1910.106(e)(6): Controlling Ignition Sources Around Flammable Liquids
Employers must take adequate precautions to prevent ignition of flammable vapors from sources such as open flames, lightning, smoking, cutting and welding, hot surfaces, friction, sparks, spontaneous ignition and radiant heat. Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids, or Category 3 with a flashpoint below 100 F (37.8 C), may not be dispensed into containers unless the nozzle and container are electrically interconnected.
Key takeaways
- 1910.106(e)(6) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart H).
- OSHA cited it 250 times in the last 3 years, in 228 inspections, with $728,453 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MI (29), VA (22), MN (21).
- Related part: 1910.106(e) Industrial plants (599 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.106(e)(6) ("Sources of ignition") is one requirement inside 1910.106 Flammable liquids, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart H). It includes 2 sub-paragraphs. 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
(6) Sources of ignition — 250 citations
(i) General. Adequate precautions shall be taken to prevent the ignition of flammable vapors. Sources of ignition include but are not limited to open flames; lightning; smoking; cutting and welding; hot surfaces; frictional heat; static, electrical, and mechanical sparks; spontaneous ignition, including heat-producing chemical reactions; and radiant heat. Open (e)(6)(i) 72 citations
(ii) Grounding. Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids, or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100 °F (37.8 °C), shall not be dispensed into containers unless the nozzle and container are electrically interconnected. Where the metallic floorplate on which the container stands while filling is electrically connected to the fill stem or where the fill stem is bonded to the container during filling operations by means of a bond wire, the provisions of this section shall be deemed to have been complied with. Open (e)(6)(ii) 175 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.106.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.106(e)(6).
At 2:40 p.m. on May 17, 2024, Employee #1 was working in the Mud Recovery Tank (MRT) area, monitoring the shakers and the volumes of other tanks as materials were transferred from the truck off-load area. A co-worker was nearby in the washout bay, unhooking…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 14 |
| 2024 | 80 |
| 2025 | 94 |
| 2026 | 62 |
Top states: MI (29), VA (22), MN (21), PA (19), MD (15)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ELDOR AUTOMOTIVE POWERTRAIN USA LLC | DALEVILLE, VA | $34,901 |
| HAMMER INTERMEDIATE CO LLC | DENVER, CO | $33,100 |
| ENERFIN RESOURCES COMPANY | DUSTIN, OK | $23,833 |
| AL BUYS JUNK CARS, INC. | ORLANDO, FL | $16,550 |
| THYSSENKRUPP BILSTEIN OF AMERICA, INC. | HAMILTON, OH | $16,131 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.106(e)(6), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Bonding and grounding of plastic containers during transfer of Class I flammable liquids. (1999-03-29)
- Transfer of Class IA liquids from polyethylene drums. (1986-10-06)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.106(e) Industrial plants 599 citations
- 1910.106(e)(2) Incidental storage or use of flammable liquids 207 citations
- 1910.106(e)(6)(ii) Grounding 175 citations
- 1910.106(e)(9) Housekeeping 125 citations
- 1910.106(e)(9)(iii) Waste and residue 113 citations
- 1910.106(e)(2)(ii) Containers 109 citations
- 1910.106(e)(2)(iv) Handling liquids at point of final use 91 citations
- 1910.106(e)(6)(i) General 72 citations
- 1910.106(e)(3) Unit physical operations 7 citations
- 1910.106(e)(2)(iii) Separation and protection 6 citations
- 1910.106(e)(7)(i) Equipment 5 citations
- 1910.106(e)(7) Electrical 5 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
What ignition sources must be controlled?
They include open flames, lightning, smoking, cutting and welding, hot surfaces, frictional heat, static, electrical and mechanical sparks, spontaneous ignition and radiant heat.
When must the nozzle and container be electrically connected?
When dispensing Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids, or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100 F (37.8 C).
Is a bond wire acceptable?
Yes. Bonding the fill stem to the container with a bond wire, or a connected metallic floorplate, meets the requirement.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.106 (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 2026-10-20
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.