Demolition
Standards
Demolition work involves many of the hazards associated with construction; therefore, all of 29 CFR Part 1926 – Construction Standards apply at a demolition site. However, demolition involves additional hazards due to unknown hazards, which makes demolition work particularly dangerous. For this reason, OSHA created the Subpart T – Demolition standards specifically for these operations.
Which demolition standard is the Most Frequently Cited?
1926.850(a) – Preparatory operations. This standard accounts for up to three-fourths of the citations on a demolition worksite. 1926.850(a)(1), which requires an "engineering survey" to be completed prior to starting demolition, accounts for more than half these preparatory operations citations.
OSHA Standards
Primary Demolition Standards (29 CFR 1926) |
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1926.850, Preparatory operations. |
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1926.851, Stairs, passageways, and ladders. |
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1926.852, Chutes. |
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1926.853, Removal of materials through floor openings. |
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1926.854, Removal of walls, masonry sections, and chimneys. |
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1926.855, Manual removal of floors. |
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1926.856, Removal of walls, floors, and material with equipment. |
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1926.857, Storage. |
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1926.858, Removal of steel construction. |
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1926.859, Mechanical demolition. |
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1926.860, Selective demolition by explosives. |
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Related Construction Standards (29 CFR 1926) |
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1926 Subpart D - Occupational Health and Environmental Controls | ||
1926.62, Lead. |
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1926 Subpart E - Personal Protective and Life Saving Equipment | ||
1926.100, Head protection. |
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1926.101, Hearing protection. |
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1926.102, Eye and face protection. |
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1926.103, Respiratory protection. |
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1926 Subpart J - Welding and Cutting | ||
1926.350, Gas welding and cutting. |
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1926 Subpart K - Electrical | ||
1926.405, Wiring methods, components, and equipment for general use. |
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1926.416, General requirements. |
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1926.417, Lockout and tagging of circuits. |
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1926 Subpart L - Scaffolds | ||
1926.451, General requirements. |
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1926.501, Duty to have fall protection. |
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1926.502, Fall protection systems criteria and practices. |
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1926.503, Training requirements. |
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1926 Subpart P - Excavations | ||
1926.650, Scope, application, and definitions applicable to this subpart. |
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1926.651, Specific Excavation Requirements. |
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1926.652, Requirements for protective systems. |
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1926 Subpart Z - Toxic and Hazardous Substances | ||
1926.1101, Asbestos. |
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1926 Subpart CC - Cranes and Derricks in Construction | ||
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State Plan Standards
There are 29 OSHA-approved State Plans operating state-wide occupational safety and health programs. State Plans are required to have standards and enforcement programs that are at least as effective as OSHA's and may have different or more stringent requirements.
Additional Letters of Interpretation
Note: The letters in this list provide additional information that is not necessarily connected to a specific OSHA standard highlighted on this Safety and Health Topics page.
- Requirement for an employer to conduct an exposure assessment for tasks involving lead-containing paint (September 10, 2008).
- OSHA standards addressing reverse signal alarms on excavators (May 10, 1995).
- Demolition regulations do apply to the removal of ceilings and interior non-load bearing walls and partitions (January 27, 1994).
- Clarification of 29 CFR 1926.855(b) and (f) (July 05, 1979).
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
- ANSI/ASSE A10.6, Safety and Health Program Requirements for Demolition Operations.
Note: ANSI Standards and other national consensus standards ARE NOT OSHA REGULATIONS. However, they do provide guidance related to worker protection from their originating organizations. They also can provide support for citations of OSHA Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act (General Duty Clause).
- National Demolition Association - 2013 Demolition Safety Manual.