Electrical safety: OSHA's rules in the plant and on the jobsite
OSHA's electrical rules come in two sets: Subpart S of Part 1910 for general industry and Subpart K of Part 1926 for construction. In general industry, live parts are de-energized before anyone works on or near them, unless the employer can show that de-energizing adds hazards or is infeasible (1910.333(a)(1)). On a construction site, the temporary 120-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles in use have ground-fault circuit interrupters, or the employer runs an assured equipment grounding conductor program (1926.404(b)(1)). This hub covers both rulebooks: the space in front of panels, cords and tools, lockout of circuits, overhead lines, training, and where NFPA 70E fits.
Verified against the eCFR · November 12, 2026
At a glance
De-energize first
Live parts are de-energized before work on or near them, unless that adds hazards or is infeasible because of equipment design or operations.
1910.333(a)(1)Lock out or tag the circuit
Circuits feeding de-energized fixed equipment are locked out, tagged or both while anyone is exposed. On a jobsite, tags go at every point where the circuit can be energized.
1910.333(b)(2), 1926.417(b)Clear space at panels
Enough access and working space to operate and maintain the equipment safely, never used for storage. Depth comes from Table S-1 (Table K-1 on a jobsite).
1910.303(g)(1), 1926.403(i)(1)GFCI or AEGCP
Ground-fault circuit interrupters on temporary receptacles in use, or an assured equipment grounding conductor program.
1926.404(b)(1)Cords checked every shift
Cord-and-plug equipment and extension cords are visually inspected before use on any shift. Worn or frayed cords are not used on a jobsite.
1910.334(a)(2), 1926.416(e)(1)Testing is for qualified persons
Only qualified persons perform testing work on electric circuits or equipment.
1910.334(c)(1)A serious violation carries a maximum of $16,550 (2026 amounts, 1903.15(d)).
The plant rules and the jobsite rules, side by side
A maintenance electrician in a plant works under Part 1910. The same electrician wiring a building under construction works under Part 1926. The table puts the two side by side, subject by subject.
| Subject | General industry (Part 1910) | Construction (Part 1926) |
|---|---|---|
| Working on equipment | Live parts are de-energized before work on or near them, unless the employer can show that de-energizing adds hazards or is infeasible (1910.333(a)(1)). | No work so close to a power circuit that the employee could contact it, unless the circuit is de-energized and grounded or guarded by insulation or other means (1926.416(a)(1)). |
| Locking out circuits | Circuits feeding de-energized fixed equipment are locked out, tagged or both, following 1910.333(b)(2) in order. Procedures meeting 1910.147(c) to (f) also comply under the conditions that paragraph sets. | De-energized equipment or circuits are rendered inoperative, with tags at all points where they can be energized (1926.417(b)). |
| Testing and locating circuits | Only qualified persons perform testing work on circuits or equipment (1910.334(c)(1)). | The employer finds out, by inquiry, direct observation or instruments, whether an energized circuit, exposed or concealed, could be contacted by the work (1926.416(a)(3)). |
| Space in front of panels | Depth by Table S-1, width at least 30 inches or the equipment's width, headroom, lighting and no storage in the space (1910.303(g)(1)). | Depth by Table K-1, the same principle of sufficient access and working space (1926.403(i)(1)). |
| Cords | Portable cord-and-plug equipment and extension cords are visually inspected before use on any shift (1910.334(a)(2)). | Worn or frayed cords or cables are not used (1926.416(e)(1)). Extension cords are three-wire and designed for hard or extra-hard usage (1926.405(a)(2)(ii)(J)). |
| Ladders near live parts | Portable ladders have nonconductive siderails where the employee or the ladder could contact exposed energized parts (1910.333(c)(7)). | Ladders have nonconductive siderails where the employee or the ladder could contact exposed energized electrical equipment (1926.1053(b)(12)). |
Lockout of machines in general industry is its own standard, 1910.147: the lockout/tagout hub.
