1926.604: Site Clearing
Employers must protect site clearing workers from irritant and toxic plants and instruct them in available first aid treatment. Site clearing equipment must have rollover guards, and rider-operated equipment needs an overhead and rear canopy guard built of the materials and openings the rule specifies.
Key takeaways
- 1926.604 is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart O).
- OSHA cited it 2 times in the last 3 years, in 2 inspections, with $21,019 in current penalties.
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.604, "Site clearing", is an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart O). It has 6 numbered 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
Show the full text of 1926.604 (6 paragraphs)
(a) General requirements. 2 citations
(1) Employees engaged in site clearing shall be protected from hazards of irritant and toxic plants and suitably instructed in the first aid treatment available.
(2) All equipment used in site clearing operations shall be equipped with rollover guards meeting the requirements of this subpart. In addition, rider-operated equipment shall be equipped with an overhead and rear canopy guard meeting the following requirements: 2 citations
(i) The overhead covering on this canopy structure shall be of not less than 1⁄8-inch steel plate or 1⁄4-inch woven wire mesh with openings no greater than 1 inch, or equivalent. 1 citations
(ii) The opening in the rear of the canopy structure shall be covered with not less than 1⁄4-inch woven wire mesh with openings no greater than 1 inch.
(b) Specific requirements. [Reserved]
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15.
Where and how often it was cited
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.604, plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Requirements for mesh size on protective canopies for mobile equipment. (1985-07-22)
- Falling object protective structure standards. (1980-09-12)
- The size of opening in the wire mesh mounted in the canopy structures of wheel and crawler tractors. (1977-01-10)
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Frequently asked questions
What plant hazards must workers be protected from?
Hazards of irritant and toxic plants.
What guards are required on site clearing equipment?
Rollover guards meeting the subpart's requirements, plus an overhead and rear canopy guard on rider-operated equipment.
What must the canopy overhead covering be?
Not less than 1/8-inch steel plate or 1/4-inch woven wire mesh with openings no greater than 1 inch, or equivalent.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.604 (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 2026-10-19
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.