1926.858(d): Do Not Overstress Members
Any structural member being dismembered during steel removal must not be overstressed.
Key takeaways
- 1926.858(d) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart T).
- OSHA cited it 4 times in the last 3 years, in 4 inspections, with $34,875 in current penalties.
- 1 death is 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 1926.858(d) is one requirement inside 1926.858 Removal of steel construction, 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
(d) Any structural member being dismembered shall not be overstressed. 4 citations
[44 FR 8577, Feb. 9, 1979 , 75 FR 48135, Aug. 9, 2010; 77 FR 49730, Aug. 17, 2012; 78 FR 23843, Apr. 23, 2013]
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.858.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.858(d).
On October 31, 2023, Employee #1 and Employee #2 were conducting demolition operations for a site preparation contractor. The 11-story coal tipple collapsedtrapping the two employees under the rubble, killing them.
Where and how often it was cited
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.858(d), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.858(d).
Get your crew competent
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Frequently asked questions
What does this paragraph require?
Any structural member being dismembered shall not be overstressed.
Does this apply during demolition?
Yes. It applies to removal of steel construction.
Who must follow it?
Everyone dismembering structural members during steel removal.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.858 (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.