1910.137(c): Care and Use of Electrical Protective Equipment
Electrical protective equipment must be kept in safe, reliable condition. Rubber insulating blankets, covers, line hose, gloves and sleeves must stay within Table I-4 maximum use voltages, be inspected before each day's use and after any suspected damage, with gloves air tested, and not be used with holes, tears, ozone cracking, embedded objects or texture changes. They must be cleaned as needed and stored away from light, temperature extremes, humidity and ozone.
Key takeaways
- 1910.137(c) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 36 times in the last 3 years, in 35 inspections, with $157,729 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: OH (7), TX (4), WI (3).
- Related part: 1910.137(c)(2) Specific requirements (35 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.137(c) ("In-service care and use of electrical protective equipment") is one requirement inside 1910.137 Electrical protective equipment, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart I). It includes 27 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
(c) In-service care and use of electrical protective equipment — 36 citations
(1) General. Electrical protective equipment shall be maintained in a safe, reliable condition. 1 citations
(2) Specific requirements. The following specific requirements apply to rubber insulating blankets, rubber insulating covers, rubber insulating line hose, rubber insulating gloves, and rubber insulating sleeves: Open (c)(2) 35 citations
(i) Maximum use voltages shall conform to those listed in Table I-4.
(ii) Insulating equipment shall be inspected for damage before each day's use and immediately following any incident that can reasonably be suspected of causing damage. Insulating gloves shall be given an air test, along with the inspection. 2 citations
ASTM F1236-96 (2012), Standard Guide for Visual Inspection of Electrical Protective Rubber Products, presents methods and techniques for the visual inspection of electrical protective equipment made of rubber. This guide also contains descriptions and photographs of irregularities that can be found in this equipment.
(iii) Insulating equipment with any of the following defects may not be used:
(A) A hole, tear, puncture, or cut;
(B) Ozone cutting or ozone checking (that is, a series of interlacing cracks produced by ozone on rubber under mechanical stress);
(C) An embedded foreign object;
(D) Any of the following texture changes: swelling, softening, hardening, or becoming sticky or inelastic.
(E) Any other defect that damages the insulating properties.
(iv) Insulating equipment found to have other defects that might affect its insulating properties shall be removed from service and returned for testing under paragraphs (c)(2)(viii) and (c)(2)(ix) of this section.
(v) Insulating equipment shall be cleaned as needed to remove foreign substances.
(vi) Insulating equipment shall be stored in such a location and in such a manner as to protect it from light, temperature extremes, excessive humidity, ozone, and other damaging substances and conditions.
(vii) Protector gloves shall be worn over insulating gloves, except as follows:
(A) Protector gloves need not be used with Class 0 gloves, under limited-use conditions, when small equipment and parts manipulation necessitate unusually high finger dexterity.
Persons inspecting rubber insulating gloves used under these conditions need to take extra care in visually examining them. Employees using rubber insulating gloves under these conditions need to take extra care to avoid handling sharp objects.
(B) If the voltage does not exceed 250 volts, ac, or 375 volts, dc, protector gloves need not be used with Class 00 gloves, under limited-use conditions, when small equipment and parts manipulation necessitate unusually high finger dexterity.
Persons inspecting rubber insulating gloves used under these conditions need to take extra care in visually examining them. Employees using rubber insulating gloves under these conditions need to take extra care to avoid handling sharp objects.
(C) Any other class of glove may be used without protector gloves, under limited-use conditions, when small equipment and parts manipulation necessitate unusually high finger dexterity but only if the employer can demonstrate that the possibility of physical damage to the gloves is small and if the class of glove is one class higher than that required for the voltage involved.
(D) Insulating gloves that have been used without protector gloves may not be reused until they have been tested under the provisions of paragraphs (c)(2)(viii) and (c)(2)(ix) of this section.
