1926.952(a): Job Information and Briefing Before Each Job
Employers must give the employee in charge of a job all available information about the existing characteristics and conditions required by 1926.950(d). The employer must also make sure the employee in charge holds a job briefing with the workers involved before they start each job.
Key takeaways
- 1926.952(a) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart V).
- OSHA cited it 8 times in the last 3 years, in 8 inspections, with $55,686 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Related part: 1926.952(a)(2) Briefing by the employee in charge (5 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.952(a) ("Before each job") is one requirement inside 1926.952 Job briefing, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart V). It includes 2 sub-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
(a) Before each job — 8 citations
(1) Information provided by the employer. In assigning an employee or a group of employees to perform a job, the employer shall provide the employee in charge of the job with all available information that relates to the determination of existing characteristics and conditions required by § 1926.950(d). 3 citations
(2) Briefing by the employee in charge. The employer shall ensure that the employee in charge conducts a job briefing that meets paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of this section with the employees involved before they start each job. Open (a)(2) 5 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.952.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.952(a).
At 1:00 p.m. on September 12, 2024, Employee #1 was raising the boom of a vacuumtruck to install an extension. During the operation, the boom made contact with an overhead electrical line, resulting in electrocution.
Where and how often it was cited
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.952(a).
Related parts of this rule
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Frequently asked questions
Who gets the job information from the employer?
The employee in charge of the job receives all available information related to existing characteristics and conditions under 1926.950(d).
When must the job briefing happen?
Before the employees start each job.
Who runs the job briefing?
The employee in charge, and the employer must make sure it happens.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.952 (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.