1910.107(l): Powder Coating Safety
Powder coating ignition sources must meet the cited rules and subpart S, and exhaust ventilation must keep the atmosphere below the lowest explosive limits and carry loose powder to a recovery cyclone or receptacle, with no powder released outdoors. Areas must be kept free of powder buildup, cleaned without making dust clouds, and posted with large contrasting No Smoking signs. Electrostatic equipment follows the referenced paragraphs.
Key takeaways
- 1910.107(l) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart H).
- OSHA cited it 38 times in the last 3 years, in 27 inspections, with $44,715 in current penalties.
- Most citations: TN (6), AZ (5), TX (4).
- Related part: 1910.107(l)(4) Operation and maintenance (30 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.107(l) ("Powder coating") is one requirement inside 1910.107 Spray finishing using flammable and combustible materials, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart H). It includes 17 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
(l) Powder coating — 38 citations
(1) Electrical and other sources of ignition. Electrical equipment and other sources of ignition shall conform to the requirements of paragraphs (c)(1) (i)-(iv), (8) and (9)(i) of this section and subpart S of this part.
(2) Ventilation. 7 citations
(i) In addition to the provisions of paragraph (d) of this section, where applicable, exhaust ventilation shall be sufficient to maintain the atmosphere below the lowest explosive limits for the materials being applied. All nondeposited air-suspended powders shall be safely removed via exhaust ducts to the powder recovery cyclone or receptacle. Each installation shall be designed and operated to meet the foregoing performance specification. 3 citations
(ii) Powders shall not be released to the outside atmosphere. 4 citations
(3) Drying, curing, or fusion equipment. The provisions of the Standard for ovens and furnaces, NFPA No. 86A-1969 shall apply where applicable.
(4) Operation and maintenance. Open (l)(4) 30 citations
(i) All areas shall be kept free of the accumulation of powder coating dusts, particularly such horizontal surfaces as ledges, beams, pipes, hoods, booths, and floors. Open (l)(4)(i) 19 citations
(ii) Surfaces shall be cleaned in such manner as to avoid scattering dust to other places or creating dust clouds. 3 citations
(iii) “No Smoking” signs in large letters on contrasting color background shall be conspicuously posted at all powder coating areas and powder storage rooms. 8 citations
(5) Fixed electrostatic spraying equipment. The provisions of paragraph (h) of this section and other subparagraphs of this paragraph shall apply to fixed electrostatic equipment, except that electrical equipment not covered therein shall conform to paragraph (l)(1) of this section.
(6) Electrostatic hand spraying equipment. The provisions of paragraph (i) of this section and other subparagraphs of this paragraph, shall apply to electrostatic handguns when used in powder coating, except that electrical equipment not covered therein shall conform to paragraph (l)(1) of this section.
(7) Electrostatic fluidized beds. 1 citations
(i) Electrostatic fluidized beds and associated equipment shall be of approved types. The maximum surface temperature of this equipment in the coating area shall not exceed 150 °F. The high voltage circuits shall be so designed as to not produce a spark of sufficient intensity to ignite any powder-air mixtures nor result in appreciable shock hazard upon coming in contact with a grounded object under normal operating conditions.
(ii) Transformers, powerpacks, control apparatus, and all other electrical portions of the equipment, with the exception of the charging electrodes and their connections to the power supply shall be located outside of the powder coating area or shall otherwise conform to the requirements of paragraph (l)(1) of this section.
(iii) All electrically conductive objects within the charging influence of the electrodes shall be adequately grounded. The powder coating equipment shall carry a prominent, permanently installed warning regarding the necessity for grounding these objects.
(iv) Objects being coated shall be maintained in contact with the conveyor or other support in order to insure proper grounding. Hangers shall be regularly cleaned to insure effective contact and areas of contact shall be sharp points or knife edges where possible.
(v) The electrical equipment shall be so interlocked with the ventilation system that the equipment cannot be operated unless the ventilation fans are in operation. 1 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 | 15 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2026 | 10 |
Top states: TN (6), AZ (5), TX (4), VA (3), IL (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| INDUSTRIAL TURNAROUND CORPORATION | CHESTER, VA | $11,010 |
| ARTCO-BELL CORPORATION | TEMPLE, TX | $8,296 |
| SJC HOLDINGS, INC. | KANKAKEE, IL | $7,260 |
| BWAY CORPORATION | BEDFORD PARK, IL | $4,965 |
| 69169 - LANTECH COM LLC | LOUISVILLE, KY | $3,780 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.107(l), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.107(l).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.107(l)(4) Operation and maintenance 30 citations
- 1910.107(l)(4)(i) 19 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
What must powder coating ventilation do?
Keep the atmosphere below the lowest explosive limits for the materials applied, and safely remove nondeposited air-suspended powders through exhaust ducts to the powder recovery cyclone or receptacle.
Can powder be vented outside?
No. Powders shall not be released to the outside atmosphere.
What signs are required?
No Smoking signs in large letters on a contrasting color background, conspicuously posted at all powder coating areas and powder storage rooms.
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 2026-10-21
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.