1926.754(a): Structural Stability During Steel Erection
Employers must maintain structural stability at all times during the steel erection process.
Key takeaways
- 1926.754(a) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart R).
- OSHA cited it 14 times in the last 3 years, in 14 inspections, with $297,890 in current penalties.
- 4 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: NY (3), VA (2), IL (2).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.754(a) is one requirement inside 1926.754 Structural steel assembly, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart R). 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) Structural stability shall be maintained at all times during the erection process. 14 citations
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) regulations incorporate by reference a number of standards, policies, and standard specifications published by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and other organizations. (See 23 CFR 625.4). Many of these incorporated provisions may be relevant to maintaining structural stability during the erection process. For instance, as of May 17, 2010, in many cases FHWA requires a Registered Engineer to prepare and seal working drawings for falsework used in highway bridge construction. (See AASHTO Specifications for Highway Bridges, Div. II, § 3.2.1, 15th edition, 1992, which FHWA incorporates by reference in 23 CFR 625.4). FHWA also encourages compliance with AASHTO Specifications that the FHWA regulations do not currently incorporate by reference. (See http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bridge/lrfd/index.htm.)
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.754.
Injuries linked to this rule
4 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.754(a).
At 1:57 p.m. on November 20, 2024, an employee of Linco Fab Inc was working fromthe ground when a steel column measuring 26 feet long, 14 inches wide, and 5.5 inches deep fell on the employee. The column was anchored by two bolts. The employee…
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Top states: NY (3), VA (2), IL (2), FL (2), ID (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| BIG D BUILDERS, INC. | BOISE, ID | $161,323 |
| 108429 - LINCO FAB INC | HUGO, MN | $25,000 |
| STAGE FX INC. | ORLANDO, FL | $16,550 |
| SAMET CORPORATION | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $15,375 |
| MABE STEEL, INC. | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $15,375 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.754(a), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.754(a).
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Frequently asked questions
When must structural stability be maintained?
At all times during the erection process.
Does this apply only at the end of the day?
No. The rule says at all times during erection.
Are other rules relevant to stability?
The note says FHWA rules incorporate AASHTO standards that may be relevant, such as engineer-sealed falsework drawings for highway bridges.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.754 (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.