1910.254 Arc Welding: citations, penalties and recently cited employers
Data as of October 5, 2026 · citations issued Oct 5, 2025 to Oct 5, 2026
Sets requirements for electric arc welding and cutting equipment and its use. Welding machines must be designed and installed to applicable standards, with proper grounding of the machine frame, adequate cable sizing, and a disconnect switch for each machine. Workers must be instructed in safe operation, cables with damaged insulation must be repaired or replaced, and electrode holders must not be dipped in water or left where they could contact people or grounded objects.
What the standard requires
- Install arc welding equipment with proper grounding and disconnecting means
- Use welding cables of adequate size and with intact insulation
- Instruct operators in safe use of arc welding equipment
- Repair or replace damaged cables and electrode holders
Hazards it addresses
- Electric shock
- Burns from arc and spatter
- Fires from sparks and overheated cables
Cited in metal fabrication, repair shops, and manufacturing plants with welding stations.
Plain-language summary written for this site; it is not the regulatory text and not legal advice. Read the official text at eCFR.
Citations by month
Inspections with citations issued, by month of issuance. Hatched months are incomplete: citations reach the public data about a month after issuance.
Most-cited paragraphs
| Paragraph | What it covers | Items | Inspections | Median initial penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1910.254(d)(9)(iii) | Operation and maintenance of arc welding equipment | 18 | 18 | $1,630 |
| 1910.254(b)(4)(iv) | Application, installation, and grounding of arc welding apparatus | 1 | 1 | $0 |
| 1910.254(c)(2)(v) | 1 | 1 | $0 | |
| 1910.254(d)(4) | Operation and maintenance of arc welding equipment | 1 | 1 | $3,600 |
| 1910.254(d)(9)(i) | Operation and maintenance of arc welding equipment | 1 | 1 | $9,458 |
Penalties
Across 22 alleged items, OSHA and state-plan offices proposed $116,380 in initial penalties. The current total in the public data is $107,347, 8% lower after settlements, contests and amendments.
By violation type: Serious 77%; Other-than-serious 18%; Repeat 5%.
Citations by state
| State | Inspections cited | Items | Initial penalties | Current penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | 4 | 4 | $17,037 | $17,037 |
| New York | 3 | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| Maryland | 2 | 2 | $3,200 | $1,980 |
| Minnesota | 2 | 2 | $1,950 | $1,095 |
| Puerto Rico | 2 | 2 | $6,000 | $6,000 |
| Tennessee | 2 | 2 | $3,700 | $3,520 |
| Virginia | 2 | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| Idaho | 1 | 1 | $70,938 | $70,938 |
| Illinois | 1 | 1 | $9,458 | $4,729 |
| Utah | 1 | 1 | $1,260 | $630 |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 1 | $2,837 | $1,418 |
By industry
- Manufacturing: 9 inspections
- Construction: 7 inspections
- Educational services: 2 inspections
- Administrative & waste services: 1 inspections
- Transportation & warehousing: 1 inspections
- Wholesale trade: 1 inspections
Recently cited establishments
About these records. Citations list alleged violations and proposed penalties. Employers can contest them, and many are reduced or withdrawn in settlement. Each row shows the original and the current penalty and a status label derived from the public data as of October 5, 2026. Check the linked osha.gov page for the official record.
