1926.252(a): Enclosed Chutes for Dropping Materials
When materials are dropped more than 20 feet to any point outside the exterior walls of a building, employers must use an enclosed chute made of wood or equivalent material. An enclosed chute is a slide closed in on all sides that moves material from a high place to a lower one.
Key takeaways
- 1926.252(a) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart H).
- OSHA cited it 41 times in the last 3 years, in 41 inspections, with $87,624 in current penalties.
- Most citations: MD (5), MA (4), IL (4).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.252(a) is one requirement inside 1926.252 Disposal of waste materials, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart H). 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) Whenever materials are dropped more than 20 feet to any point lying outside the exterior walls of the building, an enclosed chute of wood, or equivalent material, shall be used. For the purpose of this paragraph, an enclosed chute is a slide, closed in on all sides, through which material is moved from a high place to a lower one. 41 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.252.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 16 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2026 | 12 |
Top states: MD (5), MA (4), IL (4), MN (3), RI (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| URX2026XJW184X0233 - NORTHWESTERN BUILDERS, LLC DBA NORTH WEST ROOFING AZ | MESA, AZ | $9,931 |
| JJ RENOVATIONS INC. | MADISON, WI | $7,098 |
| COUTO CONSTRUCTION, LLC | PROVIDENCE, RI | $6,000 |
| VALEN DRYWALL LLC | KISSIMMEE, FL | $4,965 |
| BELLA CONTRACTING OF CONNECTICUT, LLC | WILLIMANTIC, CT | $4,610 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.252(a), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.252(a).
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Frequently asked questions
When is an enclosed chute required?
Whenever materials are dropped more than 20 feet to any point lying outside the exterior walls of the building.
What counts as an enclosed chute?
A slide closed in on all sides through which material is moved from a high place to a lower one.
What can the chute be made of?
Wood or equivalent material.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.252 (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.