PPE & Rebar Caps: The First Line of Defense in Preventing Rebar Impalement and Injuries

It's a staggering statistic that 61% of all construction accidents are attributed to impalement from exposed rebar. Rebar is a series of long metal rods used to reinforce the walls and/or buildings on a construction site. Left unguarded, these protruding steel bars present a very real safety hazard. A fall, or even a simple stumble onto uncovered rebar can cause impalement, resulting in serious internal injuries or death.

Here are some pointers for protecting against rebar accidents: 

• Guard all protruding ends of steel rebar with rebar caps or wooden troughs. Even though rebar caps are small, they provide effective protection against scratches and minor injuries.
• Be sure to wear PPE. Hardhats, gloves, boots, goggles and the use of fall protection are critical in preventing injuries from rebar.
• If there is a long row of rebar, a 2x4 piece of lumber can be placed on top of rebar caps to provide another layer of protection from impalement and other injuries. 
• Bending rebar so exposed ends are no longer upright can also be helpful.