Construction (29 CFR 1926)

Gas Welding and Cutting (Construction)

Verified vs OSHA sources · 2026-10-05

29 CFR 1926.350

29 CFR 1926.350 governs oxygen-fuel gas welding and cutting on construction sites: compressed-gas cylinders must be secured in an upright position, transported and stored with valve protection caps in place, kept away from heat and electrical circuits, and connected through proper regulators and hoses. It controls the cylinder and torch hazards of jobsite cutting.

29 CFR 1926.350 at a glance

What it requires: Safe handling of oxygen-fuel gas welding and cutting equipment on construction sites
Who it covers: Construction employers performing gas welding and cutting
Cylinder rule: Cylinders must be secured in an upright position at all times (1926.350(a)(9))
Key duty: Cap, secure, and separate cylinders; maintain regulators and hoses; control hot work
Max penalty (2026): $16,550 per serious violation; $165,514 per willful
The #1 confusion: Cylinders stay upright and secured: laying them down or leaving them loose is a violation

What 29 CFR 1926.350 requires (plain English)

29 CFR 1926.350 sets the requirements for oxygen-fuel gas welding and cutting on construction sites: the oxy-acetylene torch work used to cut and join steel. Because the process relies on high-pressure cylinders of oxygen and a fuel gas, the standard focuses on the safe transport, storage, handling, and use of those cylinders and their regulators, hoses, and torches.

Cylinders must be secured in an upright position at all times, except briefly while being hoisted or carried, and moved with valve protection caps in place. They must be kept away from heat, sparks, and electrical circuits, stored with oxygen separated from fuel gas, and connected through proper pressure regulators. Hoses, torches, and connections must be maintained and checked for leaks, and workers must guard against flashback.

1926.350 parallels the general-industry oxygen-fuel standard (1910.253) and works with the construction fire-protection (1926.150) and hot-work provisions. It treats each cutting cylinder as the pressurized fuel-and-oxidizer hazard it is, on sites where combustibles and workers are often close by.

The regulatory text

“Compressed gas cylinders shall be secured in an upright position at all times except, if necessary, for short periods of time while cylinders are actually being hoisted or carried.”

29 CFR 1926.350(a)(9)

Key facts about 29 CFR 1926.350

Compressed gas cylinders must be secured upright at all times except briefly while being hoisted or carried (1926.350(a)(9)).
Valve protection caps must be in place during transport and storage.
Oxygen and fuel-gas cylinders must be separated in storage.
Cylinders must be kept away from heat, sparks, and electrical circuits.
Regulators, hoses, and torches must be maintained and checked for leaks.
It parallels the general-industry oxygen-fuel standard 1910.253.
It works with construction fire protection (1926.150) and hot-work precautions.

Scope: who 29 CFR 1926.350 applies to

Regulatory framework: Construction (29 CFR 1926)
Citation reference: 29 CFR 1926.350
Enforcement status: In force and enforced
Jurisdiction: Federal OSHA (29 State-Plan jurisdictions may be stricter)

State-Plan states (e.g. California, Washington, Michigan) operate OSHA-approved programs that must be at least as effective as federal OSHA and frequently impose higher penalties or additional requirements. Confirm the rule as adopted in your state.

Key requirements of 29 CFR 1926.350

#	Employer obligation
1	Store oxygen 20 feet from fuel gas
2	Secure cylinders in upright position
3	Use flashback arrestors
4	Inspect regulators and hoses
5	Keep fire extinguisher nearby

Summarized from the text of 29 CFR 1926.350. Always read the full regulation for the binding language.

Common Gas Welding (Construction) violations

Deficiencies OSHA cites under 29 CFR 1926.350 include the ones below, in no particular order. Distinct deficiencies can be cited as separate items, and each serious item carries up to $16,550 (2026). Broader per-instance stacking exists but is a discretionary, case-by-case OSHA enforcement policy, not an automatic multiplier.

Cylinders not secured upright (1926.350(a)(9)).
Cylinders transported or stored without valve protection caps (1926.350(a)).
Oxygen and fuel-gas cylinders not separated in storage (1926.350(a)).
Damaged or leaking hoses, regulators, or torches in use (1926.350(f)).
Cylinders exposed to heat, sparks, or electrical circuits (1926.350(a)).

Cylinders stay upright and secured, never laid down loose

A frequent jobsite habit is laying cylinders down or standing them loose against a wall to save time. 1926.350(a)(9) requires compressed gas cylinders to be secured in an upright position at all times, except for short periods while actually being hoisted or carried. A cylinder that falls can shear its valve and rocket across the site, and a leaking cylinder on its side can release fuel gas or oxygen that pools and ignites. Securing cylinders upright, capping them when moved, and separating oxygen from fuel gas are simple steps that prevent a torch job from becoming an explosion.

What OSHA inspectors look for

A compliance officer checks that cylinders are secured upright, capped during transport and storage, separated (oxygen from fuel gas), kept clear of heat and energized conductors, and that hoses and regulators are sound. Unsecured cylinders lying down and missing caps are the classic findings.

Example: how a violation is cited

A crew transports oxygen and acetylene cylinders laid on their sides, unsecured and uncapped, in a truck bed; a cylinder valve is struck and shears. OSHA cites 1926.350(a)(9) because cylinders must be secured upright, with penalties from $16,550.

Illustrative example, not a specific OSHA case.

Gas Welding (Construction) compliance checklist

Use this to evaluate your compliance with 29 CFR 1926.350. Each item is a key requirement OSHA may verify during an inspection.

