1926.25(a): Keep Debris Cleared
During construction, alteration or repairs, form and scrap lumber with protruding nails and all other debris must be kept cleared from work areas, passageways and stairs, in and around buildings or other structures.
Key takeaways
- 1926.25(a) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart C).
- OSHA cited it 308 times in the last 3 years, in 308 inspections, with $700,707 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: VA (51), NC (30), TX (23).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.25(a) is one requirement inside 1926.25 Housekeeping, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart C). 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
(a) During the course of construction, alteration, or repairs, form and scrap lumber with protruding nails, and all other debris, shall be kept cleared from work areas, passageways, and stairs, in and around buildings or other structures. 308 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.25.
Injuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.25(a).
At 10:29 a.m. on September 14, 2024, an employee was working from a scaffold when a scaffold plank fell off its supports. The employee fell to the ground andsustained fatal 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 | 30 |
| 2024 | 118 |
| 2025 | 98 |
| 2026 | 62 |
Top states: VA (51), NC (30), TX (23), PR (21), MA (17)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| THOMAS BUILDERS OF VIRGINIA, INC. | LYNCHBURG, VA | $153,740 |
| W. FLORES FRAMING, LLC | EL PASO, TX | $22,816 |
| THOMAS BUILDERS OF VIRGINIA INC. | LYNCHBURG, VA | $14,270 |
| OLIVEIRA GENERAL SERVICES, LLC. | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $13,902 |
| RPM INSTALLATION, LLC. | FORT WORTH, TX | $11,916 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.25(a), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Clarification regarding impalement hazards on construction worksites (2014-03-18)
- Protection of impalement hazards: rebar and other hazards. (1999-08-03)
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 be kept cleared?
Form and scrap lumber with protruding nails, and all other debris.
Where must debris be cleared from?
Work areas, passageways and stairs, in and around buildings or other structures.
When does this apply?
During the course of construction, alteration or repairs.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.25 (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 2026-10-19
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.