1926.56: Lighting on Construction Sites
Employers must light construction areas, ramps, runways, corridors, offices, shops and storage areas to at least the minimum foot-candle levels in Table D-3 while work is going on. Levels range from 3 foot-candles for areas like excavation and waste areas up to 30 for first aid stations, infirmaries and offices. Areas not listed follow ANSI A11.1-1965, R1970.
Key takeaways
- 1926.56 is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart D).
- OSHA cited it 8 times in the last 3 years, in 8 inspections, with $69,104 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most-cited part: 1926.56(a) General (8 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.56, "Illumination", is an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart D). It has 2 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 1926.56 (2 paragraphs)
(a) General. Construction areas, ramps, runways, corridors, offices, shops, and storage areas shall be lighted to not less than the minimum illumination intensities listed in Table D-3 while any work is in progress: Open (a) 8 citations
| Foot-candles | Area or operation |
|---|---|
| 5 | General construction area lighting. |
| 3 | General construction areas, concrete placement, excavation and waste areas, accessways, active storage areas, loading platforms, refueling, and field maintenance areas. |
| 5 | Indoors: warehouses, corridors, hallways, and exitways. |
| 5 | Tunnels, shafts, and general underground work areas: (Exception: minimum of 10 foot-candles is required at tunnel and shaft heading during drilling, mucking, and scaling. Bureau of Mines approved cap lights shall be acceptable for use in the tunnel heading.) |
| 10 | General construction plant and shops (e.g., batch plants, screening plants, mechanical and electrical equipment rooms, carpenter shops, rigging lofts and active storerooms, barracks or living quarters, locker or dressing rooms, mess halls, and indoor toilets and workrooms). |
| 30 | First aid stations, infirmaries, and offices. |
(b) Other areas. For areas or operations not covered above, refer to the American National Standard A11.1-1965, R1970, Practice for Industrial Lighting, for recommended values of illumination.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.56.
At 7:48 a.m. on January 10, 2024, an employee, a laborer, was engaged in material handling operations. The employee was installing a metal rod into concrete behind the excavator. The excavator reversed and struck the employee. The employee was killed.
Where and how often it was cited
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OSHA interpretation letters
- Tunnel illumination requirements. (2000-03-13)
- OSHA accepts employers' use of the ANSI/IES-RP-7-1991 incorporated by reference or adopted into OSHA standards. (1996-06-17)
- Requirements for minimum illumination at construction sites. (1991-05-08)
Most-cited parts of this rule
- 1926.56(a) General 8 citations
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Frequently asked questions
When does construction lighting have to meet the minimums?
Whenever any work is in progress in construction areas, ramps, runways, corridors, offices, shops and storage areas.
How much light is needed for general construction area lighting?
Table D-3 lists 5 foot-candles for general construction area lighting.
What if my work area is not listed in the table?
The rule points to American National Standard A11.1-1965, R1970, Practice for Industrial Lighting, for recommended values.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.56 (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.