Roof Truss Installers
Roof trusses are tall, thin and unstable until they are properly braced. Trusses can fall over like dominoes, and crews can fall from walls or be struck by trusses. Following the truss maker's instructions is essential.
- Framing Crews
- Crane Operators
- Builders
Hazards
- Collapse: trusses set without enough temporary bracing can topple, injuring crews below.
- Falls while working on top plates and walls. See Leading Edge Work.
- Struck-by during lifting, swinging or when trusses are dropped.
- Wind: trusses act as sails. See Lift Wind Limits.
- Crane and equipment hazards, including power lines. See Cranes & Power Lines.
- Cuts, nail gun injuries and strain from handling lumber and metal plates.
Before the trusses arrive
- Review the truss design drawings, the maker's handling and bracing instructions, and the building plan (see also Building Component Safety Information, BCSI)
- Make sure the walls are plumb, braced and capable of holding the trusses
- Choose a safe, level storage area where trusses can be kept upright or flat on blocking without damage
- Plan the lift: crane size, rigging (spreader bar, slings at the right points), signals and the sequence. See Lift Planning
- Plan fall protection for each stage. See Residential Fall Protection
Setting trusses safely
- Use temporary bracing (ground braces, lateral bracing and diagonal bracing) as specified, installed as each truss is set. Do not release the crane until the first trusses are secured with braces.
- Install the first truss with strong ground braces, plumb and square.
- Fasten each truss with the connectors the design lists.
- Keep workers off trusses that are not fully braced. Avoid walking on bottom chords until sheathing or planks provide a platform.
- Use ladders, lifts or scaffolds for access instead of climbing trusses.
- Install permanent bracing as specified; temporary braces alone do not make the roof stable.
- Stop work in high winds or lightning.
- Keep people clear of the zone below the lift and the fall zone of any truss.
Standards & references
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