1910.123: Dip Tank Coverage and Definitions
Employers must follow the dip tank rules in 1910.123 through 1910.126 when using a tank of liquid other than water, or its vapor, to clean, coat, alter the surface or change the character of an object, including draining and drying. Operations using only molten material are not covered, and this section defines terms such as dip tank, adjacent area and flammable liquid.
Key takeaways
- 1910.123 is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart H).
- Most-cited part: 1910.123(a).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.123, "Dipping and coating operations: Coverage and definitions", is an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart H). 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 1910.123 (10 paragraphs)
(a) Does this rule apply to me? Open (a)
(1) This rule (§§ 1910.123 through 1910.126) applies when you use a dip tank containing a liquid other than water. It applies when you use the liquid in the tank or its vapor to:
(i) Clean an object;
(ii) Coat an object;
(iii) Alter the surface of an object; or
(iv) Change the character of an object.
(2) This rule also applies to the draining or drying of an object you have dipped or coated.
(b) What operations are covered? Examples of covered operations are paint dipping, electroplating, pickling, quenching, tanning, degreasing, stripping, cleaning, roll coating, flow coating, and curtain coating. Open (b)
(c) What operations are not covered? You are not covered by this rule if your dip-tank operation only uses a molten material (a molten metal, alloy, or salt, for example).
(d) How are terms used in §§ 1910.123 through 1910.126 defined? Open (d)
Adjacent area means any area within 20 feet (6.1 m) of a vapor area that is not separated from the vapor area by tight partitions.
Approved means that the equipment so designated is listed or approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, as defined by § 1910.7.
Autoignition temperature means the minimum temperature required to cause self-sustained combustion, independent of any other source of heat.
Dip tank means a container holding a liquid other than water and that is used for dipping or coating. An object may be immersed (or partially immersed) in a dip tank or it may be suspended in a vapor coming from the tank.
Flammable liquid means any liquid having a flashpoint at or below 199.4 °F (93 °C).
Flashpoint means the minimum temperature at which a liquid gives off a vapor in sufficient concentration to ignite if tested in accordance with the test methods in Appendix B to § 1910.1200—Physical Hazard Criteria.
Lower flammable limit (LFL) means the lowest concentration of a material that will propagate a flame. The LFL is usually expressed as a percent by volume of the material in air (or other oxidant).
Vapor area means any space containing a dip tank, including its drain boards, associated drying or conveying equipment, and any surrounding area where the vapor concentration exceeds 25% of the LFL of the liquid in the tank.
You means the employer, as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 651 et seq.).
[64 FR 13909, Mar. 23, 1999, as amended at 77 FR 17777, Mar. 26, 2012]
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15.
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.123, plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Vapor areas must be limited; concentrations must remain below 25% of the substances' lower flammable limit (2002-09-10)
- A sink-on-a-drum style parts cleaner is a dip tank. (2001-03-23)
- The use of flammable and combustible liquids in dip tanks. (1990-04-26)
- 1910.123-1910.126, As Applied to Dip Tanks Containing Varnish for Electric Motor Coating. (1979-06-11)
- Dipping and coating operations standard applies to liquids with a 380 degree flashpoint. (1976-11-12)
Most-cited parts of this rule
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
When do the OSHA dip tank rules apply?
When you use a dip tank containing a liquid other than water to clean, coat, alter the surface of, or change the character of an object.
What operations are covered?
Examples include paint dipping, electroplating, pickling, quenching, tanning, degreasing, stripping, cleaning, roll coating, flow coating and curtain coating.
What is an adjacent area?
Any area within 20 feet (6.1 m) of a vapor area that is not separated from it by tight partitions.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.123 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly
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.