1926.352: Fire Prevention for Welding and Cutting
When practical, objects to be welded, cut or heated must be moved to a safe location, or nearby movable fire hazards removed or protected. If neither is possible, heat, sparks and slag must be confined. Hot work is banned where flammable paints, compounds or heavy dust create a hazard, extinguishers must be immediately available, fire watches are required when normal precautions are not enough, and the opposite side of walls, floors and ceilings needs the same precautions.
Key takeaways
- 1926.352 is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart J).
- OSHA cited it 37 times in the last 3 years, in 28 inspections, with $156,980 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (12), NY (7), WI (3).
- Most-cited part: 1926.352(c) (8 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
Get the free 5-minute toolbox talk on 1926.352 ↓
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.352, "Fire prevention", is an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart J). It has 10 numbered 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
Show the full text of 1926.352 (10 paragraphs)
(a) When practical, objects to be welded, cut, or heated shall be moved to a designated safe location or, if the objects to be welded, cut, or heated cannot be readily moved, all movable fire hazards in the vicinity shall be taken to a safe place, or otherwise protected. 5 citations
(b) If the object to be welded, cut, or heated cannot be moved and if all the fire hazards cannot be removed, positive means shall be taken to confine the heat, sparks, and slag, and to protect the immovable fire hazards from them. 5 citations
(c) No welding, cutting, or heating shall be done where the application of flammable paints, or the presence of other flammable compounds, or heavy dust concentrations creates a hazard. Open (c) 8 citations
(d) Suitable fire extinguishing equipment shall be immediately available in the work area and shall be maintained in a state of readiness for instant use. 8 citations
(e) When the welding, cutting, or heating operation is such that normal fire prevention precautions are not sufficient, additional personnel shall be assigned to guard against fire while the actual welding, cutting, or heating operation is being performed, and for a sufficient period of time after completion of the work to ensure that no possibility of fire exists. Such personnel shall be instructed as to the specific anticipated fire hazards and how the firefighting equipment provided is to be used. 4 citations
(f) When welding, cutting, or heating is performed on walls, floors, and ceilings, since direct penetration of sparks or heat transfer may introduce a fire hazard to an adjacent area, the same precautions shall be taken on the opposite side as are taken on the side on which the welding is being performed. 1 citations
(g) For the elimination of possible fire in enclosed spaces as a result of gas escaping through leaking or improperly closed torch valves, the gas supply to the torch shall be positively shut off at some point outside the enclosed space whenever the torch is not to be used or whenever the torch is left unattended for a substantial period of time, such as during the lunch period. Overnight and at the change of shifts, the torch and hose shall be removed from the confined space. Open end fuel gas and oxygen hoses shall be immediately removed from enclosed spaces when they are disconnected from the torch or other gas-consuming device.
(h) Except when the contents are being removed or transferred, drums, pails, and other containers which contain or have contained flammable liquids shall be kept closed. Empty containers shall be removed to a safe area apart from hot work operations or open flames.
(i) Drums containers, or hollow structures which have contained toxic or flammable substances shall, before welding, cutting, or heating is undertaken on them, either be filled with water or thoroughly cleaned of such substances and ventilated and tested. For welding, cutting and heating on steel pipelines containing natural gas, the pertinent portions of regulations issued by the Department of Transportation, Office of Pipeline Safety, 49 CFR part 192, Minimum Federal Safety Standards for Gas Pipelines, shall apply. Open (i) 6 citations
(j) Before heat is applied to a drum, container, or hollow structure, a vent or opening shall be provided for the release of any built-up pressure during the application of heat.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15.
Export the list: 28 inspections cited 1926.352 in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moInjuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.352.
At 1:00 p.m. on December 10, 2024, Employee #1 was using a torch to heat the steel lid of a tank, intending to cut a hole for installing a level indicator. Flammable gas inside the tank ignited as the torch was applied, causing the tankto…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 17 |
| 2025 | 13 |
| 2026 | 7 |
Top states: TX (12), NY (7), WI (3), OH (3), IN (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| CHEVRON U.S.A. INC. | PASCAGOULA, MS | $16,550 |
| GRIZZLY INDUSTRIAL GROUP, INC. | GALVESTON, TX | $14,895 |
| INDUSTRIAL THERMAL SERVICES, LLC | GALVESTON, TX | $14,895 |
| PARPAL LLC | JAL, NM | $11,588 |
| CB&I STORAGE TANK SOLUTIONS, LLC | NEW CASTLE, DE | $9,268 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.352, plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.352.
Most-cited parts of this rule
- 1926.352(c) 8 citations
- 1926.352(i) 6 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
When is a fire watch required during welding?
When normal fire prevention precautions are not sufficient; the watch stays during the work and for a sufficient period after to ensure no possibility of fire exists.
What about the other side of a wall I am welding on?
The same precautions must be taken on the opposite side as on the welding side.
When is welding not allowed at all?
Where flammable paints, other flammable compounds, or heavy dust concentrations create a hazard.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.352 (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 2026-11-06
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.