1910.107(c): Ignition Sources in Spray Finishing Areas
Employers must control electrical equipment, open flames and other ignition sources in spray finishing areas. No open flame or spark-producing equipment is allowed in a spraying area or within 20 feet of it unless separated by a partition, hot surfaces may not be where combustible residue can build up, electrical equipment is limited where residue collects, and other wiring in spraying areas must be explosion-proof type approved for Class I, group D locations.
Key takeaways
- 1910.107(c) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart H).
- OSHA cited it 230 times in the last 3 years, in 175 inspections, with $315,032 in current penalties.
- Most citations: MI (31), TN (30), MN (27).
- Related part: 1910.107(c)(6) Wiring type approved (91 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.107(c) ("Electrical and other sources of ignition") is one requirement inside 1910.107 Spray finishing using flammable and combustible materials, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart H). It includes 15 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
(c) Electrical and other sources of ignition — 230 citations
(1) Conformance. All electrical equipment, open flames and other sources of ignition shall conform to the requirements of this paragraph, except as follows:
(i) Electrostatic apparatus shall conform to the requirements of paragraphs (h) and (i) of this section;
(ii) Drying, curing, and fusion apparatus shall conform to the requirements of paragraph (j) of this section;
(iii) Automobile undercoating spray operations in garages shall conform to the requirements of paragraph (k) of this section;
(iv) Powder-coating equipment shall conform to the requirements of paragraph (l)(1) of this section.
(2) Minimum separation. There shall be no open flame or spark producing equipment in any spraying area nor within 20 feet thereof, unless separated by a partition. Open (c)(2) 34 citations
(3) Hot surfaces. Space-heating appliances, steampipes, or hot surfaces shall not be located in a spraying area where deposits of combustible residues may readily accumulate. 9 citations
(4) Wiring conformance. Electrical wiring and equipment shall conform to the provisions of this paragraph and shall otherwise be in accordance with subpart S of this part. 5 citations
(5) Combustible residues, areas. Unless specifically approved for locations containing both deposits of readily ignitable residue and explosive vapors, there shall be no electrical equipment in any spraying area, whereon deposits of combustible residues may readily accumulate, except wiring in rigid conduit or in boxes or fittings containing no taps, splices, or terminal connections. Open (c)(5) 56 citations
(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. Open (c)(6) 91 citations
(7) Lamps. Electric lamps outside of, but within twenty (20) feet of any spraying area, and not separated therefrom by a partition, shall be totally enclosed to prevent the falling of hot particles and shall be protected from mechanical injury by suitable guards or by location. Open (c)(7) 14 citations
(8) Portable lamps. Portable electric lamps shall not be used in any spraying area during spraying operations. Portable electric lamps, if used during cleaning or repairing operations, shall be of the type approved for hazardous Class I locations. 9 citations
(9) Grounding. Open (c)(9) 12 citations
(i) All metal parts of spray booths, exhaust ducts, and piping systems conveying flammable liquids or liquids with a flashpoint greater than 199.4 °F (93 °C) or aerated solids shall be properly electrically grounded in an effective and permanent manner. Open (c)(9)(i) 12 citations
(ii) [Reserved]
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.107.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 16 |
| 2024 | 71 |
| 2025 | 74 |
| 2026 | 69 |
Top states: MI (31), TN (30), MN (27), VA (14), CT (11)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ASSA ABLOY | EASTON, PA | $15,000 |
| WASTEQUIP MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LLC | TYLER, TX | $14,895 |
| BROKEN ARROW POWDER COATING, INC. | BROKEN ARROW, OK | $13,000 |
| GALVION BALLISTICS LTD. | NEWPORT, VT | $12,025 |
| 155973 - LIFTONE LLC | GREENSBORO, NC | $9,140 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.107(c), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Spray finishing operations citation guidance. (2009-07-14)
- OSHA standard 1910.107(c)(6) on location of electrical motors in a spray operation. (1975-05-22)
- Requirements for fixed lighting units for spray booths. (1975-04-14)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.107(c)(6) Wiring type approved 91 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
How far must open flames be from a spraying area?
There shall be no open flame or spark producing equipment in any spraying area nor within 20 feet thereof, unless separated by a partition.
Can space heaters be in a spraying area?
Not where deposits of combustible residues may readily accumulate.
What wiring is allowed where residue builds up?
Unless specifically approved, only wiring in rigid conduit or in boxes or fittings containing no taps, splices or terminal connections.
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.