1910.252(a)(2)(vi): Where Cutting and Welding Are Not Allowed
Cutting or welding is not permitted in areas not authorized by management, in sprinklered buildings while sprinkler protection is impaired, around explosive atmospheres, including ones that may develop in uncleaned tanks or dusty areas, or near storage of large amounts of exposed, easily ignited materials like bulk sulfur, baled paper or cotton.
Key takeaways
- 1910.252(a)(2)(vi) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart Q).
- OSHA cited it 20 times in the last 3 years, in 20 inspections, with $131,918 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (5), GA (3), NY (2).
- Related part: 1910.252(a) Fire prevention and protection (192 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.252(a)(2)(vi) ("Prohibited areas") is one requirement inside 1910.252 General requirements, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart Q). It includes 4 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
(vi) Prohibited areas. Cutting or welding shall not be permitted in the following situations: 20 citations
(A) In areas not authorized by management.
(B) In sprinklered buildings while such protection is impaired. Open (a)(2)(vi)(b)
(C) In the presence of explosive atmospheres (mixtures of flammable gases, vapors, liquids, or dusts with air), or explosive atmospheres that may develop inside uncleaned or improperly prepared tanks or equipment which have previously contained such materials, or that may develop in areas with an accumulation of combustible dusts. Open (a)(2)(vi)(c) 19 citations
(D) In areas near the storage of large quantities of exposed, readily ignitible materials such as bulk sulfur, baled paper, or cotton.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.252.
Injuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.252(a)(2)(vi).
At 8:00 a.m. on February 10, 2025, Employee #1 was using an acetylene torch to cut a piece of steel, resting the material on two empty methanol barrels. Residual vapor or liquid inside one of the barrels ignited, causing a deflagration. Employee #1 was struck…
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 7 |
Top states: TX (5), GA (3), NY (2), VA (1), OH (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| KIRK WILLIAMS COMPANY INC. | GROVE CITY, OH | $16,550 |
| FOSS ENERGY SERVICES, INC. | BIG SPRING, TX | $14,895 |
| CARMICHAEL DEVELOPMENT, LLC | CANTON, GA | $14,518 |
| HI-PRO FEEDS, LLC | CLOVIS, NM | $12,416 |
| TRACTOR & EQUIPMENT COMPANY | KENNESAW, GA | $11,171 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.252(a)(2)(vi), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.252(a) Fire prevention and protection 192 citations
- 1910.252(a)(2) Special precautions 138 citations
- 1910.252(a)(3) Welding or cutting containers 40 citations
- 1910.252(a)(3)(i) Used containers 33 citations
- 1910.252(a)(2)(vii) Relocation of combustibles 28 citations
- 1910.252(a)(2)(xiii) Management 28 citations
- 1910.252(a)(2)(vi)(C) 19 citations
- 1910.252(a)(2)(xiii)(C) 16 citations
- 1910.252(a)(1) Basic precautions 14 citations
- 1910.252(a)(2)(iii) Fire watch 13 citations
- 1910.252(a)(2)(iv) Authorization 13 citations
- 1910.252(a)(2)(ii) Fire extinquishers 10 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Can you weld in a building while the sprinklers are out of service?
No. Cutting or welding is not permitted in sprinklered buildings while that protection is impaired.
Can you weld on a tank that held flammable material?
Not if an explosive atmosphere may develop inside it because it is uncleaned or improperly prepared.
What materials make an area off limits?
Large quantities of exposed, readily ignitible materials such as bulk sulfur, baled paper or cotton.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.252 (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.