1910.265(c): Sawmill Buildings, Floors and Walkways
Employers in sawmills must design, build and maintain buildings, docks, walkways and other structures to carry their loads with a safety factor. Work areas under mills must be even, clear and lit, floors must be strong, nonslip and in good repair, areas under floor openings fenced or marked, and walkways wide enough for safe passage.
Key takeaways
- 1910.265(c) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart R).
- OSHA cited it 103 times in the last 3 years, in 66 inspections, with $810,227 in current penalties.
- 4 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: WI (33), OR (10), GA (10).
- Related part: 1910.265(c)(18) Conveyors (34 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.265(c) ("Building facilities, and isolated equipment") is one requirement inside 1910.265 Sawmills, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart R). It includes 111 sub-paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(c) Building facilities, and isolated equipment — 103 citations
(1) Safety factor. All buildings, docks, tramways, walkways, log dumps, and other structures shall be designed, constructed and maintained so as to support the imposed load in accordance with a safety factor.
(2) Work areas. Work areas under mills shall be as evenly surfaced as local conditions permit. They shall be free from unnecessary obstructions and provided with lighting facilities in accordance with American National Standard for Industrial Lighting A11.1—1965, which is incorporated by reference as specified in § 1910.6. Open (c)(2) 1 citations
(3) Floors. Flooring in buildings and on ramps and walkways shall be constructed and installed in accordance with established principles of mechanics and sound engineering practices. They shall be of adequate strength to support the estimated or actual dead and live loads acting on them with the resultant stress not exceeding the allowable stress for the material being used. 3 citations
(i) [Reserved]
(ii) Areas beneath floor openings. Areas under floor openings shall, where practical, be fenced off. When this is not practical, they shall be plainly marked and telltales shall be installed to hang over these areas. 1 citations
(iii) Floor maintenance. The flooring of buildings, docks, and passageways shall be kept in good repair. When a hazardous condition develops that cannot be immediately repaired, the area shall be guarded until adequate repairs are made. 2 citations
(iv) Nonslip floors. Floors, footwalks, and passageways in the work area around machines or other places where a person is required to stand or walk shall be provided with effective means to minimize slipping.
(4) Walkways, docks, and platforms — Open (c)(4) 30 citations
(i) Width. Walkways, docks, and platforms shall be of sufficient width to provide adequate passage and working areas.
(ii) Maintenance. Walkways shall be evenly floored and kept in good repair. 3 citations
(iii) Docks. Docks and runways used for the operation of lift trucks and other vehicles shall have a substantial guard or shear timber except where loading and unloading are being performed.
(iv) Elevated walks. All elevated walks, runways, or platforms, if 4 feet or more from the floor level, shall be provided with a standard railing except on loading or unloading sides of platforms. If height exceeds 6 feet, a standard toe board also shall be provided to prevent material from rolling or falling off. Open (c)(4)(iv) 21 citations
(v) Elevated platforms. Where elevated platforms are used routinely on a daily basis, they shall be equipped with stairways or fixed ladders that comply with subpart D of this part. 4 citations
(vi) Hazardous locations. Where required, walkways and stairways with standard handrails shall be provided in elevated and hazardous locations. Where such passageways are over walkways or work areas, standard toe boards shall be provided. Open (c)(4)(vi) 2 citations
(5) Stairways — Open (c)(5) 13 citations
(i) Construction. Stairways shall be constructed in accordance with subpart D of this part. 5 citations
(ii) Handrails. Stairways shall be provided with a standard handrail on at least one side or on any open side. Where stairs are more than four feet wide there shall be a standard handrail at each side, and where more than eight feet wide, a third standard handrail shall be erected in the center of the stairway. Open (c)(5)(ii) 7 citations
(iii) Lighting. All stairways shall be adequately lighted as prescribed in paragraph (c)(9) of this section.
(6) Emergency exits including doors and fire escapes — 2 citations
(i) Opening. Doors shall not open directly on or block a flight of stairs, and shall swing in the direction of exit travel.
(ii) Identification. Exits shall be located and identified in a manner that affords ready exit from all work areas. 1 citations
(iii) Swinging doors. All swinging doors shall be provided with windows; with one window for each section of double swinging doors. Such windows shall be of shatterproof or safety glass unless otherwise protected against breakage. 1 citations
(iv) Sliding doors. Where sliding doors are used as exits, an inner door shall be cut inside each of the main doors and arranged to open outward.
