1926.857: Storing Demolition Debris
During demolition, employers must not store waste and debris on any floor beyond the allowable floor load. Floor boards or floor arches may be removed for debris storage only under set limits and without endangering the structure, wood floor beams that brace walls must stay until equal support is installed, and dumping areas must be blocked off with openings kept closed when not removing material.
Key takeaways
- 1926.857 is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart T).
- OSHA cited it 1 times in the last 3 years, in 1 inspections, with $375 in current penalties.
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.857, "Storage", is an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart T). It has 5 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 1926.857 (5 paragraphs)
(a) The storage of waste material and debris on any floor shall not exceed the allowable floor loads.
(b) In buildings having wooden floor construction, the flooring boards may be removed from not more than one floor above grade to provide storage space for debris, provided falling material is not permitted to endanger the stability of the structure.
(c) When wood floor beams serve to brace interior walls or free-standing exterior walls, such beams shall be left in place until other equivalent support can be installed to replace them.
(d) Floor arches, to an elevation of not more than 25 feet above grade, may be removed to provide storage area for debris: Provided, That such removal does not endanger the stability of the structure.
(e) Storage space into which material is dumped shall be blocked off, except for openings necessary for the removal of material. Such openings shall be kept closed at all times when material is not being removed. 1 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15.
Where and how often it was cited
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.857, plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.857.
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
How much debris can be stored on a floor during demolition?
No more than the allowable floor load.
Can floor arches be removed to store debris?
Yes, floor arches up to not more than 25 feet above grade, as long as the removal does not endanger the stability of the structure.
Must debris storage openings stay open?
No. They must be kept closed at all times when material is not being removed.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.857 (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.