Debris storage requirements

Under 1926.857(a), the storage of debris on any floor must not exceed the floor's allowable load capacity. Employers must ensure the weight of waste material and debris does not overload the floor.

• Check or obtain the allowable floor load from the building design, owner, or a qualified engineer before using the floor for debris storage.
• If the allowable load is unknown, do not assume the floor can carry heavy debris—consult a structural engineer.

See the requirement in 1926.857(a).

Under 1926.857(b), you may remove flooring boards from not more than one floor above grade to provide storage space for debris, but only if the falling material will not endanger the stability of the structure.

• Only remove boards from a single floor above grade (not multiple floors).
• Control falling material and evaluate structural effects before removal.

See 1926.857(b).

Under 1926.857(c), wood floor beams that brace interior walls or free-standing exterior walls must be left in place until equivalent support has been installed; they should not be removed until replacement support is provided.

• Identify beams that provide bracing before removing any structural members.
• Install temporary or permanent supports that perform the same bracing function before removing those beams.

See 1926.857(c).

Under 1926.857(d), floor arches may be removed to an elevation not more than 25 feet above grade to provide storage area for debris, provided that such removal does not endanger the stability of the structure.

• Do not remove arches above 25 feet above grade for storage without additional engineering measures.
• Any arch removal must be evaluated so it will not weaken the building's stability.

See 1926.857(d).

Under 1926.857(e), storage spaces into which material is dumped must be blocked off except for openings necessary for removal, and those openings must be kept closed whenever material is not being removed.

• Block or barricade the storage area to prevent access and falling debris hazards.
• Keep only the minimal openings required for removal and close them immediately when not in use.

See 1926.857(e).

Under 1926.857(b) and (d), a competent person or a qualified structural engineer should evaluate whether debris storage or removal of flooring/arches will endanger the stability of the structure. Employers must not permit storage or removals that could compromise stability without a proper evaluation.

• If there is any doubt about capacity or stability, obtain a written evaluation from a qualified engineer.
• Use that evaluation to set limits on quantity and location of stored debris.

See 1926.857(b) and 1926.857(d).

Under 1926.857(a), the restriction applies to "any floor," which includes roof decks and similar floor-level structures—debris storage on roofs must not exceed the allowable load for that surface.

• Treat roofs as floors when assessing allowable loads; confirm roof load capacity before staging debris.

See 1926.857(a).

Under 1926.857(e), storage spaces into which material is dumped must be blocked off except for openings necessary for removal, and those openings must be kept closed when not removing material. Large or uncontrolled openings that create falling hazards or compromise stability are not permitted.

• Limit openings to only what is necessary and control them with covers, chutes, or barriers when not in use.
• Ensure openings do not allow debris to damage structural elements or create hazards to workers below.

See 1926.857(e).

Under 1926.857(b) and 1926.857(c), you may remove flooring boards from not more than one floor above grade for storage only if falling material won't endanger structure, and any wood floor beams that brace walls must be left in place until equivalent support is installed.

• Identify and preserve beams that provide bracing for interior or free‑standing exterior walls until replacement supports are in place.
• Use controlled removal methods (chutes, hand removal) to prevent uncontrolled falling material.
• Get a competent person or engineer to confirm the structure remains stable.

See 1926.857(b) and 1926.857(c).

Under 1926.857(e), openings used to remove dumped material must be limited to those necessary for removal and kept closed at all times when material is not being removed.

• Use secure covers, gates, or doors to close openings when not actively removing debris.
• Post signage and restrict access around openings to protect workers.

See 1926.857(e).

Under 1926.857, you must still follow the storage and structural protections, but if debris contains asbestos-containing building material (ACBM), asbestos work requirements under the construction asbestos standard apply and may impose additional controls before, during, or after storage.

• For asbestos-containing material, follow the asbestos-in-construction requirements described in the Asbestos remediation protocols letter of interpretation (Nov. 14, 2024) and OSHA's asbestos standard (see 29 CFR 1926.1101).
• Do not rely solely on storage rules—perform hazard assessments and implement required asbestos controls (containment, monitoring, respirators) as applicable.

