1910.107(h): Fixed Electrostatic Spray Equipment
Fixed electrostatic spraying equipment must meet all spray finishing rules plus extra rules: approved types only, electrical parts outside the spray area except listed high-voltage parts, electrodes and atomizing heads supported and insulated, high-voltage leads protected, automatic grounding when deenergized, clean and dry insulators, and a safe distance between goods and electrodes.
Key takeaways
- 1910.107(h) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart H).
- OSHA cited it 11 times in the last 3 years, in 11 inspections, with $28,474 in current penalties.
- Most citations: VA (2), GA (2), TX (1).
- Related part: 1910.107(h)(12) Fire protection (10 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
Get the free 5-minute toolbox talk on 1910.107(h) ↓
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.107(h) ("Fixed electrostatic apparatus") is one requirement inside 1910.107 Spray finishing using flammable and combustible materials, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart H). It includes 16 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
(h) Fixed electrostatic apparatus — 11 citations
(1) Conformance. Where installation and use of electrostatic spraying equipment is used, such installation and use shall conform to all other paragraphs of this section, and shall also conform to the requirements of this paragraph.
(2) Type approval. Electrostatic apparatus and devices used in connection with coating operations shall be of approved types. Open (h)(2)
(3) Location. Transformers, power packs, control apparatus, and all other electrical portions of the equipment, with the exception of high-voltage grids, electrodes, and electrostatic atomizing heads and their connections, shall be located outside of the spraying area, or shall otherwise conform to the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section.
(4) Support. Electrodes and electrostatic atomizing heads shall be adequately supported in permanent locations and shall be effectively insulated from the ground. Electrodes and electrostatic atomizing heads which are permanently attached to their bases, supports, or reciprocators, shall be deemed to comply with this section. Insulators shall be nonporous and noncombustible.
(5) Insulators, grounding. High-voltage leads to electrodes shall be properly insulated and protected from mechanical injury or exposure to destructive chemicals. Electrostatic atomizing heads shall be effectively and permanently supported on suitable insulators and shall be effectively guarded against accidental contact or grounding. An automatic means shall be provided for grounding the electrode system when it is electrically deenergized for any reason. All insulators shall be kept clean and dry.
(6) Safe distance. A safe distance shall be maintained between goods being painted and electrodes or electrostatic atomizing heads or conductors of at least twice the sparking distance. A suitable sign indicating this safe distance shall be conspicuously posted near the assembly. Open (h)(6)
(7) Conveyors required. Goods being painted using this process are to be supported on conveyors. The conveyors shall be so arranged as to maintain safe distances between the goods and the electrodes or electrostatic atomizing heads at all times. Any irregularly shaped or other goods subject to possible swinging or movement shall be rigidly supported to prevent such swinging or movement which would reduce the clearance to less than that specified in paragraph (h)(6) of this section.
(8) Prohibition. This process is not acceptable where goods being coated are manipulated by hand. When finishing materials are applied by electrostatic equipment which is manipulated by hand, see paragraph (i) of this section for applicable requirements. Open (h)(8)
(9) Fail-safe controls. Electrostatic apparatus shall be equipped with automatic controls which will operate without time delay to disconnect the power supply to the high voltage transformer and to signal the operator under any of the following conditions: 1 citations
(i) Stoppage of ventilating fans or failure of ventilating equipment from any cause.
(ii) Stoppage of the conveyor carrying goods through the high voltage field.
(iii) Occurrence of a ground or of an imminent ground at any point on the high voltage system.
(iv) Reduction of clearance below that specified in paragraph (h)(6) of this section.
(10) Guarding. Adequate booths, fencing, railings, or guards shall be so placed about the equipment that they, either by their location or character or both, assure that a safe isolation of the process is maintained from plant storage or personnel. Such railings, fencing, and guards shall be of conducting material, adequately grounded.
(11) Ventilation. Where electrostatic atomization is used the spraying area shall be so ventilated as to insure safe conditions from a fire and health standpoint.
(12) Fire protection. All areas used for spraying, including the interior of the booth, shall be protected by automatic sprinklers where this protection is available. Where this protection is not available, other approved automatic extinguishing equipment shall be provided. Open (h)(12) 10 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.107.
Export the list: 11 inspections cited 1910.107(h) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Top states: VA (2), GA (2), TX (1), WI (1), MI (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| SIGMA CORPORATION | HOUSTON, TX | $8,643 |
| CLASSIC COLLISION, LLC | DULUTH, GA | $7,093 |
| NIKLYN CORPORATION | NORTH HAVEN, CT | $4,138 |
| CORT?S INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATION INC | CAGUAS, PR | $3,780 |
| PROLINE CUSTOM CABINETRY LLC | ODUM, GA | $2,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.107(h), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.107(h).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.107(h)(12) Fire protection 10 citations
- 1910.107(h)(8) Prohibition
- 1910.107(h)(6) Safe distance
- 1910.107(h)(2) Type approval
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
Must electrostatic equipment be approved?
Yes. Electrostatic apparatus and devices must be of approved types.
Where must transformers and power packs be?
Outside the spraying area, or otherwise meeting paragraph (c).
What happens when the system is deenergized?
An automatic means must ground the electrode system.
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 2026-11-06
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.