1910.176: Safe Material Handling and Storage
Employers must allow safe clearance for mechanical handling equipment at aisles, loading docks, doorways and turns, and keep aisles clear, in good repair and marked if permanent. Stored materials must be stacked, blocked or interlocked so they cannot slide or collapse, storage areas must be kept free of trip, fire and pest hazards, and open pits and tanks need covers or guardrails.
Key takeaways
- 1910.176 is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 1,115 times in the last 3 years, in 1,037 inspections, with $5,770,038 in current penalties.
- 25 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: NJ (219), TX (77), VA (71).
- Most-cited part: 1910.176(b) Secure storage (735 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.176, "Handling materials—general", is an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart N). It has 7 numbered 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
Show the full text of 1910.176 (7 paragraphs)
(a) Use of mechanical equipment. Where mechanical handling equipment is used, sufficient safe clearances shall be allowed for aisles, at loading docks, through doorways and wherever turns or passage must be made. Aisles and passageways shall be kept clear and in good repair, with no obstruction across or in aisles that could create a hazard. Permanent aisles and passageways shall be appropriately marked. Open (a) 195 citations
(b) Secure storage. Storage of material shall not create a hazard. Bags, containers, bundles, etc., stored in tiers shall be stacked, blocked, interlocked and limited in height so that they are stable and secure against sliding or collapse. Open (b) 735 citations
(c) Housekeeping. Storage areas shall be kept free from accumulation of materials that constitute hazards from tripping, fire, explosion, or pest harborage. Vegetation control will be exercised when necessary. Open (c) 166 citations
(d) [Reserved]
(e) Clearance limits. Clearance signs to warn of clearance limits shall be provided. 8 citations
(f) Rolling railroad cars. Derail and/or bumper blocks shall be provided on spur railroad tracks where a rolling car could contact other cars being worked, enter a building, work or traffic area. 2 citations
(g) Guarding. Covers and/or guardrails shall be provided to protect personnel from the hazards of open pits, tanks, vats, ditches, etc. Open (g) 9 citations
[39 FR 23052, June 27, 1974, as amended at 43 FR 49749, Oct. 24, 1978]
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15.
Export the list: 1,037 inspections cited 1910.176 in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moInjuries linked to this rule
25 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.176.
At 12:00 a.m. on January 31, 2025, an employee was walking from his tractor, when he was struck by a switcher vehicle being operated by another employee. He was transported to the hospital and admitted for treatment for a broken leg and other unknown injuries.…
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 56 |
| 2024 | 425 |
| 2025 | 377 |
| 2026 | 257 |
Top states: NJ (219), TX (77), VA (71), NY (56), FL (51)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| WOODLAND PULP, LLC | BAILEYVILLE, ME | $165,514 |
| ALLTRANS TERMINAL COMPANIES, LLC | HOUSTON, TX | $132,411 |
| DOLLAR GENERAL #22557 | SUNAPEE, NH | $93,436 |
| FAMILY DOLLAR STORES OF MASSACHUSETTS, LLC | CHICOPEE, MA | $89,290 |
| 106801 - SENECA FOODS CORPORATION | MONTGOMERY, MN | $78,130 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.176.
Most-cited parts of this rule
- 1910.176(b) Secure storage 735 citations
- 1910.176(a) Use of mechanical equipment 195 citations
- 1910.176(c) Housekeeping 166 citations
- 1910.176(g) Guarding 9 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Do aisles need to be marked?
Permanent aisles and passageways must be appropriately marked and kept clear of obstructions.
How must stacked materials be stored?
Bags, containers and bundles stored in tiers must be stacked, blocked, interlocked and limited in height so they are stable and secure against sliding or collapse.
What protection is needed on rail spurs?
Derail and/or bumper blocks are required where a rolling rail car could hit cars being worked or enter a building, work or traffic area.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.176 (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.