Secure all cylinders upright with a chain, rack, or stand at all times.
Keep valve protection caps in place during transport and storage, and separate oxygen from fuel gas.
Keep cylinders away from heat, sparks, and energized electrical circuits.
Inspect and maintain regulators, hoses, and torches, and check for leaks before use.
Use flashback arrestors and follow safe lighting and shutdown procedures.
Combine with hot-work fire precautions (1926.150): a fire watch and cleared combustibles.

2026 penalties for 29 CFR 1926.350

Maximums set by 29 CFR 1903.15(d). 2026 amounts unchanged from 2025 (no CPI adjustment; OMB M-26-11). Not an increase. The 2025 OSHA penalty levels remain in effect for 2026; OSHA made no inflation adjustment for 2026. 29 CFR 1903.15 identifies January 15, 2025 as the effective reference for these amounts, while OSHA's public penalties page currently references penalties assessed after Jan. 15, 2026.

Violation type	Minimum	Maximum	When it applies
Serious	$1,085	$16,550	Substantial probability of death or serious physical harm.
Other-Than-Serious	$0	$16,550	Relates to safety/health but unlikely to cause death or serious harm.
Willful	$11,823	$165,514	Intentional, knowing, or voluntary disregard of the requirement.
Repeated	$4,256	$165,514	A substantially similar violation cited within the last 5 years.
Failure to Abate	None	$16,550/day	up to $16,550 per day; total capped at 30x the daily amount (FOM Ch.6)

Gas-welding citations are common on active construction sites. Serious violations reach $16,550 and willful or repeat violations $165,514; unsecured cylinders and hot-work fire hazards are the usual findings.

Maximums and the willful minimum are set by 29 CFR 1903.15(d); the serious and repeated minimums are OSHA policy floors from its annual penalty adjustment memo. OSHA applies gravity-based and size, good-faith and history reductions (FOM CPL 02-00-164 Ch.6). Estimates only, not legal advice.

The business case for Gas Welding (Construction) compliance

Oxygen-fuel cutting is everywhere on construction sites, and the cylinders store gas at high pressure: an unsecured cylinder that falls and shears its valve becomes a projectile, and leaking oxygen and fuel gas create fire and explosion hazards. Securing, capping, and separating cylinders and maintaining hoses is what keeps cutting from causing a blast.

Free compliance tools for 29 CFR 1926.350

Hot Work Permit Generator PPE Selector Job Hazard Analysis Builder

Gas Welding (Construction) penalties by state

Penalties and enforcement vary by state. State-Plan states may impose higher penalties and additional requirements beyond federal 29 CFR 1926.350.

Alabama Arkansas Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia

View all 50 states + DC →

Frequently asked questions about 29 CFR 1926.350

How must compressed gas cylinders be positioned on a construction site?

Upright and secured. Under 1926.350(a)(9), compressed gas cylinders must be secured in an upright position at all times, except for short periods while they are actually being hoisted or carried. Laying cylinders down or standing them loose is a violation, because a cylinder that falls can shear its valve and become a projectile.

Do oxygen and fuel-gas cylinders have to be separated?

Yes. Under 1926.350, oxygen cylinders must be separated from fuel-gas cylinders and combustible materials in storage, typically by at least 20 feet or a fire-rated barrier. Keeping the oxidizer and the fuel apart prevents a single leak or ignition from causing a violent fire, and it is a routine focus of jobsite inspections.

What maintenance does gas-welding equipment require?

Under 1926.350, regulators, hoses, torches, and connections must be maintained in good condition and checked for leaks before use, and defective equipment removed from service. Flashback arrestors help prevent a flame from traveling back into the hoses. Because oxygen and fuel gas are under pressure, a worn hose or leaking fitting is a fire and explosion hazard, not a minor issue.

What is the difference between 1926.350 and 1910.253?

They are the oxygen-fuel gas welding and cutting standards for their industries: 1926.350 for construction and 1910.253 for general industry. Both require cylinders secured upright, capped, and separated, and regulators and hoses maintained. You apply the construction standard on jobsites, where it also connects to the construction fire-protection and hot-work requirements.

Regulatory history of 29 CFR 1926.350

1926.350 is part of Part 1926 Subpart J (welding and cutting) and has been the construction gas-welding standard since OSHA's early construction rules, drawing on the same consensus practices as the general-industry oxygen-fuel standard 1910.253. Its cylinder-handling requirements reflect the mechanical hazard of high-pressure cylinders on active jobsites.

Related glossary terms

Key terms that appear in 29 CFR 1926.350, each with a full plain-English explainer.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)Flash Point Serious Eye Damage Competent Person

Related guides & articles

OSHA Welding Safety Requirements: Construction Guide OSHA Fire Safety Requirements: Workplace Guide

Related OSHA standards

29 CFR 1910.252

Welding General Requirements

29 CFR 1910.253

Oxy-Fuel Welding

29 CFR 1910.254

Arc Welding

29 CFR 1926.351

Arc Welding (Construction)

Primary sources

OSHA figures on this page are imported from HazComFast's verified regulatory module (verified 2026-10-05 against eCFR, OSHA.gov, and the Federal Register).

This page is an educational summary, not legal advice. OSHA standards and penalty amounts change; confirm requirements against the current regulation and your applicable State-Plan before acting.

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OSHA does not give advance notice of inspections (29 CFR 1903.6). Get the binder in order before the opening conference, not during it.

Serious Violation

$16,550

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