(v) Barriers and warning signs. Where a doorway opens upon a railroad track or upon a tramway or dock over which vehicles travel, a barrier or other warning device shall be placed to prevent workmen from stepping into moving traffic.
(7) Air requirements. Ventilation shall be provided to supply adequate fresh healthful air to rooms, buildings, and work areas.
(8) Vats and tanks. All open vats and tanks into which workmen could fall shall be guarded.
(9) Lighting —
(i) Adequacy. Illumination shall be provided and designed to supply adequate general and local lighting to rooms, buildings, and work areas during the time of use.
(ii) Effectiveness. Factors upon which the adequacy and effectiveness of illumination will be judged, include the following:
(a) The quantity of light in foot-candle intensity shall be sufficient for the work being done.
(b) The quality of the light shall be such that it is free from glare, and has correct direction, diffusion, and distribution.
(c) Shadows and extreme contrasts shall be avoided or kept to a minimum.
(10) [Reserved]
(11) Hazard marking. Physical hazard marking shall be as specified in § 1910.144 of this part.
(12) [Reserved]
(13) Hydraulic systems. Means shall be provided to block, chain, or otherwise secure equipment normally supported by hydraulic pressure so as to provide for safe maintenance.
(14) [Reserved]
(15) Gas piping and appliances. All gas piping and appliances shall be installed in accordance with the American National Standard Requirements for the Installation of Gas Appliances and Gas Piping Z21.30—1964, which is incorporated by reference as specified in § 1910.6.
(16)-(17) [Reserved]
(18) Conveyors — Open (c)(18) 34 citations
(i) Standards. Construction, operation, and maintenance of conveyors shall be in accordance with American National Standard B20.1—1957, which is incorporated by reference as specified in § 1910.6. Open (c)(18)(i) 34 citations
(ii) Guarding. Spiked live rolls shall be guarded.
(19) Stationary tramways and trestles —
(i) Foundations and walkways. Tramways and trestles shall have substantial mud sills or foundations which shall be frequently inspected and kept in repair. When vehicles are operated on tramways and trestles which are used for foot passage, traffic shall be controlled or a walkway with standard handrails at the outer edge and shear timber on the inner edge shall be provided. This walkway shall be wide enough to allow adequate clearance to vehicles. When walkways cross over other thoroughfares, they shall be solidly fenced at the outer edge to a height of 42 inches over such thoroughfares.
(ii) Clearance. Stationary tramways and trestles shall have a vertical clearance of 22 feet over railroad rails. When constructed over carrier docks or roads, they shall have a clearance of 6 feet above the driver's foot rest on the carrier, and in no event shall this clearance be less than 12 feet from the roadway. In existing operations where it is impractical to obtain such clearance, telltales, electric signals, signs or other precautionary measures shall be installed.
(20) Blower, collecting, and exhaust systems — 8 citations
(i) Design, construction, and maintenance. Blower collecting, and exhaust systems should be designed, constructed, and maintained in accordance with American National Standards Z33.1—1961 (For the Installation of Blower and Exhaust Systems for Dust, Stock, and Vapor Removal or Conveying) and Z12.2—1962 (R1969) (Code for the Prevention of Dust Explosion in Woodworking and Wood Flour Manufacturing Plants), which are incorporated by reference as specified in § 1910.6. 2 citations
(ii) Collecting systems. All mills containing one or more machines that create dust, shavings, chips, or slivers during a period of time equal to or greater than one-fourth of the working day, shall be equipped with a collecting system. It may be either continuous or automatic, and shall be of sufficient strength and capacity to enable it to remove such refuse from points of operation and immediate vicinities of machines and work areas. 4 citations
(iii) Exhaust or conveyor systems. Each woodworking machine that creates dust, shavings, chips, or slivers shall be equipped with an exhaust or conveyor system located and adjusted to remove the maximum amount of refuse from the point of operation and immediate vicinity.
(iv) [Reserved]
(v) Dust chambers. Exhaust pipes shall not discharge into an unconfined outside pile if uncontrolled fire or explosion hazards are created. They may empty into settling or dust chambers, designed to prevent the dust or refuse from entering any work area. Such chambers shall be constructed and operated to minimize the danger of fire or dust explosion. 1 citations
(vi) Hand removal of refuse. Provision for the daily removal of refuse shall be made in all operations not required to have an exhaust system or having refuse too heavy, bulky, or otherwise unsuitable to be handled by the exhaust system. 1 citations
(21) Chippers —
(i) Whole-log chippers. The feed system to the chipper shall be arranged so the operator does not stand in direct line with the chipper spout (hopper). The chipper spout shall be enclosed to a height of not less than 36 inches from the floor or the operator's platform. A safety belt and lifeline shall be worn by workmen when working at or near the spout unless the spout is guarded. The lifeline shall be short enough to prevent workers from falling into the chipper.
