1910.107(f)(3): Cleaning Sprinkler Heads in Spray Areas
Employers must keep sprinklers that protect spraying areas as free from deposits as practical, cleaning them daily if necessary.
Key takeaways
- 1910.107(f)(3) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart H).
- OSHA cited it 17 times in the last 3 years, in 17 inspections, with $8,262 in current penalties.
- Most citations: TN (2), MA (2), MN (2).
- Related part: 1910.107(f) Protection (29 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
Get the free 5-minute toolbox talk on 1910.107(f)(3) ↓
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.107(f)(3) ("Cleaning of heads") 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
(3) Cleaning of heads. Sprinklers protecting spraying areas shall be kept as free from deposits as practical by cleaning daily if necessary. (See also paragraph (g) of this section.) 17 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.107.
Export the list: 17 inspections cited 1910.107(f)(3) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 8 |
Top states: TN (2), MA (2), MN (2), ID (2), TX (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| DOONAN SPECIALIZED TRAILER LLC | GREAT BEND, KS | $2,979 |
| JD MILLWORK & CABINETS, INC. | ASHLAND, MA | $1,500 |
| 110515 - PRECISE PRODUCTS CORP | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $960 |
| INTEGRATED MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS, LLC | PORTLAND, TN | $900 |
| 159392 - EDDIE'S WELDING, INC. | STONY POINT, NC | $750 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.107(f)(3), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.107(f)(3).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.107(f) Protection 29 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
How often must spray area sprinklers be cleaned?
Daily if necessary, to keep them as free from deposits as practical.
Why do sprinkler heads need cleaning?
Deposits from spraying can build up on them.
Which standard covers this?
1910.107, spray finishing using flammable and combustible materials.
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 2026-11-06
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.