1926.703(b): Shoring and Reshoring for Concrete
Employers must inspect shoring equipment before erection to confirm it meets the formwork drawings, not use damaged shoring, and inspect erected shoring immediately before, during and immediately after concrete placement. Damaged shoring found after erection must be reinforced immediately, sills must be sound, parts must be in firm contact, and tiered single post shores need a qualified design, engineer inspection, alignment, splicing and bracing.
Key takeaways
- 1926.703(b) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart Q).
- OSHA cited it 16 times in the last 3 years, in 12 inspections, with $74,817 in current penalties.
- Most citations: FL (6), CT (3), DE (3).
- Related part: 1926.703(b)(8) (3 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.703(b) ("Shoring and reshoring") is one requirement inside 1926.703 Requirements for cast-in-place concrete, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart Q). It includes 14 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
(b) Shoring and reshoring. 16 citations
(1) All shoring equipment (including equipment used in reshoring operations) shall be inspected prior to erection to determine that the equipment meets the requirements specified in the formwork drawings. 1 citations
(2) Shoring equipment found to be damaged such that its strength is reduced to less than that required by § 1926.703(a)(1) shall not be used for shoring.
(3) Erected shoring equipment shall be inspected immediately prior to, during, and immediately after concrete placement. 3 citations
(4) Shoring equipment that is found to be damaged or weakened after erection, such that its strength is reduced to less than that required by § 1926.703(a)(1), shall be immediately reinforced.
(5) The sills for shoring shall be sound, rigid, and capable of carrying the maximum intended load.
(6) All base plates, shore heads, extension devices, and adjustment screws shall be in firm contact, and secured when necessary, with the foundation and the form. 9 citations
(7) Eccentric loads on shore heads and similar members shall be prohibited unless these members have been designed for such loading.
(8) Whenever single post shores are used one on top of another (tiered), the employer shall comply with the following specific requirements in addition to the general requirements for formwork: Open (b)(8) 3 citations
(i) The design of the shoring shall be prepared by a qualified designer and the erected shoring shall be inspected by an engineer qualified in structural design. Open (b)(8)(i) 2 citations
(ii) The single post shores shall be vertically aligned.
(iii) The single post shores shall be spliced to prevent misalignment.
(iv) The single post shores shall be adequately braced in two mutually perpendicular directions at the splice level. Each tier shall also be diagonally braced in the same two directions. 1 citations
(9) Adjustment of single post shores to raise formwork shall not be made after the placement of concrete.
(10) Reshoring shall be erected, as the original forms and shores are removed, whenever the concrete is required to support loads in excess of its capacity.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.703.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 5 |
Top states: FL (6), CT (3), DE (3), NY (2), TX (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| KMI, INC. | BROOKLYN, NY | $33,100 |
| SEVEN CONCRETE, LLC | NEW HAVEN, CT | $18,000 |
| TAS COMMERCIAL CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION, LP | HOUSTON, TX | $6,098 |
| K N M CONSTRUCTIONS CORP | HIALEAH, FL | $5,740 |
| JKJ CONCRETE, INC. | WILMINGTON, DE | $4,610 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.703(b), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.703(b)(8) 3 citations
- 1926.703(b)(8)(i) 2 citations
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Frequently asked questions
When must erected shoring be inspected?
Immediately prior to, during, and immediately after concrete placement.
Can damaged shoring be used?
Not if the damage reduces its strength below what 1926.703(a)(1) requires.
Who must design tiered single post shores?
A qualified designer, and the erected shoring must be inspected by an engineer qualified in structural design.
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.