(ii) Hogs.
(a) Hog mills shall be so designed and arranged that from no position on the rim of the chute shall the distance to the cutter knives be less than 40 inches.
(b) Hog feed chutes shall be provided with suitable and approved baffles, which shall minimize material from being thrown from the mill.
(c) Employees feeding hog mills shall be provided with safety belts and lines unless guarded.
(22) [Reserved]
(23) Bins, bunkers, hoppers, and fuel houses —
(i) Guarding. Open bins, bunkers, and hoppers whose upper edges extend less than 3 feet above working level shall be equipped with standard handrails and toe boards, or have their tops covered by a substantial grill or grating with openings small enough to prevent a man from falling through.
(ii) Use of wheeled equipment to load bins. Where automotive or other wheeled equipment is used to move materials into bins, bunkers, and hoppers, adequate guard rails shall be installed along each side of the runway, and a substantial bumper stop provided when necessary.
(iii) Exits, lighting, and safety devices. Fuel houses and bins shall have adequate exits and lighting, and all necessary safety devices shall be provided and shall be used by persons entering these structures.
(iv) Walkways. Where needed, fuel houses and bins shall have a standard railed platform or walkway near the top.
(24) Ropes, cables, slings, and chains —
(i) Safe usage. Ropes, cables, slings, and chains shall be used in accordance with safe use practices recommended by the manufacturer or within safe limits recommended by the equipment manufacturer when used in conjunction with it.
(ii) Hooks. No open hook shall be used in rigging to lift any load where there is hazard from relieving the tension on the hook from the load or hook catching or fouling.
(iii) Work by qualified persons. Installation, inspection, maintenance, repair, and testing of ropes, cables, slings, and chains shall be done only by persons qualified to do such work.
(iv) Slings. Proper storage shall be provided for slings while not in use.
(v) Ropes or cables.
(a) Wire rope or cable shall be inspected when installed and once each week thereafter, when in use. It shall be removed from hoisting or load-carrying service when kinked or when one of the following conditions exists:
(1) When three broken wires are found in one lay of 6 by 6 wire rope.
(2) When six broken wires are found in one lay of 6 by 19 wire rope.
(3) When nine broken wires are found in one lay of 6 by 37 wire rope.
(4) When eight broken wires are found in one lay of 8 by 19 wire rope.
(5) When marked corrosion appears.
(6) Wire rope of a type not described herein shall be removed from service when 4 percent of the total number of wires composing such rope are found to be broken in one lay.
(b) Wire rope removed from service due to defects shall be plainly marked or identified as being unfit for further use on cranes, hoists, and other load-carrying devices.
(c) The ratio between the rope diameter and the drum, block, sheave, or pulley tread diameter shall be such that the rope will adjust itself to the bend without excessive wear, deformation, or injury. In no case shall the safe value of drums, blocks, sheaves, or pulleys be reduced when replacing such items unless compensating changes are made for rope used and for safe loading limits.
(vi) Drums, sheaves, and pulleys. Drums, sheaves, and pulleys shall be smooth and free from surface defects liable to injure rope. Drums, sheaves, or pulleys having eccentric bores or cracked hubs, spokes, or flanges shall be removed from service.
(vii) Connections. Connections, fittings, fastenings, and other parts used in connection with ropes and cables shall be of good quality and of proper size and strength, and shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
(viii) Socketing, splicing, and seizing.
(a) Socketing, splicing, and seizing of cables shall be performed only by qualified persons.
(b) All eye splices shall be made in an approved manner and wire rope thimbles of proper size shall be fitted in the eye, except that in slings the use of thimbles shall be optional.
(c) Wire rope clips attached with U-bolts shall have these bolts on the dead or short end of the rope. The U-bolt nuts shall be retightened immediately after initial load carrying use and at frequent intervals thereafter.
(d) When a wedge socket-type fastening is used, the dead or short end of the cable shall be clipped with a U-bolt or otherwise made secure against loosening.
(e) Fittings. Hooks, shackles, rings, pad eyes, and other fittings that show excessive wear or that have been bent, twisted, or otherwise damaged shall be removed from service.
