# Job Hazard Analysis: Setting roof trusses URL: https://hardhatbinder.com/en/jha/carpentry/roof-truss-setting Last updated: 2026-10-23 Lift wood roof trusses with a crane or boom truck, land them on the wall top plates, fasten them to the plates, and install temporary and permanent bracing. Work happens at the eave line and on top plates 8–20 ft above grade, with a crane operating overhead. The crew uses pneumatic framing nailers, extension ladders, and possibly an aerial lift. Covers setup, unloading, lifting, setting, bracing, and cleanup. > A general example for this task. Your JHA should reflect your crew, equipment and site — review it with a competent person before work starts. ## Steps, hazards and controls ### 1. Pre-task meeting and site setup - **Crane boom or load contacting overhead power lines** (High): Call the utility to de-energize or cover the lines if the crane must work near them.; Place the crane so the boom and load stay at least 20 ft from lines up to 350 kV.; Assign a dedicated spotter to watch the lines during every lift. - **Wind gusts making trusses sail and swing** (High): Check the forecast before starting; the crane operator and foreman stop lifts when gusts make trusses hard to control.; Stop work and get off the walls at the first thunder or lightning. - **Workers struck inside the crane swing radius** (Medium): Barricade the crane swing radius with caution tape or cones.; Agree on one signal person and hand signals before the first lift. ### 2. Unload and store trusses on site - **Truss bundle tipping or sliding when bands are cut** (High): Land bundles on level, firm ground on wood blocking, close to the building.; Stand to the side, not in front, when cutting steel bands.; Store trusses upright and braced, or flat on blocking, as the truss supplier shows. - **Back strain and pinched hands moving trusses by hand** (Medium): Use the crane or boom truck to move trusses whenever possible.; Carry long trusses with at least two workers, one at each end.; Wear work gloves when handling banding and lumber. ### 3. Rig and lift trusses with the crane - **Suspended truss falling or swinging into workers** (High): Rig at the pick points shown by the truss supplier; use a spreader bar for long trusses.; Inspect slings and shackles before each shift; remove damaged ones from service.; Control every truss with a tag line; never stand under a suspended load. - **Hands caught between the truss and the wall or other trusses** (Medium): Guide trusses with tag lines until they are close to the top plate.; Keep hands on the sides of the truss, never under or between members. ### 4. Set and brace the first truss - **First truss or gable end tipping over and starting a domino collapse** (High): Brace the first truss to the ground or to the floor deck with diagonal braces before the crane releases it.; Follow the truss manufacturer's temporary bracing plan for brace size, spacing, and nailing.; Do not unhook the crane until the truss is nailed to the plates and braced. - **Falls from top plates, ladders, or the floor edge** (High): Work from ladders, an aerial lift, or scaffold at the walls instead of walking top plates when possible.; At 6 ft or more, use a personal fall arrest system tied to a rated truss anchor or guardrails on the floor edge.; Extend ladders 3 ft above the landing, set them at a 4:1 angle, and tie them off. ### 5. Set remaining trusses and install temporary lateral bracing - **Falls while reaching out to receive and space trusses** (High): Stay tied off to a rated anchor at all times above 6 ft; move anchors as the set progresses.; Use pre-marked spacing sticks so workers do not lean out to measure.; Never stand or walk on unbraced trusses. - **Nail gun injuries from double-fire or contact trigger** (Medium): Use framing nailers with a full sequential trigger.; Keep your free hand at least 12 in. from the nailing point; disconnect air when clearing jams or moving.; Wear safety glasses while nailing. - **Tools and lumber dropping on workers below** (Medium): Keep the area below the set zone clear and barricaded.; Use tool lanyards and hang nailers on hooks, not on top of trusses.; Wear hard hats on the ground and in the work area. ### 6. Install permanent bracing and hurricane ties - **Falls while working inside the truss web** (High): Install permanent bracing from below on ladders or an aerial lift where possible.; Remove temporary braces only after permanent bracing is complete.; Stay tied off to a rated anchor when above 6 ft. - **Aerial lift tip-over or worker ejected from basket** (Medium): Set the lift on firm, level ground and inspect it before use.; Clip your harness lanyard to the basket anchor point. ### 7. Cleanup and secure the site - **Trips and punctures from scrap, banding, and loose nails** (Low): Pick up banding, blocks, and scrap as you go and put them in the dumpster.; Coil air hoses and keep walkways clear. - **Partially braced trusses collapsing overnight in wind** (Medium): Brace every set truss before leaving; the foreman checks bracing at end of day.; Do not leave loose trusses leaning on the structure. ## Required PPE - Hard hat — Class E or G hard hat at all times during crane lifts and in the set zone. - Safety glasses — ANSI Z87.1 safety glasses at all times, especially when nailing or cutting. - Full-body harness and lanyard — Any time you work 6 ft or more above a lower level; inspect before each use. - Work gloves — Leather or cut-resistant gloves for handling banding, lumber, and tag lines. - Work boots — Sturdy, slip-resistant soles; safety toe recommended. - High-visibility vest — Signal person and ground crew near the crane and trucks. - Hearing protection — Earplugs when running nailers and compressors for long periods. ## Training - Fall protection training per 29 CFR 1926.503, including harness fit and anchor use. - Truss handling and temporary bracing training based on the truss manufacturer's bracing instructions. - Ladder safety training for extension ladders. - Pneumatic nail gun safe-use training. - Qualified rigger and qualified signal person for crane lifts; certified crane operator. - Aerial lift operator training if a lift is used. ## Emergency If someone falls or is struck: stop all lifts and work, call 911, and give the site address. Do not move the injured worker unless they are in danger; give first aid. If a worker is hanging in a harness, rescue them right away with a ladder or lift. ## Official sources - [29 CFR 1926.501](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.501) — Duty to have fall protection - [29 CFR 1926.502](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.502) — Fall protection systems criteria and practices - [29 CFR 1926.503](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.503) — Fall protection training requirements - [29 CFR 1926.1053](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.1053) — Ladders - [29 CFR 1926.302](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.302) — Power-operated hand tools - [29 CFR 1926.250](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.250) — Materials storage - [29 CFR 1926.453](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.453) — Aerial lifts - [29 CFR 1926.21](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.21) — Safety training and education --- Source: HardHat Binder, operated by Leadspire LLC. Templates to be reviewed by a competent person before use; not legal advice; not affiliated with OSHA.