| Establishment | Location | Issued | Alleged items | Initial penalty | Current penalty | Status and deadlines | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Technology Institute L.C | Virginia Beach, VA | Aug 27, 2026 | 2 | $0 | $0 | OpenAbatement due Sep 23, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 18, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Dennis Township School District - Transportation Garage | Dennisville, NJ | Aug 5, 2026 | 1 | $3,600 | $3,600 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 17, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Smalley Manufacturing Company, Incorporated | Knoxville, TN | Jul 23, 2026 | 1 | $900 | $720 | Informal settlementAbatement due Aug 7, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Tru MFG. Corp. | Norwood, NJ | Jul 1, 2026 | 1 | $2,837 | $2,837 | ContestedAbatement due Jul 28, 2026Contested Jul 29, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas Inc. | Marengo, IL | May 8, 2026 | 1 | $9,458 | $4,729 | Formal settlementContested May 26, 2026 | osha.gov |
| County of Gloucester - Public Works Department | Clayton, NJ | Apr 21, 2026 | 1 | $7,000 | $7,000 | Final orderAbatement due Jun 3, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Boman & Kemp MFG Inc. | West Haven, UT | Mar 25, 2026 | 1 | $1,260 | $630 | Informal settlementAbatement due Apr 20, 2026 | osha.gov |
| ISD 181 - Brainerd High School | Brainerd, MN | Mar 13, 2026 | 1 | $1,200 | $720 | Informal settlementAbatement due Mar 17, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Darok Steel, Inc. | Arecibo, PR | Mar 12, 2026 | 1 | $3,500 | $3,500 | ContestedAbatement due Apr 7, 2026Contested Mar 25, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Lewiston Village Department of Public Works | Lewiston, NY | Mar 10, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Mar 27, 2026 | osha.gov |
| JLG Industries, Inc. | Jefferson City, TN | Mar 6, 2026 | 1 | $2,800 | $2,800 | Informal settlementAbatement due Mar 23, 2026 | osha.gov |
| City of Woodbury - Department of Public Works | Woodbury, NJ | Feb 25, 2026 | 1 | $3,600 | $3,600 | Final orderAbatement due Apr 9, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Frederick, MD | Feb 18, 2026 | 1 | $2,000 | $1,260 | Informal settlementAbatement due Feb 26, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Lakeside Steel Manufacturing Co. | Kenosha, WI | Apr 23, 2026 | 1 | $2,837 | $1,418 | Informal settlementAbatement due Feb 20, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Commercial Steel Erection Inc. | Salem, VA | Dec 22, 2025 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Jan 20, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Vtcu, Corp. | Pocatello, ID | Dec 2, 2025 | 1 | $70,938 | $70,938 | ContestedAbatement due Dec 29, 2025Contested Dec 30, 2025 | osha.gov |
| R and R Metalworks Inc. dba R-R Metalworks | Montgomery, MN | Nov 17, 2025 | 1 | $750 | $375 | Formal settlementAbatement due Nov 28, 2025Contested Nov 20, 2025 | osha.gov |
| Y & R Eastside Auto Recycling LLC | Baltimore, MD | Nov 17, 2025 | 1 | $1,200 | $720 | Formal settlementAbatement due Nov 25, 2025Contested Dec 15, 2025 | osha.gov |
| Otego Town Highway Department | Otego, NY | Oct 30, 2025 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Nov 12, 2025 | osha.gov |
| Sanson Multiple Services Corp. | Vega Alta, PR | Oct 21, 2025 | 1 | $2,500 | $2,500 | OpenAbatement due Nov 4, 2025Contest deadline ~Nov 12, 2025 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Hume Town Highway Department | Fillmore, NY | Oct 17, 2025 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Oct 29, 2025 | osha.gov |
Often cited together
- 1910.303 Electrical General (12 shared inspections)
- 1910.1200 Hazard Communication (12 shared inspections)
- 1910.305 Wiring Methods (9 shared inspections)
- 1910.132 PPE General Requirements (8 shared inspections)
- 1910.157 Fire Extinguishers (8 shared inspections)
- 1910.253 Oxy-Fuel Welding (8 shared inspections)
- 1910.178 Forklifts (6 shared inspections)
- 1910.215 Abrasive Wheels (6 shared inspections)
Questions
What does OSHA standard 1910.254 require?
Sets requirements for electric arc welding and cutting equipment and its use. Welding machines must be designed and installed to applicable standards, with proper grounding of the machine frame, adequate cable sizing, and a disconnect switch for each machine. Workers must be instructed in safe operation, cables with damaged insulation must be repaired or replaced, and electrode holders must not be dipped in water or left where they could contact people or grounded objects.
How often was 1910.254 cited in the last 12 months?
In the public data as of October 5, 2026, 1910.254 (Arc Welding) appeared in 21 inspections with citations issued between Oct 5, 2025 and Oct 5, 2026, covering 22 alleged violation items.
Which part of 1910.254 is cited most?
1910.254(d)(9)(iii) was the most-cited paragraph, with 18 items: Operation and maintenance of arc welding equipment
Which states cite 1910.254 most often?
The most citations under 1910.254 in this period were issued in New Jersey, New York, Maryland.
What is the typical penalty for a 1910.254 violation?
The median initial (proposed) penalty per item was $1,630; the median current penalty after settlements and amendments was $990. Totals: $116,380 proposed, $107,347 current. Penalties vary by violation type, employer size and history, and State Plans set their own amounts.
Are 1910.254 citations final?
Not necessarily. A citation is an allegation until it becomes a final order. 27% of these items were contested, and many others were changed in settlements. Each listing shows its current status and a link to the official record.