1915.56 Arc Welding and Cutting

29 CFR 1915.56 · Read the standard on eCFR · Citations issued July 31, 1972 to July 31, 2026 · Data through October 28, 2026

Title checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.

Citations

438

citation items issued

Inspections

364

each counted once

Initial penalties

$631,571

as first assessed

Current penalties

$426,415

67.5% of initial

Penalties and violation types

$343median current penalty per citation

$640median initial penalty per citation

73.1%of citations with an initial penalty were later reduced

12.3%of citations were contested

OSHA violation type	Citations	Share	Median current	Contested	Initial total	Current total
Serious (S)	288	65.8%	$695	14.2%	$509,029	$355,873
Other (O)	143	32.6%	$0	7.7%	$79,522	$42,692
Repeat (R)	6	1.4%	$3,250	16.7%	$38,020	$22,850
Willful (W)	1	0.2%	$5,000	100.0%	$5,000	$5,000

CitationsPenaltiesContested

Same order as the full table. Bars compare the rows shown. Tap a type for all figures.

Serious (S)28865.8% share$355,873current total14.2%contested

Citations: 288
Share: 65.8%
Current total: $355,873
Initial total: $509,029
Median current: $695
Contested: 14.2%

Other (O)14332.6% share$42,692current total7.7%contested

Citations: 143
Share: 32.6%
Current total: $42,692
Initial total: $79,522
Median current: $0
Contested: 7.7%

Repeat (R)61.4% share$22,850current total16.7%contested

Citations: 6
Share: 1.4%
Current total: $22,850
Initial total: $38,020
Median current: $3,250
Contested: 16.7%

Willful (W)10.2% share$5,000current total100.0%contested

Citations: 1
Share: 0.2%
Current total: $5,000
Initial total: $5,000
Median current: $5,000
Contested: 100.0%

Citations by year issued

Counts use the recorded citation issue year. "Of all citations" is the share of every citation issued that year. 2026 is year to date through October 28, 2026.

Issued	Citations	Of all citations	Inspections	Median current	Current total
2026 YTD	5	0.01%	5	$2,665	$13,040
2025	2	0.00%	2	$5,355	$10,710
2024	2	0.00%	2	$8,111	$16,222
2023	1	0.00%	1	$8,929	$8,929
2022	4	0.00%	4	$5,501	$24,627
2021	2	0.00%	2	$0	$0
2019	3	0.00%	3	$5,796	$14,415
2018	7	0.00%	6	$1,178	$13,152
2017	9	0.01%	9	$3,000	$24,191
2016	5	0.00%	5	$864	$7,539

CitationsInspectionsPenalties

Newest first, as in the full table. Bars compare the rows shown. Tap a year for all figures.

2026 YTD50.01% of all citations5inspections$13,040current total

Citations: 5
Of all citations: 0.01%
Inspections: 5
Current total: $13,040
Median current: $2,665

All records issued in 2026

202520.00% of all citations2inspections$10,710current total

Citations: 2
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 2
Current total: $10,710
Median current: $5,355

All records issued in 2025

202420.00% of all citations2inspections$16,222current total

Citations: 2
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 2
Current total: $16,222
Median current: $8,111

All records issued in 2024

202310.00% of all citations1inspections$8,929current total

Citations: 1
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 1
Current total: $8,929
Median current: $8,929

All records issued in 2023

202240.00% of all citations4inspections$24,627current total

Citations: 4
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 4
Current total: $24,627
Median current: $5,501

All records issued in 2022

202120.00% of all citations2inspections$0current total

Citations: 2
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 2
Current total: $0
Median current: $0

All records issued in 2021

201930.00% of all citations3inspections$14,415current total

Citations: 3
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 3
Current total: $14,415
Median current: $5,796

All records issued in 2019

201870.00% of all citations6inspections$13,152current total

Citations: 7
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 6
Current total: $13,152
Median current: $1,178

All records issued in 2018

201790.01% of all citations9inspections$24,191current total

Citations: 9
Of all citations: 0.01%
Inspections: 9
Current total: $24,191
Median current: $3,000

All records issued in 2017

201650.00% of all citations5inspections$7,539current total

Citations: 5
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 5
Current total: $7,539
Median current: $864

