1926.25: Construction Housekeeping
During construction, alteration or repair, scrap lumber with protruding nails and other debris must be kept cleared from work areas, passageways and stairs. Combustible scrap must be removed at regular intervals with safe means provided, containers must be provided for waste and oily rags, containers for garbage and oily, flammable or hazardous wastes need covers, and waste must be disposed of at frequent and regular intervals.
Key takeaways
- 1926.25 is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart C).
- OSHA cited it 308 times in the last 3 years, in 304 inspections, with $717,425 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: VA (47), NC (30), TX (25).
- Most-cited part: 1926.25(a) (301 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.25, "Housekeeping", is an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart C). It has 3 numbered paragraphs. 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
Show the full text of 1926.25 (3 paragraphs)
(a) During the course of construction, alteration, or repairs, form and scrap lumber with protruding nails, and all other debris, shall be kept cleared from work areas, passageways, and stairs, in and around buildings or other structures. Open (a) 301 citations
(b) Combustible scrap and debris shall be removed at regular intervals during the course of construction. Safe means shall be provided to facilitate such removal. 4 citations
(c) Containers shall be provided for the collection and separation of waste, trash, oily and used rags, and other refuse. Containers used for garbage and other oily, flammable, or hazardous wastes, such as caustics, acids, harmful dusts, etc. shall be equipped with covers. Garbage and other waste shall be disposed of at frequent and regular intervals. 3 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15.
Export the list: 304 inspections cited 1926.25 in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moInjuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.25.
At 10:29 a.m. on September 14, 2024, an employee was working from a scaffold when a scaffold plank fell off its supports. The employee fell to the ground andsustained fatal injuries.
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 22 |
| 2024 | 121 |
| 2025 | 99 |
| 2026 | 66 |
Top states: VA (47), NC (30), TX (25), PR (19), MA (18)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| THOMAS BUILDERS OF VIRGINIA, INC. | LYNCHBURG, VA | $153,740 |
| W. FLORES FRAMING, LLC | EL PASO, TX | $22,816 |
| J. GLOBAL ENERGY MIDSTREAM LLC | KILGORE, TX | $16,131 |
| THOMAS BUILDERS OF VIRGINIA INC. | LYNCHBURG, VA | $14,270 |
| OLIVEIRA GENERAL SERVICES, LLC. | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $13,902 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.25.
Most-cited parts of this rule
- 1926.25(a) 301 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Where must debris be cleared?
From work areas, passageways and stairs, in and around buildings or other structures.
Which waste containers need covers?
Containers used for garbage and other oily, flammable or hazardous wastes, such as caustics, acids and harmful dusts.
How often must combustible scrap be removed?
At regular intervals during the course of construction.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.25 (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 2026-11-05
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.