1926.850(a): Engineering Survey Before Demolition
Before employees start demolition, a competent person must make an engineering survey of the structure to check the framing, floors and walls and the possibility of unplanned collapse. Adjacent structures where employees may be exposed must be checked too, and the employer must have written evidence the survey was done.
Key takeaways
- 1926.850(a) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart T).
- OSHA cited it 79 times in the last 3 years, in 79 inspections, with $540,592 in current penalties.
- 9 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: NY (14), PA (9), IL (6).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.850(a) is one requirement inside 1926.850 Preparatory operations, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart T). 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
(a) Prior to permitting employees to start demolition operations, an engineering survey shall be made, by a competent person, of the structure to determine the condition of the framing, floors, and walls, and possibility of unplanned collapse of any portion of the structure. Any adjacent structure where employees may be exposed shall also be similarly checked. The employer shall have in writing evidence that such a survey has been performed. 79 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.850.
Injuries linked to this rule
9 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.850(a).
At 6:45 a.m. on February 24, 2025, Employee #1 was working as a construction laborer and was tearing down a hotel entrance canopy. The canopy also served as a carport for arriving guests. Employee #1 was under the canopy when it suddenlycollapsed. Employee #1 was…
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 |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 25 |
| 2025 | 34 |
| 2026 | 14 |
Top states: NY (14), PA (9), IL (6), VA (6), NJ (4)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ALASKA DOT&PF | GIRDWOOD, AK | $113,136 |
| TOWNSHIP OF TOMS RIVER DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS | TOMS RIVER, NJ | $56,000 |
| ICI CONSTRUCTION, INC. | FRIENDSWOOD, TX | $32,262 |
| T.L. WALLACE CONSTRUCTION, INC. | D LO, MS | $16,550 |
| NV GENERAL CONSTRUCTION, INC. | STATEN ISLAND, NY | $16,550 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.850(a), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Demolition regulations do apply to the removal of ceilings and interior non-load bearing walls and partitions (1994-01-27)
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
When must the engineering survey be done?
Prior to permitting employees to start demolition operations.
Who must perform the survey?
A competent person.
Does the survey need to be written?
The employer must have in writing evidence that the survey has been performed.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.850 (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.