1910.266(h)(2)(ii): Checking Conditions Before Felling a Tree
Before each tree is felled, the feller must evaluate conditions such as snow and ice, wind, the tree's lean, dead limbs and the location of other trees, and take precautions so a hazard is not created for an employee.
Key takeaways
- 1910.266(h)(2)(ii) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart R).
- OSHA cited it 12 times in the last 3 years, in 12 inspections, with $69,723 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: WV (3), AR (2), HI (1).
- Related part: 1910.266(h) Tree harvesting (63 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.266(h)(2)(ii) 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
(ii) Before each tree is felled, conditions such as, but not limited to, snow and ice accumulation, the wind, the lean of tree, dead limbs, and the location of other trees, shall be evaluated by the feller and precautions taken so a hazard is not created for an employee. 12 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.266.
Export the list: 12 inspections cited 1910.266(h)(2)(ii) 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)(2)(ii).
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…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Top states: WV (3), AR (2), HI (1), CA (1), NH (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| 110799 - SAVATREE LLC | WHITE BEAR LAKE, MN | $25,000 |
| DINKY'S LOGGING LLC | OCEANA, WV | $15,000 |
| J & T LOGGING INC | SLANESVILLE, WV | $10,000 |
| DEREK CROPP | HARRISVILLE, WV | $8,000 |
| TRACY EFIRD | PINE BLUFF, AR | $4,839 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.266(h)(2)(ii), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.266(h)(2)(ii).
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)(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
- 1910.266(h)(1)(vii) 1 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Who evaluates conditions before felling?
The feller.
What conditions must be checked?
Conditions such as snow and ice accumulation, wind, lean of the tree, dead limbs and location of other trees.
When is the evaluation done?
Before each tree is felled.
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.