The space in front of a panel
For equipment of 600 volts or less that may be examined, adjusted, serviced or maintained while energized, the depth of the working space depends on the voltage to ground and on what faces the live parts.
| Voltage to ground | Condition A | Condition B | Condition C |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 to 150 volts | 3 ft* | 3 ft* | 3 ft |
| 151 to 600 volts | 3 ft* | 3.5 ft | 4 ft |
Condition A: exposed live parts on one side and no live or grounded parts on the other, or live parts on both sides guarded by insulating material. Condition B: exposed live parts on one side and grounded parts on the other. Condition C: exposed live parts on both sides with the worker between. *These cells may be 2.5 ft for installations built before April 16, 1981 (note 1 to Table S-1). The space is also at least 30 inches wide or the width of the equipment, whichever is greater, and it is never used for storage (1910.303(g)(1)(i), (g)(1)(ii)). Construction uses Table K-1: 3 feet at 0 to 150 volts, and 3, 3 1/2 or 4 feet at 151 to 600 volts (1926.403(i)(1)).
How much space does your panel need?
Pick the voltage, what faces the live parts and the installation dates for the depth, width and headroom of 1910.303(g)(1).
Depth
3 ft
Table S-1, 1910.303(g)(1)(i)(A).
Width
30 in
The equipment's width or 30 inches, whichever is greater, with room for doors and hinged panels to open at least 90 degrees (1910.303(g)(1)(i)(B)).
Headroom
6.5 ft
For service equipment, switchboards, panelboards and motor control centers (1910.303(g)(1)(vi)).
For equipment of 600 volts or less that may be examined, adjusted, serviced or maintained while energized. The space is kept clear and never used for storage (1910.303(g)(1)(ii)). On a construction site, Table K-1 gives the same depths (1926.403(i)(1)).
Panel clearance, question by questionCords, tools and ground-fault protection
On a construction site: GFCI or AEGCP
- All 120-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles that aren't part of the permanent wiring and are in use have approved ground-fault circuit interrupters (1926.404(b)(1)(ii)).
- Or an assured equipment grounding conductor program covers every cord set, temporary receptacle and cord-and-plug tool: a written description at the jobsite, a competent person, a visual check before each day's use, the tests and the records (1926.404(b)(1)(iii)).
Cords and portable equipment
- Portable cord-and-plug equipment and extension cords are visually inspected before use on any shift, for external defects and signs of internal damage (1910.334(a)(2)).
- Worn or frayed cords or cables are not used on a jobsite (1926.416(e)(1)).
- Extension cords used with portable tools are three-wire and designed for hard or extra-hard usage (1926.405(a)(2)(ii)(J)).
- Listed or labeled equipment is installed and used according to its listing or labeling instructions (1910.303(b)(2)).
Overhead power lines
Unqualified persons, general industry
Working above the ground near unguarded, energized overhead lines, the person and the longest conductive object they may contact stay at least 10 feet away for lines of 50 kV or less to ground, plus 4 inches for every 10 kV above 50 kV. On the ground, no conductive object is brought closer than those distances (1910.333(c)(3)(i)).
Ladders and tools near lines
Objects without an insulating rating for the voltage are treated as conductive (1910.333(c)(3)(i)(B)). Portable ladders used where they could contact exposed energized parts have nonconductive siderails (1910.333(c)(7)).
Who gets trained
General industry
Employees who face a risk of electric shock that the installation rules of 1910.303 to 1910.308 don't reduce to a safe level, including the occupations of Table S-4, and others who may reasonably be expected to face a comparable risk (1910.332(a)).
Construction
Each employee is instructed in recognizing and avoiding unsafe conditions and in the rules that apply to the work (1926.21(b)(2)). An assured grounding program names a competent person (1926.404(b)(1)(iii)).
The difference between a qualified person and a competent person: qualified person, competent person designations.
Where NFPA 70E fits
NFPA 70E, the Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, covers arc flash risk assessment, labels and approach boundaries. It is a consensus standard, not an OSHA requirement: it is not among the standards incorporated by reference in 1910.6 or 1926.6. OSHA's arc paragraphs for electric power work are 1910.269(l)(8) and 1926.960(g); for premises wiring, 1910.335(a)(1) covers electrical protective equipment and 1910.335(b)(1) calls for signs and tags where needed to warn of electrical hazards.
Lockouts that can't skip a step
Each lockout follows the order of the energy control rule, and the permits that depend on it wait for it.
Zero energy, point by point
A lockout can't go active until every point has its zero-energy check recorded, and on an electrical point, only a meter test counts.
When the person isn't there
When the person who applied a lock isn't there, removal follows your written exception procedure: absence verified, contact attempts logged. When they come back, they're told before they can lock anything else.
Removal in the rule's words
Removal won't record until the area check and the all-clear are both confirmed, in the exact (e)(1) and (e)(2) wording, in English or Spanish.
