1926.252 Debris Disposal: citations, penalties and recently cited employers
Data as of October 5, 2026 · citations issued Oct 5, 2025 to Oct 5, 2026
When construction debris is dropped more than 20 feet outside a building's exterior walls, an enclosed chute must be used. Material dropped through floor openings without a chute requires the drop area to be enclosed with barricades and warning signs. Scrap lumber, waste, and rubbish must be removed from the immediate work area as work progresses, and waste must be disposed of safely.
What the standard requires
- Use enclosed chutes for drops over 20 feet outside exterior walls
- Barricade and post warnings at areas where debris drops through openings
- Remove scrap and rubbish from work areas as work progresses
- Dispose of flammable and caustic waste safely
Hazards it addresses
- Workers struck by falling debris
- Trips and punctures from accumulated waste
Cited during demolition, roofing tear-offs, and multi-story renovation work.
Plain-language summary written for this site; it is not the regulatory text and not legal advice. Read the official text at eCFR.
Citations by month
Inspections with citations issued, by month of issuance. Hatched months are incomplete: citations reach the public data about a month after issuance.
Most-cited paragraphs
| Paragraph | What it covers | Items | Inspections | Median initial penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1926.252(a) | An enclosed chute is required when material is dropped more than 20 feet to a point outside the exterior walls. | 13 | 13 | $4,256 |
Penalties
Across 13 alleged items, OSHA and state-plan offices proposed $54,441 in initial penalties. The current total in the public data is $39,010, 28% lower after settlements, contests and amendments.
By violation type: Serious 92%; Other-than-serious 8%.
Citations by state
| State | Inspections cited | Items | Initial penalties | Current penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 3 | 3 | $11,632 | $5,674 |
| Arizona | 2 | 2 | $14,187 | $14,187 |
| Florida | 2 | 2 | $9,930 | $7,944 |
| Ohio | 2 | 2 | $4,256 | $2,000 |
| Illinois | 1 | 1 | $3,972 | $1,986 |
| New Jersey | 1 | 1 | $4,256 | $4,256 |
| Tennessee | 1 | 1 | $250 | $250 |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 1 | $5,958 | $2,713 |
By industry
- Construction: 13 inspections
Recently cited establishments
About these records. Citations list alleged violations and proposed penalties. Employers can contest them, and many are reduced or withdrawn in settlement. Each row shows the original and the current penalty and a status label derived from the public data as of October 5, 2026. Check the linked osha.gov page for the official record.
| Establishment | Location | Issued | Alleged items | Initial penalty | Current penalty | Status and deadlines | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EZ Roofing Company LLC | Mesa, AZ | Aug 13, 2026 | 1 | $4,256 | $4,256 | OpenAbatement due Aug 16, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 3, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| J.F. Martinez LLC | Hialeah Gardens, FL | Aug 3, 2026 | 1 | $4,965 | $2,979 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Northwestern Builders, LLC dba North West Roofing AZ | Mesa, AZ | Jul 16, 2026 | 1 | $9,931 | $9,931 | OpenAbatement due Jul 19, 2026Contest deadline ~Aug 6, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Gomez Roofing, LLC | Lima, OH | Jul 9, 2026 | 1 | $4,256 | $2,000 | Informal settlementAbatement due Jul 22, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Jias Roof LLC | Cincinnati, OH | Jun 18, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Jul 24, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Cristian Builder Pro LLC | Bedford, MA | Jun 16, 2026 | 1 | $1,702 | $1,702 | Final orderAbatement due Aug 4, 2026 | osha.gov |
| TLC Pro Roofing LLC | Mount Juliet, TN | May 18, 2026 | 1 | $250 | $250 | Final orderAbatement due Jun 1, 2026 | osha.gov |
| 3D Mendez Framing Services Inc. | Swampscott, MA | Mar 25, 2026 | 1 | $3,972 | $3,972 | Final order | osha.gov |
| A & C Heating & Cooling Corporation | Homewood, IL | Mar 4, 2026 | 1 | $3,972 | $1,986 | Informal settlementAbatement due Apr 20, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Myles Construction, LLC | Avenel, NJ | Feb 5, 2026 | 1 | $4,256 | $4,256 | ContestedContested Jun 8, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Valen Drywall LLC | Kissimmee, FL | Jan 8, 2026 | 1 | $4,965 | $4,965 | Final order | osha.gov |
| JS General Construction and Remodeling PLLC | Madison, WI | Dec 19, 2025 | 1 | $5,958 | $2,713 | Informal settlementAbatement due Jan 6, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Ascend Contracting Inc. | Lowell, MA | Nov 14, 2025 | 1 | $5,958 | $0 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
Often cited together
- 1926.501 Fall Protection (11 shared inspections)
- 1926.1053 Ladder Safety (5 shared inspections)
- 1926.100 Hard Hats (3 shared inspections)
- 1926.502 Fall Protection Systems (2 shared inspections)
- 1926.503 Fall Protection Training (2 shared inspections)
- 1926.602 Earthmoving and Forklifts (1 shared inspections)
Questions
What does OSHA standard 1926.252 require?
When construction debris is dropped more than 20 feet outside a building's exterior walls, an enclosed chute must be used. Material dropped through floor openings without a chute requires the drop area to be enclosed with barricades and warning signs. Scrap lumber, waste, and rubbish must be removed from the immediate work area as work progresses, and waste must be disposed of safely.
How often was 1926.252 cited in the last 12 months?
In the public data as of October 5, 2026, 1926.252 (Debris Disposal) appeared in 13 inspections with citations issued between Oct 5, 2025 and Oct 5, 2026, covering 13 alleged violation items.
Which part of 1926.252 is cited most?
1926.252(a) was the most-cited paragraph, with 13 items: An enclosed chute is required when material is dropped more than 20 feet to a point outside the exterior walls.
Which states cite 1926.252 most often?
The most citations under 1926.252 in this period were issued in Massachusetts, Arizona, Florida.
What is the typical penalty for a 1926.252 violation?
The median initial (proposed) penalty per item was $4,256; the median current penalty after settlements and amendments was $2,713. Totals: $54,441 proposed, $39,010 current. Penalties vary by violation type, employer size and history, and State Plans set their own amounts.
Are 1926.252 citations final?
Not necessarily. A citation is an allegation until it becomes a final order. 8% of these items were contested, and many others were changed in settlements. Each listing shows its current status and a link to the official record.