Debris and waste disposal requirements

An enclosed chute must be used whenever materials are dropped more than 20 feet to any point outside the building's exterior walls. See 1926.252(a).

• The standard defines an enclosed chute as a slide closed on all sides used to move material from a high place to a lower one.
• Use an enclosed chute for drops over 20 feet to prevent falling-object hazards and uncontrolled debris travel.

An enclosed chute is a slide that is closed on all sides used to carry material from a high place to a lower one, and it must be made of wood or an equivalent material. See 1926.252(a).

• "Equivalent material" means the chute construction must provide the same containment and strength as a wood chute (for example, approved metal or manufactured chute systems).
• The employer is responsible for ensuring the chute is strong, enclosed on all sides, and suitable for the materials being dropped.

When debris is dropped through floor openings without chutes, the landing area must be completely enclosed with barricades at least 42 inches high and set back at least 6 feet from the projected edge above, signs warning of falling materials must be posted at each level, and removal is not permitted in the lower area until debris handling above stops. See 1926.252(b).

• Barricade height: minimum 42 inches.
• Setback from opening: minimum 6 feet back from the projected edge of the opening above.
• Signage: post warnings at each level where the hazard exists.
• Lower area restriction: workers in the lower area must not remove debris until upper-level handling stops.

No. Removal is not permitted in the lower area until debris handling ceases above. See 1926.252(b).

• This rule prevents exposure to falling materials while work above is ongoing.
• Employers should coordinate work so that personnel in landing areas are not present during overhead debris handling.

All scrap lumber, waste material, and rubbish must be removed from the immediate work area as the work progresses. See 1926.252(c).

• This means employers should provide regular cleanup during the job—not just at the end of the shift—to reduce slip, trip, fire, and other hazards.
• Establish routines for continuous housekeeping so debris does not accumulate in work areas.

You may burn waste material or debris only if the burning complies with local fire regulations. See 1926.252(d).

• Before burning, check and follow the local fire department, state, or other authority having jurisdiction rules.
• Many jurisdictions prohibit or limit open burning on construction sites; obtain permits and follow conditions if burning is allowed.

All solvent waste, oily rags, and flammable liquids must be kept in fire-resistant covered containers until they are removed from the worksite. See 1926.252(e).

• Use containers rated for flammable materials and keep lids closed to limit oxygen and ignition sources.
• Follow local fire codes and manufacturer guidance for storage and disposal; some sites require periodic removal or specific handling for contaminated rags.

If debris may contain asbestos-containing building materials (ACBM), the work is covered by OSHA's construction asbestos standard, 29 CFR 1926.1101, and employers must follow that standard's work-practice, respirator, and disposal rules. See OSHA's interpretation explaining that remediation activities involving ACBM are covered by 29 CFR 1926.1101.

• Treat suspect materials conservatively and assume asbestos may be present in buildings built before 1980.
• Perform required exposure assessments, use regulated work practices, and follow asbestos waste handling and disposal procedures under the asbestos standard before moving or disposing of debris.

For Class I asbestos work where exposures exceed 1 f/cc (8-hour TWA), employers must provide full facepiece supplied-air respirators (SARs) operated in pressure-demand mode with an auxiliary positive-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA); at or below 1 f/cc employers must provide tight-fitting PAPRs or full facepiece SARs unless a negative exposure assessment allows different selection. See OSHA's respirator guidance for asbestos work in the 2024 respirator interpretation and the asbestos standard referenced therein.

• Do not rely on filtering facepiece (dust mask) respirators for Class I asbestos work.
• Employers must perform exposure monitoring and follow 29 CFR 1926.1101 respirator selection rules as explained in the interpretation.

Yes. Employers must assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present or likely to be present that necessitate PPE, and they must document the hazard assessment when PPE is required. See OSHA's interpretation on PPE hazard assessment requirements at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2024-03-28 which discusses 29 CFR 1910.132.

• The assessment should identify physical, chemical, biological, and other hazards (for example, asbestos, lead, bloodborne pathogens, or solvents in debris).
• Use the assessment to select appropriate PPE and consider other controls (engineering, administrative) first.

No. 1926.252(a) requires an enclosed chute only when materials are dropped more than 20 feet to a point outside the building exterior; drops of 20 feet or less are not covered by that specific chute requirement. See 1926.252(a).

• Even when a chute is not required, employers must still protect workers from falling-object hazards using other means (barricades, exclusion zones, PPE) and follow other applicable standards.

No. 1926.252(a) requires that the chute be enclosed (closed on all sides) and made of wood or equivalent material but does not specify slope or internal dimensions. See 1926.252(a).

• Employers must ensure the chute is safe, of adequate strength, and appropriate for the materials handled.
• For detailed design or load considerations, consult manufacturers' instructions, engineering guidance, or other applicable industry standards.

Yes. Signs warning of the hazard of falling materials must be posted at each level where debris can fall through floor openings. See 1926.252(b).

• Place signs at approaches, stairways, and work areas on every level where the hazard exists so workers are alerted to the risk.
• Signs should be clear, visible, and maintained until the hazard is removed.

Yes. While 1926.252(e) requires keeping oily rags and flammable liquids in fire-resistant covered containers until removed from the worksite, employers should also follow local fire codes, regularly remove and properly dispose of soaked rags, and minimize ignition sources nearby. See 1926.252(e).

• Some materials (like spontaneously combustible rags) need special handling—store them in metal containers with self-closing lids and empty them frequently.
• Coordinate with local fire authorities and follow manufacturers' Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for flammable liquids.

No. 1926.252 covers general debris and waste handling (chutes, barricades, housekeeping, burning, and storage of flammable wastes) but does not address hazardous waste disposal procedures; those materials must be handled under applicable environmental and hazardous-waste regulations and by conducting appropriate hazard assessments. See 1926.252 and OSHA guidance on performing workplace hazard assessments at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2024-03-28.

• For hazardous wastes (oils, solvents, contaminated soils), follow EPA and state hazardous-waste rules as well as site-specific cleanup plans.
• Conduct a hazard assessment to identify PPE, containment, and disposal methods before handling such materials.

Employers must use enclosed chutes for high drops or provide barricades and signage for floor openings as required by 1926.252; when work involves suspended conveyances or temporary suspended platforms, falling-object protection and fall protection requirements in the scaffold and fall-protection standards also apply. See 1926.252 and OSHA's interpretation about suspended conveyances and falling-object protection at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2023-12-05.

• Use toe boards, debris nets, canopies, or barricades as appropriate per the scaffold/falling-object guidance.
• Ensure coordination between debris-handling and suspended-work operations to prevent objects from striking workers below.

No. 1926.252(c) requires that all scrap lumber, waste material, and rubbish be removed from the immediate work area as the work progresses—not merely at the end of the day. See 1926.252(c).

• Continuous housekeeping reduces trip, fire, and infection hazards and supports a safer work environment.
• Employers should set procedures and schedules to ensure timely removal during the job.

Local fire authorities or other authorities having jurisdiction enforce local fire regulations that control on-site burning; 1926.252(d) requires compliance with those local rules. See 1926.252(d).

• Before burning, obtain necessary permits and follow any conditions imposed by local fire or environmental agencies.
• Even with local permission, employers should still take precautions to protect workers from smoke, heat, and toxic emissions.

1926.252(b) requires that signs warning of the hazard of falling materials be posted at each level where the hazard exists, not just the level above. See 1926.252(b).

• Post warnings at stairways, approaches, and work areas on every level that could be affected by falling debris so all workers are alerted.
• Maintain signage until the hazard is eliminated.