1910.120(c)(6)(ii): Air Monitoring for IDLH Conditions
During initial site entry, the air must be monitored with appropriate direct reading test equipment, such as combustible gas meters and detector tubes, for IDLH and other conditions that may cause death or serious harm, including combustible or explosive atmospheres, oxygen deficiency and toxic substances.
Key takeaways
- 1910.120(c)(6)(ii) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart H).
- OSHA cited it 1 times in the last 3 years, in 1 inspections, with $0 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Related part: 1910.120(c) Site characterization and analysis (3 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.120(c)(6)(ii) is one requirement inside 1910.120 Hazardous waste operations and emergency response, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart H). 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
(ii) Monitoring the air with appropriate direct reading test equipment (i.e., combustible gas meters, detector tubes) for IDLH and other conditions that may cause death or serious harm (combustible or explosive atmospheres, oxygen deficiency, toxic substances). 1 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.120.
Export the list: 1 inspections cited 1910.120(c)(6)(ii) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moInjuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.120(c)(6)(ii).
At 2:30 p.m. on March 9, 2024, an employee was at the back of a tank with a hose and had two wrenches to take the tank valve cap off. The employee was founddead at the site of the tank valve. It was later determined…
Where and how often it was cited
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.120(c)(6)(ii).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.120(c) Site characterization and analysis 3 citations
- 1910.120(c)(6) Monitoring 1 citations
- 1910.120(c)(4) Required information
- 1910.120(c)(4)(ii)
- 1910.120(c)(7) Risk identification
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Frequently asked questions
What equipment is used?
Appropriate direct reading test equipment, such as combustible gas meters and detector tubes.
What conditions are tested for?
IDLH and other conditions that may cause death or serious harm.
What are examples?
Combustible or explosive atmospheres, oxygen deficiency, and toxic substances.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.120 (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 2026-11-06
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.