All records issued in 2016

Show earlier years

Issued	Citations	Of all citations	Inspections	Median current	Current total
2015	21	0.01%	17	$1,500	$29,856
2014	21	0.01%	20	$1,200	$33,545
2013	19	0.01%	18	$1,700	$33,794
2012	12	0.01%	10	$1,596	$17,191
2011	11	0.00%	10	$1,980	$27,065
2010	21	0.01%	12	$875	$32,356
2009	13	0.01%	11	$875	$12,151
2008	7	0.00%	7	$675	$4,915
2007	7	0.00%	7	$440	$3,303
2006	9	0.00%	8	$725	$6,575
2005	13	0.01%	9	$200	$6,656
2004	7	0.00%	7	$550	$4,023
2003	6	0.00%	6	$300	$2,350
2002	8	0.00%	7	$315	$11,630
2001	13	0.00%	10	$0	$5,750
2000	12	0.00%	9	$550	$6,520
1999	12	0.00%	9	$525	$10,175
1998	10	0.00%	8	$244	$3,831
1997	12	0.00%	10	$0	$2,439
1996	6	0.00%	6	$438	$2,825
1995	7	0.00%	4	$828	$5,442
1994	11	0.00%	8	$275	$3,520
1993	9	0.00%	8	$250	$3,340
1992	16	0.00%	10	$0	$3,770
1991	8	0.00%	7	$258	$2,280
1990	17	0.00%	15	$150	$3,505
1989	10	0.00%	9	$228	$2,670
1988	15	0.00%	14	$0	$1,440
1987	13	0.00%	8	$0	$5,900
1986	13	0.00%	9	$0	$678
1985	8	0.00%	7	$0	$100
1984	10	0.00%	8	$0	$450
1983	14	0.01%	12	$0	$330
1982	4	0.00%	2	$320	$1,900
1978	1	0.00%	1	$490	$490
1976	1	0.00%	1	$800	$800
1972	1	0.00%	1	$25	$25

CitationsInspectionsPenalties

Newest first, as in the full table. Bars compare the rows shown. Tap a year for all figures.

2015210.01% of all citations17inspections$29,856current total

Citations: 21
Of all citations: 0.01%
Inspections: 17
Current total: $29,856
Median current: $1,500

All records issued in 2015

2014210.01% of all citations20inspections$33,545current total

Citations: 21
Of all citations: 0.01%
Inspections: 20
Current total: $33,545
Median current: $1,200

All records issued in 2014

2013190.01% of all citations18inspections$33,794current total

Citations: 19
Of all citations: 0.01%
Inspections: 18
Current total: $33,794
Median current: $1,700

All records issued in 2013

2012120.01% of all citations10inspections$17,191current total

Citations: 12
Of all citations: 0.01%
Inspections: 10
Current total: $17,191
Median current: $1,596

All records issued in 2012

2011110.00% of all citations10inspections$27,065current total

Citations: 11
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 10
Current total: $27,065
Median current: $1,980

All records issued in 2011

2010210.01% of all citations12inspections$32,356current total

Citations: 21
Of all citations: 0.01%
Inspections: 12
Current total: $32,356
Median current: $875

All records issued in 2010

2009130.01% of all citations11inspections$12,151current total

Citations: 13
Of all citations: 0.01%
Inspections: 11
Current total: $12,151
Median current: $875

All records issued in 2009

200870.00% of all citations7inspections$4,915current total

Citations: 7
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 7
Current total: $4,915
Median current: $675

All records issued in 2008

200770.00% of all citations7inspections$3,303current total

Citations: 7
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 7
Current total: $3,303
Median current: $440

All records issued in 2007

200690.00% of all citations8inspections$6,575current total

Citations: 9
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 8
Current total: $6,575
Median current: $725

All records issued in 2006

2005130.01% of all citations9inspections$6,656current total

Citations: 13
Of all citations: 0.01%
Inspections: 9
Current total: $6,656
Median current: $200

All records issued in 2005

200470.00% of all citations7inspections$4,023current total

Citations: 7
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 7
Current total: $4,023
Median current: $550

All records issued in 2004

200360.00% of all citations6inspections$2,350current total

Citations: 6
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 6
Current total: $2,350
Median current: $300

All records issued in 2003

200280.00% of all citations7inspections$11,630current total

Citations: 8
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 7
Current total: $11,630
Median current: $315

All records issued in 2002

2001130.00% of all citations10inspections$5,750current total

Citations: 13
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 10
Current total: $5,750
Median current: $0

All records issued in 2001

2000120.00% of all citations9inspections$6,520current total

Citations: 12
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 9
Current total: $6,520
Median current: $550

All records issued in 2000

1999120.00% of all citations9inspections$10,175current total

Citations: 12
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 9
Current total: $10,175
Median current: $525

