1926.850(b): Shoring Damaged Structures Before Demolition Work
When employees must work inside a structure to be demolished that has been damaged by fire, flood, explosion or other cause, the walls or floor must be shored or braced.
Key takeaways
- 1926.850(b) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart T).
- OSHA cited it 7 times in the last 3 years, in 7 inspections, with $27,477 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.850(b) 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
(b) When employees are required to work within a structure to be demolished which has been damaged by fire, flood, explosion, or other cause, the walls or floor shall be shored or braced. 7 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.850.
Injuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.850(b).
At 10:09 a.m. on December 23, 2024, Employee #1 was performing housekeeping duties on the lower floor of a building when the outside wall and the upper floor collapsed. The employee sustained multiple fractures and life-threatening injuries, resulting in fatality.
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
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.850(b), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.850(b).
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Frequently asked questions
When must walls or floors be shored during demolition?
When employees work within a structure damaged by fire, flood, explosion or other cause.
What must be shored or braced?
The walls or floor.
Does this apply to undamaged buildings?
This paragraph covers structures damaged by fire, flood, explosion or other cause.
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.