29 CFR §1926.250
Verified against eCFR.gov as of June 20, 2026View official text on eCFR.gov ↗
- (a)General.
- (1)All materials stored in tiers shall be stacked, racked, blocked, interlocked, or otherwise secured to prevent sliding, falling or collapse.
- (2)
- (i)The weight of stored materials on floors within buildings and structures shall not exceed maximum safe load limits.
- (ii)Employers shall conspicuously post maximum safe load limits of floors within buildings and structures, in pounds per square foot, in all storage areas, except when the storage area is on a floor or slab on grade. Posting is not required for storage areas in all single-family residential structures and wood-framed multi-family residential structures.
- (3)Aisles and passageways shall be kept clear to provide for the free and safe movement of material handling equipment or employees. Such areas shall be kept in good repair.
- (4)When a difference in road or working levels exist, means such as ramps, blocking, or grading shall be used to ensure the safe movement of vehicles between the two levels.
- (b)Material storage.
- (1)Material stored inside buildings under construction shall not be placed within 6 feet of any hoistway or inside floor openings, nor within 10 feet of an exterior wall which does not extend above the top of the material stored.
- (2)Each employee required to work on stored material in silos, hoppers, tanks, and similar storage areas shall be equipped with personal fall arrest equipment meeting the requirements of subpart M of this part.
- (3)Noncompatible materials shall be segregated in storage.
- (4)Bagged materials shall be stacked by stepping back the layers and cross-keying the bags at least every 10 bags high.
- (5)Materials shall not be stored on scaffolds or runways in excess of supplies needed for immediate operations.
- (6)Brick stacks shall not be more than 7 feet in height. When a loose brick stack reaches a height of 4 feet, it shall be tapered back 2 inches in every foot of height above the 4-foot level.
- (7)When masonry blocks are stacked higher than 6 feet, the stack shall be tapered back one-half block per tier above the 6-foot level.
- (8)Lumber:
- (i)Used lumber shall have all nails withdrawn before stacking.
- (ii)Lumber shall be stacked on level and solidly supported sills.
- (iii)Lumber shall be so stacked as to be stable and self-supporting.
- (iv)Lumber piles shall not exceed 20 feet in height provided that lumber to be handled manually shall not be stacked more than 16 feet high.
- (9)Structural steel, poles, pipe, bar stock, and other cylindrical materials, unless racked, shall be stacked and blocked so as to prevent spreading or tilting.
- (c)Housekeeping. Storage areas shall be kept free from accumulation of materials that constitute hazards from tripping, fire, explosion, or pest harborage. Vegetation control will be exercised when necessary.
- (d)Dockboards (bridge plates).
- (1)Portable and powered dockboards shall be strong enough to carry the load imposed on them.
- (2)Portable dockboards shall be secured in position, either by being anchored or equipped with devices which will prevent their slipping.
- (3)Handholds, or other effective means, shall be provided on portable dockboards to permit safe handling.
- (4)Positive protection shall be provided to prevent railroad cars from being moved while dockboards or bridge plates are in position.