1910.141(a)(3)(iii): Floors Free of Nails, Splinters and Holes
To make cleaning easier, employers must keep every floor, working place and passageway free from protruding nails, splinters, loose boards, and unnecessary holes and openings.
Key takeaways
- 1910.141(a)(3)(iii) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart J).
- OSHA cited it 11 times in the last 3 years, in 11 inspections, with $27,451 in current penalties.
- Most citations: FL (3), GA (2), MA (1).
- 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)(iii) 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
(iii) To facilitate cleaning, every floor, working place, and passageway shall be kept free from protruding nails, splinters, loose boards, and unnecessary holes and openings. 11 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 | 1 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 5 |
Top states: FL (3), GA (2), MA (1), ID (1), MI (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| THE TJX COMPANIES, INC. | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $8,929 |
| SK MICROWORKS AMERICA, INC. | COVINGTON, GA | $6,914 |
| 7 ELEVEN | QUINCY, MA | $5,762 |
| VLOOM LOGISTICS, LLC | COVINGTON, GA | $3,630 |
| NEFCO CONSTRUCTION SUPPLY LLC | ORLANDO, FL | $1,195 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.141(a)(3)(iii), 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)(iii).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.141(a) General 818 citations
- 1910.141(a)(3) Housekeeping 519 citations
- 1910.141(a)(3)(i) 452 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)(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
What must floors be kept free of?
Protruding nails, splinters, loose boards, and unnecessary holes and openings.
Which areas does this cover?
Every floor, working place and passageway.
What is the stated purpose of this rule?
To facilitate cleaning.
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.