1926.51(f)(1): Washing Facilities for Harmful Substances
Employers must provide adequate washing facilities for workers who apply paints, coatings, herbicides or insecticides, or who do other work where contaminants may be harmful. The facilities must be near the worksite and equipped so workers can remove these substances.
Key takeaways
- 1926.51(f)(1) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart D).
- OSHA cited it 49 times in the last 3 years, in 49 inspections, with $15,635 in current penalties.
- Most citations: MD (44), TX (4), NV (1).
- Related part: 1926.51(f) Washing facilities (142 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.51(f)(1) is one requirement inside 1926.51 Sanitation, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart D). 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 provide adequate washing facilities for employees engaged in the application of paints, coating, herbicides, or insecticides, or in other operations where contaminants may be harmful to the employees. Such facilities shall be in near proximity to the worksite and shall be so equipped as to enable employees to remove such substances. 49 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.51.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 17 |
| 2025 | 20 |
| 2026 | 10 |
Top states: MD (44), TX (4), NV (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| NETO MASONRY LLC | FREDERICK, MD | $4,000 |
| WESTERN SINGLE PLY - NEVADA | CARSON CITY, NV | $2,837 |
| TRIPLE STAR CONSTRUCTION, INC. | BALTIMORE, MD | $2,400 |
| ROMERO CONSTRUCTION, L.L.C. | HAGERSTOWN, MD | $1,750 |
| UNISOURCE SERVICES, LLC | COLUMBIA, MD | $1,400 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.51(f)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Region V request for enforcment guidance on portland cement and hexavalent chromium (2010-10-18)
- Whether a pH buffer solution can be used as a cleansing agent for employees who work with portland cement (2008-04-11)
- Clarification of decontamination procedures for employees involved in Class I asbestos work. (2007-03-01)
- Operations that trigger the requirement for employers to provide washing facilities on construction jobsites under 29 CFR 1926.51(f)(1). (2006-06-12)
- The requirements for washing facilities on construction jobsites. (2005-07-20)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.51(f) Washing facilities 142 citations
- 1926.51(f)(3) Lavatories 91 citations
- 1926.51(f)(3)(iii) 37 citations
- 1926.51(f)(3)(iv) 35 citations
- 1926.51(f)(3)(i) 10 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
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Frequently asked questions
When are washing facilities required on a construction site?
When employees apply paints, coatings, herbicides or insecticides, or do other work where contaminants may be harmful to them.
How close must the washing facilities be?
The rule says they must be in near proximity to the worksite.
What must the washing facilities be able to do?
They must be equipped so employees can remove the harmful substances from themselves.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.51 (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.