1910.176(c): Storage Area Housekeeping
Storage areas must be kept free of material buildup that creates tripping, fire, explosion or pest harborage hazards. Vegetation control must be used when necessary.
Key takeaways
- 1910.176(c) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 161 times in the last 3 years, in 161 inspections, with $707,707 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: NJ (61), CT (19), VA (13).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.176(c) ("Housekeeping") is one requirement inside 1910.176 Handling materials—general, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart N). 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
(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. 161 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.176.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.176(c).
At 5:45 a.m. on November 21, 2023, an employee was trying to pull out a sheet ofglass from a bundle of 10 sheets of glass leaning against the wall. Part of the bundle slid, went toward him, and pushed him back, striking his head against…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 69 |
| 2025 | 60 |
| 2026 | 26 |
Top states: NJ (61), CT (19), VA (13), OR (8), TX (7)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| WOODLAND PULP, LLC | BAILEYVILLE, ME | $165,514 |
| U.S. POSTAL SERVICE - SEATTLE NETWORK DISTRIBUTION CENTER | FEDERAL WAY, WA | $41,198 |
| THE TJX COMPANIES, INC. | EAST HAVEN, CT | $15,000 |
| CPX2025XAH685X0005 - ARIZONA RESTAURANT SUPPLY, INC. | PHOENIX, AZ | $14,895 |
| UNIUNI LOGISTICS INC | CARTERET, NJ | $11,585 |
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Frequently asked questions
What hazards does storage housekeeping address?
Tripping, fire, explosion and pest harborage.
Is vegetation control required?
Vegetation control will be exercised when necessary.
What must storage areas be free of?
Accumulation of materials that constitute those hazards.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.176 (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 2026-10-22
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.