Ventilation Requirements

Mechanical ventilation must be provided wherever welding or cutting is being performed under any of the following conditions:

• In a space of less than 10,000 cubic feet per welder
• In a room with a ceiling less than 16 feet high
• In confined spaces or where the welding space contains partitions, balconies, or other structural barriers to the extent that they significantly obstruct cross ventilation

Minimum Ventilation Rate

Such ventilation must be at the minimum rate of 2,000 cubic feet per minute per welder, except where local exhaust hoods and booths, or airline respirators approved by the Mine Safety and Health Administration and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) are provided. Natural ventilation is considered sufficient for welding or cutting operations where the restrictions listed above are not present.

To learn more about Hot Work visit our General Hot Work Online Training web page.