1910.253(a)(1): Preventing Explosive Fuel Gas Mixtures
Employers must guard against explosive mixtures of fuel gases with air or oxygen. No device or attachment that lets air or oxygen mix with flammable gas before it is used is allowed, except at the burner or in a standard torch, unless it is approved for that purpose.
Key takeaways
- 1910.253(a)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart Q).
- OSHA cited it 11 times in the last 3 years, in 11 inspections, with $36,200 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NJ (11).
- Related part: 1910.253(a) General requirements (27 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.253(a)(1) ("Flammable mixture") is one requirement inside 1910.253 Oxygen-fuel gas welding and cutting, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart Q). 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
(1) Flammable mixture. Mixtures of fuel gases and air or oxygen may be explosive and shall be guarded against. No device or attachment facilitating or permitting mixtures of air or oxygen with flammable gases prior to consumption, except at the burner or in a standard torch, shall be allowed unless approved for the purpose. 11 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.253.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: NJ (11)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| TOWNSHIP OF MOORESTOWN DPW | MOORESTOWN, NJ | $4,500 |
| BORO OF MANASQUAN DPW | MANASQUAN, NJ | $4,500 |
| VINELAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS - TRANSPORTATION GARAGE | VINELAND, NJ | $4,000 |
| CARNEYS POINT TOWNSHIP DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS | CARNEYS POINT, NJ | $3,600 |
| GLASSBORO WATER & SEWER DEPARTMENT | GLASSBORO, NJ | $3,600 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.253(a)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.253(a)(1).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.253(a) General requirements 27 citations
- 1910.253(a)(3) Apparatus 14 citations
- 1910.253(a)(4) Personnel 2 citations
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
Why are fuel gas and oxygen mixtures dangerous?
The rule says mixtures of fuel gases and air or oxygen may be explosive and must be guarded against.
Where is mixing allowed?
Only at the burner or in a standard torch, unless a device is approved for the purpose.
Can I add a homemade fitting that mixes gases?
No. Devices that let gases mix before use are not allowed unless they are approved for the purpose.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.253 (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 2026-10-21
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.