I called it as a code violation. But have seen it many times. I also know that AHJs can take a great deal of liberty with the article quoted. Some local jurisdictions even write their own rules. You are lucky not to get 150 pages of "this is how we do it here" with your permit.
Do I personally view it as an "electrical safety" issue--No..

In fact there are only a few chapters in the NEC that actually address electrical safety. The rest are just installation instructions for various special interest groups.

I think U.L. is a good guideline. If they hadn't gotten so full of themselves over the years they would be in a much better position. U.L. tests products according the the manufacturers written instructions, plus a few basic electrical safety tests. That is why the AHJ is given the authority to accept issues on their own. The manufacturer couldn't possibly think of or cover everything for everyone. Most of heavy manufacturing wouldn't even exist if AHJs didn't have the authority to accept installations that weren't "picture perfect".

Rarely, as an AHJ, did I find a textbook perfect installation and had to pass judgement on an installation that was close. My job was to make sure it was electrically safe. That's where most all textbook jockey inspectors fail to meet the mark....