1926.757(c): Erection of steel joists
Key takeaways
- 1926.757(c) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart R).
- Related part: 1926.757(c)(3).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.757(c) ("Erection of steel joists") is one requirement inside 1926.757 Open web steel joists, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart R). It includes 5 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
(c) Erection of steel joists.
(1) Both sides of the seat of one end of each steel joist that requires bridging under Tables A and B shall be attached to the support structure before hoisting cables are released. Open (c)(1)
(2) For joists over 60 feet, both ends of the joist shall be attached as specified in paragraph (b) of this section and the provisions of paragraph (d) of this section met before the hoisting cables are released. Open (c)(2)
(3) On steel joists that do not require erection bridging under Tables A and B, only one employee shall be allowed on the joist until all bridging is installed and anchored. Open (c)(3)
| Joist | Span |
|---|---|
| 8L1 | NM |
| 10K1 | NM |
| 12K1 | 23-0 |
| 12K3 | NM |
| 12K5 | NM |
| 14K1 | 27-0 |
| 14K3 | NM |
| 14K4 | NM |
| 14K6 | NM |
| 16K2 | 29-0 |
| 16K3 | 30-0 |
| 16K4 | 32-0 |
| 16K5 | 32-0 |
| 16K6 | NM |
| 16K7 | NM |
| 16K9 | NM |
| 18K3 | 31-0 |
| 18K4 | 32-0 |
| 18K5 | 33-0 |
| 18K6 | 35-0 |
| 18K7 | NM |
| 18K9 | NM |
| 18K10 | NM |
| 20K3 | 32-0 |
| 20K4 | 34-0 |
| 20K5 | 34-0 |
| 20K6 | 36-0 |
| 20K7 | 39-0 |
| 20K9 | 39-0 |
| 20K10 | NM |
| 22K4 | 34-0 |
| 22K5 | 35-0 |
| 22K6 | 36-0 |
| 22K7 | 40-0 |
| 22K9 | 40-0 |
| 22K10 | 40-0 |
| 22K11 | 40-0 |
| 24K4 | 36-0 |
| 24K5 | 38-0 |
| 24K6 | 39-0 |
| 24K7 | 43-0 |
| 24K8 | 43-0 |
| 24K9 | 44-0 |
| 24K10 | NM |
| 24K12 | NM |
| 26K5 | 38-0 |
| 26K6 | 39-0 |
| 26K7 | 43-0 |
| 26K8 | 44-0 |
| 26K9 | 45-0 |
| 26K10 | 49-0 |
| 26K12 | NM |
| 28K6 | 40-0 |
| 28K7 | 43-0 |
| 28K8 | 44-0 |
| 28K9 | 45-0 |
| 28K10 | 49-0 |
| 28K12 | 53-0 |
| 30K7 | 44-0 |
| 30K8 | 45-0 |
| 30K9 | 45-0 |
| 30K10 | 50-0 |
| 30K11 | 52-0 |
| 30K12 | 54-0 |
| 10KCS1 | NM |
| 10KCS2 | NM |
| 10KCS3 | NM |
| 12KCS1 | NM |
| 12KCS2 | NM |
| 12KCS3 | NM |
| 14KCS1 | NM |
| 14KCS2 | NM |
| 14KCS3 | NM |
| 16KCS2 | NM |
| 16KCS3 | NM |
| 16KCS4 | NM |
| 16KCS5 | NM |
| 18KCS2 | 35-0 |
| 18KCS3 | NM |
| 18KCS4 | NM |
| 18KCS5 | NM |
| 20KCS2 | 36-0 |
| 20KCS3 | 39-0 |
| 20KCS4 | NM |
| 20KCS5 | NM |
| 22KCS2 | 36-0 |
| 22KCS3 | 40-0 |
| 22KCS4 | NM |
| 22KCS5 | NM |
| 24KCS2 | 39-0 |
| 24KCS3 | 44-0 |
| 24KCS4 | NM |
| 24KCS5 | NM |
| 26KCS2 | 39-0 |
| 26KCS3 | 44-0 |
| 26KCS4 | NM |
| 26KCS5 | NM |
| 28KCS2 | 40-0 |
| 28KCS3 | 45-0 |
| 28KCS4 | 53-0 |
| 28KCS5 | 53-0 |
| 30KC53 | 45-0 |
| 30KCS4 | 54-0 |
| 30KCS5 | 54-0 |
| NM = diagonal bolted bridging not mandatory. | |
| Joist | Span |
|---|---|
| 18LH02 | 33-0. |
| 18LH03 | NM. |
| 18LH04 | NM. |
| 18LH05 | NM. |
| 18LH06 | NM. |
| 18LH07 | NM. |
| 18LH08 | NM. |
| 18LH09 | NM. |
| 20LH02 | 33-0. |
| 20LH03 | 38-0. |
| 20LH04 | NM. |
| 20LH05 | NM. |
| 20LH06 | NM. |
| 20LH07 | NM. |
| 20LH08 | NM. |
| 20LH09 | NM. |
| 20LH10 | NM. |
| 24LH03 | 35-0. |
| 24LH04 | 39-0. |
| 24LH05 | 40-0. |
| 24LH06 | 45-0. |
| 24LH07 | NM. |
| 24LH08 | NM. |
| 24LH09 | NM. |
| 24LH10 | NM. |
| 24LH11 | NM. |
| 28LH05 | 42-0. |
| 28LH06 | 42-0. |
| 28LH07 | NM. |
| 28LH08 | NM. |
| 28LH09 | NM. |
| 28LH10 | NM. |
| 28LH11 | NM. |
| 28LH12 | NM. |
| 28LH13 | NM. |
| 32LH06 | 47-0 through 60-0. |
| 32LH07 | 47-0 through 60-0. |
| 32LH08 | 55-0 through 60-0. |
| 32LH09 | NM through 60-0. |
| 32LH10 | NM through 60-0. |
| 32LH11 | NM through 60-0. |
| 32LH12 | NM through 60-0. |
| 32LH13 | NM through 60-0. |
| 32LH14 | NM through 60-0. |
| 32LH15 | NM through 60-0. |
| 36LH07 | 47-0 through 60-0. |
| 36LH08 | 47-0 through 60-0. |
| 36LH09 | 57-0 through 60-0. |
| 36LH10 | NM through 60-0. |
| 36LH11 | NM through 60-0. |
| 36LH12 | NM through 60-0. |
| 36LH13 | NM through 60-0. |
| 36LH14 | NM through 60-0. |
| 36LH15 | NM through 60-0. |
| NM = diagonal bolted bridging not mandatory. | |
(4) Employees shall not be allowed on steel joists where the span of the steel joist is equal to or greater than the span shown in Tables A and B except in accordance with § 1926.757(d).
(5) When permanent bridging terminus points cannot be used during erection, additional temporary bridging terminus points are required to provide stability. (See appendix C of this subpart.)
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.757.
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.757(c), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Permissibility of the welding of joists over 40-feet in length, while the hoisting line is kept in place, instead of field bolting. (2003-11-20)
- Corrected Tables A and B for 1926 Subpart R, the Steel Erection Standard. (2002-12-19)
- Field bolting and welding requirements for steel joist assembly (2002-10-22)
- Clarification of steel erection joist field-bolting requirements in 29 CFR Part 1926 Subpart R. (2002-08-15)
Related parts of this rule
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About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.757 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly
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.