1910.303(b)(6): Protecting Electrical Equipment From Deteriorating Agents
Unless identified for use in that environment, conductors and electrical equipment must not be located in damp or wet locations, where exposed to gases, fumes, vapors, liquids or other agents that deteriorate them, or where exposed to excessive temperatures.
Key takeaways
- 1910.303(b)(6) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart S).
- OSHA cited it 75 times in the last 3 years, in 75 inspections, with $189,097 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MI (9), TX (8), PA (6).
- Related part: 1910.303(b) Examination, installation, and use of equipment (3,837 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.303(b)(6) ("Deteriorating agents") 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
(6) Deteriorating agents. Unless identified for use in the operating environment, no conductors or equipment shall be located in damp or wet locations; where exposed to gases, fumes, vapors, liquids, or other agents that have a deteriorating effect on the conductors or equipment; or where exposed to excessive temperatures. 75 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.303.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.303(b)(6).
At 4:00 p.m. on October 22, 2024, an employee working as a machine maintenance technician was on an inclined conveyor preparing to maintain its gearbox. The employee was on top of the "naturals" conveyor (#C8) associated with the Colorbiotics mulch dye machine while a coworker…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 28 |
| 2025 | 26 |
| 2026 | 17 |
Top states: MI (9), TX (8), PA (6), VA (5), TN (4)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| TRANSFER EXPRESS INC. | MENTOR, OH | $13,828 |
| CHROME HEARTS FACTORY LLC | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $11,588 |
| MITRA QSR KNE, LLC | SMYRNA, DE | $11,585 |
| HANOVER FOODS CORPORATION | CENTRE HALL, PA | $10,000 |
| 3M TONAWANDA | TONAWANDA, NY | $8,500 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.303(b)(6), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.303(b)(6).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.303(b) Examination, installation, and use of equipment 3,837 citations
- 1910.303(b)(2) Installation and use 2,289 citations
- 1910.303(b)(7) Mechanical execution of work 827 citations
- 1910.303(b)(1) Examination 489 citations
- 1910.303(b)(7)(iv) 398 citations
- 1910.303(b)(7)(i) 349 citations
- 1910.303(b)(8) Mounting and cooling of equipment 145 citations
- 1910.303(b)(8)(i) 143 citations
- 1910.303(b)(1)(iv) 47 citations
- 1910.303(b)(1)(ii) 38 citations
- 1910.303(b)(1)(i) 24 citations
- 1910.303(b)(1)(viii) 20 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
Can regular electrical equipment be used in wet locations?
Not unless it is identified for use in that operating environment.
What deteriorating agents are listed?
Gases, fumes, vapors, liquids or other agents that have a deteriorating effect on conductors or equipment.
Does heat matter?
Yes. Equipment must not be located where exposed to excessive temperatures unless identified for it.
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 2026-10-20
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.