1910.178(g)(11): No Flames or Sparks Near Battery Charging
Precautions must be taken to prevent open flames, sparks or electric arcs in battery charging areas.
Key takeaways
- 1910.178(g)(11) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 4 times in the last 3 years, in 4 inspections, with $20,283 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Related part: 1910.178(g) Changing and charging storage batteries (69 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.178(g)(11) is one requirement inside 1910.178 Powered industrial trucks, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart N). 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
(11) Precautions shall be taken to prevent open flames, sparks, or electric arcs in battery charging areas. 4 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.178.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.178(g)(11).
At 2:00 p.m. on June 6, 2024, an employee working as a laborer for a tire warehouse was operating a forklift (PIV). The employee was using the PIV to access palletized solid-core forklift tires on the third tier of a 4-tier rack storage system. While…
Where and how often it was cited
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.178(g)(11), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.178(g)(11).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.178(g) Changing and charging storage batteries 69 citations
- 1910.178(g)(2) 57 citations
- 1910.178(g)(5) 1 citations
- 1910.178(g)(10)
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Frequently asked questions
What must be kept out of battery charging areas?
Open flames, sparks, and electric arcs.
Does the rule say which precautions to take?
It requires precautions to prevent them, without listing specific ones.
Who does this protect?
Everyone working in or near battery charging areas.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.178 (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 2026-10-22
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.