1910.94 Ventilation: citations, penalties and recently cited employers
Data as of October 5, 2026 · citations issued Oct 5, 2025 to Oct 5, 2026
Sets local exhaust ventilation and related requirements for three specific operations: abrasive blasting; grinding, polishing, and buffing; and spray finishing. (Open surface tank rules formerly in this section now appear in the dipping and coating standards, 1910.122-1910.126.) It covers enclosure and exhaust design, air velocities, respiratory protection for blasting operators. The goal is to keep dusts, mists, and vapors generated by these processes below harmful levels.
What the standard requires
- Provide exhaust ventilation for abrasive blasting enclosures
- Hood and exhaust grinding, polishing, and buffing wheels as specified
- Ventilate spray booths and spray rooms to required air velocities
- Provide respiratory protection for abrasive blasting operators where required
Hazards it addresses
- Inhalation of toxic dusts, metal fumes, and solvent vapors
- Fire and explosion from vapor accumulation
- Silicosis and other lung disease from abrasive blasting dust
Typically cited in metal finishing, fabrication, automotive refinishing, and foundry or blasting operations.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1910.94(a)(4)(i) | Abrasive blasting | 4 | 4 | $1,189 |
| 1910.94(a)(3)(i)(A) | Abrasive blasting | 3 | 3 | $9,457 |
| 1910.94(a)(7) | Abrasive blasting | 3 | 3 | $0 |
| 1910.94(c)(2) | Spray finishing operations | 3 | 3 | $8,140 |
| 1910.94(a)(2)(ii) | Abrasive blasting | 2 | 2 | $4,738 |
| 1910.94(a)(4)(ii) | Abrasive blasting | 2 | 2 | $8,275 |
| 1910.94(a)(5)(v) | Abrasive blasting | 2 | 2 | $9,126 |
| 1910.94(c)(4)(i) | Spray finishing operations | 2 | 2 | $500 |
| 1910.94(a)(3)(i)(B) | Abrasive blasting | 1 | 1 | $0 |
| 1910.94(a)(3)(i)(E)(1) | Abrasive blasting | 1 | 1 | $16,550 |
| 1910.94(a)(4)(i)(B) | Abrasive blasting | 1 | 1 | $0 |
| 1910.94(a)(4)(iii) | Abrasive blasting | 1 | 1 | $11,348 |
| 1910.94(a)(5)(i) | Abrasive blasting | 1 | 1 | $0 |
| 1910.94(a)(5)(ii)(B) | Abrasive blasting | 1 | 1 | $2,838 |
| 1910.94(a)(6) | Abrasive blasting | 1 | 1 | $16,550 |
Penalties
Across 29 alleged items, OSHA and state-plan offices proposed $224,108 in initial penalties. The current total in the public data is $211,213, 6% lower after settlements, contests and amendments.
By violation type: Serious 76%; Other-than-serious 17%; Repeat 7%.
Citations by state
| State | Inspections cited | Items | Initial penalties | Current penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 3 | 5 | $2,050 | $1,750 |
| Idaho | 2 | 8 | $165,508 | $164,089 |
| Ohio | 2 | 2 | $9,978 | $7,058 |
| Alabama | 1 | 3 | $5,627 | $3,376 |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 1 | $2,270 | $1,135 |
| Minnesota | 1 | 2 | $2,000 | $1,200 |
| New Jersey | 1 | 1 | $16,550 | $16,550 |
| New York | 1 | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Oklahoma | 1 | 2 | $9,457 | $9,457 |
| Tennessee | 1 | 2 | $1,200 | $1,200 |
| Texas | 1 | 1 | $1,328 | $1,328 |
| Wyoming | 1 | 1 | $8,140 | $4,070 |
By industry
- Manufacturing: 11 inspections
- Administrative & waste services: 2 inspections
- Health care & social assistance: 1 inspections
- Other services: 1 inspections
- Retail 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marmon Retail Solutions | Wagoner, OK | Sep 1, 2026 | 2 | $9,457 | $9,457 | OpenAbatement due Sep 28, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 23, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Prize Possessions LLC | Norwood, MA | Aug 10, 2026 | 1 | $2,270 | $1,135 | OpenAbatement due Sep 29, 2026Contest deadline ~Aug 31, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| G & T Wood Products, Inc. | Odenton, MD | Aug 5, 2026 | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Final orderAbatement due Aug 13, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Republic Services of New Jersey, LLC | Middlesex, NJ | Aug 4, 2026 | 1 | $16,550 | $16,550 | ContestedAbatement due Aug 28, 2026Contested Aug 27, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Pinter Memorials Inc. | Bessemer, AL | Aug 3, 2026 | 3 | $5,627 | $3,376 | Informal settlementAbatement due Aug 27, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Delphos Granite Works, Inc. | Delphos, OH | Jul 23, 2026 | 1 | $1,702 | $851 | Informal settlementAbatement due Aug 17, 2026 | osha.gov |
