1910.252(b)(2)(i): Choosing Eye Protection for Welding
Helmets or hand shields must be used during all arc welding or arc cutting except submerged arc welding, and helpers must have proper eye protection. Goggles or other suitable eye protection are required for gas welding and oxygen cutting, operators and attendants of resistance welding or brazing must use face shields or goggles, and suitable goggles must be provided where needed for other brazing.
Key takeaways
- 1910.252(b)(2)(i) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart Q).
- OSHA cited it 53 times in the last 3 years, in 53 inspections, with $156,080 in current penalties.
- Most citations: KS (5), TN (5), MN (5).
- Related part: 1910.252(b) Protection of personnel (391 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.252(b)(2)(i) ("Selection") 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
(i) Selection. 53 citations
(A) Helmets or hand shields shall be used during all arc welding or arc cutting operations, excluding submerged arc welding. Helpers or attendants shall be provided with proper eye protection. Open (b)(2)(i)(a) 41 citations
(B) Goggles or other suitable eye protection shall be used during all gas welding or oxygen cutting operations. Spectacles without side shields, with suitable filter lenses are permitted for use during gas welding operations on light work, for torch brazing or for inspection. 9 citations
(C) All operators and attendants of resistance welding or resistance brazing equipment shall use transparent face shields or goggles, depending on the particular job, to protect their faces or eyes, as required. 2 citations
(D) Eye protection in the form of suitable goggles shall be provided where needed for brazing operations not covered in paragraphs (b)(2)(i)(A) through (b)(2)(i)(C) of this section. 1 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.252.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 30 |
| 2025 | 12 |
| 2026 | 8 |
Top states: KS (5), TN (5), MN (5), AL (4), WI (4)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| IMPERIAL GROUP MANUFACTURING, INC. | DUBLIN, VA | $10,276 |
| HORIZONS SYSTEMS | PARSONS, KS | $8,298 |
| KOMMERLING USA, INC. | HUNTSVILLE, AL | $7,233 |
| ARNOLD STEEL CO., INC. | HOWELL, NJ | $7,000 |
| MERRILL IRON & STEEL, INC. | SCHOFIELD, WI | $6,632 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.252(b)(2)(i), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.252(b)(2)(i).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.252(b) Protection of personnel 391 citations
- 1910.252(b)(2) Eye protection 341 citations
- 1910.252(b)(2)(iii) Protection from arc welding rays 287 citations
- 1910.252(b)(3) Protective clothing—General requirements 42 citations
- 1910.252(b)(2)(i)(A) 41 citations
- 1910.252(b)(4) Work in confined spaces 7 citations
- 1910.252(b)(2)(ii) Specifications for protectors 1 citations
- 1910.252(b)(4)(vii) Warning sign
- 1910.252(b)(2)(ii)(I)
- 1910.252(b)(4)(i) General
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 eye protection is required for arc welding?
Helmets or hand shields, for all arc welding or arc cutting except submerged arc welding.
Do welding helpers need eye protection?
Yes. Helpers or attendants must be provided with proper eye protection.
Are spectacles allowed for gas welding?
Spectacles without side shields with suitable filter lenses are permitted for light gas welding work, torch brazing or inspection.
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.