1926.706: Limited Access Zone for Masonry Walls
Employers must set up a limited access zone before building a masonry wall, equal to the wall height plus four feet, along its entire length on the unscaffolded side, open only to employees building the wall. It stays until the wall is supported, and walls over eight feet must be braced until permanent supports are in place unless adequately supported.
Key takeaways
- 1926.706 is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart Q).
- OSHA cited it 14 times in the last 3 years, in 13 inspections, with $42,177 in current penalties.
- Most citations: VA (5), KY (5), WI (1).
- Most-cited part: 1926.706(b) (12 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.706, "Requirements for masonry construction", is an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart Q). It has 7 numbered 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
Show the full text of 1926.706 (7 paragraphs)
(a) A limited access zone shall be established whenever a masonry wall is being constructed. The limited access zone shall conform to the following. Open (a) 2 citations
(1) The limited access zone shall be established prior to the start of construction of the wall. 1 citations
(2) The limited access zone shall be equal to the height of the wall to be constructed plus four feet, and shall run the entire length of the wall.
(3) The limited access zone shall be established on the side of the wall which will be unscaffolded.
(4) The limited access zone shall be restricted to entry by employees actively engaged in constructing the wall. No other employees shall be permitted to enter the zone. Open (a)(4)
(5) The limited access zone shall remain in place until the wall is adequately supported to prevent overturning and to prevent collapse unless the height of wall is over eight feet, in which case, the limited access zone shall remain in place until the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section have been met.
(b) All masonry walls over eight feet in height shall be adequately braced to prevent overturning and to prevent collapse unless the wall is adequately supported so that it will not overturn or collapse. The bracing shall remain in place until permanent supporting elements of the structure are in place. Open (b) 12 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Top states: VA (5), KY (5), WI (1), NY (1), NC (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| 157907 - WILSON-COVINGTON CONSTRUCTION COMPANY | WAXHAW, NC | $9,678 |
| M-6 CONTRACTING, INC. | SOUTH BOSTON, VA | $6,822 |
| FORM CONSTRUCTION, LLC | SAVANNAH, GA | $3,972 |
| 67051 - HARMONY HB LLC | LEXINGTON, KY | $3,500 |
| 69085 - BC CONSTRUCTION LLC | HARRODSBURG, KY | $3,500 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
- Masonry wall bracing requirements. (1996-06-25)
- Bracing of masonry block walls. (1993-02-16)
- Concrete and Masonry Construction standards and masonry walls. (1991-07-10)
- Concrete and Masonry Construction Safety Standards; 1926.706 (1989-02-06)
Most-cited parts of this rule
- 1926.706(b) 12 citations
- 1926.706(a) 2 citations
- 1926.706(a)(4)
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Frequently asked questions
How big is a masonry limited access zone?
Equal to the height of the wall plus four feet, along the entire length of the wall.
Who can enter the zone?
Only employees actively engaged in constructing the wall.
When must masonry walls be braced?
Walls over eight feet in height must be adequately braced unless otherwise adequately supported.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.706 (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.