1910.107(e): Flammable Liquids at Spray Finishing Operations
Employers must store flammable liquids for spraying as 1910.106 requires and keep only the minimum needed near spraying, ordinarily no more than one day's or one shift's supply. Liquids must come into spray rooms in original closed containers, approved tanks, safety cans or piping, never open or glass containers, and transfers must be done in a suitable mixing room or ventilated spray area with spill and ignition precautions.
Key takeaways
- 1910.107(e) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart H).
- OSHA cited it 100 times in the last 3 years, in 88 inspections, with $110,772 in current penalties.
- Most citations: MN (16), TN (11), MT (6).
- Related part: 1910.107(e)(2) Quantity (60 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.107(e) ("Flammable liquids and liquids with a flashpoint greater than 199.4 °F (93 °C)") is one requirement inside 1910.107 Spray finishing using flammable and combustible materials, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart H). It includes 13 sub-paragraphs. 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
(e) Flammable liquids and liquids with a flashpoint greater than 199.4 °F (93 °C) — 100 citations
(1) Conformance. The storage of flammable liquids or liquids with a flashpoint greater than 199.4 °F (93 °C) in connection with spraying operations shall conform to the requirements of § 1910.106, where applicable. 4 citations
(2) Quantity. The quantity of flammable liquids or liquids with a flashpoint greater than 199.4 °F (93 °C) kept in the vicinity of spraying operations shall be the minimum required for operations and should ordinarily not exceed a supply for 1 day or one shift. Bulk storage of portable containers of flammable liquids or liquids with a flashpoint greater than 199.4 °F (93 °C) shall be in a separate, constructed building detached from other important buildings or cut off in a standard manner. Open (e)(2) 60 citations
(3) Containers. Original closed containers, approved portable tanks, approved safety cans or a properly arranged system of piping shall be used for bringing flammable liquids or liquids with a flashpoint greater than 199.4 °F (93 °C) into spray finishing room. Open or glass containers shall not be used. Open (e)(3) 3 citations
(4) Transferring liquids. Except as provided in paragraph (e)(5) of this section the withdrawal of flammable liquids and liquids with a flashpoint greater than 199.4 °F (93 °C) from containers having a capacity of greater than 60 gallons shall be by approved pumps. The withdrawal of flammable liquids or liquids with a flashpoint greater than 199.4 °F (93 °C) from containers and the filling of containers, including portable mixing tanks, shall be done only in a suitable mixing room or in a spraying area when the ventilating system is in operation. Adequate precautions shall be taken to protect against liquid spillage and sources of ignition. 2 citations
(5) Spraying containers. Containers supplying spray nozzles shall be of closed type or provided with metal covers kept closed. Containers not resting on floors shall be on metal supports or suspended by wire cables. Containers supplying spray nozzles by gravity flow shall not exceed 10 gallons capacity. Original shipping containers shall not be subject to air pressure for supplying spray nozzles. Containers under air pressure supplying spray nozzles shall be of limited capacity, not exceeding that necessary for 1 day's operation; shall be designed and approved for such use; shall be provided with a visible pressure gage; and shall be provided with a relief valve set to operate in conformance with the requirements of the Code for Unfired Pressure Vessels, Section VIII of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code—1968, which is incorporated by reference as specified in § 1910.6. Containers under air pressure supplying spray nozzles, air-storage tanks and coolers shall conform to the standards of the Code for Unfired Pressure Vessels, Section VIII of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code—1968 for construction, tests, and maintenance. 6 citations
(6) Pipes and hoses. 3 citations
(i) All containers or piping to which is attached a hose or flexible connection shall be provided with a shutoff valve at the connection. Such valves shall be kept shut when spraying operations are not being conducted. 1 citations
(ii) When a pump is used to deliver products, automatic means shall be provided to prevent pressure in excess of the design working pressure of accessories, piping, and hose.
(iii) All pressure hose and couplings shall be inspected at regular intervals appropriate to this service. The hose and couplings shall be tested with the hose extended, and using the “inservice maximum operating pressures.” Any hose showing material deteriorations, signs of leakage, or weakness in its carcass or at the couplings, shall be withdrawn from service and repaired or discarded. 1 citations
(iv) Piping systems conveying flammable liquids or liquids with a flashpoint greater than 199.4 °F (93 °C) shall be of steel or other material having comparable properties of resistance to heat and physical damage. Piping systems shall be properly bonded and grounded. 1 citations
(7) Spray liquid heaters. Electrically powered spray liquid heaters shall be approved and listed for the specific location in which used (see paragraph (c) of this section). Heaters shall not be located in spray booths nor other locations subject to the accumulation of deposits or combustible residue. If an electric motor is used, see paragraph (c) of this section.
(8) Pump relief. If flammable liquids or liquids with a flashpoint greater than 199.4 °F (93 °C) are supplied to spray nozzles by positive displacement pumps, the pump discharge line shall be provided with an approved relief valve discharging to a pump suction or a safe detached location, or a device provided to stop the prime mover if the discharge pressure exceeds the safe operating pressure of the system.
(9) Grounding. Whenever flammable liquids or liquids with a flashpoint greater than 199.4 °F (93 °C) are transferred from one container to another, both containers shall be effectively bonded and grounded to prevent discharge sparks of static electricity. Open (e)(9) 22 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 | 2 |
| 2024 | 33 |
| 2025 | 35 |
| 2026 | 30 |
Top states: MN (16), TN (11), MT (6), VA (6), TX (5)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| WHEELER TANK MANUFACTURING, INC. | SIOUX FALLS, SD | $7,000 |
| FB INTERNATIONAL, INC. | FAIRFIELD, NJ | $6,164 |
| WESSELS COMPANY | GREENWOOD, IN | $4,800 |
| AMTROL, INC. | WEST WARWICK, RI | $4,305 |
| GALVION BALLISTICS LTD. | NEWPORT, VT | $4,148 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.107(e), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.107(e)(2) Quantity 60 citations
- 1910.107(e)(9) Grounding 22 citations
- 1910.107(e)(3) Containers 3 citations
Get your crew competent
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Frequently asked questions
How much flammable liquid can be kept near spraying?
The minimum required for operations, which should ordinarily not exceed a supply for 1 day or one shift.
Can open or glass containers be used?
No. Open or glass containers shall not be used to bring liquids into a spray finishing room.
How are liquids drawn from containers over 60 gallons?
By approved pumps, except as provided in paragraph (e)(5).
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.