[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 29, Volume 8]
[Revised as of July 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 29CFR1926.352]

[Page 241]
 
                             TITLE 29--LABOR
 
CHAPTER XVII--OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT 
                                OF LABOR
 
PART 1926_SAFETY AND HEALTH REGULATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION--Table of Contents
 
                      Subpart J_Welding and Cutting
 
Sec. 1926.352  Fire prevention.

    (a) When practical, objects to be welded, cut, or heated shall be 
moved to a designated safe location or, if the objects to be welded, 
cut, or heated cannot be readily moved, all movable fire hazards in the 
vicinity shall be taken to a safe place, or otherwise protected.
    (b) If the object to be welded, cut, or heated cannot be moved and 
if all the fire hazards cannot be removed, positive means shall be taken 
to confine the heat, sparks, and slag, and to protect the immovable fire 
hazards from them.
    (c) No welding, cutting, or heating shall be done where the 
application of flammable paints, or the presence of other flammable 
compounds, or heavy dust concentrations creates a hazard.
    (d) Suitable fire extinguishing equipment shall be immediately 
available in the work area and shall be maintained in a state of 
readiness for instant use.
    (e) When the welding, cutting, or heating operation is such that 
normal fire prevention precautions are not sufficient, additional 
personnel shall be assigned to guard against fire while the actual 
welding, cutting, or heating operation is being performed, and for a 
sufficient period of time after completion of the work to ensure that no 
possibility of fire exists. Such personnel shall be instructed as to the 
specific anticipated fire hazards and how the firefighting equipment 
provided is to be used.
    (f) When welding, cutting, or heating is performed on walls, floors, 
and ceilings, since direct penetration of sparks or heat transfer may 
introduce a fire hazard to an adjacent area, the same precautions shall 
be taken on the opposite side as are taken on the side on which the 
welding is being performed.
    (g) For the elimination of possible fire in enclosed spaces as a 
result of gas escaping through leaking or improperly closed torch 
valves, the gas supply to the torch shall be positively shut off at some 
point outside the enclosed space whenever the torch is not to be used or 
whenever the torch is left unattended for a substantial period of time, 
such as during the lunch period. Overnight and at the change of shifts, 
the torch and hose shall be removed from the confined space. Open end 
fuel gas and oxygen hoses shall be immediately removed from enclosed 
spaces when they are disconnected from the torch or other gas-consuming 
device.
    (h) Except when the contents are being removed or transferred, 
drums, pails, and other containers which contain or have contained 
flammable liquids shall be kept closed. Empty containers shall be 
removed to a safe area apart from hot work operations or open flames.
    (i) Drums containers, or hollow structures which have contained 
toxic or flammable substances shall, before welding, cutting, or heating 
is undertaken on them, either be filled with water or thoroughly cleaned 
of such substances and ventilated and tested. For welding, cutting and 
heating on steel pipelines containing natural gas, the pertinent 
portions of regulations issued by the Department of Transportation, 
Office of Pipeline Safety, 49 CFR Part 192, Minimum Federal Safety 
Standards for Gas Pipelines, shall apply.
    (j) Before heat is applied to a drum, container, or hollow 
structure, a vent or opening shall be provided for the release of any 
built-up pressure during the application of heat.