1910.307(c)(2): Equipment Approved for Hazardous Locations
Employers must use electrical equipment in hazardous (classified) locations that is approved for both the class of location and the specific gas, vapor, dust or fiber present. Equipment must be marked with class, group and operating temperature based on a 40-degree C ambient, and the temperature marking may not exceed the ignition temperature of the gas or vapor, with listed exceptions.
Key takeaways
- 1910.307(c)(2) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart S).
- OSHA cited it 32 times in the last 3 years, in 32 inspections, with $81,003 in current penalties.
- Most citations: MA (3), NC (3), FL (2).
- Related part: 1910.307(c) Electrical installations (146 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.307(c)(2) ("Approved for the hazardous (classified) location") is one requirement inside 1910.307 Hazardous (classified) locations, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart S). It includes 7 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
(2) Approved for the hazardous (classified) location. 32 citations
(i) Equipment shall be approved not only for the class of location, but also for the ignitable or combustible properties of the specific gas, vapor, dust, or fiber that will be present. Open (c)(2)(i) 31 citations
NFPA 70, the National Electrical Code, lists or defines hazardous gases, vapors, and dusts by “Groups” characterized by their ignitable or combustible properties.
(ii) Equipment shall be marked to show the class, group, and operating temperature or temperature range, based on operation in a 40-degree C ambient, for which it is approved. The temperature marking may not exceed the ignition temperature of the specific gas or vapor to be encountered. However, the following provisions modify this marking requirement for specific equipment:
(A) Equipment of the nonheat-producing type, such as junction boxes, conduit, and fittings, and equipment of the heat-producing type having a maximum temperature not more than 100 °C (212 °F) need not have a marked operating temperature or temperature range;
(B) Fixed lighting fixtures marked for use in Class I, Division 2 or Class II, Division 2 locations only need not be marked to indicate the group;
(C) Fixed general-purpose equipment in Class I locations, other than lighting fixtures, that is acceptable for use in Class I, Division 2 locations need not be marked with the class, group, division, or operating temperature;
(D) Fixed dust-tight equipment, other than lighting fixtures, that is acceptable for use in Class II, Division 2 and Class III locations need not be marked with the class, group, division, or operating temperature; and
(E) Electric equipment suitable for ambient temperatures exceeding 40 °C (104 °F) shall be marked with both the maximum ambient temperature and the operating temperature or temperature range at that ambient temperature; and
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.307.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 15 |
| 2026 | 5 |
Top states: MA (3), NC (3), FL (2), DE (2), MO (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| DIAMOND SHAMROCK REFINING COMPANY, L.P. | THREE RIVERS, TX | $16,550 |
| SIMMONS ANIMAL NUTRITION, INC. | BRIDGEVILLE, DE | $12,500 |
| AIR LIQUIDE ADVANCED MATERIALS, INC. | HIGH SPRINGS, FL | $10,938 |
| XPRESS NATURAL GAS, LLC | MONTROSE, PA | $8,513 |
| SHAW'S SOUTHERN BELLE FROZEN FOODS, INC. | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $5,908 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.307(c)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Application of OSHA standards when an employer is using the "Focused Electrode Leak Locator" (FELL) (2023-03-29)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.307(c) Electrical installations 146 citations
- 1910.307(c)(2)(i) 31 citations
- 1910.307(c)(3) Safe for the hazardous (classified) location 17 citations
- 1910.307(c)(1) Intrinsically safe 9 citations
Get your crew competent
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Frequently asked questions
What must the equipment be approved for?
Both the class of location and the ignitable or combustible properties of the specific gas, vapor, dust or fiber present.
What markings are required?
The class, group and operating temperature or temperature range, based on a 40-degree C ambient.
Can the temperature marking exceed the ignition temperature?
No. It may not exceed the ignition temperature of the specific gas or vapor encountered.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.307 (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.