1910.266(h)(1)(vii): Check Danger Trees Before Felling
Before a danger tree is felled or removed, it must be carefully checked for loose bark, broken branches and limbs, or other damage. Any accessible loose bark or damage that could create a hazard for an employee must be removed or held in place first.
Key takeaways
- 1910.266(h)(1)(vii) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart R).
- OSHA cited it 1 times in the last 3 years, in 1 inspections, with $3,500 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.
Get the free 5-minute toolbox talk on 1910.266(h)(1)(vii) ↓
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.266(h)(1)(vii) 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
(vii) Each danger tree shall be carefully checked for signs of loose bark, broken branches and limbs or other damage before they are felled or removed. Accessible loose bark and other damage that may create a hazard for an employee shall be removed or held in place before felling or removing the tree. 1 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.266.
Export the list: 1 inspections cited 1910.266(h)(1)(vii) 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)(vii).
At 1:30 p.m. on June 6, 2024, Employee #1 and Employee #2 were removing a tube from a fence when a palm tree, approximately 33 feet long and 4 feet wide, fell and struck them. Employee #1 was fatally injured, while Employee #2 sustained fractures…
Where and how often it was cited
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.266(h)(1)(vii), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.266(h)(1)(vii).
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)(1)(iv) 5 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
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
What must be checked on a danger tree?
Signs of loose bark, broken branches and limbs, or other damage.
When is the check done?
Before the danger tree is felled or removed.
What happens to hazardous loose bark?
Accessible loose bark and other damage that could create a hazard must be removed or held in place before felling or removing the tree.
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.