1910.253(a): Oxygen-Fuel Gas General Safety Rules
Employers must guard against explosive mixtures of fuel gas with air or oxygen and use only approved torches, regulators, generators and manifolds. Acetylene must never be generated, piped (except in approved cylinder manifolds) or used at a pressure in excess of 15 psig or 30 psia, and liquid acetylene is prohibited. Workers in charge of oxygen or fuel-gas supply equipment must be instructed and judged competent first.
Key takeaways
- 1910.253(a) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart Q).
- OSHA cited it 27 times in the last 3 years, in 27 inspections, with $66,412 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NJ (12), MA (4), MD (4).
- Related part: 1910.253(a)(3) Apparatus (14 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.253(a) ("General requirements") is one requirement inside 1910.253 Oxygen-fuel gas welding and cutting, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart Q). It includes 4 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
(a) General requirements — 27 citations
(1) Flammable mixture. Mixtures of fuel gases and air or oxygen may be explosive and shall be guarded against. No device or attachment facilitating or permitting mixtures of air or oxygen with flammable gases prior to consumption, except at the burner or in a standard torch, shall be allowed unless approved for the purpose. Open (a)(1) 11 citations
(2) Maximum pressure. Under no condition shall acetylene be generated, piped (except in approved cylinder manifolds) or utilized at a pressure in excess of 15 psig (103 kPa gauge pressure) or 30 psia (206 kPa absolute). The 30 psia (206 kPa absolute) limit is intended to prevent unsafe use of acetylene in pressurized chambers such as caissons, underground excavations or tunnel construction.) This requirement is not intended to apply to storage of acetylene dissolved in a suitable solvent in cylinders manufactured and maintained according to U.S. Department of Transportation requirements, or to acetylene for chemical use. The use of liquid acetylene shall be prohibited.
(3) Apparatus. Only approved apparatus such as torches, regulators or pressure-reducing valves, acetylene generators, and manifolds shall be used. Open (a)(3) 14 citations
(4) Personnel. Workmen in charge of the oxygen or fuel-gas supply equipment, including generators, and oxygen or fuel-gas distribution piping systems shall be instructed and judged competent by their employers for this important work before being left in charge. Rules and instructions covering the operation and maintenance of oxygen or fuel-gas supply equipment including generators, and oxygen or fuel-gas distribution piping systems shall be readily available. Open (a)(4) 2 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.253.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 13 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 5 |
Top states: NJ (12), MA (4), MD (4), ME (2), CT (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| CAMBRIDGE PAVERS, INC. | LAKEWOOD, NJ | $14,750 |
| NEON ELECTRIC CORPORATION | HOUSTON, TX | $8,067 |
| QSR STEEL CORPORATION LLC | HARTFORD, CT | $6,453 |
| TOWNSHIP OF MOORESTOWN DPW | MOORESTOWN, NJ | $4,500 |
| BORO OF MANASQUAN DPW | MANASQUAN, NJ | $4,500 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.253(a), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.253(a)(3) Apparatus 14 citations
- 1910.253(a)(1) Flammable mixture 11 citations
- 1910.253(a)(4) Personnel 2 citations
Get your crew competent
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Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum pressure for acetylene?
Acetylene must not be generated, piped (except in approved cylinder manifolds) or used at a pressure in excess of 15 psig (103 kPa gauge) or 30 psia (206 kPa absolute).
Can devices that mix air or oxygen with fuel gas be used?
Not before the point of use, except at the burner or in a standard torch, unless the device is approved for the purpose.
Who may be put in charge of oxygen or fuel-gas supply equipment?
Only workers who have been instructed and judged competent by their employer, with operating and maintenance rules readily available.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.253 (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.