1910.307(b): Documenting Hazardous Locations
Employers must properly document all areas designated as hazardous (classified) locations under the Class and Zone system, and areas under the Class and Division system established after August 13, 2007. The documentation must be available to those authorized to design, install, inspect, maintain or operate electric equipment at the location.
Key takeaways
- 1910.307(b) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart S).
- OSHA cited it 27 times in the last 3 years, in 27 inspections, with $95,285 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: IA (5), RI (3), TX (3).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
Get the free 5-minute toolbox talk on 1910.307(b) ↓
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.307(b) ("Documentation") is one requirement inside 1910.307 Hazardous (classified) locations, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart S). 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
(b) Documentation. All areas designated as hazardous (classified) locations under the Class and Zone system and areas designated under the Class and Division system established after August 13, 2007 shall be properly documented. This documentation shall be available to those authorized to design, install, inspect, maintain, or operate electric equipment at the location. 27 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.307.
Export the list: 27 inspections cited 1910.307(b) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moInjuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.307(b).
At 9:00 a.m. on January 19, 2024, two employees (Employee #1 and Employee #2) were setting up the site to create another stack of steel pipes (30 inches in diameter by 40 feet long, weighing over 2,000 pounds each.) The employees removed the chock block…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 6 |
Top states: IA (5), RI (3), TX (3), SD (3), WI (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| 160596 - PERDUE FOODS LLC | COFIELD, NC | $16,550 |
| A09CS00000TJ7CAAAY - DEE ZEE, INC. | PLEASANT HILL, IA | $11,823 |
| OUTDOOR FURNITURE REFINISHING, INC. | HOUSTON, TX | $11,292 |
| WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY | COLUMBIA FALLS, MT | $8,275 |
| C J MOYNA & SONS, INC. | ELKADER, IA | $7,032 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.307(b), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.307(b).
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
Which areas must be documented?
All hazardous locations under the Class and Zone system, and Class and Division areas established after August 13, 2007.
Who must have access to the documents?
Those authorized to design, install, inspect, maintain or operate electric equipment at the location.
Why document classified areas?
So people working on electrical equipment know the area's classification.
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 2026-11-01
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.