Impalement Protection with OSHA-Compliant Rebar Caps

Impalement protection is one of the most important safety measures on any construction site where exposed rebar is present. Workers who fall or slip near vertical or protruding rebar face serious risk of injury or death from impalement. OSHA and state safety agencies require protection, and Deslauriers designs steel-reinforced rebar caps that exceed those standards.

From high-rise construction to infrastructure work, exposed rebar is common and so is the danger. In this blog, we explain why impalement protection matters, what OSHA mandates, and how Deslauriers rebar caps protect crews and help jobs stay compliant.

Impalement protection refers to any measure that prevents injuries caused by falling onto protruding steel bars, usually rebar. These injuries are almost always serious and often fatal. When vertical rebar is left uncapped or poorly covered, workers near the area are put at risk.

Some contractors still rely on thin plastic caps or makeshift covers. These might meet visibility requirements but they do not offer impact protection. A proper impalement protection solution must be built to absorb and deflect force from a fall.

What Makes Rebar So Dangerous

• Rebar is strong and narrow, making it capable of penetrating the body in a fall.

• Even a fall from just a few feet can cause life-threatening injuries.

• In many job phases, rebar is left upright for days or weeks while work continues nearby.

Impalement is a silent hazard. It often goes unnoticed until something goes wrong. Deslauriers helps make sure that never happens with our engineered rebar protection systems.

OSHA regulation 1926.701(b) states that all protruding reinforcing steel that employees could fall onto or into must be protected to eliminate the hazard of impalement. Employers must use rebar caps or covers that can withstand the force of a fall.

What the Standard Means on Site

• Visual-only caps do not meet the requirement.

• Caps must be rated to absorb impact and prevent penetration.
• Horizontal and vertical rebar must both be addressed where workers are at risk.

Many states also enforce their own safety codes. For example, Cal/OSHA requires specific cap ratings and often conducts field inspections to ensure compliance. Deslauriers rebar caps are designed to meet federal and state standards with steel-reinforced cores and heavy-duty shells.

At Deslauriers, we manufacture rebar caps that protect workers and meet the highest safety standards. Unlike lightweight plastic caps, our rebar protection products are steel-reinforced and tested for impact.

Key Features of Deslauriers Rebar Caps

• Internal steel core that absorbs force
• Bright colors for visibility in any condition
• Durable plastic shell that resists weather and job site abuse
• Quick snap-on installation for fast coverage
• Engineered to meet OSHA and state regulations

If you’re ready to upgrade your job site safety, shop Deslauriers’ rebar protection solutions now.

There is a big difference between visual safety and actual protection. Many job sites rely on mushroom-style plastic caps but they are more for horizontal safety measures and are not tested to prevent impalement.

Mushroom Caps

• Meant for visibility only
• Do not protect against impact
• Often used where protection is not required

Deslauriers Steel-Reinforced Caps

• Built to stop penetration during a fall
• Meet or exceed OSHA guidelines
• Tested and proven in job site conditions

Choosing the wrong cap can result in serious injury and liability. Browse our full line of safety products to stay compliant and protected. 

Rebar protection is required anytime a worker is exposed to a fall risk near uncapped rebar. This includes low-level falls as well as scaffolding or elevated work. The danger is not just for those working above the rebar, but also for those walking or lifting materials nearby.

Situations That Require Protection

• Open foundations and vertical walls before pour
• Scaffolding near rebar assemblies
• Elevated decks or mezzanines under construction
• Tilt-up panels awaiting installation
• Bridge and road construction sites

Wherever workers are moving around exposed steel, rebar caps are essential.

1. Identify risks early: Do a site walk before work begins to locate all exposed rebar.  
2. Install Caps Immediately: Cap rebar as soon as it is placed, not after forms are finished.
3. Use the Right Cap for the Right Job: Only use steel-reinforced caps in areas where impalement risk exists. 
4. Train Your Crew: Make sure workers understand the difference between visual caps and protective ones.
5. Inspect Daily:  Assign safety checks to confirm caps are still in place and undamaged. 

For more than 30 years, Deslauriers has helped keep construction professionals safe with reliable, compliant products. Our rebar caps are trusted by general contractors, safety managers, and state inspectors.

What Sets Deslauriers Apart

• Manufactured with steel reinforcement for real impact protection
• Tested for OSHA and state-level compliance
• Designed for repeated use in rough job site conditions
• Available in multiple styles and colors
• Backed by responsive support and fast delivery

Looking for more ways to reduce site injuries and increase compliance? Read our guide to improving worker safety in heavy-duty construction.

Using rebar caps is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to improve safety on site. The cost of even a single injury far outweighs the investment in proper impalement protection.If you want to take your site safety program further, explore the 12 must-have tools every construction site should be using.

When you use Deslauriers caps, you are doing more than following regulations. You are protecting your workers and demonstrating that safety comes first.

Impalement protection is not optional. It is essential. Protect your crew the right way with Deslauriers steel-reinforced rebar caps.