1926.703(a): Formwork Strength and Drawings
Employers must design, build, erect, support, brace and maintain concrete formwork so it can hold all vertical and lateral loads that may reasonably be expected without failing. Drawings or plans, with all revisions, for the jack layout, formwork and shoring, working decks and scaffolds must be available at the jobsite.
Key takeaways
- 1926.703(a) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart Q).
- OSHA cited it 22 times in the last 3 years, in 21 inspections, with $235,307 in current penalties.
- Most citations: FL (7), CT (2), TX (2).
- Related part: 1926.703(a)(1) (20 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.703(a) ("General requirements for formwork") is one requirement inside 1926.703 Requirements for cast-in-place concrete, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart Q). It includes 2 sub-paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(a) General requirements for formwork. 22 citations
(1) Formwork shall be designed, fabricated, erected, supported, braced and maintained so that it will be capable of supporting without failure all vertical and lateral loads that may reasonably be anticipated to be applied to the formwork. Formwork which is designed, fabricated, erected, supported, braced and maintained in conformance with the appendix to this section will be deemed to meet the requirements of this paragraph. Open (a)(1) 20 citations
(2) Drawings or plans, including all revisions, for the jack layout, formwork (including shoring equipment), working decks, and scaffolds, shall be available at the jobsite. 2 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.703.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 8 |
Top states: FL (7), CT (2), TX (2), NJ (2), NY (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| SEVEN CONCRETE, LLC | NEW HAVEN, CT | $66,000 |
| LITHKO CONTRACTING, LLC | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $16,550 |
| SOUTHLAND CONTRACTING INC. | DALLAS, TX | $16,550 |
| KMI, INC. | BROOKLYN, NY | $16,550 |
| ARCHER WESTERN - DE MOYA JOINT VENTURE | MIAMI, FL | $16,550 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.703(a), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.703(a)(1) 20 citations
Get your crew competent
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Frequently asked questions
What loads must formwork support?
All vertical and lateral loads that may reasonably be anticipated to be applied to it, without failure.
Must formwork drawings be on site?
Yes. Drawings or plans, including all revisions, for the jack layout, formwork, shoring, working decks and scaffolds must be available at the jobsite.
Is there a way to show formwork meets the rule?
Formwork built and maintained in conformance with the appendix to 1926.703 is deemed to meet the requirement.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.703 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
3-year window. 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.