1910.252(a)(1): Fire Precautions for Welding and Cutting
If the object to be welded or cut cannot be moved, all movable fire hazards nearby must be taken to a safe place. If fire hazards cannot be removed, guards must confine heat, sparks and slag; if neither can be done, welding and cutting must not be performed.
Key takeaways
- 1910.252(a)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart Q).
- OSHA cited it 14 times in the last 3 years, in 13 inspections, with $54,744 in current penalties.
- Most citations: IA (2), NJ (2), RI (2).
- Related part: 1910.252(a) Fire prevention and protection (192 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.252(a)(1) ("Basic precautions") is one requirement inside 1910.252 General requirements, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart Q). It includes 3 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
(1) Basic precautions. For elaboration of these basic precautions and of the special precautions of paragraph (a)(2) of this section as well as a delineation of the fire protection and prevention responsibilities of welders and cutters, their supervisors (including outside contractors) and those in management on whose property cutting and welding is to be performed, see Standard for Fire Prevention in Use of Cutting and Welding Processes, NFPA Standard 51B, 1962, which is incorporated by reference as specified in § 1910.6. The basic precautions for fire prevention in welding or cutting work are: 14 citations
(i) Fire hazards. If the object to be welded or cut cannot readily be moved, all movable fire hazards in the vicinity shall be taken to a safe place. 8 citations
(ii) Guards. If the object to be welded or cut cannot be moved and if all the fire hazards cannot be removed, then guards shall be used to confine the heat, sparks, and slag, and to protect the immovable fire hazards. 5 citations
(iii) Restrictions. If the requirements stated in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) of this section cannot be followed then welding and cutting shall not be performed. 1 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.252.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 6 |
Top states: IA (2), NJ (2), RI (2), DE (1), UT (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| SOUTHWEST WASTE SERVICES, LLC | FORT MYERS, FL | $9,679 |
| SOUTHWESTERN HOLLOW METAL COMPANY | RATON, NM | $8,331 |
| THATCHER COMPANY, INC. | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $7,000 |
| YAMAHA MOTOR MANUFACTURING CORPORATION OF AMERICA | NEWNAN, GA | $5,877 |
| GRIP-TITE MANUFACTURING | WINTERSET, IA | $5,469 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.252(a)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.252(a)(1).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.252(a) Fire prevention and protection 192 citations
- 1910.252(a)(2) Special precautions 138 citations
- 1910.252(a)(3) Welding or cutting containers 40 citations
- 1910.252(a)(3)(i) Used containers 33 citations
- 1910.252(a)(2)(vii) Relocation of combustibles 28 citations
- 1910.252(a)(2)(xiii) Management 28 citations
- 1910.252(a)(2)(vi) Prohibited areas 20 citations
- 1910.252(a)(2)(vi)(C) 19 citations
- 1910.252(a)(2)(xiii)(C) 16 citations
- 1910.252(a)(2)(iii) Fire watch 13 citations
- 1910.252(a)(2)(iv) Authorization 13 citations
- 1910.252(a)(2)(ii) Fire extinquishers 10 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 if the work cannot be moved?
Move all movable fire hazards in the vicinity to a safe place.
What if fire hazards cannot be removed?
Use guards to confine heat, sparks and slag and protect the immovable hazards.
When is welding not allowed?
When neither of those steps can be followed.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.252 (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.