1910.303(a): Approved Electrical Equipment
Employers may use conductors and equipment required or permitted by the electrical subpart only if they are approved, as defined in 1910.399.
Key takeaways
- 1910.303(a) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart S).
- OSHA cited it 15 times in the last 3 years, in 15 inspections, with $34,587 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: NV (9), NJ (2), AL (1).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.303(a) ("Approval") is one requirement inside 1910.303 General, 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
(a) Approval. The conductors and equipment required or permitted by this subpart shall be acceptable only if approved, as defined in § 1910.399. 15 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.303.
Export the list: 15 inspections cited 1910.303(a) 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 1910.303(a).
At 11:50 a.m. on November 16, 2023, an employee was observed standing with one foot on the loading platform and one foot on the top plate of the center wall gable, loading bundles of shingles from the platform to the home. The employee told a…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Top states: NV (9), NJ (2), AL (1), OR (1), HI (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| SUXESS, INC | RENO, NV | $8,130 |
| NJDOC SOUTH WOODS STATE PRISON | BRIDGETON, NJ | $7,000 |
| NJDOC SOUTH WOODS STATE PRISON | BRIDGETON, NJ | $7,000 |
| KABCO BUILDERS, INC. | BOAZ, AL | $5,600 |
| SANDER BROTHERS INVESTMENT | WELLS, NV | $4,965 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.303(a).
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Frequently asked questions
What electrical equipment is acceptable?
Only conductors and equipment that are approved, as defined in 1910.399.
Where is approved defined?
In 1910.399.
Does this cover conductors too?
Yes. It covers conductors and equipment.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.303 (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.