1910.252(c)(2)(i): Mechanical Ventilation for Welding
Mechanical ventilation must be provided when welding or cutting metals not covered in (c)(5) through (c)(12) in a space of less than 10,000 cubic feet per welder, a room with a ceiling under 16 feet, or confined spaces or areas where structures significantly block cross ventilation.
Key takeaways
- 1910.252(c)(2)(i) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart Q).
- OSHA cited it 14 times in the last 3 years, in 13 inspections, with $43,170 in current penalties.
- Most citations: VA (2), MN (2), RI (2).
- 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)(2)(i) ("General") is one requirement inside 1910.252 General requirements, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart Q). It includes 3 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) General. Mechanical ventilation shall be provided when welding or cutting is done on metals not covered in paragraphs (c)(5) through (c)(12) of this section. (For specific materials, see the ventilation requirements of paragraphs (c)(5) through (c)(12) of this section.) 14 citations
(A) In a space of less than 10,000 cubic feet (284 m3) per welder. 1 citations
(B) In a room having a ceiling height of less than 16 feet (5 m). 2 citations
(C) In confined spaces or where the welding space contains partitions, balconies, or other structural barriers to the extent that they significantly obstruct cross ventilation. 2 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.252.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: VA (2), MN (2), RI (2), NY (2), MA (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| EMI ACQUISITION COMPANY INC. | CRANSTON, RI | $11,585 |
| LUCAS-MILHAUPT WARWICK LLC | WARWICK, RI | $8,863 |
| 108636 - STILLWELL INC | BURNSVILLE, MN | $8,000 |
| WATSON MCDANIEL COMPANY | POTTSTOWN, PA | $5,554 |
| AMERICAN MARITIME SERVICES OF NJ INC. | FAIRBURN, GA | $5,162 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.252(c)(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(c)(2)(i).
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)(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)(11) Cleaning compounds 3 citations
- 1910.252(c)(10) Mercury
- 1910.252(c)(9) Cadmium
Get your crew competent
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Frequently asked questions
When is mechanical ventilation required for welding?
In a space of less than 10,000 cubic feet per welder, a room with a ceiling height under 16 feet, or confined or obstructed spaces.
Which metals does this cover?
Metals not covered in paragraphs (c)(5) through (c)(12).
What counts as an obstructed space?
One with partitions, balconies or other barriers that significantly obstruct cross ventilation.
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.