1910.141(a)(4): Sanitary Waste Disposal
Receptacles for putrescible solid or liquid waste must not leak, must be easy to clean and keep sanitary, and must have a solid tight-fitting cover unless they can stay sanitary without one. All sweepings, waste, refuse and garbage must be removed often enough and in a way that keeps the workplace sanitary and avoids a health menace.
Key takeaways
- 1910.141(a)(4) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart J).
- OSHA cited it 42 times in the last 3 years, in 40 inspections, with $47,501 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NY (4), MD (4), NV (3).
- 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)(4) ("Waste disposal") is one requirement inside 1910.141 Sanitation, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart J). It includes 2 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
(4) Waste disposal. 42 citations
(i) Any receptacle used for putrescible solid or liquid waste or refuse shall be so constructed that it does not leak and may be thoroughly cleaned and maintained in a sanitary condition. Such a receptacle shall be equipped with a solid tight-fitting cover, unless it can be maintained in a sanitary condition without a cover. This requirement does not prohibit the use of receptacles which are designed to permit the maintenance of a sanitary condition without regard to the aforementioned requirements. Open (a)(4)(i) 11 citations
(ii) All sweepings, solid or liquid wastes, refuse, and garbage shall be removed in such a manner as to avoid creating a menace to health and as often as necessary or appropriate to maintain the place of employment in a sanitary condition. Open (a)(4)(ii) 31 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 | 5 |
| 2024 | 20 |
| 2025 | 14 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Top states: NY (4), MD (4), NV (3), TN (3), IL (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| DAEHAN SOLUTION NEVADA, LLC. | FERNLEY, NV | $12,055 |
| MAVERICK NV, LLC | ELKO, NV | $11,524 |
| SIMONIZ USA, INC. | GREENVILLE, OH | $6,753 |
| BOND & STEELE CLINIC, P.A. | WINTER HAVEN, FL | $3,984 |
| CLIFFORD-JACOBS FORGING COMPANY | CHAMPAIGN, IL | $3,702 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.141(a)(4), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Interim enforcement procedures for AIDS, Hepatitis B, and other blood-borne infectious diseases. (1987-09-08)
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)(3)(ii) 42 citations
- 1910.141(a)(4)(ii) 31 citations
- 1910.141(a)(4)(i) 11 citations
- 1910.141(a)(3)(iii) 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 waste receptacles be like?
Leak-proof, able to be thoroughly cleaned and kept sanitary, with a solid tight-fitting cover unless they can be kept sanitary without one.
How often must waste be removed?
As often as necessary or appropriate to keep the workplace sanitary.
What kind of waste does this cover?
Putrescible solid or liquid waste, plus all sweepings, refuse and garbage.
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.