1926.555: Conveyor Safety on Construction Sites
Construction conveyors must have stop controls at the operator's station, and at the motor if the station is remote, plus an audible warning before startup. Emergency stops must prevent restart until reset, screw conveyors must be guarded, guards must protect workers below overhead conveyors, crossovers and aisles must be marked, conveyors must be locked and tagged out during repairs, and all must meet ANSI B20.1-1957.
Key takeaways
- 1926.555 is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 9 times in the last 3 years, in 7 inspections, with $60,653 in current penalties.
- Most-cited part: 1926.555(a) General requirements (9 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.555, "Conveyors", is an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart N). It has 9 numbered 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
Show the full text of 1926.555 (9 paragraphs)
(a) General requirements. Open (a) 9 citations
(1) Means for stopping the motor or engine shall be provided at the operator's station. Conveyor systems shall be equipped with an audible warning signal to be sounded immediately before starting up the conveyor. 1 citations
(2) If the operator's station is at a remote point, similar provisions for stopping the motor or engine shall be provided at the motor or engine location. 1 citations
(3) Emergency stop switches shall be arranged so that the conveyor cannot be started again until the actuating stop switch has been reset to running or “on” position.
(4) Screw conveyors shall be guarded to prevent employee contact with turning flights.
(5) Where a conveyor passes over work areas, aisles, or thoroughfares, suitable guards shall be provided to protect employees required to work below the conveyors. 1 citations
(6) All crossovers, aisles, and passageways shall be conspicuously marked by suitable signs, as required by subpart G of this part.
(7) Conveyors shall be locked out or otherwise rendered inoperable, and tagged out with a “Do Not Operate” tag during repairs and when operation is hazardous to employees performing maintenance work. 5 citations
(8) All conveyors in use shall meet the applicable requirements for design, construction, inspection, testing, maintenance, and operation, as prescribed in the ANSI B20.1-1957, Safety Code for Conveyors, Cableways, and Related Equipment. Open (a)(8) 1 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15.
Where and how often it was cited
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.555, plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Construction standards for equipment such as Shuttle Buggy. (2001-05-23)
- Installation of handrails on mobile belt loader conveyors. (1977-03-01)
Most-cited parts of this rule
- 1926.555(a) General requirements 9 citations
- 1926.555(a)(8) 1 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Must a conveyor warn before it starts?
Yes. An audible warning signal must sound immediately before startup.
Can a conveyor restart after an emergency stop?
Not until the actuating stop switch has been reset to running or on position.
What is required during repairs?
Conveyors must be locked out or otherwise made inoperable and tagged with a Do Not Operate tag.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.555 (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 2026-10-20
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.