1910.142(f): Labor Camp Laundry, Handwashing and Bathing
Employers with temporary labor camps must provide laundry, handwashing and bathing facilities at set ratios, with smooth, non-slip, moisture-proof floors, floor drains, hot and cold running water, water heating, equipment to keep service buildings at least 70 °F in cold weather, clothes-drying facilities, and clean service buildings.
Key takeaways
- 1910.142(f) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart J).
- OSHA cited it 26 times in the last 3 years, in 16 inspections, with $3,240 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NC (26).
- Related part: 1910.142(f)(1) (12 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.142(f) ("Laundry, handwashing, and bathing facilities") is one requirement inside 1910.142 Temporary labor camps, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart J). It includes 10 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
(f) Laundry, handwashing, and bathing facilities. 26 citations
(1) Laundry, handwashing, and bathing facilities shall be provided in the following ratio: Open (f)(1) 12 citations
(i) Handwash basin per family shelter or per six persons in shared facilities.
(ii) Shower head for every 10 persons. 1 citations
(iii) Laundry tray or tub for every 30 persons. Open (f)(1)(iii) 11 citations
(iv) Slop sink in each building used for laundry, hand washing, and bathing.
(2) Floors shall be of smooth finish but not slippery materials; they shall be impervious to moisture. Floor drains shall be provided in all shower baths, shower rooms, or laundry rooms to remove waste water and facilitate cleaning. All junctions of the curbing and the floor shall be coved. The walls and partitions of shower rooms shall be smooth and impervious to the height of splash.
(3) An adequate supply of hot and cold running water shall be provided for bathing and laundry purposes. Facilities for heating water shall be provided. Open (f)(3) 4 citations
(4) Every service building shall be provided with equipment capable of maintaining a temperature of at least 70 °F. during cold weather.
(5) Facilities for drying clothes shall be provided. 9 citations
(6) All service buildings shall be kept clean. 1 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.142.
Export the list: 16 inspections cited 1910.142(f) 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 | 19 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Top states: NC (26)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| 160052 - ALVARADO'S CONTRACT LLC | BAILEY, NC | $900 |
| 154959 - ALICIER LOUIGENOR | SNOW HILL, NC | $840 |
| 159055 - ENRIQUE SALDANA | HENDERSONVILLE, NC | $750 |
| 159375 - DANNY WATKINS, JR. | ANGIER, NC | $750 |
| 154866 - LAKEBED FARM, LLC | TRENTON, NC | $0 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.142(f), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.142(f).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.142(f)(1) 12 citations
- 1910.142(f)(1)(iii) 11 citations
- 1910.142(f)(3) 4 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What ratios are required?
One handwash basin per family shelter or per six persons in shared facilities, a shower head for every 10 persons, a laundry tray or tub for every 30 persons, and a slop sink in each building used for these purposes.
What temperature must service buildings hold?
Equipment must be capable of maintaining at least 70 °F during cold weather.
Is hot water required?
Yes, an adequate supply of hot and cold running water for bathing and laundry.
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 2026-11-07
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.