1910.266(h)(1)(iv): Two Tree Lengths From the Feller
No logging employee may approach a feller closer than two tree lengths of the trees being felled until the feller acknowledges it is safe. The exception is when the employer shows a team is needed to manually fell a particular tree.
Key takeaways
- 1910.266(h)(1)(iv) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart R).
- OSHA cited it 5 times in the last 3 years, in 5 inspections, with $31,029 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Related part: 1910.266(h) Tree harvesting (63 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.266(h)(1)(iv) is one requirement inside 1910.266 Logging operations, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart R). 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
(iv) No employee shall approach a feller closer than two tree lengths of trees being felled until the feller has acknowledged that it is safe to do so, unless the employer demonstrates that a team of employees is necessary to manually fell a particular tree. 5 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.266.
Export the list: 5 inspections cited 1910.266(h)(1)(iv) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moInjuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.266(h)(1)(iv).
At 10:00 a.m. on May 16, 2024, Employee #1 was assisting a team of tree removersduring felling operations. While a sawyer operated a chainsaw, the other three team members were positioned outside the designated felling area, using ropes toguide the tree into the planned drop…
Where and how often it was cited
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.266(h)(1)(iv).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.266(h) Tree harvesting 63 citations
- 1910.266(h)(2) Manual felling 33 citations
- 1910.266(h)(1) General requirements 23 citations
- 1910.266(h)(2)(ii) 12 citations
- 1910.266(h)(2)(i) 9 citations
- 1910.266(h)(2)(vi) 5 citations
- 1910.266(h)(1)(i) 4 citations
- 1910.266(h)(6) Loading and unloading 4 citations
- 1910.266(h)(1)(viii) 2 citations
- 1910.266(h)(2)(vii) 2 citations
- 1910.266(h)(6)(vii) 2 citations
- 1910.266(h)(1)(vii) 1 citations
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Frequently asked questions
How close can I get to a feller?
No closer than two tree lengths of the trees being felled until the feller says it is safe.
Is there an exception?
Yes, when the employer demonstrates a team of employees is necessary to manually fell a particular tree.
Who decides it is safe to approach?
The feller must acknowledge that it is safe.
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 2026-11-06
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.