1910.123(d): OSHA rule
Key takeaways
- 1910.123(d) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart H).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.123(d) is one requirement inside 1910.123 Dipping and coating operations: Coverage and definitions, 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
(d) How are terms used in §§ 1910.123 through 1910.126 defined?
Adjacent area means any area within 20 feet (6.1 m) of a vapor area that is not separated from the vapor area by tight partitions.
Approved means that the equipment so designated is listed or approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, as defined by § 1910.7.
Autoignition temperature means the minimum temperature required to cause self-sustained combustion, independent of any other source of heat.
Dip tank means a container holding a liquid other than water and that is used for dipping or coating. An object may be immersed (or partially immersed) in a dip tank or it may be suspended in a vapor coming from the tank.
Flammable liquid means any liquid having a flashpoint at or below 199.4 °F (93 °C).
Flashpoint means the minimum temperature at which a liquid gives off a vapor in sufficient concentration to ignite if tested in accordance with the test methods in Appendix B to § 1910.1200—Physical Hazard Criteria.
Lower flammable limit (LFL) means the lowest concentration of a material that will propagate a flame. The LFL is usually expressed as a percent by volume of the material in air (or other oxidant).
Vapor area means any space containing a dip tank, including its drain boards, associated drying or conveying equipment, and any surrounding area where the vapor concentration exceeds 25% of the LFL of the liquid in the tank.
You means the employer, as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 651 et seq.).
[64 FR 13909, Mar. 23, 1999, as amended at 77 FR 17777, Mar. 26, 2012]
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.123.
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.123(d), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Vapor areas must be limited; concentrations must remain below 25% of the substances' lower flammable limit (2002-09-10)
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.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.123 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly
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.