1910.252(a)(2)(vii): Moving Combustibles Away From Hot Work
Before cutting or welding, employers must move all combustibles at least 35 feet from the work site where practicable. Where moving them is not practicable, combustibles must be protected with flameproofed covers or shielded with metal or asbestos guards or curtains.
Key takeaways
- 1910.252(a)(2)(vii) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart Q).
- OSHA cited it 28 times in the last 3 years, in 28 inspections, with $71,080 in current penalties.
- Most citations: WI (5), VA (4), MN (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)(2)(vii) ("Relocation of combustibles") is one requirement inside 1910.252 General requirements, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart Q). 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
(vii) Relocation of combustibles. Where practicable, all combustibles shall be relocated at least 35 feet (10.7 m) from the work site. Where relocation is impracticable, combustibles shall be protected with flameproofed covers or otherwise shielded with metal or asbestos guards or curtains. 28 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 | 2 |
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 11 |
| 2026 | 6 |
Top states: WI (5), VA (4), MN (2), IL (2), AR (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| MAYVILLE ENGINEERING COMPANY, INC. | NEILLSVILLE, WI | $8,441 |
| PETRO AUTOMOTIVE GROUP INC. | HATTIESBURG, MS | $8,110 |
| GARCIA TENTS DBA AA EVENTS AND TENTS | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $7,081 |
| COCA-COLA BOTTLING COMPANY UNITED, INC. | ATLANTA, GA | $6,465 |
| MULLEN'S MARKINGS, INC. | ROANOKE, VA | $5,505 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.252(a)(2)(vii), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.252(a)(2)(vii).
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)(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)(1) Basic precautions 14 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
How far must combustibles be moved from welding?
At least 35 feet (10.7 m) from the work site, where practicable.
What if combustibles cannot be moved?
They must be protected with flameproofed covers or shielded with metal or asbestos guards or curtains.
Does this apply to cutting too?
Yes. It is part of the fire prevention rules for cutting and welding.
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.