1910.252(b)(2): Eye Protection for Welding and Cutting
Helmets or hand shields must be used for all arc welding or arc cutting except submerged arc welding, and helpers need proper eye protection. Goggles or suitable eye protection are required for gas welding and oxygen cutting, face shields or goggles for resistance welding and brazing, and helmets, shields and goggles must meet the listed specifications for insulation, flammability, filter plates and lenses.
Key takeaways
- 1910.252(b)(2) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart Q).
- OSHA cited it 341 times in the last 3 years, in 325 inspections, with $1,043,316 in current penalties.
- Most citations: TX (26), MN (26), PA (22).
- Related part: 1910.252(b) Protection of personnel (391 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.252(b)(2) ("Eye protection") is one requirement inside 1910.252 General requirements, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart Q). It includes 16 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
(2) Eye protection — 341 citations
(i) Selection. Open (b)(2)(i) 53 citations
(A) Helmets or hand shields shall be used during all arc welding or arc cutting operations, excluding submerged arc welding. Helpers or attendants shall be provided with proper eye protection. Open (b)(2)(i)(a) 41 citations
(B) Goggles or other suitable eye protection shall be used during all gas welding or oxygen cutting operations. Spectacles without side shields, with suitable filter lenses are permitted for use during gas welding operations on light work, for torch brazing or for inspection. 9 citations
(C) All operators and attendants of resistance welding or resistance brazing equipment shall use transparent face shields or goggles, depending on the particular job, to protect their faces or eyes, as required. 2 citations
(D) Eye protection in the form of suitable goggles shall be provided where needed for brazing operations not covered in paragraphs (b)(2)(i)(A) through (b)(2)(i)(C) of this section. 1 citations
(ii) Specifications for protectors. Open (b)(2)(ii) 1 citations
(A) Helmets and hand shields shall be made of a material which is an insulator for heat and electricity. Helmets, shields and goggles shall be not readily flammable and shall be capable of withstanding sterilization.
(B) Helmets and hand shields shall be arranged to protect the face, neck and ears from direct radiant energy from the arc.
(C) Helmets shall be provided with filter plates and cover plates designed for easy removal.
(D) All parts shall be constructed of a material which will not readily corrode or discolor the skin.
(E) Goggles shall be ventilated to prevent fogging of the lenses as much as practicable.
(F) All glass for lenses shall be tempered, substantially free from striae, air bubbles, waves and other flaws. Except when a lens is ground to provide proper optical correction for defective vision, the front and rear surfaces of lenses and windows shall be smooth and parallel.
(G) Lenses shall bear some permanent distinctive marking by which the source and shade may be readily identified.
(H) The following is a guide for the selection of the proper shade numbers. These recommendations may be varied to suit the individual's needs.
| Welding operation | Shade No. |
|---|---|
| Shielded metal-arc welding—1⁄16-, 3⁄32-, 1⁄8-, 5⁄32-inch electrodes | 10 |
| Gas-shielded arc welding (nonferrous)—1⁄16-, 3⁄32-, 1⁄8-, 5⁄32-inch electrodes | 11 |
| Gas-shielded arc welding (ferrous)—1⁄16-, 3⁄32-, 1⁄8-, 5⁄32-inch electrodes | 12 |
| Shielded metal-arc welding: | |
| 3⁄16-, 7⁄32-, 1⁄4-inch electrodes | 12 |
| 5⁄16-, 3⁄8-inch electrodes | 14 |
| Atomic hydrogen welding | 10-14 |
| Carbon arc welding | 14 |
| Soldering | 2 |
| Torch brazing | 3 or 4 |
| Light cutting, up to 1 inch | 3 or 4 |
| Medium cutting, 1 inch to 6 inches | 4 or 5 |
| Heavy cutting, 6 inches and over | 5 or 6 |
| Gas welding (light) up to 1⁄8 inch | 4 or 5 |
| Gas welding (medium) 1⁄8 inch to 1⁄2 inch | 5 or 6 |
| Gas welding (heavy) 1⁄2 inch and over | 6 or 8 |
| Note: In gas welding or oxygen cutting where the torch produces a high yellow light, it is desirable to use a filter or lens that absorbs the yellow or sodium line in the visible light of the operation. | |
(I) Filter lenses must meet the test for transmission of radiant energy prescribed by any of the consensus standards listed in 29 CFR 1910.133(b)(1). Open (b)(2)(ii)(i)
(iii) Protection from arc welding rays. Where the work permits, the welder should be enclosed in an individual booth painted with a finish of low reflectivity such as zinc oxide (an important factor for absorbing ultraviolet radiations) and lamp black, or shall be enclosed with noncombustible screens similarly painted. Booths and screens shall permit circulation of air at floor level. Workers or other persons adjacent to the welding areas shall be protected from the rays by noncombustible or flameproof screens or shields or shall be required to wear appropriate goggles. Open (b)(2)(iii) 287 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 | 10 |
| 2024 | 148 |
| 2025 | 107 |
| 2026 | 76 |
Top states: TX (26), MN (26), PA (22), GA (18), TN (18)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| KENRIC STEEL, LLC | MILLVILLE, NJ | $82,964 |
| ARTCO-BELL CORPORATION | TEMPLE, TX | $14,518 |
| LIPPERT COMPONENTS, INC. 154 | BEEVILLE, TX | $13,828 |
| EAST COAST STEEL, INC. | SEWELL, NJ | $13,550 |
| ARCOSA WIND TOWERS, INC. | BELEN, NM | $12,663 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.252(b)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Evaluation of Bilsom "VISION" welding helmet in meeting OSHA standards. (1986-06-20)
- Cool-view welding helmets must meet Grade D breathing air requirements; Requirements for standard welding helmets. (1981-07-14)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.252(b) Protection of personnel 391 citations
- 1910.252(b)(2)(iii) Protection from arc welding rays 287 citations
- 1910.252(b)(2)(i) Selection 53 citations
- 1910.252(b)(3) Protective clothing—General requirements 42 citations
- 1910.252(b)(2)(i)(A) 41 citations
- 1910.252(b)(4) Work in confined spaces 7 citations
- 1910.252(b)(2)(ii) Specifications for protectors 1 citations
- 1910.252(b)(4)(vii) Warning sign
- 1910.252(b)(2)(ii)(I)
- 1910.252(b)(4)(i) General
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
Is eye protection needed for gas welding?
Yes. Goggles or other suitable eye protection shall be used during all gas welding or oxygen cutting.
Can spectacles be used?
Spectacles without side shields, with suitable filter lenses, are permitted for gas welding on light work, torch brazing or inspection.
What must helmet material be?
An insulator for heat and electricity, not readily flammable, and capable of withstanding sterilization.
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 2026-10-20
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.