Systems-engineered metal buildings

All of the subpart’s erection requirements apply to systems-engineered metal buildings except the two sections specifically excluded. See 1926.758(a), which states that this subpart applies except for 1926.755 (column anchorage) and 1926.757 (open web steel joists).

Each structural column must be anchored with at least four anchor rods (anchor bolts). This is a minimum requirement under 1926.758(b).

Install and tighten either 50 percent of the bolts or the number the manufacturer specifies (whichever is greater) on both sides of the web adjacent to each flange before releasing hoisting equipment. That requirement is stated in 1926.758(c).

Construction loads may only be placed on structural steel framework after the framework is safely bolted, welded, or otherwise adequately secured. See 1926.758(d).

At least one bolt with its wrench-tight nut must remain connected to the first member unless the manufacturer provides a field-attached seat or a similar device that secures the first member. This ensures the girt or eave strut cannot be displaced as required by 1926.758(e).

Both ends of all steel joists or cold-formed joists must be fully bolted and/or welded to the support structure before releasing hoisting cables, before allowing any employee on the joists, and before allowing any construction loads on the joists. This is required by 1926.758(f) and its subparts f(1), f(2), and f(3).

Purlins and girts cannot be used as anchorage points for fall arrest systems unless a written approval is obtained from a qualified person. The rule is explicit: see 1926.758(g).

• The written approval should be based on an evaluation by a person with the knowledge and authority to judge anchorage capacity and must document that the member can support fall-arrest loads.
• For related fall-protection requirements and when temporary conveyances meet scaffold rules, see OSHA’s fall-protection guidance for suspended scaffolds at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2023-12-05.

Purlins may be used as a walking/working surface only when installing safety systems, and then only after all permanent bridging has been installed and fall protection is provided. This requirement appears in 1926.758(h).

• Do not use purlins as a general temporary platform for other work until bridging and fall protection are in place.

Construction loads may be placed only within a zone that is within 8 feet (2.5 m) of the center-line of the primary support member. See 1926.758(i).

• If you need to place loads outside that 8-foot zone, you must redesign or add support so loads are safely supported.

You must meet the greater requirement: install and tighten either 50 percent of the bolts or the number specified by the manufacturer—whichever is greater—on both sides adjacent to each flange before releasing hoisting equipment. That is the exact rule in 1926.758(c).

• In practice, follow the manufacturer’s bolting schedule when it calls for more than 50 percent.

No — you must not allow employees on joists until both ends are fully bolted and/or welded to the support structure. This prohibition is explicit in 1926.758(f)(2).

• If work requires temporary access before joists are fully secured, use other approved temporary platforms or fall protection methods engineered for that condition.

The standard requires that at least one bolt with its wrench-tight nut remain connected to the first member; it does not specify a numeric torque value. See 1926.758(e).

• In practice, "wrench-tight" means tightened with a wrench to the snug or specified installation condition; follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions or project erection procedures for any specific torque or tensioning requirements.
• If the manufacturer provides torque/tension specs, use those because they are specific to the connection and necessary to ensure safe erection.

The written approval should state that a qualified person has evaluated the member and confirmed it can serve as an anchorage for fall arrest loads. While 1926.758(g) requires the written approval, it does not list exact contents, so include at minimum:

• identification of the qualified person and their qualifications;

• description of the purlin/girt and connection details evaluated;

• calculations or test results showing load capacity for fall-arrest forces; and

• any installation/inspection conditions required to maintain that capacity.

• For selection and use of required personal protective equipment when work on purlins is needed, see OSHA’s PPE hazard-assessment guidance at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2024-03-28.

Permanent bridging is the structural bracing or diaphragms that prevent purlins and related members from twisting, buckling, or moving under load; purlins may be used as a walking surface only after that bridging is in place and fall protection is provided. The requirement is in 1926.758(h).

• The rule’s intent is to ensure the purlins form a stable, load-bearing plane before workers walk on them; if permanent bridging isn’t installed, temporary access must be provided by engineered platforms or scaffolds that meet applicable standards (see general 1926).

Plan erections so construction loads and stored materials are placed within 8 feet of the centerline of the primary support member; otherwise provide additional support or distribute loads to prevent overstressing. This placement limit comes from 1926.758(i).

• Maintain written load plans showing where loads will be placed and the load capacity of the supporting members.
• If you must place loads outside the 8-foot zone, consult the engineer of record to provide adequate temporary supports.

No — you must not release hoisting cables until both ends of the joists are fully bolted and/or welded to the support structure. That specific prohibition is in 1926.758(f)(1).

A manufacturer-supplied, field-attached seat can secure the first member so that the girt or eave strut is always secured against displacement and therefore substitute for leaving a bolt in place in a shared-hole connection per 1926.758(e). However, using a purlin or girt as a fall-arrest anchorage still requires written approval from a qualified person per 1926.758(g).

• In short: the seat can address displacement at the shared-hole connection, but separate documented approval is still required before using that member as a fall-arrest anchorage.

The standard requires approval by a "qualified person" but does not define that term within 1926.758 itself; in OSHA practice a qualified person is someone with the education, training, and experience to identify hazards and evaluate the capacity of structures and who has authority to take corrective action. See 1926.758(g) and general OSHA definitions and guidance at 29 CFR 1926.

• When in doubt, require written documentation of the approver’s credentials (engineer or other technically qualified person) and the basis for the approval.

Stop use of the purlins as a walking/working surface immediately and protect workers until the condition is corrected by installing permanent bridging and required fall protection or by providing an approved alternative walking surface. This corrective action follows the rule in 1926.758(h).

• Evaluate whether any loads or connections were compromised and have a qualified person inspect and document the structure before resuming work.

Yes — but only with written approval from a qualified person that demonstrates the member can safely take the fall-arrest loads; otherwise they are not acceptable. This is required by 1926.758(g).

• The approval should document load capacity and any restrictions; employers must still provide and ensure use of appropriate personal protective equipment as required by OSHA (see PPE guidance at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2024-03-28).

No — systems-engineered metal building erection still requires supervision by qualified/competent persons as necessary to meet these erection requirements; the rules in 1926.758 do not remove that obligation. For example, anchorage approvals and bolting/welding sequences must be overseen by people with the proper expertise.

• For fall-protection and scaffold-like situations, consult OSHA’s guidance on suspended scaffolds and fall protection at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2023-12-05 for examples of how competent/qualified supervision applies.