California Code of Regulations
Title 8 - Industrial Relations
Division 1 - Department of Industrial Relations
Chapter 4 - Division of Industrial Safety
Subchapter 4 - Construction Safety Orders
Article 7 - Bins, Bunkers, Hoppers, and Material Storage
Section 1549 - Piling Material

Universal Citation: 8 CA Code of Regs 1549

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024

(a) Piles of brick, tile, masonry blocks, and similar material shall be stabilized against falling by the use of headers at least every sixth course. When a loose brick stack reaches a height of 4 feet, it shall be tapered back at least 2 inches in every foot of height above the 4-foot level. Brick stacks shall not be more than 7 feet in height. 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.

(b) In piling bags of cement or other material more than 5 feet high, the face of the pile shall be tapered back (except where supported by walls or otherwise), or the sacks shall be so tied in horizontal layers as to prevent them from falling or collapsing.

(c) Piles of lumber, structural steel, and similar materials shall be maintained so that the stack is stable against falling or collapsing. Headers, crosspieces, or other means shall be used as needed in the pile to prevent slipping, tipping, or collapsing. 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.

(d) Sheetrock, plywood, trusses, and similar material shall not be stacked on edge unless positively secured against tipping or falling.

(e) Material 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 unless the material is positively barricaded, placed, or secured to prevent it from falling.

(f) The maximum safe load limits of floors, or portions of floors, used for storage areas within buildings and structures, shall not be exceeded.

(g) Materials which may cause a hazardous reaction or unstable condition while in storage shall be segregated.

(h) Material on balconies or in other similar elevated locations on the exteriors of buildings under construction shall be placed, secured or positively barricaded in order to prevent the material from falling.

1. Amendment of subsections (a) and (c) and new subsections (e), (f), and (g) filed 2-19-75; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 75, No. 8).
2. Amendment of subsections (c) and (e) filed 4-11-84; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 84, No. 15).
3. New subsection (h) filed 2-2-2010; operative 3-4-2010 (Register 2010, No. 6).

Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.

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