(f) Running lines. Running lines of hoisting equipment located within 6 feet 6 inches of the ground or working level shall be boxed off or otherwise guarded, or the operating area shall be restricted.
(g) Number of wraps on drum. There shall be not less than two full wraps of hoisting cable on the drum of cranes and hoists at all times of operation.
(h) Drum flanges. Drums shall have a flange at each end to prevent the cable from slipping off.
(i) Sheave guards. Bottom sheaves shall be protected by close fitting guards to prevent cable from jumping the sheave.
(j) Preventing abrasion. The reeving of a rope shall be so arranged as to minimize chafing or abrading while in use.
(ix) Chains.
(a) Chains used in load carrying service shall be inspected before initial use and weekly thereafter.
(b) Chain shall be normalized or annealed periodically as recommended by the manufacturer.
(c) If at any time any 3-foot length of chain is found to have stretched one-third the length of a link it shall be discarded.
(d) Bolts or nails shall not be placed between two links to shorten or join chains.
(e) Broken chains shall not be spliced by inserting a bolt between two links with the head of the bolt and nut sustaining the load, or by passing one link through another and inserting a bolt or nail to hold it.
(x) Fiber rope.
(a) Frozen fiber rope shall not be used in load carrying service.
(b) Fiber rope that has been subjected to acid or excessive heat shall not be used for load carrying purposes.
(c) Fiber rope shall be protected from abrasion by padding where it is fastened or drawn over square corners or sharp or rough surfaces.
(25) [Reserved]
(26) Mechanical stackers and unstackers. Open (c)(26) 8 citations
(i) [Reserved]
(ii) Lumber lifting devices. Lumber lifting devices on all stackers shall be designed and arranged so as to minimize the possibility of lumber falling from such devices.
(iii) Blocking hoisting platform. Means shall be provided to positively block the hoisting platform when employees must go beneath the stacker or unstacker hoist.
(iv) Identifying controls. Every manually operated control switch shall be properly identified and so located as to be readily accessible to the operator. 2 citations
(v) Locking main control switches. Main control switches shall be so designed that they can be locked in the open position.
(vi) Guarding side openings. The hoistway side openings at the top level of the stacker and unstacker shall be protected by enclosures of standard railings. 1 citations
(vii) Guarding hoistway openings. When the hoist platform or top of the load is below the working platform, the hoistway openings shall be guarded.
(viii) Guarding lower landing area. The lower landing area of stackers and unstackers shall be guarded by enclosures that prevent entrance to the area or pit below the hoist platform. Entrances should be protected by electrically interlocked gates which, when open, will disconnect the power and set the hoist brakes. When the interlock is not installed, other positive means of protecting the entrance shall be provided. 5 citations
(ix) Inspection. Every stacker and unstacker shall be inspected at frequent intervals and all defective parts shall be immediately repaired or replaced.
(x) Cleaning pits. Safe means of entrance and exit shall be provided to permit cleaning of pits.
(xi) Preventing entry to hazardous area. Where the return of trucks from unstacker to stacker is by mechanical power or gravity, adequate signs, warning devices, or barriers shall be erected to prevent entry into the hazardous area.
(27) Lumber piling and storage — 2 citations
(i) Pile foundations. In stacking units of lumber, pile foundations shall be designed and arranged to support maximum loads without sinking, sagging, or permitting the piles to topple. In unit package piles, substantial bolsters or unit separators shall be placed between each package directly over the stickers. 1 citations
(ii) Stacking dissimilar unit packages. Long units of lumber shall not be stacked upon shorter packages except where a stable pile can be made with the use of package separators.
(iii) Unstable piles. Piles of lumber which have become unstable shall be immediately made safe, or the area into which they might fall shall be fenced or barricaded and employees prohibited from entering it. 1 citations
(iv) Stickers. Unit packages of lumber shall be provided with stickers as necessary to insure stability under ordinary operating conditions.
(v) Sticker alignment. Stickers shall extend the full width of the package, shall be uniformly spaced, and shall be aligned one above the other. Stickers may be lapped with a minimum overlapping of 12 inches. Stickers shall not protrude more than 2 inches beyond the sides of the package.
(vi) Pile height. The height of unit package piles shall be dependent on the dimensions of the packages and shall be such as to provide stability under normal operating conditions. Adjacent lumber piles may be tied together with separators to increase stability.
(28) Lumber loading. Loads shall be built and secured to insure stability in transit.
(29) Burners —
(i) Guying. If the burner stack is not self-supporting, it shall be guyed or otherwise supported.
