1926.452(j)(2): Bracing Pump Jack Poles
Employers must secure pump jack poles to the structure with rigid triangular bracing or equivalent at the bottom, top and other points as needed. When the pump jack must pass a brace already installed, an extra brace must go approximately 4 feet (1.2 m) above it and stay until the pump jack is moved and the original brace is put back.
Key takeaways
- 1926.452(j)(2) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart L).
- OSHA cited it 265 times in the last 3 years, in 265 inspections, with $490,755 in current penalties.
- 4 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MD (49), NJ (33), MA (29).
- Related part: 1926.452(j) Pump jack scaffolds (271 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.452(j)(2) is one requirement inside 1926.452 Additional requirements applicable to specific types of scaffolds, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart L). 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
(2) Poles shall be secured to the structure by rigid triangular bracing or equivalent at the bottom, top, and other points as necessary. When the pump jack has to pass bracing already installed, an additional brace shall be installed approximately 4 feet (1.2 m) above the brace to be passed, and shall be left in place until the pump jack has been moved and the original brace reinstalled. 265 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.452.
Injuries linked to this rule
4 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.452(j)(2).
Employee was removing a gutter from a residential structure working from a pump-jack scaffold system erected 4.5 feet from a 79 kilovolt primary power line. The gutter contacted the power line and the employee was electrocuted.
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 |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 17 |
| 2024 | 75 |
| 2025 | 100 |
| 2026 | 73 |
Top states: MD (49), NJ (33), MA (29), TX (29), NC (25)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL CONTRACTOR SERVICES CORP | LOWELL, MA | $16,550 |
| EC SIDING, LLC. | WOODLYN, PA | $15,210 |
| COSTELLO CONSTRUCTION OF MARYLAND, INC. | DEWEY BEACH, DE | $9,931 |
| EC SIDING, LLC. | MIDDLETOWN, DE | $9,126 |
| MCR CONSTRUCTION, INC. | ROXBURY, MA | $8,513 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.452(j)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Pump jack scaffolds must be braced at their bottom. (2000-11-08)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.452(j) Pump jack scaffolds 271 citations
- 1926.452(j)(7)
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
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Frequently asked questions
How must pump jack poles be secured?
By rigid triangular bracing or equivalent at the bottom, top and other points as necessary.
What is required when passing an existing brace?
An additional brace must be installed approximately 4 feet (1.2 m) above the brace to be passed.
When can the extra brace come off?
It stays in place until the pump jack has been moved and the original brace reinstalled.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.452 (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 2026-10-19
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.