(a) Prior to permitting employees to start demolition operations, an engineering survey shall be made, by a competent person, of the structure to determine the condition of the framing, floors, and walls, and possibility of unplanned collapse of any portion of the structure. Any adjacent structure where employees may be exposed shall also be similarly checked. The employer shall have in writing evidence that such a survey has been performed.
(b) When employees are required to work within a structure to be demolished which has been damaged by fire, flood, explosion, or other cause, the walls or floor shall be shored or braced.
(c) All electric, gas, water, steam, sewer, and other service lines shall be shut off, capped, or otherwise controlled, outside the building line before demolition work is started. In each case, any utility company which is involved shall be notified in advance.
(d) If it is necessary to maintain any power, water or other utilities during demolition, such lines shall be temporarily relocated, as necessary, and protected.
(e) It shall also be determined if any type of hazardous chemicals, gases, explosives, flammable materials, or similarly dangerous substances have been used in any pipes, tanks, or other equipment on the property. When the presence of any such substances is apparent or suspected, testing and purging shall be performed and the hazard eliminated before demolition is started.
(f) Where a hazard exists from fragmentation of glass, such hazards shall be removed.
(g) Where a hazard exists to employees falling through wall openings, the opening shall be protected to a height of approximately 42 inches.
(h) When debris is dropped through holes in the floor without the use of chutes, the area onto which the material is dropped shall be completely enclosed with barricades not less than 42 inches high and not less than 6 feet back from the projected edge of the opening above. Signs, warning of the hazard of falling materials, shall be posted at each level. Removal shall not be permitted in this lower area until debris handling ceases above.
(i) All floor openings, not used as material drops, shall be covered over with material substantial enough to support the weight of any load which may be imposed. Such material shall be properly secured to prevent its accidental movement.
(j) Except for the cutting of holes in floors for chutes, holes through which to drop materials, preparation of storage space, and similar necessary preparatory work, the demolition of exterior walls and floor construction shall begin at the top of the structure and proceed downward. Each story of exterior wall and floor construction shall be removed and dropped into the storage space before commencing the removal of exterior walls and floors in the story next below.
(k) Employee entrances to multi-story structures being demolished shall be completely protected by sidewalk sheds or canopies, or both, providing protection from the face of the building for a minimum of 8 feet. All such canopies shall be at least 2 feet wider than the building entrances or openings (1 foot wider on each side thereof), and shall be capable of sustaining a load of 150 pounds per square foot.
Notes of Decisions
Bianchi Trison Corp. v. Elaine L. Chao, Sec'y of Labor, 409 F.3d 196 (3rd Cir. 2005).
· cites it 2× “The “Cutting” of Escalators BTC next asserts that the ALJ erred in holding that “dropping” the escalators without proper safety measures violated 29 C.F.R. § 1926.850 (h). The violation at issue arose when BTC “cut” escalators, i.”
Fabi Constr. Co. v. Sec'y of Labor, 370 F.3d 29 (D.C. Cir. 2004).
“The Secretary had cited Fabi for violating 29 C.F.R. § 1926.850 (a) which provides in relevant part: Prior to permitting employees to start demolition operations, an engineering survey shall be made by a competent person, of the structure to determine the condition of the…”
Pearson v. Canada Contracting Co., Inc., 349 S.E.2d 106 (Va. 1986).
“Pearson alleged that defendants violated a regulation, 29 C.F.R. § 1926.850 (1978), promulgated under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and that this violation constituted negligence per se.”
Burrell v. Rodgers, 441 F. Supp. 275 (W.D. Okla. 1977).
“Specifically, Rodgers complains of an alleged violation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulation, Title 29 C.F.R. § 1926.850 (c), which reads: “All electric, gas, water, steam, sewer, and other service lines shall be shut off, capped, or otherwise…”
Am. Wrecking Corp. v. Sec'y of Labor, 364 F.3d 321 (D.C. Cir. 2004).
“The first citation charged that AWC had not performed the requisite engineering survey of the structure prior to demolition, in violation of 29 C.F.R. § 1926.850 (a) (“Engineering Survey Citation”).”
Sparrow Constr. Corp. v. Sec'y of Labor, 22 F.3d 402 (2d Cir. 1994).
“The specific standard at issue states: When employees are required to work within a structure to be demolished, which has been damaged by fire, flood, explosion or other cause, the walls or floor shall be shored or braced.”
ProTrition Feed, LLC v. CP Ironworx, LLC (M.D. Tenn. 2025).
· cites it 3× “Specifically, the plaintiffs reference the following OSHA regulations: (1) 29 C.F.R. § 1926.850 (a), which requires an employer conducting a demolition to ensure that an engineering survey is made to determine, among other things, the “possibility of unplanned collapse of any…”
Bianchi Trison Corp v. Sec'y Labor (3rd Cir. 2005).
· cites it 2× “The “Cutting” of Escalators 22 BTC next asserts that the ALJ erred in holding that “dropping” the escalators without proper safety measures violated 29 C.F.R. § 1926.850 (h). The violation at issue arose when BTC “cut” escalators, i.”
in Re Manhattan Vaughn, JVP (Tex. App. 2015).
· cites it 2× “22 All documentation and correspondence discussing engineering surveys performed by any party or entity, related to the demolition of structural concrete for the Kyle Field renovation project, pursuant to OSHA 29 CFR 1926.850(a). Request No. 26 All documents reflecting…”
Gilday v. S&R Playhouse Realty Co., 4 Ohio App. Unrep. 267 (Ohio Ct. App. 1990).
“" 29 CFR 1926.850(a). (Emphasis added). It is clear that the required engineering survey was not reduced to writing.”
— 29 C.F.R. § 1926.850(a) — 3 cases
in Re Manhattan Vaughn, JVP (Tex. App. 2015).
“22 All documentation and correspondence discussing engineering surveys performed by any party or entity, related to the demolition of structural concrete for the Kyle Field renovation project, pursuant to OSHA 29 CFR 1926.850(a). Request No. 26 All documents reflecting…”
Gilday v. S&R Playhouse Realty Co., 4 Ohio App. Unrep. 267 (Ohio Ct. App. 1990).
“" 29 CFR 1926.850(a). (Emphasis added). It is clear that the required engineering survey was not reduced to writing.”
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