All records issued in 1999

1998100.00% of all citations8inspections$3,831current total

Citations: 10
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 8
Current total: $3,831
Median current: $244

All records issued in 1998

1997120.00% of all citations10inspections$2,439current total

Citations: 12
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 10
Current total: $2,439
Median current: $0

All records issued in 1997

199660.00% of all citations6inspections$2,825current total

Citations: 6
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 6
Current total: $2,825
Median current: $438

All records issued in 1996

199570.00% of all citations4inspections$5,442current total

Citations: 7
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 4
Current total: $5,442
Median current: $828

All records issued in 1995

1994110.00% of all citations8inspections$3,520current total

Citations: 11
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 8
Current total: $3,520
Median current: $275

All records issued in 1994

199390.00% of all citations8inspections$3,340current total

Citations: 9
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 8
Current total: $3,340
Median current: $250

All records issued in 1993

1992160.00% of all citations10inspections$3,770current total

Citations: 16
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 10
Current total: $3,770
Median current: $0

All records issued in 1992

199180.00% of all citations7inspections$2,280current total

Citations: 8
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 7
Current total: $2,280
Median current: $258

All records issued in 1991

1990170.00% of all citations15inspections$3,505current total

Citations: 17
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 15
Current total: $3,505
Median current: $150

All records issued in 1990

1989100.00% of all citations9inspections$2,670current total

Citations: 10
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 9
Current total: $2,670
Median current: $228

All records issued in 1989

1988150.00% of all citations14inspections$1,440current total

Citations: 15
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 14
Current total: $1,440
Median current: $0

All records issued in 1988

1987130.00% of all citations8inspections$5,900current total

Citations: 13
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 8
Current total: $5,900
Median current: $0

All records issued in 1987

1986130.00% of all citations9inspections$678current total

Citations: 13
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 9
Current total: $678
Median current: $0

All records issued in 1986

198580.00% of all citations7inspections$100current total

Citations: 8
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 7
Current total: $100
Median current: $0

All records issued in 1985

1984100.00% of all citations8inspections$450current total

Citations: 10
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 8
Current total: $450
Median current: $0

All records issued in 1984

1983140.01% of all citations12inspections$330current total

Citations: 14
Of all citations: 0.01%
Inspections: 12
Current total: $330
Median current: $0

All records issued in 1983

198240.00% of all citations2inspections$1,900current total

Citations: 4
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 2
Current total: $1,900
Median current: $320

All records issued in 1982

197810.00% of all citations1inspections$490current total

Citations: 1
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 1
Current total: $490
Median current: $490

All records issued in 1978

197610.00% of all citations1inspections$800current total

Citations: 1
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 1
Current total: $800
Median current: $800

All records issued in 1976

197210.00% of all citations1inspections$25current total

Citations: 1
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 1
Current total: $25
Median current: $25

All records issued in 1972

How the inspections started

DOL inspection type of each inspection citing 1915.56, each inspection counted once.

Planned (H)20957.4%

Complaint (B)8824.2%

Referral (C)215.8%

Accident (A)195.2%

Unprogrammed Related (G)133.6%

Programmed Related (I)82.2%

Follow-Up (F)30.8%

Fatality/Catastrophe (M)30.8%

Cited alongside 1915.56

Standards cited in the same inspections, as a share of the 364 inspections citing 1915.56.

1910.30513236.3%

1910.30312333.8%

1915.73 Guarding of Deck Openings and Edges10127.7%

1915.55 Gas Welding and Cutting9425.8%

1910.212 General Requirements for All Machines (Machine Guarding)8523.4%

1910.3048523.4%

1915.918322.8%

1910.215 Abrasive Wheel Machinery7620.9%

1915.71 Scaffolds or Staging7520.6%

1915.72 Ladders6417.6%

Employers inspected

Employees at the establishment

1-104111.3%

11-4911431.3%

50-24912835.2%

250-9994512.4%

1000+369.9%

Inspections, each counted once. Shares are of inspections with a usable employee count.

Owner

Private (A)33592.0%

Not recorded205.5%

Federal (D)82.2%

State government (C)10.3%

DOL owner type of each inspection, each counted once.

By industry

47.3% of these citations (207 of 438) come from inspections with an industry code. Coverage varies by decade of issue (see the table), so this view mostly reflects the decades with coded records. NAICS as recorded by DOL on the inspection record.

