1910.252(c)(11): Cleaning Compounds Near Welding
When using cleaning materials, employers must follow appropriate precautions such as manufacturer's instructions because of possible toxicity or flammability. Degreasing and cleaning with chlorinated hydrocarbons must be located so no vapors reach or are drawn into the air around any welding, and trichloroethylene and perchlorethylene should be kept out of air reached by ultraviolet radiation from gas-shielded welding.
Key takeaways
- 1910.252(c)(11) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart Q).
- OSHA cited it 3 times in the last 3 years, in 3 inspections, with $19,937 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Related part: 1910.252(c) Health protection and ventilation (72 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.252(c)(11) ("Cleaning compounds") is one requirement inside 1910.252 General requirements, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart Q). It includes 2 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
(11) Cleaning compounds — 3 citations
(i) Manufacturer's instructions. In the use of cleaning materials, because of their possible toxicity or flammability, appropriate precautions such as manufacturers instructions shall be followed. Open (c)(11)(i) 3 citations
(ii) Degreasing. Degreasing and other cleaning operations involving chlorinated hydrocarbons shall be so located that no vapors from these operations will reach or be drawn into the atmosphere surrounding any welding operation. In addition, trichloroethylene and perchlorethylene should be kept out of atmospheres penetrated by the ultraviolet radiation of gas-shielded welding operations.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.252.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.252(c)(11).
At 10:35 a.m. on April 11, 2024, an employee working as a welder was welding an aluminum trailer floor cover plate back on a Wilson Aluminum Straight Cattle Trailer inside a poorly ventilated shop. The employee had cleaned the metal withDenco Brake & Parts Cleaner…
Where and how often it was cited
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.252(c)(11), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.252(c)(11).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.252(c) Health protection and ventilation 72 citations
- 1910.252(c)(1) General 33 citations
- 1910.252(c)(1)(iv) Hazard communication 25 citations
- 1910.252(c)(2) Ventilation for general welding and cutting 17 citations
- 1910.252(c)(2)(i) General 14 citations
- 1910.252(c)(6)(ii) Indoors 13 citations
- 1910.252(c)(6) Zinc 13 citations
- 1910.252(c)(4) Ventilation in confined spaces 4 citations
- 1910.252(c)(11)(i) Manufacturer's instructions 3 citations
- 1910.252(c)(10) Mercury
- 1910.252(c)(9) Cadmium
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
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Frequently asked questions
Why follow instructions for cleaning compounds?
Because of their possible toxicity or flammability.
Where must chlorinated hydrocarbon degreasing be done?
Located so no vapors reach or are drawn into the atmosphere around any welding operation.
Which solvents should be kept away from gas-shielded welding?
Trichloroethylene and perchlorethylene.
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 2026-10-24
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.