1926.850 Demolition Preparation: citations, penalties and recently cited employers
Data as of October 5, 2026 · citations issued Oct 5, 2025 to Oct 5, 2026
Before demolition begins, a competent person must conduct an engineering survey of the structure to evaluate the condition of framing, floors, and walls and the possibility of unplanned collapse. All electric, gas, water, steam, and sewer lines must be shut off, capped, or controlled outside the building line, and hazardous materials must be identified. Workers must be protected from glass and other hazards as demolition proceeds.
What the standard requires
- Have a competent person perform an engineering survey before demolition
- Shut off, cap, or control utilities before work begins
- Identify and address hazardous chemicals and materials
- Protect openings and remove hazardous glass
Hazards it addresses
- Unplanned structural collapse
- Electrocution and gas explosions from live utilities
- Exposure to hazardous materials
Cited in demolition and interior gut-renovation projects.
Plain-language summary written for this site; it is not the regulatory text and not legal advice. Read the official text at eCFR.
Citations by month
Inspections with citations issued, by month of issuance. Hatched months are incomplete: citations reach the public data about a month after issuance.
Most-cited paragraphs
| Paragraph | What it covers | Items | Inspections | Median initial penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1926.850(a) | An engineering survey by a competent person is required before demolition begins. | 20 | 20 | $4,965 |
| 1926.850(b) | 3 | 3 | $4,965 | |
| 1926.850(c) | All utility service lines must be shut off, capped, or otherwise controlled before demolition. | 3 | 3 | $15,875 |
| 1926.850(d) | 2 | 2 | $7,212 | |
| 1926.850(e) | 1 | 1 | $4,965 | |
| 1926.850(i) | 1 | 1 | $0 |
Penalties
Across 30 alleged items, OSHA and state-plan offices proposed $237,339 in initial penalties. The current total in the public data is $215,642, 9% lower after settlements, contests and amendments.
By violation type: Serious 77%; Other-than-serious 20%; Willful 3%.
Citations by state
| State | Inspections cited | Items | Initial penalties | Current penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 8 | 11 | $50,312 | $45,850 |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | 3 | $11,916 | $9,000 |
| Virginia | 3 | 4 | $48,225 | $48,225 |
| New Jersey | 2 | 2 | $67,585 | $63,140 |
| Connecticut | 1 | 1 | $3,972 | $3,972 |
| Florida | 1 | 1 | $4,341 | $4,341 |
| Georgia | 1 | 1 | $3,547 | $3,547 |
| Hawaii | 1 | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Illinois | 1 | 1 | $13,902 | $6,951 |
| Ohio | 1 | 1 | $13,902 | $13,902 |
| Oregon | 1 | 1 | $1,214 | $1,214 |
| Tennessee | 1 | 1 | $4,000 | $4,000 |
| Texas | 1 | 1 | $2,838 | $0 |
| West Virginia | 1 | 1 | $11,585 | $11,500 |
By industry
- Construction: 23 inspections
- Manufacturing: 2 inspections
- Health care & social assistance: 1 inspections
Recently cited establishments
About these records. Citations list alleged violations and proposed penalties. Employers can contest them, and many are reduced or withdrawn in settlement. Each row shows the original and the current penalty and a status label derived from the public data as of October 5, 2026. Check the linked osha.gov page for the official record.
| Establishment | Location | Issued | Alleged items | Initial penalty | Current penalty | Status and deadlines | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JV Fast Construction LLC | Brooklyn, NY | Aug 18, 2026 | 1 | $4,965 | $2,482 | Informal settlementAbatement due Aug 26, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Billy Gray Contracting, Inc. | Sandy Springs, GA | Aug 17, 2026 | 1 | $3,547 | $3,547 | Final order | osha.gov |
| Colony Services Corp. | New York, NY | Aug 12, 2026 | 1 | $11,585 | $11,585 | Final order | osha.gov |
| D&D Wood Sales, Inc. | Roaring Spring, PA | Aug 7, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 2, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Supreme Junk Removal LLC | Brooklyn, NY | Jul 31, 2026 | 1 | $4,965 | $4,000 | Informal settlementAbatement due Aug 12, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Tajiri Demolition & Disposal LLC | Kaneohe, HI | Jul 17, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final order | osha.gov |
| FMJ Construction LLC | Tualatin, OR | Jun 17, 2026 | 1 | $1,214 | $1,214 | Final order | osha.gov |
| Steuben County Community Services | Bath, NY | May 28, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Jun 4, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Hexagon Industries Inc. | Bronx, NY | May 7, 2026 | 1 | $3,972 | $3,972 | Final order | osha.gov |
| Merlo, Inc. | Wheeling, WV | May 1, 2026 | 1 | $11,585 | $11,500 | Informal settlementAbatement due Jun 4, 2026 | osha.gov |
