1926.250(a): General Material Storage
Employers must stack, rack, block or otherwise secure tiered materials so they cannot slide, fall or collapse, keep stored weight within floor safe load limits and post those limits in storage areas, with some exceptions. Aisles must be kept clear and in good repair, and ramps, blocking or grading must be used where road or working levels differ.
Key takeaways
- 1926.250(a) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart H).
- OSHA cited it 10 times in the last 3 years, in 10 inspections, with $64,573 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: FL (3), NJ (2), VA (2).
- Related part: 1926.250(a)(1) (8 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.250(a) ("General") is one requirement inside 1926.250 General requirements for storage, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart H). It includes 6 sub-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
(a) General. 10 citations
(1) All materials stored in tiers shall be stacked, racked, blocked, interlocked, or otherwise secured to prevent sliding, falling or collapse. Open (a)(1) 8 citations
(2) 1 citations
(i) The weight of stored materials on floors within buildings and structures shall not exceed maximum safe load limits.
(ii) Employers shall conspicuously post maximum safe load limits of floors within buildings and structures, in pounds per square foot, in all storage areas, except when the storage area is on a floor or slab on grade. Posting is not required for storage areas in all single-family residential structures and wood-framed multi-family residential structures.
(3) Aisles and passageways shall be kept clear to provide for the free and safe movement of material handling equipment or employees. Such areas shall be kept in good repair. 1 citations
(4) When a difference in road or working levels exist, means such as ramps, blocking, or grading shall be used to ensure the safe movement of vehicles between the two levels.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.250.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.250(a).
At 11:20 a.m. on March 23, 2024, an employee was adjusting the placement of 12 sheets of drywall weighing 109 pounds each. The stack fell, pinning him against the nearby door jamb. The employee was crushed and killed.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: FL (3), NJ (2), VA (2), MA (1), IL (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| MK INSTALLATION, LLC | VERONA, VA | $16,285 |
| JP PRO SOLUTIONS | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $16,131 |
| HAMPTON ROADS CONNECTOR PARTNERS | NORFOLK, VA | $8,685 |
| FORSA CONSTRUCTION, LLC | JERSEY CITY, NJ | $7,000 |
| FREITAS CONSTRUCTION LLC | STAFFORD TOWNSHIP, NJ | $4,965 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.250(a)(1) 8 citations
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Frequently asked questions
How must tiered materials be stored?
Stacked, racked, blocked, interlocked or otherwise secured to prevent sliding, falling or collapse.
Must floor load limits be posted?
Yes, in pounds per square foot in storage areas, except on a floor or slab on grade and in single-family and wood-framed multi-family residential structures.
What about aisles?
Aisles and passageways must be kept clear and in good repair.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.250 (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.