Rebar Impalement Prevention

Exposed vertical reinforcement bars projecting from concrete create an impalement hazard for anyone who falls onto them.
Impalement injuries from rebar are almost always fatal or life-changing — the bars penetrate the torso, head, or limbs on impact.
Mushroom caps or rebar safety caps must be fitted to every exposed vertical bar immediately after installation.
Standard mushroom caps made of high-visibility plastic are designed to spread the impact force over a wider area.
Timber boards placed over groups of starter bars provide additional protection but are not a substitute for individual caps.
The risk is greatest during foundation and ground slab works where starter bars project upward from newly poured concrete.
Workers walking across rebar mats or near starter bars are at risk of tripping and falling directly onto exposed bar ends.
Housekeeping around rebar areas must be maintained to reduce the trip hazards that lead to falls onto exposed bars.
The CDM Regulations and HSE guidance require protection of exposed rebar — failure to protect is an enforcement priority.
Responsibility for fitting caps lies with the steel fixer, but every person on site should report unprotected bars immediately.

Fatal impalement	A worker falling onto an uncapped rebar stub is impaled — the bar penetrates the body with the person's full weight behind it.
Simple prevention	Mushroom caps cost pennies each and take seconds to fit — there is no excuse for any exposed vertical bar on any site.
HSE priority	Unprotected starter bars are an HSE enforcement priority — inspectors issue prohibition notices on sight for this hazard.

Do

Don't

Fit mushroom caps to every exposed vertical reinforcement bar immediately after placing.
Use high-visibility caps so protected bars are clearly visible across the work area.
Place timber boards over groups of starter bars for additional protection where needed.
Maintain housekeeping around rebar areas to reduce trip hazards near exposed bars.
Report any unprotected starter bars to your supervisor immediately upon discovery.
Replace caps that have been dislodged, damaged, or removed during subsequent work.
Include rebar protection in the method statement for all foundation and slab work.
Brief the steel fixing team on their responsibility to cap bars as they are placed.
Check that caps are in place before other trades access areas with exposed rebar.
Install edge protection and walkways to prevent trips onto capped bar areas.

DON'T leave any vertical rebar stub uncapped — fit a mushroom cap immediately.
DON'T use the wrong cap type — it must spread impact force, not just cover the end.
DON'T rely on boards alone — individual caps on each bar are the primary protection.
DON'T leave debris and trip hazards near areas with exposed vertical starter bars.
DON'T walk past unprotected rebar without reporting it or capping it yourself.
DON'T remove caps for access and forget to replace them when the task is complete.
DON'T omit rebar protection from the method statement — it is a specified requirement.
DON'T assume the steel fixers have capped everything — check before your team enters.
DON'T allow other trades into rebar areas until all bars are confirmed capped.
DON'T dismiss impalement risk as unlikely — it kills construction workers every year.

See also: Reinforcement Fixing Safety | Falls From Height Awareness

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