1910.1001(k)(1): Keep Surfaces Free of Asbestos Debris
Employers must keep all surfaces as free as practicable of asbestos-containing material waste, debris and the dust that comes with it.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1001(k)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 23 times in the last 3 years, in 23 inspections, with $111,700 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NJ (14), CT (3), NY (2).
- Related part: 1910.1001(k) Housekeeping (37 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1001(k)(1) is one requirement inside 1910.1001 Asbestos, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). 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
(1) All surfaces shall be maintained as free as practicable of ACM waste and debris and accompanying dust. 23 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1001.
Export the list: 23 inspections cited 1910.1001(k)(1) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 13 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Top states: NJ (14), CT (3), NY (2), MI (2), MD (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| NEWARK FIRE DEPARTMENT | NEWARK, NJ | $35,000 |
| CITY OF NEWARK FIRE DEPARTMENT | NEWARK, NJ | $7,000 |
| CITY OF NEWARK FIRE DEPARTMENT | NEWARK, NJ | $7,000 |
| CITY OF NEWARK FIRE DEPARTMENT | NEWARK, NJ | $7,000 |
| HACKENSACK POLICE DEPARTMENT | HACKENSACK, NJ | $7,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1001(k)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.1001(k)(1).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1001(k) Housekeeping 37 citations
- 1910.1001(k)(6) Waste disposal 3 citations
- 1910.1001(k)(7) 1 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What must be kept off surfaces?
ACM waste and debris and accompanying dust.
How clean must surfaces be?
As free as practicable of ACM waste, debris and dust.
Which surfaces are covered?
All surfaces.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.1001 (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 2026-11-06
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.