1926.855: Removing Floor Arches
Before demolishing floor arches, debris must be removed, and employees must stand on planks at least 2 by 10 inches with no more than 16 inches between them. Walkways at least 18 inches wide must be used to avoid walking on exposed beams. No one may be under arches being removed, and the area must be barricaded. Arches and floor within 20 feet must be cleared first.
Key takeaways
- 1926.855 is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart T).
- OSHA cited it 2 times in the last 3 years, in 2 inspections, with $1,120 in current penalties.
- Most-cited part: 1926.855(b).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.855, "Manual removal of floors", is an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart T). It has 7 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 1926.855 (7 paragraphs)
(a) Openings cut in a floor shall extend the full span of the arch between supports.
(b) Before demolishing any floor arch, debris and other material shall be removed from such arch and other adjacent floor area. Planks not less than 2 inches by 10 inches in cross section, full size undressed, shall be provided for, and shall be used by employees to stand on while breaking down floor arches between beams. Such planks shall be so located as to provide a safe support for the workmen should the arch between the beams collapse. The open space between planks shall not exceed 16 inches. Open (b)
(c) Safe walkways, not less than 18 inches wide, formed of planks not less than 2 inches thick if wood, or of equivalent strength if metal, shall be provided and used by workmen when necessary to enable them to reach any point without walking upon exposed beams. 1 citations
(d) Stringers of ample strength shall be installed to support the flooring planks, and the ends of such stringers shall be supported by floor beams or girders, and not by floor arches alone.
(e) Planks shall be laid together over solid bearings with the ends overlapping at least 1 foot.
(f) When floor arches are being removed, employees shall not be allowed in the area directly underneath, and such an area shall be barricaded to prevent access to it. Open (f)
(g) Demolition of floor arches shall not be started until they, and the surrounding floor area for a distance of 20 feet, have been cleared of debris and any other unnecessary materials. 1 citations
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 1926.855, plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Clarification of 29 CFR 1926.855(b) and (f) (1979-07-05)
Most-cited parts of this rule
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Frequently asked questions
What planks must workers stand on when breaking floor arches?
Planks not less than 2 inches by 10 inches in cross section, full size undressed, with open space between planks not exceeding 16 inches.
How wide must walkways be?
Not less than 18 inches wide, made of planks not less than 2 inches thick if wood, or equivalent strength if metal.
Can anyone be underneath during removal?
No. Employees shall not be allowed in the area directly underneath, and it shall be barricaded.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.855 (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.