step 6Aerial work platform tip-over or crushThe platform tips on soft or sloping ground, the worker is crushed against a beam or ceiling, or is thrown out of the basket.

Step 1, 4, 5Crane and lifting failureA load falls or swings, or the crane tips, crushing workers under or near the lift.

Step 2Contact with overhead power linesA ladder, aerial work platform, crane, dump truck or long length of material touches or gets close to an overhead line and electrocutes people.

Step 8Fire from hot worksSparks and heat from welding, grinding or flame torches set fire to timber, insulation, rubbish or fuel nearby.

Step 4, 7Strong wind and stormsWind blows sheets, panels and people off roofs and scaffolds, and storms and lightning make work at height and lifting unsafe.

Highest risk on structural steel erection: Critical before controls (B), down to Medium after controls (A), on the Canada 5 by 5 risk matrix (likely and fatality becomes unlikely and serious injury).

What changes on your site

This example covers the job itself. Your site may add more. Add controls for any of these that apply (the builder asks you these as yes or no questions):

Will anyone use a ladder or stepladder?
Will anyone work on a roof?
Is there a fragile roof, skylight or clear roof sheet?
Will you use a scaffold or mobile tower?
Was the building built before 1990?

Licences and legal requirements in Canada

Equipment on this job that needs a licence, ticket or training:

Mobile crane: Provincial crane operator certification, qualified rigger
Boom lift: Provincial aerial work platform operator training (CSA B354.8)

Employers must identify hazards before work starts and control them, and workers must be told about them. A field level hazard assessment is done on site, at the start of each shift or task, and reviewed again when conditions change.

Rules that apply: Provincial OHS regulation, cranes and hoisting; Provincial OHS regulation and CSA B354.7, B354.8; Provincial OHS regulation, fall protection.

Why FLHAs get rejected

Prime contractors and COR auditors send documents back for these reasons. This example avoids them, but check yours too.

End of shift boxes already say "None" when the form was signed at the start of the shift.
One FLHA reused for days or weeks, or a "review by" date a month away, when the work and conditions change daily.
No time of assessment and no record of any revision, which Alberta s.7(3) requires.
Workers signed that they "read" it, but nothing shows they took part, which Alberta s.8(1) requires.
Work at height with no fall protection plan where the province requires one, or no written rescue procedure for workers using fall arrest.
Permits or locates required on site but no permit or ticket numbers recorded.
No re-assessment entry after an obvious change such as weather, a new task or a new crew member.

Rules by province for structural steel erection

Province or territory	Key local rule	Regulator
Ontario	Fall protection (O. Reg. 213/91 s.26) applies at a fall of more than 3 m, more than 1.2 m where the work area is used as a path for a wheelbarrow or similar equipment, and at any height into operating machinery, water or other liquid, a hazardous substance, or through an opening.	Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
British Columbia	Fall protection is required where a fall of 3 m or more may occur (s.11.2). A written fall protection plan is required at 7.5 m or more where there are no permanent guardrails (s.11.3).	WorkSafeBC
Alberta	A hazard assessment must be done before work begins, and before a new work site is built (OHS Code s.7(1)). The results must be written down with the controls (s.7(2)).	Alberta Occupational Health and Safety
Quebec	Guardrails (Safety Code s.2.9.1, as amended by Decret 63-2025) are needed where a worker could fall into liquid or a hazardous substance, onto moving parts or dangerous equipment, 1.2 m or more when using a vehicle, 1.5 m or more when handling a load, and more than 3 m in all other cases.	CNESST (Commission des normes, de l'equite, de la sante et de la securite du travail)
Manitoba	A prime contractor is required whenever more than one employer or self employed person works on the site at the same time (Act s.7).	Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Branch
Saskatchewan	An occupational health committee is required at 10 or more workers of one employer (Act s.3-22).	Saskatchewan Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety, OHS Division
Nova Scotia	Workers must be trained in fall protection before using it or working in, supervising or planning work in a fall protection area, with a refresher at least every 3 years (WHSR s.21.19).	Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration, Safety Branch (OHS)
New Brunswick	Fall protection is needed from 3 m above water or the nearest permanent safe level (Reg 91-191 s.49(1)(a)(i)).	WorkSafeNB
Newfoundland and Labrador	Give written notice to the minister before starting a construction project that will last 30 days or more, with the site, location, type of work and number of workers (Regs s.8).	Government Services, Occupational Health and Safety Division
Prince Edward Island	Fall protection is needed from 3 m above the nearest safe surface or water (Fall Protection Regulations s.2(1)(a)).	Workers Compensation Board of PEI, OHS Division
Yukon	Every employer must do hazard assessments with the committee, representative or workers, and redo them after significant changes or incidents (Regs s.1.03.01).	Yukon Workers' Safety and Compensation Board
Northwest Territories	Fall protection is needed from 3 m, or lower if there is a risk of injury (s.119(1)). Guardrails are needed for falls of 1.2 m to 3 m at permanent work sites (s.119(2)).	Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC)
Nunavut	No 911. To reach the RCMP in an emergency, dial your community's first three digits then 1111 (Iqaluit: 979-1111). Put the local fire, ambulance and RCMP numbers on every FLHA.	Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC)

Questions

Do I need an FLHA for structural steel erection?

Who signs the FLHA?

The supervisor and every worker take part in the assessment and sign on before work starts, then sign off at the end of the shift. Review it and re-sign whenever the task or conditions change.

How long do I keep it?

Keep completed hazard assessments for at least 3 years (COR auditors sample the last 12 months). Review this FLHA and re-sign whenever the task, crew or conditions change.

What PPE is needed for structural steel erection?

Usually CSA green triangle safety boots (CSA Z195), Hard hat (CSA Z94.1), High-visibility vest (CSA Z96), Full body harness (fall arrest), Work gloves, Safety glasses (CSA Z94.3), Welding helmet (CSA Z94.3), Welding gloves, Respirator fit tested to CSA Z94.4 (P100 for dust, or the type the air test calls for), Coveralls, Face shield, Safety goggles. The site rules may add more, so check with the general contractor.

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Blank FLHA template: free FLHA templates. Also for other countries: Australia (SWMS) · United Kingdom (RAMS) · United States (JHA)