1910.252(a)(3)(ii): Venting Hollow Spaces Before Hot Work
All hollow spaces, cavities or containers must be vented to let air or gases escape before preheating, cutting or welding. Purging with inert gas is recommended.
Key takeaways
- 1910.252(a)(3)(ii) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart Q).
- OSHA cited it 7 times in the last 3 years, in 7 inspections, with $35,853 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- 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)(3)(ii) ("Venting and purging") 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
(ii) Venting and purging. All hollow spaces, cavities or containers shall be vented to permit the escape of air or gases before preheating, cutting or welding. Purging with inert gas is recommended. 7 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.252.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.252(a)(3)(ii).
At 2:45 p.m. on May 31, 2024, Employee #1 was performing welding work on a diesel fuel tank. During the welding process, an explosion occurred, resulting in the employee's fatal injuries. The explosion was caused by overpressure inside the tank, which caused metal parts to…
Where and how often it was cited
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.252(a)(3)(ii), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.252(a)(3)(ii).
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)(1) Basic precautions 14 citations
- 1910.252(a)(2)(iii) Fire watch 13 citations
- 1910.252(a)(2)(iv) Authorization 13 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What must be vented before welding?
All hollow spaces, cavities or containers.
Why vent before cutting or welding?
To permit the escape of air or gases.
Is inert gas purging required?
It is recommended.
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.