29 CFR 1910 · General Industry · Subpart R

1910.266(d)(1): Logging Personal Protective Equipment

By Black Belt Safety Editorial Team Official text as of October 15, 2026 Data updated October 22, 2026 5 min read

In plain words:

Logging employers must keep personal protective equipment, including PPE the employee provides, in serviceable condition and inspect it before first use each workshift, repairing or replacing damaged gear before work starts. Employers must also provide at no cost and ensure use of hand protection for wire rope handlers, cut-resistant leg protection for chain saw operators (with stated exceptions), and supportive foot protection.

Key takeaways

  • 1910.266(d)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart R).
  • OSHA cited it 40 times in the last 3 years, in 21 inspections, with $91,154 in current penalties.
  • 4 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
  • Most citations: WV (12), VA (8), NY (4).
  • Related part: 1910.266(d) General requirements (90 citations).
  • Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
40citations, 3 years
$91,154current penalties
21inspections
4linked deaths
In this article
  1. What this rule covers
  2. Official text
  3. Injuries linked to this rule
  4. Where and how often it was cited
  5. Free toolbox talk
  6. OSHA interpretation letters
  7. Related parts of this rule
  8. Get your crew competent
  9. Frequently asked questions
  10. About this page

What this rule covers

29 CFR 1910.266(d)(1) ("Personal protective equipment") is one requirement inside 1910.266 Logging operations, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart R). It includes 9 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

(1) Personal protective equipment. 40 citations

(i) The employer shall assure that personal protective equipment, including any personal protective equipment provided by an employee, is maintained in a serviceable condition.

(ii) The employer shall assure that personal protective equipment, including any personal protective equipment provided by an employee, is inspected before initial use during each workshift. Defects or damage shall be repaired or the unserviceable personal protective equipment shall be replaced before work is commenced.

(iii) The employer shall provide, at no cost to the employee, and assure that each employee handling wire rope wears, hand protection which provides adequate protection from puncture wounds, cuts and lacerations.

(iv) The employer shall provide, at no cost to the employee, and assure that each employee who operates a chain saw wears leg protection constructed with cut-resistant material, such as ballistic nylon. The leg protection shall cover the full length of the thigh to the top of the boot on each leg to protect against contact with a moving chain saw. Exception: This requirement does not apply when an employee is working as a climber if the employer demonstrates that a greater hazard is posed by wearing leg protection in the particular situation, or when an employee is working from a vehicular mounted elevating and rotating work platform meeting the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.67. Open (d)(1)(iv) 14 citations

(v) The employer shall assure that each employee wears foot protection, such as heavy-duty logging boots that are waterproof or water repellant, cover and provide support to the ankle. The employer shall assure that each employee who operates a chain saw wears foot protection that is constructed with cut-resistant material which will protect the employee against contact with a running chain saw. Sharp, calk-soled boots or other slip-resistant type boots may be worn where the employer demonstrates that they are necessary for the employee's job, the terrain, the timber type, and the weather conditions, provided that foot protection otherwise required by this paragraph is met. 4 citations

(vi) The employer shall provide, at no cost to the employee, and assure that each employee who works in an area where there is potential for head injury from falling or flying objects wears head protection meeting the requirements of subpart I of part 1910. Open (d)(1)(vi) 11 citations

(vii) The employer shall provide, at no cost to the employee, and assure that each employee wears the following: Open (d)(1)(vii) 11 citations

(A) Eye protection meeting the requirements of subpart I of part 1910 where there is potential for eye injury due to falling or flying objects; and Open (d)(1)(vii)(a) 2 citations

(B) Face protection meeting the requirements of subpart I of part 1910 where there is potential for facial injury such as, but not limited to, operating a chipper. Logger-type mesh screens may be worn by employees performing chain-saw operations and yarding. Open (d)(1)(vii)(b) 7 citations

The employee does not have to wear a separate eye protection device where face protection covering both the eyes and face is worn.

Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.266.

Injuries linked to this rule

4 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.266(d)(1).

Employee is killed when struck by tree limb after cutting tr
2024-06-14 · Fatal · HARRISVILLE, WV

At 8:00 a.m. on June 14, 2024, Employee #1, employed by a tree-cutting company, was cutting down a tree. After the tree was felled, a limb from an adjacent treebroke off and fell, striking the employee in the head. The employee sustained head trauma and…

See all 4 cases

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Where and how often it was cited

YearCitations
20232
202416
202511
202611

Top states: WV (12), VA (8), NY (4), KY (4), TN (3)

Largest penalties

EmployerLocationPenalty for this rule
BK LOGGING, LLCWILLIAMSON, WV$16,550
J & T LOGGING INCSLANESVILLE, WV$11,000
TIDEWATER AND BIG BEN FOUNDATIONNEW KENT, VA$10,763
TNT LOGGING, L.L.C.LEXINGTON, VA$8,265
HAWAII HARDWOOD SERVICES LLCPAHOA, HI$8,036

Free toolbox talk

A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.266(d)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.




OSHA interpretation letters

None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.266(d)(1).

Related parts of this rule

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

Who must inspect logging PPE and when?

The employer must assure PPE is inspected before initial use during each workshift.

What leg protection is required for chain saw operators?

Leg protection made of cut-resistant material, such as ballistic nylon, covering the full length of the thigh to the top of the boot on each leg, provided at no cost to the employee.

Are there exceptions to the chain saw leg protection rule?

Yes. It does not apply to a climber if the employer shows wearing it poses a greater hazard, or to work from a vehicular mounted elevating and rotating work platform meeting 1910.67.

About this page

Sources

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.

Written and reviewed by

Black Belt Safety Editorial Team

Site Safety Officer and Safety Professional

OSHA 30 · CPR · USACE CQM

Written and reviewed by the Black Belt Safety team. Every post is checked against the OSHA standard or agency source it cites.

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