Permits tied to the lockout
Name the isolation points on the permit and it won't issue until each one is locked out under that permit, and it won't close while any of those locks is still on. When a lock comes off, the permit shows it and its supervisor is notified.
In the basement
In the basement mechanical room with no signal, the lockout still records, points and signature included, and posts once when the app is back in coverage.
Key facts
- Live parts are de-energized before work on or near them, unless de-energizing adds hazards or is infeasible (1910.333(a)(1)).
- On a construction site, temporary 120-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles in use have GFCIs, or an assured equipment grounding conductor program covers the cords and tools (1926.404(b)(1)).
- The working space in front of panels is at least 30 inches wide, as deep as Table S-1 requires, and never used for storage (1910.303(g)(1)(i), (g)(1)(ii)).
- Cord-and-plug equipment and extension cords are visually inspected before use on any shift (1910.334(a)(2)).
- An unqualified person keeps the body and any conductive object at least 10 feet from unguarded energized overhead lines of 50 kV or less (1910.333(c)(3)(i)).
- NFPA 70E is a consensus standard, not an OSHA requirement: it is not among the standards incorporated by reference in 1910.6 or 1926.6.
Tools, guides and the standards
Free tools
- LOTO Procedure Generator
Isolation steps by energy type, electrical included, with the zero-energy check.
- Weekly Site Safety Inspection
Cords, GFCIs and panels among the jobsite items, each cited.
- Ladder Safety Selector
The right ladder for the task, nonconductive where live parts are near.
- Job Hazard Analysis Builder
The electrical hazards of a task, step by step.
In-depth guides
- Electrical Safety in Construction: OSHA & NFPA 70E Essentials
- Arc Flash Requirements: OSHA 1910.269, 1910.335, NFPA 70E
- Electrical Panel Clearance: OSHA 1910.303 and 1926.403
- Does OSHA LOTO (1910.147) apply to construction?
Toolbox talks
Electrical safety FAQ
Does OSHA require GFCIs on construction sites?
Ground-fault protection, yes. 29 CFR 1926.404(b)(1) gives the choice: ground-fault circuit interrupters on all 120-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles that are not part of the permanent wiring and are in use, or an assured equipment grounding conductor program covering the cord sets, receptacles and cord-and-plug equipment.
What does an assured equipment grounding conductor program include?
A written description of the program available at the jobsite, one or more competent persons to run it, a visual inspection of each cord set and cord-and-plug tool before each day's use, and the tests and records 1926.404(b)(1)(iii) lists. Damaged or defective equipment is not used until repaired.
How much clear space does OSHA require in front of an electrical panel?
For 600 volts or less, the depth comes from Table S-1: 3 feet at 0 to 150 volts to ground, and 3 to 4 feet at 151 to 600 volts depending on what is on the other side of the space. The space is at least 30 inches wide or the width of the equipment, and it is never used for storage (29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1)). Construction uses Table K-1 (1926.403(i)(1)).
Is NFPA 70E an OSHA requirement?
No. NFPA 70E is a consensus standard: it is not among the standards incorporated by reference in 1910.6 or 1926.6. OSHA's own arc paragraphs for electric power work are 1910.269(l)(8) and 1926.960(g), and 1910.335(a)(1) covers electrical protective equipment. An employer can adopt NFPA 70E as company policy for premises wiring.
Who needs electrical safety training?
Employees who face a risk of electric shock that the installation rules of 1910.303 to 1910.308 don't reduce to a safe level, including the occupations listed in Table S-4, and others who may reasonably be expected to face a comparable risk (29 CFR 1910.332(a)). On a construction site, each employee is instructed in recognizing and avoiding the unsafe conditions of the work (1926.21(b)(2)).
Sources
- ecfr.gov/current/title-29/part-1910/subpart-S
- ecfr.gov/current/title-29/part-1926/subpart-K
- ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1910.6
- osha.gov/electrical
Paragraphs of 29 CFR 1910.303, 1910.332 to 1910.335, 1926.21, 1926.403 to 1926.405, 1926.416 and 1926.417 verified against the eCFR on November 12, 2026. General guidance, not legal advice; State Plans may add requirements.
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OSHA inspections come unannounced, apart from the few exceptions listed in 29 CFR 1903.6. Get the binder in order before the opening conference, not during it.
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