| BCB Homes Inc. | Naples, FL | Apr 30, 2026 | 1 | $4,341 | $4,341 | ContestedAbatement due May 27, 2026Contested May 27, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Township of Toms River Department of Public Works | Toms River, NJ | Apr 27, 2026 | 1 | $56,000 | $56,000 | ContestedAbatement due May 18, 2026Contested May 12, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Repurposeful, LLC | Hoosick Falls, NY | Mar 18, 2026 | 4 | $14,895 | $14,895 | ContestedAbatement due Mar 24, 2026Contested Apr 17, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Cen-Tex Remodeling, Inc. | Burnet, TX | Mar 11, 2026 | 1 | $2,838 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Apr 6, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Mka General Construction Inc. | Brooklyn, NY | Feb 10, 2026 | 1 | $4,965 | $4,965 | Final orderAbatement due Feb 18, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Ronald F. Richter, LLC | Ridgefield, CT | Aug 20, 2026 | 1 | $3,972 | $3,972 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 4, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Paul's Machine & Welding Corp. | Normal, IL | Jan 9, 2026 | 1 | $13,902 | $6,951 | Informal settlementAbatement due Feb 10, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Smart Construction LLC | Arlington, VA | Dec 23, 2025 | 1 | $15,875 | $15,875 | ContestedAbatement due Jan 21, 2026Contested Feb 24, 2026 | osha.gov |
| James G Davis Construction Corporation | Arlington, VA | Dec 23, 2025 | 2 | $31,750 | $31,750 | ContestedAbatement due Jan 21, 2026Contested Jan 20, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Empire Group of Reading PA, Inc. | Shillington, PA | Dec 12, 2025 | 1 | $6,620 | $5,000 | Informal settlementAbatement due Jan 9, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Gordon H. Baver, Inc. | Shillington, PA | Dec 12, 2025 | 1 | $5,296 | $4,000 | Informal settlementAbatement due Jan 9, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Lucio & Diaz Corp. | Brooklyn, NY | Dec 1, 2025 | 1 | $4,965 | $3,950 | Informal settlementAbatement due Dec 8, 2025 | osha.gov |
| Klosterman Vested Interests, LLC | Saint Marys, OH | Nov 13, 2025 | 1 | $13,902 | $13,902 | ContestedContested Dec 10, 2025 | osha.gov |
| Bscnj Services Corp. | Carteret, NJ | Nov 4, 2025 | 1 | $11,585 | $7,140 | Formal settlementAbatement due Dec 2, 2025Contested Dec 4, 2025 | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Lynchburg, VA | Feb 9, 2026 | 1 | $600 | $600 | Final orderAbatement due Nov 5, 2025 | osha.gov |
| Onsite Emergency Services, LLC | Chattanooga, TN | Oct 24, 2025 | 1 | $4,000 | $4,000 | Final orderAbatement due Aug 11, 2025 | osha.gov |
Often cited together
- 1926.21 Construction Safety Training (6 shared inspections)
- 1926.501 Fall Protection (4 shared inspections)
- 1926.20 Construction Safety Programs (3 shared inspections)
- 1926.502 Fall Protection Systems (2 shared inspections)
- 1926.350 Gas Welding and Cutting (2 shared inspections)
- 1926.102 Eye and Face Protection (2 shared inspections)
- 1926.503 Fall Protection Training (2 shared inspections)
- 1926.100 Hard Hats (2 shared inspections)
Questions
What does OSHA standard 1926.850 require?
Before demolition begins, a competent person must conduct an engineering survey of the structure to evaluate the condition of framing, floors, and walls and the possibility of unplanned collapse. All electric, gas, water, steam, and sewer lines must be shut off, capped, or controlled outside the building line, and hazardous materials must be identified. Workers must be protected from glass and other hazards as demolition proceeds.
How often was 1926.850 cited in the last 12 months?
In the public data as of October 5, 2026, 1926.850 (Demolition Preparation) appeared in 26 inspections with citations issued between Oct 5, 2025 and Oct 5, 2026, covering 30 alleged violation items.
Which part of 1926.850 is cited most?
1926.850(a) was the most-cited paragraph, with 20 items: An engineering survey by a competent person is required before demolition begins.
Which states cite 1926.850 most often?
The most citations under 1926.850 in this period were issued in New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia.
What is the typical penalty for a 1926.850 violation?
The median initial (proposed) penalty per item was $4,965; the median current penalty after settlements and amendments was $4,170. Totals: $237,339 proposed, $215,642 current. Penalties vary by violation type, employer size and history, and State Plans set their own amounts.
Are 1926.850 citations final?
Not necessarily. A citation is an allegation until it becomes a final order. 37% of these items were contested, and many others were changed in settlements. Each listing shows its current status and a link to the official record.