1926.56(a): Minimum Lighting Levels by Work Area
Employers must light construction areas, ramps, runways, corridors, offices, shops and storage areas to at least the levels in Table D-3 while work is in progress. The table sets 3, 5, 10 or 30 foot-candles depending on the area, and requires at least 10 foot-candles at tunnel and shaft headings during drilling, mucking and scaling.
Key takeaways
- 1926.56(a) 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.
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.56(a) ("General") is one requirement inside 1926.56 Illumination, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart D). 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
(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: 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. |
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.56.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.56(a).
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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A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.56(a), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Tunnel illumination requirements. (2000-03-13)
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Frequently asked questions
How much light is needed in tunnels and shafts?
5 foot-candles for general underground work areas, and at least 10 foot-candles at the tunnel and shaft heading during drilling, mucking and scaling.
Are cap lights allowed in the tunnel heading?
Yes. Bureau of Mines approved cap lights are acceptable for use in the tunnel heading.
How much light do offices and first aid stations need?
Table D-3 lists 30 foot-candles for first aid stations, infirmaries and offices.
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.