(viii) Electrical protective equipment shall be subjected to periodic electrical tests. Test voltages and the maximum intervals between tests shall be in accordance with Table I-4 and Table I-5. Open (c)(2)(viii) 29 citations
(ix) The test method used under paragraphs (c)(2)(viii) and (c)(2)(xi) of this section shall reliably indicate whether the insulating equipment can withstand the voltages involved.
Standard electrical test methods considered as meeting this paragraph are given in the following national consensus standards:
ASTM D120-09, Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating Gloves.
ASTM D178-01 (2010), Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating Matting.
ASTM D1048-12, Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating Blankets.
ASTM D1049-98 (2010), Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating Covers.
ASTM D1050-05 (2011), Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating Line Hose.
ASTM D1051-08, Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating Sleeves.
ASTM F478-09, Standard Specification for In-Service Care of Insulating Line Hose and Covers.
ASTM F479-06 (2011), Standard Specification for In-Service Care of Insulating Blankets.
ASTM F496-08, Standard Specification for In-Service Care of Insulating Gloves and Sleeves.
(x) Insulating equipment failing to pass inspections or electrical tests may not be used by employees, except as follows:
(A) Rubber insulating line hose may be used in shorter lengths with the defective portion cut off.
(B) Rubber insulating blankets may be salvaged by severing the defective area from the undamaged portion of the blanket. The resulting undamaged area may not be smaller than 560 millimeters by 560 millimeters (22 inches by 22 inches) for Class 1, 2, 3, and 4 blankets.
(C) Rubber insulating blankets may be repaired using a compatible patch that results in physical and electrical properties equal to those of the blanket.
(D) Rubber insulating gloves and sleeves with minor physical defects, such as small cuts, tears, or punctures, may be repaired by the application of a compatible patch. Also, rubber insulating gloves and sleeves with minor surface blemishes may be repaired with a compatible liquid compound. The repaired area shall have electrical and physical properties equal to those of the surrounding material. Repairs to gloves are permitted only in the area between the wrist and the reinforced edge of the opening.
(xi) Repaired insulating equipment shall be retested before it may be used by employees.
(xii) The employer shall certify that equipment has been tested in accordance with the requirements of paragraphs (c)(2)(iv), (c)(2)(vii)(D), (c)(2)(viii), (c)(2)(ix), and (c)(2)(xi) of this section. The certification shall identify the equipment that passed the test and the date it was tested and shall be made available upon request to the Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health and to employees or their authorized representatives. 4 citations
Marking equipment with, and entering onto logs, the results of the tests and the dates of testing are two acceptable means of meeting the certification requirement.
| Class of Equipment | Proof-test Voltage rms V |
Maximum proof-test current, mA (gloves only) |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 280-mm (11-in) glove |
360-mm (14-in) glove |
410-mm (16-in) glove |
460-mm (18-in) glove |
||
| 00 | 2,500 | 8 | 12 | ||
| 0 | 5,000 | 8 | 12 | 14 | 16 |
| 1 | 10,000 | 14 | 16 | 18 | |
| 2 | 20,000 | 16 | 18 | 20 | |
| 3 | 30,000 | 18 | 20 | 22 | |
| 4 | 40,000 | 22 | 24 | ||
| Class of equipment | Proof-test voltage |
|---|---|
| 00 | 10,000 |
| 0 | 20,000 |
| 1 | 40,000 |
| 2 | 50,000 |
| 3 | 60,000 |
| 4 | 70,000 |
| Note: The dc voltages listed in this table are not appropriate for proof testing rubber insulating line hose or covers. For this equipment, dc proof tests shall use a voltage high enough to indicate that the equipment can be safely used at the voltages listed in Table I-4. See ASTM D1050-05 (2011) and ASTM D1049-98 (2010) for further information on proof tests for rubber insulating line hose and covers, respectively. | |
| Class of glove | AC proof test | DC proof test | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| mm | in | mm | in | |
| 00 | 38 | 1.5 | 38 | 1.5 |
