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Electrical motors near spray operations

Summary A metal-cladding company asked where electrical motors could be located near a spray operation. OSHA said motors in the described flammable atmosphere had to meet the cited electrical requirements or be isolated from the spray room at the distance it specified. OSHA archives the letter.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1975-05-22
Date issued
May 22, 1975
Status
Archived by the agency
OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy.
Status last verified October 10, 2026
Topics
Workplace Safety OSHA 1910 Spray Finishing Electrical Safety
Source
View the official document

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OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy. It may no longer reflect the agency's current position. Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance, and verify current law before relying on anything here.
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NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

May 22, 1975

Mr. A. F. Robb
Metal-Cladding, Inc.
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mr. Robb,

This is in response to your letter requesting clarification of OSHA standard 1910.107(c)(6) on location of electrical motors in a spray operation.

The OSHA standard requires compliance with Subparts 1910.309 which references the National Electric Code NFPA 70 1971. NFPA 70 on page 298, paragraph 500-4 sets forth requirements for use of electrical motors in atmospheres containing fumes of flammable substances, Class 1 Division 2. Class and division are described in NFPA 70 on page 290. In substance if the electrical motor fails to meet the requirements of spark or static proof it must be isolated from the spray room (not mounted on the spray room wall) at least 20 feet distant or it must meet all requirements for non-sparking motors.

Please feel free to contact us if there are further questions on OSHA.

Sincerely,
Alfred Barden
Assistant Regional Director
Occupational Safety and Health

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