1910.272(j)(1): Grain Dust Housekeeping Program
Employers at grain handling facilities must develop and carry out a written housekeeping program that sets how often and by what methods fugitive grain dust is reduced on ledges, floors, equipment and other exposed surfaces.
Key takeaways
- 1910.272(j)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart R).
- OSHA cited it 23 times in the last 3 years, in 23 inspections, with $202,813 in current penalties.
- Most citations: MN (3), OH (3), IL (2).
- Related part: 1910.272(j) Housekeeping (53 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.272(j)(1) is one requirement inside 1910.272 Grain handling facilities, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart R). 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) The employer shall develop and implement a written housekeeping program that establishes the frequency and method(s) determined best to reduce accumulations of fugitive grain dust on ledges, floors, equipment, and other exposed surfaces. 23 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.272.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 6 |
Top states: MN (3), OH (3), IL (2), KS (2), TX (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| MFA INC. | AURORA, MO | $99,300 |
| ADM MILLING CO. | ABILENE, KS | $16,131 |
| GLOBAL HARVEST FOODS, LLC | MILLER, SD | $12,905 |
| LEGACY COOPERATIVE | HEMINGFORD, NE | $12,872 |
| BRIGHTPET NUTRITION GROUP, LLC | LISBON, OH | $8,067 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.272(j)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.272(j)(1).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.272(j) Housekeeping 53 citations
- 1910.272(j)(2)(ii) 22 citations
- 1910.272(j)(2) 22 citations
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
Does the grain dust housekeeping program need to be written?
Yes. It must be a written housekeeping program.
What must the program establish?
The frequency and method(s) determined best to reduce accumulations of fugitive grain dust.
Which surfaces are covered?
Ledges, floors, equipment and other exposed surfaces.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.272 (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.