| L&L Fabrication Inc. | Douglas, WY | Jul 13, 2026 | 1 | $8,140 | $4,070 | Informal settlementAbatement due Aug 6, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Wally-MO Inc. | Parsons, TN | Jun 18, 2026 | 2 | $1,200 | $1,200 | Final orderAbatement due Jul 23, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Tucs Equipment Inc. | Princeton, MN | Apr 30, 2026 | 2 | $2,000 | $1,200 | Informal settlementAbatement due May 4, 2026 | osha.gov |
| BC Detailing LLC | Hayden, ID | Apr 20, 2026 | 1 | $2,838 | $1,419 | Informal settlementAbatement due May 14, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Enprotech Industrial Technologies LLC | Cleveland, OH | Dec 4, 2025 | 1 | $8,276 | $6,207 | Formal settlementAbatement due Jul 13, 2026Contested Dec 23, 2025 | osha.gov |
| Vtcu, Corp. | Pocatello, ID | Dec 2, 2025 | 7 | $162,670 | $162,670 | ContestedAbatement due Dec 12, 2025Contested Dec 30, 2025 | osha.gov |
| Las Palmas Medical Center | El Paso, TX | Nov 24, 2025 | 1 | $1,328 | $1,328 | Final orderAbatement due Dec 19, 2025 | osha.gov |
| Buffalo Public Schools Joseph Jones Service Center | Buffalo, NY | Nov 13, 2025 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Jan 2, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Big Stuff, Inc. | Forestville, MD | Oct 24, 2025 | 1 | $0 | $0 | ContestedAbatement due Nov 3, 2025Contested Nov 12, 2025 | osha.gov |
| Bmore Kreative Custom Coatings, LLC | Elkridge, MD | Oct 23, 2025 | 3 | $1,050 | $750 | Final orderAbatement due Oct 31, 2025Contested Dec 24, 2025 | osha.gov |
Often cited together
- 1910.134 Respiratory Protection (11 shared inspections)
- 1910.1200 Hazard Communication (10 shared inspections)
- 1910.107 Spray Finishing (6 shared inspections)
- 1910.1053 Crystalline Silica (4 shared inspections)
- 1910.253 Oxy-Fuel Welding (3 shared inspections)
- 1910.212 Machine Guarding (3 shared inspections)
- 1910.22 Walking-Working Surfaces (3 shared inspections)
- 1910.95 Occupational Noise (2 shared inspections)
Questions
What does OSHA standard 1910.94 require?
Sets local exhaust ventilation and related requirements for three specific operations: abrasive blasting; grinding, polishing, and buffing; and spray finishing. (Open surface tank rules formerly in this section now appear in the dipping and coating standards, 1910.122-1910.126.) It covers enclosure and exhaust design, air velocities, respiratory protection for blasting operators. The goal is to keep dusts, mists, and vapors generated by these processes below harmful levels.
How often was 1910.94 cited in the last 12 months?
In the public data as of October 5, 2026, 1910.94 (Ventilation) appeared in 16 inspections with citations issued between Oct 5, 2025 and Oct 5, 2026, covering 29 alleged violation items.
Which part of 1910.94 is cited most?
1910.94(a)(4)(i) was the most-cited paragraph, with 4 items: Abrasive blasting
Which states cite 1910.94 most often?
The most citations under 1910.94 in this period were issued in Maryland, Idaho, Ohio.
What is the typical penalty for a 1910.94 violation?
The median initial (proposed) penalty per item was $1,328; the median current penalty after settlements and amendments was $1,135. Totals: $224,108 proposed, $211,213 current. Penalties vary by violation type, employer size and history, and State Plans set their own amounts.
Are 1910.94 citations final?
Not necessarily. A citation is an allegation until it becomes a final order. 45% 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.