References to Subpart Q

No — Appendix A to Subpart Q is non-mandatory guidance and does not add new legal requirements. Appendix A explicitly states it is non-mandatory and lists references that can help you understand and comply with the mandatory rules in Subpart Q. See Appendix A to Subpart Q of Part 1926 for the official designation and note that the appendix itself provides recommended references rather than regulatory obligations.

OSHA points you to American Concrete Institute guidance such as ACI 318 and ACI 347 for concrete design and formwork practice. These include "Building Code Requirements for Reinforced Concrete (ACI 318-83)" and "Recommended Practice for Concrete Formwork (ACI 347-78)" as helpful references for understanding the safe design and construction of formwork used in concrete and masonry work. For the official appendix listing these references, see Appendix A to Subpart Q of Part 1926.

Appendix A recommends ASTM C31 and ASTM C39 as common field test methods for concrete compressive strength. ASTM C31 covers making and curing concrete test specimens in the field, and ASTM C39 is the standard test method for compressive strength of cylindrical concrete specimens — both are listed as helpful references to support compliance with Subpart Q requirements related to concrete strength testing. See the listing in Appendix A to Subpart Q of Part 1926 for these specific ASTM entries.

Yes — employers may use ANSI or other listed industry standards as non-mandatory guidance to help meet Subpart Q obligations, but reliance on them does not relieve employers of meeting the mandatory OSHA requirements. Appendix A lists "Safety Requirements for Concrete and Masonry Work (ANSI A10.9-1983)" among other references as helpful resources; however, the legal duties remain those contained in the mandatory text of Subpart Q. For the appendix references, see Appendix A to Subpart Q of Part 1926.

Appendix A lists ASTM standards such as ASTM C192 for making and curing concrete test specimens in the laboratory. That document and related ASTM test methods in the appendix provide practical procedures for specimen preparation and curing that can inform quality-control and testing programs for concrete. See the appendix listing at Appendix A to Subpart Q of Part 1926.

Appendix A recommends ASTM E329-77, "Recommended Practice for Inspection and Testing Agencies for Concrete, Steel and Bituminous Materials as Used in Construction," as a helpful reference for setting up or evaluating an inspection and testing agency's procedures. This document can help employers and project owners develop consistent quality-assurance practices that support compliance with Subpart Q requirements. See the appendix list at Appendix A to Subpart Q of Part 1926.

Appendix A includes ASTM C42-87, "Methods of Obtaining and Testing Drilled Cores and Sawed Beams of Concrete," and ASTM C803-82, a test for penetration resistance of hardened concrete, as recommended references for evaluating in-place concrete. These standards describe how to obtain and test cores and other specimens to assess hardened concrete strength and condition. See the appendix entry at Appendix A to Subpart Q of Part 1926.

Use the listed references as practical guidance to develop safe procedures, design checks, inspection programs, and testing protocols, but always ensure mandatory Subpart Q rules are met first. Appendix A is meant to provide helpful background (for example, formwork practices in ACI publications or test methods in ASTM standards) that you can adopt or adapt to improve safety and compliance. For the formal listing of these non-mandatory references, see Appendix A to Subpart Q of Part 1926.

Yes — Appendix A lists ASTM C918-80, "Standard Method for Developing Early Age Compressive Test Values and Projecting Later Age Strengths," as a helpful reference for projecting later-age strengths from early test data. This kind of guidance can assist engineers and inspectors in making informed decisions about when forms and shoring can be safely removed, while still complying with the mandatory provisions of Subpart Q. See the appendix list in Appendix A to Subpart Q of Part 1926.

Appendix A specifically lists "Safety Requirements for Concrete and Masonry Work (ANSI A10.9-1983)" as a non-mandatory resource focused on safety practices for concrete and masonry operations. Employers can consult that ANSI document for practical safety details, but must still follow the mandatory provisions in Subpart Q. See the appendix entry at Appendix A to Subpart Q of Part 1926.

No — the ACI publications listed in Appendix A are recommended practice documents and are not a substitute for project-specific engineering judgment or required design calculations. They provide industry-accepted methods and checklists (for example, ACI 347 on formwork) that can inform design and inspections, but site-specific designs and competent-person assessments required by Subpart Q must still be performed. See the appendix listing at Appendix A to Subpart Q of Part 1926 for the referenced ACI documents.

Appendix A lists ASTM C513-86 and ASTM C495-86 as references for obtaining, preparing, and testing specimens from hardened lightweight insulating concrete and for compressive strength of such materials. These test methods offer tailored procedures for lighter-weight concrete types commonly used in construction. See the appendix reference list in Appendix A to Subpart Q of Part 1926.

Appendix A identifies the Government Publishing Office source as the electronic Code of Federal Regulations by listing e-CFR as the GPO source for the appendix. This clarifies that the appendix content is derived from established regulatory materials and that the e-CFR is a useful place to view the text. For the OSHA presentation of Appendix A, see Appendix A to Subpart Q of Part 1926.

The ASTM methods listed in Appendix A provide standardized procedures that can be used by both competent in-house testing personnel and accredited third-party laboratories, but the choice should reflect the capabilities and certifications required by the project and any contract specifications. Appendix A recommends ASTM documents such as C31 and C39 to ensure consistent sampling and testing; selection of who performs the testing should follow project quality plans and any applicable Subpart Q requirements. See the listed references at Appendix A to Subpart Q of Part 1926.

A safety manager can use the appendix list to cross-check whether site practices align with industry-recognized guidance—such as ACI formwork practices or ASTM test methods—while verifying compliance with the mandatory Subpart Q rules. Appendix A is a resource for best practices and test protocols that can inform audits, training, and corrective actions. For the official list of these helpful references, see Appendix A to Subpart Q of Part 1926.