1910.125(e): Controlling Ignition Sources at Dip Tanks
In each dip tank vapor area and adjacent area, wiring must meet hazardous location rules and there can be no flames, sparks or surfaces hot enough to ignite vapors. Portable containers must be bonded and grounded, drying heaters must meet NFPA 86A-1969 with ventilation and automatic shutdown, areas must be free of combustible debris, rags must go in approved cans, and No Smoking signs must be posted.
Key takeaways
- 1910.125(e) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart H).
- OSHA cited it 12 times in the last 3 years, in 4 inspections, with $1,600 in current penalties.
- Most citations: CT (5), TN (4), MD (3).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.125(e) is one requirement inside 1910.125 Additional requirements for dipping and coating operations that use flammable liquids or liquids with flashpoints greater than 199.4 °F (93 °C), an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart H). It includes 13 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
(e) What ignition and fuel sources must be controlled? 12 citations
(1) In each vapor area and any adjacent area, you must ensure that: 2 citations
(i) All electrical wiring and equipment conform to the applicable hazardous (classified)-area requirements of subpart S of this part (except as specifically permitted in paragraph (g) of § 1910.126); and 2 citations
(ii) There are no flames, spark-producing devices, or other surfaces that are hot enough to ignite vapors.
(2) You must ensure that any portable container used to add liquid to the tank is electrically bonded to the dip tank and positively grounded to prevent static electrical sparks or arcs. 3 citations
(3) You must ensure that a heating system that is used in a drying operation and could cause ignition:
(i) Is installed in accordance with NFPA 86A-1969, Standard for Ovens and Furnaces (which is incorporated by reference in § 1910.6 of this part);
(ii) Has adequate mechanical ventilation that operates before and during the drying operation; and
(iii) Shuts down automatically if any ventilating fan fails to maintain adequate ventilation.
(4) You also must ensure that: 5 citations
(i) All vapor areas are free of combustible debris and as free as practicable of combustible stock; 2 citations
(ii) Rags and other material contaminated with liquids from dipping or coating operations are placed in approved waste cans immediately after use; and 2 citations
(iii) Waste can contents are properly disposed of at the end of each shift. 1 citations
(5) You must prohibit smoking in a vapor area and must post a readily visible “No Smoking” sign near each dip tank. 2 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.125.
Export the list: 4 inspections cited 1910.125(e) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Top states: CT (5), TN (4), MD (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| THE LORD'S TABLE, INC. | SPARTA, TN | $1,600 |
| ROSS-CURTIS PRODUCTS, INC. | NORWICH, CT | $0 |
| DIMENSION-POLYANT, INC. | PUTNAM, CT | $0 |
| MARINE POLYMERS, INC. | STEVENSVILLE, MD | $0 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.125(e).
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Frequently asked questions
Must containers used to add liquid be bonded?
Yes. They must be electrically bonded to the dip tank and positively grounded.
What happens if a drying ventilation fan fails?
The heating system must shut down automatically.
What must be done with contaminated rags?
Place them in approved waste cans immediately after use and dispose of contents at the end of each shift.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.125 (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.