1926.501(b)(5): Formwork and Reinforcing Steel
Workers on the face of formwork or reinforcing steel must be protected from falls of 6 feet or more by personal fall arrest, safety nets or positioning device systems.
Official text: 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(5)
(5) Formwork and reinforcing steel. Each employee on the face of formwork or reinforcing steel shall be protected from falling 6 feet (1.8 m) or more to lower levels by personal fall arrest systems, safety net systems, or positioning device systems.
19 citationsSource: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.501.
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Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Top states: NY (5), PA (4), TX (3), MI (2), GU (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| NEW YORK CONCRETE CORP. / J. PIZZIRUSSO LANDSCAPING JV | NEW YORK, NY | $14,895 |
| CSA CONSTRUCTION, INC. | MANVEL, TX | $14,895 |
| CONPORTO SERVICES INC. | BROOKLYN, NY | $12,500 |
| CAMPOS ENTERPRISES, LLC. | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $11,916 |
| RAGONE FOUNDATIONS, INC. | SCHENECTADY, NY | $7,340 |
OSHA interpretation letters
- Employees engaged in formwork over 6 feet high must have fall protection. (2000-08-28)
- Reinforcing steel (rebar) assemblies: questions regarding fall protection and training. (1999-03-09)
- Fall Protection Standards. (1995-09-26)
- Fall protection during the construction of rebar assemblies. (1995-06-20)
- Whether or not fall protection is to be used when reinforcing steel is being installed and application of OSHA's job-made ladder requirements to rebar cages. (1995-04-26)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.501(b) 23,489 citations
- 1926.501(b)(13) Residential construction 15,470 citations
- 1926.501(b)(1) Unprotected sides and edges 2,860 citations
- 1926.501(b)(10) Roofing work on Low-slope roofs 1,827 citations
- 1926.501(b)(11) Steep roofs 1,554 citations
- 1926.501(b)(4) Holes 1,119 citations
- 1926.501(b)(4)(ii) 670 citations
- 1926.501(b)(4)(i) 423 citations
- 1926.501(b)(14) Wall openings 271 citations
- 1926.501(b)(15) Walking/working surfaces not otherwise addressed 148 citations
- 1926.501(b)(2) Leading edges 117 citations
- 1926.501(b)(2)(i) 80 citations
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About this page
Official text from the eCFR. Citation and injury numbers from public U.S. Department of Labor enforcement and accident records, copied nightly; 3-year window; data as of 2026-10-18. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.