Job Hazard Analysis: Metal stud framing

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. 1. Unload and stage studs and track

   • Cuts from sharp stud edges and banding strapsMedium
     • Cut steel banding with banding snips while standing to the side; keep your face away from the strap.
     • Carry studs by the web, not by the cut ends.
     • Wear cut-resistant gloves (ANSI A3 or higher) when handling metal.
   • Back strain from lifting long bundlesMedium
     • Use a forklift or material cart for full bundles; break bundles down before hand carrying.
     • Two-person carry for studs over 12 ft or heavy-gauge material.
   • Stacks sliding or tipping; overloaded floorLow
     • Stack on dunnage on a level floor, away from openings and edges, and spread loads out.
     • Keep walkways and exits clear of stacked material.

2. 2. Lay out walls with chalk line and laser level

   • Eye injury from laser beamLow
     • Set the laser at a height that avoids eye level when possible; never look into the beam.
     • Only workers trained on the laser set it up.
   • Trips over cords, scrap, and layout toolsLow
     • Route cords along walls or overhead; pick up scrap as you go.

3. 3. Cut studs and track with snips or chop saw

   • Flying metal chips and sparks from the chop sawHigh
     • Use aviation snips or a stud cutter (shear) instead of the chop saw when the cut allows.
     • Keep the blade guard in place and working; use a blade rated for metal and the saw's RPM.
     • Clamp the material; point sparks away from people and combustibles.
     • Wear safety glasses plus a face shield when using the chop saw.
   • Lacerations from sharp burrs on cut endsMedium
     • Cut with the scrap side falling away from your body; keep your free hand behind the snips.
     • Wear cut-resistant gloves while cutting.
   • Noise from chop sawMedium
     • Set the cutting station away from other workers.
     • Wear earplugs or earmuffs while cutting.

4. 4. Fasten bottom track to the slab with powder-actuated tool or concrete screws

   • Fastener ricochet or pass-through from powder-actuated toolHigh
     • Use concrete screws with a drill where practical instead of the powder-actuated tool.
     • Only trained, carded operators use the tool; test it before use and keep it unloaded until ready to fire.
     • Hold the tool square to the surface; do not fire into spalled, cracked, or thin concrete, or within 3 in. of an edge.
     • Keep everyone out of the line of fire and check the other side of the surface.
   • Silica dust from drilling concreteMedium
     • Use a rotary hammer with a shroud and HEPA vacuum dust extraction.
     • Never dry sweep or use compressed air on concrete dust.
   • Noise from powder-actuated toolMedium
     • Warn nearby workers before firing.
     • Wear hearing protection while firing.

5. 5. Install top track and ceiling framing from ladders or rolling scaffold

   • Falls from stepladders or rolling scaffoldHigh
     • Use a rolling scaffold with guardrails or a podium ladder for long overhead runs instead of a stepladder.
     • Lock the scaffold casters before climbing; never ride a scaffold while it is moved.
     • Open stepladders fully with spreaders locked; do not stand on the top step or top cap.
     • Inspect ladders and scaffolds before use; tag out damaged ones.
   • Studs, track, or tools falling on workers belowMedium
     • Keep workers out from under overhead work; mark the area.
     • Use toeboards on scaffolds and tool lanyards for screw guns.
     • Wear a hard hat.
   • Hitting live wiring, sprinkler, or gas lines when fastening overheadMedium
     • Look above the ceiling before fastening; confirm hidden utilities with the GC.

6. 6. Stand studs, screw to track, and install headers and backing

   • Hand punctures from self-drilling screws and sharp edgesMedium
     • Use locking C-clamp pliers to hold stud and track together; keep your hand off the back side of the screw point.
     • Wear cut-resistant gloves.
   • Wrist and shoulder strain from repetitive screw gun useLow
     • Use a collated screw gun for long runs; rotate tasks and stretch during breaks.
   • Damaged cords or tools causing shockMedium
     • Use cordless tools when possible; plug corded tools into GFCI protection.
     • Inspect cords and tools daily; remove damaged ones from service.

7. 7. Clean up scrap and put away tools

   • Cuts and trips from metal scrap and screws on the floorMedium
     • Put scrap in a metal bin at the cutting station throughout the day.
     • Use a magnetic sweeper for loose screws.
     • Wear gloves when handling scrap.
   • Silica dust during cleanup near drilled concreteLow
     • Clean concrete dust with a HEPA vacuum, not a broom or blower.