1910.107(c)(5): No Electrical Equipment Where Residue Builds Up
Unless specifically approved for locations with both readily ignitable residue and explosive vapors, no electrical equipment may be in any spraying area where combustible residues may readily accumulate. The only exception is wiring in rigid conduit or in boxes or fittings with no taps, splices or terminal connections.
Key takeaways
- 1910.107(c)(5) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart H).
- OSHA cited it 56 times in the last 3 years, in 56 inspections, with $67,949 in current penalties.
- Most citations: TN (11), MI (8), VA (5).
- Related part: 1910.107(c) Electrical and other sources of ignition (230 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.107(c)(5) ("Combustible residues, areas") is one requirement inside 1910.107 Spray finishing using flammable and combustible materials, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart H). The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(5) Combustible residues, areas. Unless specifically approved for locations containing both deposits of readily ignitable residue and explosive vapors, there shall be no electrical equipment in any spraying area, whereon deposits of combustible residues may readily accumulate, except wiring in rigid conduit or in boxes or fittings containing no taps, splices, or terminal connections. 56 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.107.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 21 |
| 2025 | 22 |
| 2026 | 10 |
Top states: TN (11), MI (8), VA (5), MN (4), RI (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRO-MECHANICAL, LLC DBA FEDERAL PACIFIC | BRISTOL, VA | $7,707 |
| RAYMOND STORAGE CONCEPTS, INC. | GROVEPORT, OH | $6,671 |
| ARCHITECTURAL GRAPHICS, INC. | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $5,723 |
| CPX2023XT3633X0123 - BROWN & BROWN NISSAN INC. DBA AUTONATION NISSAN TEMPE | TEMPE, AZ | $5,469 |
| AMARAL CUSTOM FABRICATIONS INC. | RUMFORD, RI | $5,323 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.107(c)(5), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.107(c)(5).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.107(c) Electrical and other sources of ignition 230 citations
- 1910.107(c)(6) Wiring type approved 91 citations
- 1910.107(c)(2) Minimum separation 34 citations
- 1910.107(c)(7) Lamps 14 citations
- 1910.107(c)(9) Grounding 12 citations
- 1910.107(c)(9)(i) 12 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
Can electrical equipment be in a spray area with residue buildup?
No, unless it is specifically approved for locations with both readily ignitable residue and explosive vapors.
What wiring is allowed?
Wiring in rigid conduit or in boxes or fittings containing no taps, splices or terminal connections.
Why is this rule important?
Combustible residue and vapors in spray areas can be ignited by electrical equipment.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.107 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.