1910.266(d)(6): Logging Work Area Spacing
Employers must space and organize logging work so one employee's actions do not endanger another, and assign work areas so trees cannot fall into an adjacent occupied area, at least two tree lengths apart. Each logger must be within visual or audible contact of another employee, and the employer must account for each employee at the end of each shift.
Key takeaways
- 1910.266(d)(6) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart R).
- OSHA cited it 10 times in the last 3 years, in 10 inspections, with $32,592 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: VA (2), PR (2), KY (1).
- Related part: 1910.266(d) General requirements (90 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.266(d)(6) ("Work areas") is one requirement inside 1910.266 Logging operations, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart R). It includes 4 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
(6) Work areas. 10 citations
(i) Employees shall be spaced and the duties of each employee shall be organized so the actions of one employee will not create a hazard for any other employee. 2 citations
(ii) Work areas shall be assigned so that trees cannot fall into an adjacent occupied work area. The distance between adjacent occupied work areas shall be at least two tree lengths of the trees being felled. The distance between adjacent occupied work areas shall reflect the degree of slope, the density of the growth, the height of the trees, the soil structure and other hazards reasonably anticipated at that work site. A distance of greater than two tree lengths shall be maintained between adjacent occupied work areas on any slope where rolling or sliding of trees or logs is reasonably foreseeable. 3 citations
(iii) Each employee performing a logging operation at a logging work site shall work in a position or location that is within visual or audible contact with another employee. Open (d)(6)(iii) 5 citations
(iv) The employer shall account for each employee at the end of each workshift.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.266.
Injuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.266(d)(6).
At 9:45 a.m. on November 4, 2024, an employee working as a laborer for an aluminum processor was cutting the branches of a tree with a chainsaw. The vineshad not been removed before starting the cuts. Vines fell onto the employee's face, and while trying…
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: VA (2), PR (2), KY (1), GA (1), WV (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| PERSONAL TOUCH BY JR RIVAS, INC. | GREENSBORO, AL | $13,240 |
| TNT LOGGING, L.L.C. | LEXINGTON, VA | $5,000 |
| SOUTHERN TREE PROFESSIONALS, LLC | CONYERS, GA | $4,634 |
| YODER'S LOGGING & LUMBER | IRONDALE, OH | $3,972 |
| WAGNER LOGGING | RIEGELSVILLE, PA | $1,986 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.266(d)(6), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.266(d)(6).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.266(d) General requirements 90 citations
- 1910.266(d)(1) Personal protective equipment 40 citations
- 1910.266(d)(2) First-aid kits 24 citations
- 1910.266(d)(1)(iv) 14 citations
- 1910.266(d)(2)(i) 14 citations
- 1910.266(d)(1)(vi) 11 citations
- 1910.266(d)(1)(vii) 11 citations
- 1910.266(d)(4) Fire extinguishers 9 citations
- 1910.266(d)(2)(ii) 8 citations
- 1910.266(d)(1)(vii)(B) 7 citations
- 1910.266(d)(6)(iii) 5 citations
- 1910.266(d)(7) Signaling and signal equipment 4 citations
Get your crew competent
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Frequently asked questions
How far apart must occupied work areas be?
At least two tree lengths of the trees being felled, and more than two tree lengths on slopes where rolling or sliding is reasonably foreseeable.
Do loggers have to be in contact with others?
Yes. Each must work within visual or audible contact with another employee.
When must employees be accounted for?
At the end of each workshift.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.266 (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 2026-10-22
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.