1926.856: Using Equipment to Remove Walls and Floors
During demolition, mechanical equipment must not be used on floors or working surfaces unless they are strong enough to hold the load. Floor openings need curbs or stop-logs to keep equipment from running over the edge. Cranes, derricks and other mechanical equipment must meet subparts N, O and CC.
Key takeaways
- 1926.856 is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart T).
- OSHA cited it 7 times in the last 3 years, in 6 inspections, with $41,183 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most-cited part: 1926.856(a) (4 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.856, "Removal of walls, floors, and material with equipment", is an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart T). It has 3 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 1926.856 (3 paragraphs)
(a) Mechanical equipment shall not be used on floors or working surfaces unless such floors or surfaces are of sufficient strength to support the imposed load. Open (a) 4 citations
(b) Floor openings shall have curbs or stop-logs to prevent equipment from running over the edge. 3 citations
(c) Cranes, derricks, and other mechanical equipment. Employers must meet the requirements specified in subparts N, O, and CC of this part.
[44 FR 8577, Feb. 9, 1979 , 75 FR 48135, Aug. 9, 2010; 77 FR 49730, Aug. 17, 2012; 78 FR 23843, Apr. 23, 2013]
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.856.
At 3:00 p.m. on October 16, 2024, eight employees were performing demolition work on a concrete beam bridge over the Strong River. Workers were removing concrete decking in cut sections using a backhoe with a jackhammer and a Caterpillar steel track excavator. Seven employees were…
Where and how often it was cited
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.856, plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.856.
Most-cited parts of this rule
- 1926.856(a) 4 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Can heavy equipment work on any floor during demolition?
Only if the floor or surface is of sufficient strength to support the imposed load.
How do you keep equipment from going over a floor opening?
Floor openings must have curbs or stop-logs.
What rules apply to cranes and derricks in demolition?
Subparts N, O and CC of part 1926.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.856 (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.