1926.605(a): Material handling operations
Key takeaways
- 1926.605(a) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart O).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.605(a) ("Material handling operations") is one requirement inside 1926.605 Marine operations and equipment, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart O). It includes 1 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
(a) Material handling operations.
(1) Operations fitting the definition of “material handling” shall be performed in conformance with applicable requirements of part 1918, “Safety and Health Regulations for Longshoring” of this chapter. The term “longshoring operations” means the loading, unloading, moving, or handling of construction materials, equipment and supplies, etc. into, in, on, or out of any vessel from a fixed structure or shore-to-vessel, vessel-to-shore or fixed structure or vessel-to-vessel.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.605.
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.605(a), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Clarification on the applicability of 1915.115(a) and 1918.13(a) in marine construction. (1982-06-14)
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About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.605 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly
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.
