1910.142(b)(3): Beds and Storage in Camp Sleeping Rooms
Employers running temporary labor camps must provide beds, cots or bunks and suitable storage, such as wall lockers, in every sleeping room. Beds must be at least 36 inches apart side to side and end to end and at least 12 inches off the floor; double-deck bunks need at least 48 inches of spacing and 27 inches of clear space between bunks. Triple-deck bunks are not allowed.
Key takeaways
- 1910.142(b)(3) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart J).
- OSHA cited it 12 times in the last 3 years, in 12 inspections, with $12,943 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NC (11), ME (1).
- Related part: 1910.142(b) Shelter (45 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.142(b)(3) is one requirement inside 1910.142 Temporary labor camps, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart J). 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
(3) Beds, cots, or bunks, and suitable storage facilities such as wall lockers for clothing and personal articles shall be provided in every room used for sleeping purposes. Such beds or similar facilities shall be spaced not closer than 36 inches both laterally and end to end, and shall be elevated at least 12 inches from the floor. If double-deck bunks are used, they shall be spaced not less than 48 inches both laterally and end to end. The minimum clear space between the lower and upper bunk shall be not less than 27 inches. Triple-deck bunks are prohibited. 12 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.142.
Export the list: 12 inspections cited 1910.142(b)(3) 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 | 9 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Top states: NC (11), ME (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| WORCESTER RESOURCES, INC. | TOPSFIELD, ME | $5,323 |
| 160052 - ALVARADO'S CONTRACT LLC | BAILEY, NC | $900 |
| 154959 - ALICIER LOUIGENOR | SNOW HILL, NC | $840 |
| 155114 - ALICIER LOUIGENOR | SNOW HILL, NC | $840 |
| 155115 - ALICIER LOUIGENOR | SNOW HILL, NC | $840 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.142(b)(3), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.142(b)(3).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.142(b) Shelter 45 citations
- 1910.142(b)(8) 20 citations
- 1910.142(b)(9)
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Frequently asked questions
How far apart must beds be in a labor camp sleeping room?
Beds or similar facilities must be spaced not closer than 36 inches both side to side and end to end.
How high off the floor must camp beds be?
They must be elevated at least 12 inches from the floor.
Are triple-deck bunks allowed in labor camps?
No. Triple-deck bunks are prohibited, and double-deck bunks must be spaced not less than 48 inches apart with at least 27 inches of clear space between the lower and upper bunk.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.142 (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 2026-11-01
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.