Steel Erection

Welding, brazing, and cutting performed by ironworkers can generate fumes and vapors that contain metals, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, fluorides, and other chemical components that can adversely impact health. Dust can be generated from grinding activities. If the area where these operations are performed is not properly vented, or fumes or dust are vented to areas where they are drawn into neighboring HVAC systems, third parties could be exposed to the fumes or dust, resulting in bodily injury claims.

Ironworkers often perform hot work, which includes welding, burning, cutting, and other operations using fire or spark-producing tools. Hot work presents an increased risk of fire and explosion hazards at a jobsite. A fire could emit toxic fumes and smoke from the materials stored at the site or due to a mix of materials that occurs due to the fire. Firefighting water or foam could create contaminated run-off that spreads to nearby storm drains or properties, resulting in environmental cleanup and tort liability.

Silt and sediment are fine-grained soil particles readily carried in surface water and may migrate directly or indirectly to surface waters. Equipment such as forklifts and industrial lifts moving around a jobsite can disturb soils, resulting in erosion and run-off of silt and sediment, impairing the functionality of stormwater drainage systems and catch basins, impairing water quality, or causing natural resource damage to surface water bodies.

A steel erection company may bring solvents, cutting fluids, or other chemicals to a jobsite. Spills or leaks of these chemicals during storage, use, or loading/unloading could discharge pollutants into soil, groundwater, storm drains, drywells, etc., resulting in claims for cleanup or natural resource damage.

Compressed gases used for welding, cutting, or brazing can be asphyxiants if released in a poorly ventilated or confined space, or they can react with other gases or materials. Also, damaged cylinders or valves can cause the gas to escape rapidly, causing the cylinder to spin wildly or shoot like a projectile. Releases of gas can cause bodily injury or property damage to third parties.

Wastewater can be generated from cleaning equipment used at a jobsite. These wastewaters need to be appropriately handled because they could contain particulates and residual oils and fluids. Mishandling can result in regulatory violations or cleanup claims.

Repairs or renovations to an existing steel frame for a building or structure could disturb hazardous building materials such as asbestos-containing materials or lead-based paint. Disturbance of these contaminants can result in cleanup or bodily injury claims against the contractor.

Accidental releases during the transportation of chemicals or wastes from a steel erection project due to improper cargo securement, a loose valve, or vehicle upsets or overturns can result in environmental liability.

Storage at owned/leased facilities of chemicals, fuels, compressed gases, etc., for fabrication operations, for equipment, or use at jobsites carries environmental exposures. Spills, leaks, improper storage containment, and exposure to stormwater can release pollutants to surface water, soil, or groundwater, resulting in cleanup, natural resource damage, or third-party claims.