1910.107(g)(3): Spray Residue and Rag Disposal
Employers must remove residue scrapings and contaminated debris from spray finishing areas immediately and dispose of them properly. Approved metal waste cans must be provided for rags or waste soaked with finishing material, rags must go in them right after use, and the cans must be emptied properly at least once daily or at the end of each shift.
Key takeaways
- 1910.107(g)(3) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart H).
- OSHA cited it 34 times in the last 3 years, in 34 inspections, with $27,573 in current penalties.
- Most citations: MD (6), TN (5), IL (3).
- Related part: 1910.107(g) Operations and maintenance (248 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.107(g)(3) ("Residue disposal") 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) Residue disposal. Residue scrapings and debris contaminated with residue shall be immediately removed from the premises and properly disposed of. Approved metal waste cans shall be provided wherever rags or waste are impregnated with finishing material and all such rags or waste deposited therein immediately after use. The contents of waste cans shall be properly disposed of at least once daily or at the end of each shift. 34 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.107.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 15 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 11 |
Top states: MD (6), TN (5), IL (3), MA (3), NY (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| MERCURY MARINE | FOND DU LAC, WI | $5,788 |
| PARKWAY MOTORS OF LEONIA, INC. | ENGLEWOOD, NJ | $4,634 |
| ARSENAL COMMUNICATIONS INC. | ASTORIA, NY | $4,000 |
| ILLINOIS LIFT EQUIPMENT INC. | CARY, IL | $3,227 |
| SHANE FELTER INDUSTRIES | UNIONTOWN, PA | $2,350 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.107(g)(3), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.107(g)(3).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.107(g) Operations and maintenance 248 citations
- 1910.107(g)(2) Cleaning 142 citations
- 1910.107(g)(7) “No Smoking” signs 55 citations
- 1910.107(g)(1) Spraying 10 citations
- 1910.107(g)(5) Cleaning solvents 5 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
Where must finishing-soaked rags go?
Into approved metal waste cans immediately after use.
How often must the waste cans be emptied?
At least once daily or at the end of each shift.
What about residue scrapings?
They must be immediately removed from the premises and properly disposed of.
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.