(ii) Runway. The conveyor runway to the burner shall be equipped with a standard handrail. If the runway crosses a roadway or thoroughfare, standard toe boards shall be provided in addition.
(30) Vehicles — 1 citations
(i) Scope. Vehicles shall include all mobile equipment normally used in sawmill, planing mill, storage, shipping, and yard operations.
(ii) Warning signals and spark arrestors. All vehicles shall be equipped with audible warning signals and where practicable shall have spark arrestors. 1 citations
(iii) Lights. All vehicles operated in the dark or in poorly lighted areas shall be equipped with head and tail lights.
(iv) Overhead guard. All vehicles operated in areas where overhead hazards exist shall be equipped with an approved overhead guard. See American National Standard Safety Code for Powered Industrial Trucks, B56.1—1969, which is incorporated by reference as specified in § 1910.6.
(v) Platform guard. Where the operator is exposed to hazard from backing the vehicle into objects, an approved platform guard shall be provided and so arranged as to not impede exit of driver from vehicle.
(vi) [Reserved]
(vii) Operation in buildings. Vehicles powered by internal combustion engines shall not operate in buildings unless the buildings are adequately ventilated.
(viii) Load limits. No vehicle shall be operated with loads exceeding its safe load capacity.
(ix) Brakes. All vehicles shall be equipped with brakes capable of holding and controlling the vehicle and capacity load upon any incline or grade over which they may be operated.
(x) [Reserved]
(xi) Carriers.
(a) Carriers shall be so designed and constructed that the operator's field of vision shall not be unnecessarily restricted.
(b) Carriers shall be provided with an access ladder or equivalent.
(xii) Lumber hauling trucks.
(a) On trucks where movement of load on stopping would endanger the operator, a substantial bulkhead shall be installed behind the operator's seat. This shall extend to the top of the operator's compartment.
(b) Stakes, stake pockets, racks, tighteners, and binders shall provide adequate means to secure the load against any movement during transit.
(c) Where rollers are used, at least two shall be equipped with locks which shall be locked when supporting loads during transit.
(31) Traffic control and flow — 1 citations
(i) Hazardous crossings. Railroad tracks and other hazardous crossings shall be plainly posted. 1 citations
(ii) Restricted overhead clearance. All areas of restricted side or overhead clearance shall be plainly marked.
(iii) Pickup and unloading points. Pickup and unloading points and paths for lumber packages on conveyors and transfers and other areas where accurate spotting is required, shall be plainly marked and wheel stops provided where necessary.
(iv) Aisles, passageways, and roadways. Aisles, passageways, and roadways shall be sufficiently wide to provide safe side clearance. One-way aisles may be used for two-way traffic if suitable turnouts are provided.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.265.
Injuries linked to this rule
4 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.265(c).
At 12:00 p.m. on December 5, 2024, Employee #1 was overseeing the sorter bay to ensure proper sorting of wood cant pieces. A wood cant became jammed in Sorter Bay 6, and the employee reached into the machine to clear the obstruction. The sorter bay…
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 13 |
| 2024 | 42 |
| 2025 | 23 |
| 2026 | 25 |
Top states: WI (33), OR (10), GA (10), VA (8), NC (8)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| MDLG, INC. | PHENIX CITY, AL | $313,423 |
| FLORENCE HARDWOODS, LLC | FLORENCE, WI | $70,471 |
| THOMPSON HARDWOODS, INC. | HAZLEHURST, GA | $62,221 |
| 317740242 - SWANSON GROUP INC | ROSEBURG, OR | $43,401 |
| POLLARD LUMBER CO., INC. | APPLING, GA | $40,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.265(c), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.265(c)(18) Conveyors 34 citations
- 1910.265(c)(18)(i) Standards 34 citations
- 1910.265(c)(4) Walkways, docks, and platforms 30 citations
- 1910.265(c)(4)(iv) Elevated walks 21 citations
- 1910.265(c)(5) Stairways 13 citations
- 1910.265(c)(26) Mechanical stackers and unstackers 8 citations
- 1910.265(c)(5)(ii) Handrails 7 citations
- 1910.265(c)(4)(vi) Hazardous locations 2 citations
- 1910.265(c)(2) Work areas 1 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What must sawmill structures be able to do?
Support the imposed load in accordance with a safety factor.
What if a floor hazard cannot be fixed right away?
The area must be guarded until adequate repairs are made.
What about areas under floor openings?
They must be fenced off where practical, or plainly marked with telltales hung over the area.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.265 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-21
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.