| 0 | 38 | 1.5 | 38 | 1.5 |
| 1 | 38 | 1.5 | 51 | 2.0 |
| 2 | 64 | 2.5 | 76 | 3.0 |
| 3 | 89 | 3.5 | 102 | 4.0 |
| 4 | 127 | 5.0 | 153 | 6.0 |
| 1 The water level is given as the clearance from the reinforced edge of the glove to the water line, with a tolerance of ±13 mm. (±0.5 in.). | ||||
| 2 If atmospheric conditions make the specified clearances impractical, the clearances may be increased by a maximum of 25 mm. (1 in.). | ||||
| Class of equipment | Maximum use voltage 1 AC rms |
Retest voltage 2 AC rms |
Retest voltage 2 DC avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 00 | 500 | 2,500 | 10,000 |
| 0 | 1,000 | 5,000 | 20,000 |
| 1 | 7,500 | 10,000 | 40,000 |
| 2 | 17,000 | 20,000 | 50,000 |
| 3 | 26,500 | 30,000 | 60,000 |
| 4 | 36,000 | 40,000 | 70,000 |
| 1 The maximum use voltage is the ac voltage (rms) classification of the protective equipment that designates the maximum nominal design voltage of the energized system that may be safely worked. The nominal design voltage is equal to the phase-to-phase voltage on multiphase circuits. However, the phase-to-ground potential is considered to be the nominal design voltage if: | |||
| (1) There is no multiphase exposure in a system area and the voltage exposure is limited to the phase-to-ground potential, or | |||
| (2) The electric equipment and devices are insulated or isolated or both so that the multiphase exposure on a grounded wye circuit is removed. | |||
| 2 The proof-test voltage shall be applied continuously for at least 1 minute, but no more than 3 minutes. | |||
| Type of equipment |
When to test |
|---|---|
| Rubber insulating line hose | Upon indication that insulating value is suspect and after repair. |
| Rubber insulating covers | Upon indication that insulating value is suspect and after repair. |
| Rubber insulating blankets | Before first issue and every 12 months thereafter; 1 upon indication that insulating value is suspect; and after repair. |
| Rubber insulating gloves | Before first issue and every 6 months thereafter; 1 upon indication that insulating value is suspect; after repair; and after use without protectors. |
| Rubber insulating sleeves | Before first issue and every 12 months thereafter; 1 upon indication that insulating value is suspect; and after repair. |
| 1 If the insulating equipment has been electrically tested but not issued for service, the insulating equipment may not be placed into service unless it has been electrically tested within the previous 12 months. | |
[79 FR 20629, Apr. 11, 2014]
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.137.
Export the list: 35 inspections cited 1910.137(c) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moInjuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.137(c).
At 1:30 p.m. on June 19, 2024, an employee was electrocuted while accomplishing maintenance on a 7.2kV distribution line. The employee was killed.
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 14 |
| 2025 | 13 |
| 2026 | 5 |
Top states: OH (7), TX (4), WI (3), VA (3), TN (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| HUBBELL INC. | READING, PA | $18,000 |
| DESERT DIAMOND CASINO AND ENTERTAINMENT | SAHUARITA, AZ | $16,000 |
| THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY | DANVILLE, VA | $15,875 |
| CORBITT POWER & LIGHT, LLC | CULLMAN, AL | $10,938 |
| DEXTER FORTSON ASSOCIATES, INC. | COALING, AL | $9,598 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.137(c), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.137(c).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.137(c)(2) Specific requirements 35 citations
- 1910.137(c)(2)(viii) 29 citations
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Frequently asked questions
How often must rubber insulating gloves be inspected?
Before each day's use and immediately following any incident that can reasonably be suspected of causing damage, along with an air test.
What defects mean I cannot use insulating gear?
A hole, tear, puncture or cut; ozone cutting or checking; an embedded foreign object; swelling, softening, hardening, or becoming sticky or inelastic; or any other defect that damages insulating properties.
What maximum use voltages apply?
Those listed in Table I-4.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.137 (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.