1910.107(c)(6): Electrical Wiring In and Near Spray Areas
Employers must use explosion-proof wiring and equipment approved for Class I, group D locations inside spraying areas where it is not subject to combustible residue deposits, meeting subpart S rules for Class I, Division 1. Wiring, motors and equipment outside but within 20 feet of a spraying area, and not separated by partitions, must not spark in normal operation and must meet Class I, Division 2 rules.
Key takeaways
- 1910.107(c)(6) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart H).
- OSHA cited it 91 times in the last 3 years, in 91 inspections, with $123,209 in current penalties.
- Most citations: MN (17), MI (10), TN (9).
- Related part: 1910.107(c) Electrical and other sources of ignition (230 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.107(c)(6) ("Wiring type approved") 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
(6) Wiring type approved. Electrical wiring and equipment not subject to deposits of combustible residues but located in a spraying area as herein defined shall be of explosion-proof type approved for Class I, group D locations and shall otherwise conform to the provisions of subpart S of this part, for Class I, Division 1, Hazardous Locations. Electrical wiring, motors, and other equipment outside of but within twenty (20) feet of any spraying area, and not separated therefrom by partitions, shall not produce sparks under normal operating conditions and shall otherwise conform to the provisions of subpart S of this part for Class I, Division 2 Hazardous Locations. 91 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 | 7 |
| 2024 | 26 |
| 2025 | 25 |
| 2026 | 33 |
Top states: MN (17), MI (10), TN (9), CT (6), WI (5)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| GALVION BALLISTICS LTD. | NEWPORT, VT | $12,025 |
| 155973 - LIFTONE LLC | GREENSBORO, NC | $9,140 |
| PROCESS MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC. | TULSA, OK | $9,100 |
| RELEASE BW, INC. | EGG HARBOR CITY, NJ | $6,000 |
| AQUA TREATMENT SERVICES, INC. | MECHANICSBURG, PA | $5,748 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.107(c)(6), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.107(c) Electrical and other sources of ignition 230 citations
- 1910.107(c)(5) Combustible residues, areas 56 citations
- 1910.107(c)(2) Minimum separation 34 citations
- 1910.107(c)(7) Lamps 14 citations
- 1910.107(c)(9) Grounding 12 citations
- 1910.107(c)(9)(i) 12 citations
Get your crew competent
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Frequently asked questions
What wiring is required in a spraying area?
Explosion-proof type approved for Class I, group D locations, conforming to subpart S for Class I, Division 1 hazardous locations.
What about equipment near a spray area?
Within 20 feet and not separated by partitions, it must not produce sparks under normal operation and must meet Class I, Division 2 rules.
Does a partition change the rule?
The 20-foot rule applies to equipment not separated from the spraying area by partitions.
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.