1926.859(g): Continuing Inspections During Demolition
During demolition, a competent person must make continuing inspections as the work progresses to detect hazards from weakened or deteriorated floors or walls or loosened material. No employee may work where such hazards exist until they are corrected by shoring, bracing or other effective means.
Key takeaways
- 1926.859(g) 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 $90,479 in current penalties.
- 6 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: NY (2), PA (2), MS (2).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.859(g) is one requirement inside 1926.859 Mechanical demolition, 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
(g) During demolition, continuing inspections by a competent person shall be made as the work progresses to detect hazards resulting from weakened or deteriorated floors, or walls, or loosened material. No employee shall be permitted to work where such hazards exist until they are corrected by shoring, bracing, or other effective means. 13 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.859.
Injuries linked to this rule
6 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.859(g).
At 6:45 a.m. on February 24, 2025, Employee #1 was working as a construction laborer and was tearing down a hotel entrance canopy. The canopy also served as a carport for arriving guests. Employee #1 was under the canopy when it suddenlycollapsed. Employee #1 was…
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
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Top states: NY (2), PA (2), MS (2), NJ (1), AK (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| T.L. WALLACE CONSTRUCTION, INC. | D LO, MS | $16,550 |
| ALASKA DEMOLITION, LLC | GIRDWOOD, AK | $16,131 |
| ANDERSON ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. | FOREST, MS | $12,000 |
| COURTCON, INC. | BAR HARBOR, ME | $11,585 |
| AN CONCRETE & MUCH MORE LLC | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.859(g), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.859(g).
Get your crew competent
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Frequently asked questions
Who inspects during demolition?
A competent person.
How often?
Continuing inspections as the work progresses.
Can work continue where hazards are found?
No employee may work there until the hazard is corrected by shoring, bracing or other effective means.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.859 (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.