The use of trash chutes in construction is common as debris and trash can buildup quickly during the construction process. When installing drywall, for example, there are a lot of scrap cutoff pieces that must be thrown away and it can fill up dumpsters in a flash! In Federal OSHA land, it is required that a trash chute be used whenever material is thrown more than 20′ from an upper level under 1926 Subpart H: Materials Handling, Storage, Use, and Disposal, while in California, CAL/OSHA does not have a height requirement for trash chutes.

They instead have language that requires a trash chute to be used UNLESS “the area is effectively protected by barricades, fences or equivalent means” in their Demolition Safety Orders under §1736. Disposal of Waste Material. CAL/OSHA also has language about throwing material from buildings in their “General” Construction Safety Orders under §1513. Housekeeping, which states: “Waste, materials, or tools shall not be thrown from buildings or structures to areas where employee(s) may be located, unless the area where the material falls is guarded by fences, barricades, or other methods/means to prevent employee(s) from entering and being struck by falling objects. Signs shall be posted to warn employees of the hazard.” This could allow for a barricaded area around a dumpster that workers throw their trash into from 100′ or more above as long as the barricaded area is “effective” in preventing struck-by incidents.

While it makes common sense that certain aerodynamic materials, such as plywood and drywall sheets, will start to sail away from their intended landing area the higher the fall distance, CAL/OSHA never comes out and mandates a covered trash chute at any height. However, it is important to note CAL/OSHA’s wording in the safety orders with examples such as fencing being suggested, which could keep materials from sailing out of the dump zone to be utilized if such a hazard exists.