See 1926.857 and the Asbestos remediation protocols LOI.

Section 1926.857 does not itself require a written hazard assessment, but employers must evaluate hazards before staging debris and should document assessments when they determine necessary protections or PPE are required; OSHA's PPE hazard-assessment guidance emphasizes assessing hazards to select PPE and controls.

• Conduct a structural and hazard assessment before storing debris; document findings and controls when PPE or other protective measures will be used.
• See OSHA's guidance on employer responsibility to assess hazards prior to selecting PPE in the PPE hazard assessment letter of interpretation (Mar. 28, 2024).

See 1926.857 and the PPE hazard-assessment LOI.

Under 1926.857(d), floor arches may be removed to an elevation of not more than 25 feet above grade to provide storage; removal above 25 feet is not permitted under that provision unless other measures outside 1926.857 are applied—so removal above 25 feet requires a qualified-engineer evaluation and alternative measures to ensure stability.

• If you must remove arches above 25 feet, obtain a qualified structural engineer's written plan and follow any applicable standards and safe work practices.

See 1926.857(d).

Under 1926.857(b) and (e), prevent falling-material hazards by limiting openings to what is necessary, controlling the fall path, and keeping openings closed when not in use so falling debris does not endanger the structure or workers.

• Use chutes, debris nets, or controlled lowering methods instead of uncontrolled dropping.
• Barricade the area below and post warnings to keep workers clear of fall zones.
• Close openings promptly when not removing material.

See 1926.857(b) and 1926.857(e).

Under 1926.857(c), any wood floor beams that serve to brace interior walls or free-standing exterior walls must be left in place until equivalent supports are installed to replace them.

• Do not remove bracing beams until temporary or permanent supports that provide equivalent bracing are properly installed.

See 1926.857(c).

Under 1926.857(a), debris on a floor must not exceed allowable floor loads; if more capacity is needed, safe options include removing debris to grade-level staging areas, using ground-level containers, trucking debris offsite, or reinforcing floors based on a qualified engineer's plan.

• Consider chutes directly to ground-level containers rather than storing on upper floors.
• Obtain an engineering solution (and document it) if you intend to increase allowable loads.

See 1926.857(a).

Under 1926.857(e), storage areas into which material is dumped must be blocked off except for necessary removal openings, and those openings must be kept closed when not removing material—so protect openings with covers, gates, barricades, and signage to prevent unauthorized access and falling-object injuries.

• Use physical barriers and warning signs; post attendants or lock covers when openings are not used.
• Ensure barriers are strong enough to prevent people and tools from falling into the storage space.

See 1926.857(e).

Under 1926.857(c), if wood floor beams serve to brace interior walls or free-standing exterior walls, those beams (or equivalent support) must remain in place until replacement support is installed; do not remove bracing supports solely to create storage unless you replace the bracing simultaneously.

• Install equivalent shoring or bracing before removing any members that provide lateral support.

See 1926.857(c).

Under 1926.857(e), there is no numeric limit provided; openings should be limited to only those necessary for the removal of material. The standard requires that storage spaces be blocked off except for necessary openings, and those openings be kept closed when not in use.

• Use the fewest practical openings and secure them when not actively removing debris to minimize hazards.

See 1926.857(e).

Section 1926.857 addresses structural and physical storage protections but does not specify controls for toxic or biological hazards; if debris may contain hazardous materials (e.g., asbestos, biological contaminants), follow the applicable OSHA standards and perform appropriate hazard assessments and controls.

• For asbestos-containing materials, follow asbestos-in-construction requirements and consult the Asbestos remediation protocols LOI (Nov. 14, 2024).
• Use OSHA guidance on hazard assessments and PPE selection as described in the PPE hazard-assessment LOI (Mar. 28, 2024) to determine respiratory and other protections.

See 1926.857 and the cited LOIs.