Fall protection at formwork deck edges

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

September 18, 1973
OSI-C/32-Martin
29 CFR 1926.500(d)
Robert A. Wendall, Associate Assistant
Regional Director for Federal and
State Operations
The Safety and Health Regulations for Construction Subpart M, 29 CFR 1926.500(d) was written to provide protection of employees from the hazards of falls from open-sided floors, platforms, runways, roofs and decks. Employees working on a deck at or on the open side or leading edge of a formwork deck (other than the formwork deck installer) are required the protection of a standard railing, or the equivalent.
During the construction of formwork decking, where it is impractical to erect a standard railing at the leading edge, it was not the intent of 1926.500(d)(1) to apply. However employees working at the perimeter of the open sides of formwork decking shall be protected by a standard railing or the equivalent.
Employees (Formwork deck installers) working at the leading edge of formwork decking, under particular circumstances, shall be protected as required by other applicable parts of the standards.
Allan E. Martin, Chief
Construction Standards
Attachment:

Incoming July 2, 1973 letter from Mr. C. W. Borden,
CECO Corporation