1926.754(e): Metal Decking Safety in Steel Erection
Metal decking bundles must not be hoisted by their packaging unless designed for it, loose items on top must be secured, and bundles must be landed with enough support to unband safely. Decking must be secured at shift end or when conditions require. Roof and floor holes must be decked over or workers protected, and holes not cut until just before being filled or immediately covered.
Key takeaways
- 1926.754(e) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart R).
- OSHA cited it 20 times in the last 3 years, in 16 inspections, with $97,606 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (8), FL (2), NY (2).
- Related part: 1926.754(e)(2) Roof and floor holes and openings (7 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.754(e) ("Metal decking") is one requirement inside 1926.754 Structural steel assembly, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart R). It includes 22 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
(e) Metal decking — 20 citations
(1) Hoisting, landing and placing of metal decking bundles.
(i) Bundle packaging and strapping shall not be used for hoisting unless specifically designed for that purpose.
(ii) If loose items such as dunnage, flashing, or other materials are placed on the top of metal decking bundles to be hoisted, such items shall be secured to the bundles.
(iii) Bundles of metal decking on joists shall be landed in accordance with § 1926.757(e)(4).
(iv) Metal decking bundles shall be landed on framing members so that enough support is provided to allow the bundles to be unbanded without dislodging the bundles from the supports.
(v) At the end of the shift or when environmental or jobsite conditions require, metal decking shall be secured against displacement.
(2) Roof and floor holes and openings. Metal decking at roof and floor holes and openings shall be installed as follows: Open (e)(2) 7 citations
(i) Framed metal deck openings shall have structural members turned down to allow continuous deck installation except where not allowed by structural design constraints or constructibility.
(ii) Roof and floor holes and openings shall be decked over. Where large size, configuration or other structural design does not allow openings to be decked over (such as elevator shafts, stair wells, etc.) employees shall be protected in accordance with § 1926.760(a)(1). Open (e)(2)(ii) 3 citations
(iii) Metal decking holes and openings shall not be cut until immediately prior to being permanently filled with the equipment or structure needed or intended to fulfill its specific use and which meets the strength requirements of paragraph (e)(3) of this section, or shall be immediately covered. 3 citations
(3) Covering roof and floor openings. Open (e)(3) 6 citations
(i) Covers for roof and floor openings shall be capable of supporting, without failure, twice the weight of the employees, equipment and materials that may be imposed on the cover at any one time. Open (e)(3)(i) 1 citations
(ii) All covers shall be secured when installed to prevent accidental displacement by the wind, equipment or employees. 1 citations
(iii) All covers shall be painted with high-visibility paint or shall be marked with the word “HOLE” or “COVER” to provide warning of the hazard. Open (e)(3)(iii) 1 citations
(iv) Smoke dome or skylight fixtures that have been installed, are not considered covers for the purpose of this section unless they meet the strength requirements of paragraph (e)(3)(i) of this section. Open (e)(3)(iv) 3 citations
(4) Decking gaps around columns. Wire mesh, exterior plywood, or equivalent, shall be installed around columns where planks or metal decking do not fit tightly. The materials used must be of sufficient strength to provide fall protection for personnel and prevent objects from falling through.
(5) Installation of metal decking. 5 citations
(i) Except as provided in § 1926.760(c), metal decking shall be laid tightly and immediately secured upon placement to prevent accidental movement or displacement. 4 citations
(ii) During initial placement, metal decking panels shall be placed to ensure full support by structural members. 1 citations
(6) Derrick floors. 2 citations
(i) A derrick floor shall be fully decked and/or planked and the steel member connections completed to support the intended floor loading. 2 citations
(ii) Temporary loads placed on a derrick floor shall be distributed over the underlying support members so as to prevent local overloading of the deck material.
[66 FR 5265, Jan. 18, 2001, as amended at 71 FR 2885, Jan. 18, 2006; 71 FR 16674, Apr. 3, 2006; 75 FR 27429, May 17, 2010; 85 FR 8745, Feb. 18, 2020]
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.754.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.754(e).
At 9:00 a.m. on August 1, 2024, an employee was laying out his fall harness. Theemployee fell through an unmarked skylight onto concrete, suffering massive headand body trauma. The employee was killed.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 5 |
Top states: TX (8), FL (2), NY (2), NV (2), IA (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| PGR CUSTOM HOMES, INC. | FORT MYERS, FL | $15,625 |
| TIPPEN STEEL SERVICES, INC. | PROSPER, TX | $14,895 |
| NOAH INDUSTRIAL LLC | CORRIGAN, TX | $10,163 |
| SUNSET ERECTORS, INC. | HENDERSON, NV | $10,163 |
| THE SCHARINE GROUP, INC. | PALMYRA, WI | $9,255 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.754(e), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Whether certain skylights meet the cover criteria of 1926 Subpart M. (2007-12-20)
- Compliance of Purlin Glide to OSHA steel erection standards. (2003-01-15)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.754(e)(2) Roof and floor holes and openings 7 citations
- 1926.754(e)(3) Covering roof and floor openings 6 citations
- 1926.754(e)(2)(ii) 3 citations
- 1926.754(e)(3)(iv) 3 citations
- 1926.754(e)(3)(i) 1 citations
- 1926.754(e)(3)(iii) 1 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
Can you lift a decking bundle by its strapping?
No, unless the packaging and strapping are specifically designed for hoisting.
When must metal decking be secured against displacement?
At the end of the shift or when environmental or jobsite conditions require.
When can holes be cut in metal decking?
Only immediately before they are permanently filled with the intended equipment or structure, or they must be immediately covered.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.754 (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.