1926.703(d): Reinforcing Steel Support
Reinforcing steel for walls, piers, columns and similar vertical structures must be adequately supported to prevent overturning and collapse. Employers must also take measures to prevent unrolled wire mesh from recoiling, such as securing each end of the roll or turning over the roll.
Key takeaways
- 1926.703(d) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart Q).
- OSHA cited it 3 times in the last 3 years, in 3 inspections, with $13,815 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Related part: 1926.703(d)(1) (3 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.703(d) ("Reinforcing steel") 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
(d) Reinforcing steel. 3 citations
(1) Reinforcing steel for walls, piers, columns, and similar vertical structures shall be adequately supported to prevent overturning and to prevent collapse. Open (d)(1) 3 citations
(2) Employers shall take measures to prevent unrolled wire mesh from recoiling. Such measures may include, but are not limited to, securing each end of the roll or turning over the roll.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.703.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.703(d).
At 4:59 p.m. on November 14, 2023, an employee was installing lifting eyes boltsto the top of the completed dock so that a crane could transfer it to the yard for completion. Before the lifting could be conducted, an unforeseen gust of wind swept through…
Where and how often it was cited
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.703(d), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.703(d).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.703(d)(1) 3 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What must be done with vertical rebar?
It must be adequately supported to prevent overturning and collapse.
What about wire mesh?
Employers must take measures to prevent unrolled wire mesh from recoiling.
How can mesh recoil be prevented?
Measures may include securing each end of the roll or turning over the roll.
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.