Temporary Structures and Formwork Program
Formwork design by qualified person, shoring load calculations, concrete placement controls, and stripping sequence requirements.
What this document is
This document is a ready-to-customize written program that outlines procedures for designing, erecting, and dismantling temporary structures and formwork used in concrete construction. It provides the framework employers need to meet federal OSHA rules and protect workers from collapses and struck-by hazards.
The regulation that requires it
29 CFR 1926.703 requires that formwork, shores, and related equipment be designed by a qualified person and that drawings or plans show the jack loads and spacing. The rule states that formwork must be capable of supporting all vertical and lateral loads without failure and that it must be inspected before concrete placement. It also requires that stripping sequence and reshoring procedures prevent overloading of the structure. Employers must follow these provisions to control concrete placement and ensure safe removal of forms.
Who needs it
General contractors and concrete subcontractors who build or use cast-in-place concrete structures need this program. It applies to trades that erect formwork, install shoring, place concrete, or perform stripping operations. All states that operate under federal OSHA rules require compliance with 29 CFR 1926.703. California contractors must also satisfy Title 8 CCR requirements that align with this federal standard.
What happens without it
OSHA citations for serious violations of 29 CFR 1926.703 typically fall in the $15,000 to $16,000 range per violation, while willful violations can reach $161,000 or more under the current penalty schedule. Inspections frequently focus on concrete operations, especially after collapses or near-misses. Multi-employer worksites can result in citations to both the controlling contractor and the specialty subcontractor. Lack of a written program makes it difficult to demonstrate compliance during an inspection.
What's included in the generated document
- Formwork design and engineering requirements
- Shoring, reshoring, and load calculation procedures
- Concrete placement and inspection controls
- Stripping sequence and removal methods
- Employee training and qualification records
How to implement it at your company
- Download the PDF and edit it with your company name, specific procedures, and site contacts.
- Have a qualified person review the formwork design and load calculations for each job.
- Train employees who work with formwork and shoring on the written procedures.
- Keep the program available on every jobsite where concrete formwork is used.
- Review and update the document after each project or when site conditions change.