1910.141(a)(3)(i): Keep the Workplace Clean
Employers must keep every place of employment clean to the extent the nature of the work allows. A dirty kind of job is not an excuse for a dirty workplace; it must be as clean as that type of work reasonably makes possible. This is the starting point of OSHA's general industry sanitation rule.
Key takeaways
- 1910.141(a)(3)(i) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart J).
- OSHA cited it 452 times in the last 3 years, in 446 inspections, with $587,917 in current penalties.
- Most citations: PR (116), NY (48), VI (48).
- Related part: 1910.141(a) General (818 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.141(a)(3)(i) is one requirement inside 1910.141 Sanitation, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart J). The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(i) All places of employment shall be kept clean to the extent that the nature of the work allows. 452 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.141.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 32 |
| 2024 | 143 |
| 2025 | 183 |
| 2026 | 94 |
Top states: PR (116), NY (48), VI (48), MI (45), NJ (36)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| MUNICIPIO DE SAN JUAN | SAN JUAN, PR | $50,000 |
| UPR | MAYAGUEZ, PR | $30,000 |
| DA-OFICINA DE ?REA DE ISABELA | ISABELA, PR | $25,000 |
| DS | SAN JUAN, PR | $25,000 |
| DS | BAYAMON, PR | $20,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.141(a)(3)(i), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.141(a)(3)(i).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.141(a) General 818 citations
- 1910.141(a)(3) Housekeeping 519 citations
- 1910.141(a)(5) Vermin control 257 citations
- 1910.141(a)(4) Waste disposal 42 citations
- 1910.141(a)(3)(ii) 42 citations
- 1910.141(a)(4)(ii) 31 citations
- 1910.141(a)(4)(i) 11 citations
- 1910.141(a)(3)(iii) 11 citations
- 1910.141(a)(2) Definitions applicable to this section
- 1910.141(a)(1) Scope
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
Does this rule apply to all workplaces?
It applies to all places of employment covered by the general industry sanitation standard, 1910.141.
How clean is clean enough?
As clean as the nature of the work allows.
Who is responsible for keeping the workplace clean?
The employer must make sure places of employment are kept clean.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.141 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.