1910.106(d)(2)(iii): Size Limits for Flammable Liquid Containers
Flammable liquid containers must follow the size limits in Table H-12, such as 1 pint glass or approved plastic for Category 1 and 60 gallons for DOT metal drums. Glass or plastic containers of no more than 1 gallon may be used for Category 1 or 2 liquids only under the stated purity or process conditions, or when intended for direct export outside the United States.
Key takeaways
- 1910.106(d)(2)(iii) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart H).
- OSHA cited it 39 times in the last 3 years, in 39 inspections, with $21,504 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NV (15), NY (8), CT (3).
- Related part: 1910.106(d) Container and portable tank storage (357 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.106(d)(2)(iii) ("Size") is one requirement inside 1910.106 Flammable liquids, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart H). 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
(iii) Size. Flammable liquid containers shall be in accordance with Table H-12, except that glass or plastic containers of no more than 1-gallon capacity may be used for a Category 1 or 2 flammable liquid if: 39 citations
(a)
(1) Such liquid either would be rendered unfit for its intended use by contact with metal or would excessively corrode a metal container so as to create a leakage hazard; and
(2) The user's process either would require more than 1 pint of a Category 1 flammable liquid or more than 1 quart of a Category 2 flammable liquid of a single assay lot to be used at one time, or would require the maintenance of an analytical standard liquid of a quality which is not met by the specified standards of liquids available, and the quantity of the analytical standard liquid required to be used in any one control process exceeds one-sixteenth the capacity of the container allowed under Table H-12 for the category of liquid; or
(b) The containers are intended for direct export outside the United States.
| Container type | Category 1 | Category 2 | Category 3 | Category 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glass or approved plastic | 1 pt | 1 qt | 1 gal | 1 gal. |
| Metal (other than DOT drums) | 1 gal | 5 gal | 5 gal | 5 gal. |
| Safety cans | 2 gal | 5 gal | 5 gal | 5 gal. |
| Metal drums (DOT specifications) | 60 gal | 60 gal | 60 gal | 60 gal. |
| Approved portable tanks | 660 gal | 660 gal | 660 gal | 660 gal. |
| Note: Container exemptions: (a) Medicines, beverages, foodstuffs, cosmetics, and other common consumer items, when packaged according to commonly accepted practices, shall be exempt from the requirements of 1910.106(d)(2)(i) and (ii). | ||||
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.106.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 14 |
| 2025 | 17 |
| 2026 | 6 |
Top states: NV (15), NY (8), CT (3), CO (3), TN (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| LAKE COUNTY MOVERS, INC. | WAUKEGAN, IL | $4,610 |
| SHERWIN WILLIAMS, INC. | EAST HARTFORD, CT | $4,500 |
| RBC AIRCRAFT PRODUCTS INC | TORRINGTON, CT | $2,979 |
| MCCLOSKEY MOTORS, INC. | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $2,000 |
| HERBAL GARDEN, LLC | PUEBLO, CO | $1,912 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.106(d)(2)(iii), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Storage of Class IA and IB flammable liquids in glass containers. (2003-07-07)
- Bonding and grounding of plastic containers during transfer of Class I flammable liquids. (1999-03-29)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.106(d) Container and portable tank storage 357 citations
- 1910.106(d)(2) Design, construction, and capacity of containers 125 citations
- 1910.106(d)(2)(i) General 83 citations
- 1910.106(d)(4) Design and construction of inside storage rooms 67 citations
- 1910.106(d)(3) Design, construction, and capacity of storage cabinets 65 citations
- 1910.106(d)(3)(ii) Fire resistance 59 citations
- 1910.106(d)(5) Storage inside building 55 citations
- 1910.106(d)(4)(i) Construction 26 citations
- 1910.106(d)(7) Fire control 23 citations
- 1910.106(d)(4)(iv) Ventilation 22 citations
- 1910.106(d)(6) Storage outside buildings 22 citations
- 1910.106(d)(5)(i) Egress 20 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
What is the largest safety can allowed for a Category 1 flammable liquid?
2 gallons, under Table H-12.
When can a 1-gallon glass container hold a Category 1 or 2 liquid?
When metal would make the liquid unfit or excessively corrode the container and the process needs the stated larger amounts, or when the containers are for direct export outside the United States.
What size limit applies to approved portable tanks?
660 gallons for all four categories in Table H-12.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.106 (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.