OSHA Construction Standards (29 CFR 1926)
OSHA’s construction rules are in Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1926. They apply to construction, alteration and repair work, including painting and decorating.
- Construction
Is it construction or general industry?
Construction means building, altering or repairing structures. Maintenance (keeping something in its original working condition) is usually general industry (Part 1910). Replacing a broken window is maintenance; tearing out a wall to add a new window is construction. Some work falls under both depending on the task.
The main subparts
| Subpart | Topic |
|---|---|
| C | General safety and health provisions, training (1926.20–.35) |
| D | Occupational health and environmental controls (sanitation, noise, ventilation, lead, illumination) |
| E | Personal protective and life saving equipment |
| F | Fire protection and prevention |
| G | Signs, signals and barricades |
| H | Materials handling, storage, use and disposal (including rigging) |
| I | Tools: hand and power |
| J | Welding and cutting |
| K | Electrical |
| L | Scaffolds |
| M | Fall protection |
| N | Helicopters, hoists, elevators and conveyors |
| O | Motor vehicles, mechanized equipment and marine operations |
| P | Excavations |
| Q | Concrete and masonry construction |
| R | Steel erection |
| S | Underground construction, caissons, cofferdams and compressed air |
| T | Demolition |
| U | Blasting and the use of explosives |
| V | Electric power transmission and distribution |
| W | Rollover protective structures; overhead protection |
| X | Stairways and ladders |
| Z | Toxic and hazardous substances (asbestos, silica, hazard communication and more) |
| AA | Confined spaces in construction |
| CC | Cranes and derricks in construction |
Note: Some 1910 general industry standards also apply on construction sites through 1926 cross-references (for example, Hazard Communication).
Most-cited construction standards
Every year, the same construction standards top OSHA’s most-cited list. They usually include fall protection (1926.501), ladders (1926.1053), scaffolds (1926.451), fall protection training (1926.503), and eye and face protection (1926.102). These are the areas to master first.
Standards & references
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