1910.253(b)(4): Safe Storage of Oxygen Cylinders
Employers must store oxygen cylinders away from oil, grease, fuel-gas cylinders and other things that can start or speed up a fire. In storage, oxygen must be separated from fuel-gas cylinders or combustibles by at least 20 feet or by a noncombustible barrier at least 5 feet high with at least a half-hour fire rating, and large liquid oxygen systems must follow NFPA 566.
Key takeaways
- 1910.253(b)(4) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart Q).
- OSHA cited it 563 times in the last 3 years, in 559 inspections, with $1,085,275 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MD (58), NY (50), NJ (50).
- Related part: 1910.253(b) Cylinders and containers (902 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.253(b)(4) ("Oxygen storage") is one requirement inside 1910.253 Oxygen-fuel gas welding and cutting, 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
(4) Oxygen storage. 563 citations
(i) Oxygen cylinders shall not be stored near highly combustible material, especially oil and grease; or near reserve stocks of carbide and acetylene or other fuel-gas cylinders, or near any other substance likely to cause or accelerate fire; or in an acetylene generator compartment. Open (b)(4)(i) 92 citations
(ii) Oxygen cylinders stored in outside generator houses shall be separated from the generator or carbide storage rooms by a noncombustible partition having a fire-resistance rating of at least 1 hour. This partition shall be without openings and shall be gastight.
(iii) Oxygen cylinders in storage shall be separated from fuel-gas cylinders or combustible materials (especially oil or grease), a minimum distance of 20 feet (6.1 m) or by a noncombustible barrier at least 5 feet (1.5 m) high having a fire-resistance rating of at least one-half hour. Open (b)(4)(iii) 470 citations
(iv) Where a liquid oxygen system is to be used to supply gaseous oxygen for welding or cutting and the system has a storage capacity of more than 13,000 cubic feet (364 m3) of oxygen (measured at 14.7 psia (101 kPa) and 70 °F (21.1 °C)), connected in service or ready for service, or more than 25,000 cubic feet (700 m3) of oxygen (measured at 14.7 psia (101 kPa) and 70 °F (21.1 °C)), including unconnected reserves on hand at the site, it shall comply with the provisions of the Standard for Bulk Oxygen Systems at Consumer Sites, NFPA No. 566—1965, which is incorporated by reference as specified in § 1910.6.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.253.
Injuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.253(b)(4).
At 2:30 p.m. on November 12, 2024, Employee #1, employed by a recycling company,was attempting to clear debris below a conveyor belt when the machine unexpectedly activated, causing the employee to be crushed. The employee suffered blunt trauma from the crushing incident and was later…
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 | 43 |
| 2024 | 206 |
| 2025 | 208 |
| 2026 | 106 |
Top states: MD (58), NY (50), NJ (50), TN (35), MN (33)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| MAVIS TIRE SUPPLY LLC | JACKSON, NJ | $41,380 |
| MONRO, INC. | NORWICH, NY | $40,000 |
| FLORENCE HARDWOODS, LLC | FLORENCE, WI | $17,189 |
| MARMON RETAIL SOLUTIONS | WAGONER, OK | $16,550 |
| PB ACQUISITION COMPANY, LLC | SOUTHINGTON, CT | $16,131 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.253(b)(4), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Storage of oxygen and acetylene cylinders for construction vs. general industry. (2006-05-10)
- General industry and construction standards regarding "in use" or "ready to use" and "storage" of compressed gas and oxygen cylinders for welding; §1910.253(b)(2)-1910.253(b)(4) and §1926.350(a)(10). (2006-05-08)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.253(b) Cylinders and containers 902 citations
- 1910.253(b)(4)(iii) 470 citations
- 1910.253(b)(2) Storage of cylinders—general 313 citations
- 1910.253(b)(2)(ii) 200 citations
- 1910.253(b)(2)(iv) 105 citations
- 1910.253(b)(4)(i) 92 citations
- 1910.253(b)(5) Operating procedures 16 citations
- 1910.253(b)(5)(ii) 11 citations
- 1910.253(b)(1) Approval and marking 7 citations
- 1910.253(b)(5)(iii) 5 citations
- 1910.253(b)(5)(ii)(D) 4 citations
- 1910.253(b)(5)(ii)(I) 3 citations
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Frequently asked questions
How far must oxygen be stored from fuel gas?
At least 20 feet, or separated by a noncombustible barrier at least 5 feet high with a fire-resistance rating of at least one-half hour.
Why keep oxygen away from oil and grease?
Oil and grease are highly combustible, and oxygen can cause or accelerate fire. The rule specifically names them.
What about generator houses?
Oxygen cylinders stored in outside generator houses must be separated from generator or carbide storage rooms by a gastight noncombustible partition with at least a 1-hour fire rating.
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 2026-10-20
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.