1926.850(c): Shut Off Utilities Before Demolition
Before demolition starts, all electric, gas, water, steam, sewer and other service lines must be shut off, capped or otherwise controlled outside the building line, and any involved utility company must be notified in advance.
Key takeaways
- 1926.850(c) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart T).
- OSHA cited it 13 times in the last 3 years, in 13 inspections, with $92,870 in current penalties.
- Most citations: FL (3), OR (2), VA (2).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.850(c) 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
(c) All electric, gas, water, steam, sewer, and other service lines shall be shut off, capped, or otherwise controlled, outside the building line before demolition work is started. In each case, any utility company which is involved shall be notified in advance. 13 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.850.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Top states: FL (3), OR (2), VA (2), MO (1), OH (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| GREENHEART COMPANIES LLC | YOUNGSTOWN, OH | $16,131 |
| JAMES G DAVIS CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION | ARLINGTON, VA | $15,875 |
| SMART CONSTRUCTION LLC | ARLINGTON, VA | $15,875 |
| ATLAS WRECKING CORP. | DORAL, FL | $6,452 |
| CLEAR SPAN STRUCTURES, LLC | DORAL, FL | $6,452 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.850(c), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.850(c).
Get your crew competent
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Frequently asked questions
Which utilities must be controlled before demolition?
All electric, gas, water, steam, sewer and other service lines.
Where must they be controlled?
Outside the building line.
Must the utility company be told?
Yes. Any utility company involved must be notified in advance.
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.