Industry (NAICS as recorded by DOL, 3 digits)	Citations	Of coded citations
336 Transportation Equipment Manufacturing	162	78.3%
311 Food Manufacturing	13	6.3%
488 Support Activities for Transportation	12	5.8%
332 Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing	7	3.4%
112 Animal Production and Aquaculture	2	1.0%
483 Water Transportation	2	1.0%
541 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services	2	1.0%
114 Fishing, Hunting and Trapping	1	0.5%
238 Specialty Trade Contractors	1	0.5%
333 Machinery Manufacturing	1	0.5%

336Transportation Equipment Manufacturing16278.3% of coded citations

311Food Manufacturing136.3% of coded citations

488Support Activities for Transportation125.8% of coded citations

332Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing73.4% of coded citations

112Animal Production and Aquaculture21.0% of coded citations

483Water Transportation21.0% of coded citations

541Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services21.0% of coded citations

114Fishing, Hunting and Trapping10.5% of coded citations

238Specialty Trade Contractors10.5% of coded citations

333Machinery Manufacturing10.5% of coded citations

Issued in	Citations	With NAICS	Coverage
1970s	3	0	0.0%
1980s	87	0	0.0%
1990s	108	0	0.0%
2000s	95	62	65.3%
2010s	129	129	100.0%
2020s	16	16	100.0%

Bar: NAICS coverage, on a 0 to 100% scale.

1970s30 with NAICS (0.0%)

1980s870 with NAICS (0.0%)

1990s1080 with NAICS (0.0%)

2000s9562 with NAICS (65.3%)

2010s129129 with NAICS (100.0%)

2020s1616 with NAICS (100.0%)

Most cited paragraphs

OSHA citation code, as recorded	Citations	Current penalties
19150056 B04	136	$99,967
19150056 B02	118	$151,143
19150056 E	83	$97,651
19150056 B03	27	$11,678
19150056 D01	20	$2,840
19150056 B01	17	$17,759
19150056 A02	15	$13,180
19150056 C05	5	$16,360
19150056 C06	5	$0
19150056 A	3	$1,315
19150056 D03	3	$2,500
19150056 D04	3	$3,253

19150056 B04136$99,967 current penalties

19150056 B02118$151,143 current penalties

19150056 E83$97,651 current penalties

19150056 B0327$11,678 current penalties

19150056 D0120$2,840 current penalties

19150056 B0117$17,759 current penalties

19150056 A0215$13,180 current penalties

19150056 C055$16,360 current penalties

19150056 C065$0 current penalties

19150056 A3$1,315 current penalties

19150056 D033$2,500 current penalties

19150056 D043$3,253 current penalties

Codes are shown exactly as OSHA records them. Counts reflect citation records, not the frequency of incidents or hazards.

About this data

Citations are citation items in DOL's OSHA enforcement data, federal and State Plan, deleted items excluded. Inspections are counted once each.
Initial penalties are the amounts first assessed (DOL "Initial Penalty"); current penalties include later changes such as settlements (DOL "Current Penalty"). Amounts are as recorded, not adjusted for inflation.
Median penalty per citation: the middle value of the amounts recorded on these citations, counting $0 amounts and leaving out citations with no amount recorded, shown in whole dollars. A median is computed for one group only and is never combined with another.
Later reduced: the share of citations with an initial penalty above $0 whose current penalty is lower than the initial penalty.
Contested: the share of citations with a DOL "Contested Date" recorded.
Violation, inspection and owner types use DOL's own labels. A value outside DOL's list is shown as recorded, marked "not in DOL's list". Paragraph codes are shown exactly as OSHA records them.
Industry is the NAICS code on the inspection record, as recorded by DOL. Employee counts are DOL "Number of Employees" on the inspection; counts of 99,999 or more are not published as a headcount, a rule of this site.
Having OSHA inspection records is common for businesses in regulated industries.

Regulatory Reference

29 CFR 1915.56: Arc Welding and Cutting

Read the full regulatory text on eCFR.gov

Official Resources

Full Standard Text

29 CFR 1915.56 on OSHA.gov

osha.gov

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations

Part 1915 full regulatory text

ecfr.gov

Data Source and Methodology

DOL source data

Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA enforcement database, accessed via the DOL public data API. Records are refreshed from published DOL data. We strive for accuracy, but errors in data processing or establishment grouping are possible. Penalty amounts reflect the latest penalty amounts on record in the DOL database and may differ from initial assessments or final amounts after informal conference, settlement, or judicial review. Company pages group inspection records by normalized employer name, city, and state as reported in OSHA records. That grouping is deterministic and non-fuzzy, but it is not a universal legal-entity identifier. If you believe any record is inaccurate, please report it and we will investigate. This product uses the DOL Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the DOL. For official and authoritative records, visit osha.gov.