1910.303(b)(7): Neat and Workmanlike Electrical Work
Employers must make sure electric equipment is installed in a neat and workmanlike manner. Unused openings in boxes and cabinets must be closed, conductors in enclosures people enter must be racked, internal parts must be kept free of paint, plaster and other contaminants, and no damaged parts may affect safe operation.
Key takeaways
- 1910.303(b)(7) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart S).
- OSHA cited it 827 times in the last 3 years, in 788 inspections, with $1,592,006 in current penalties.
- 5 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: NV (107), VA (63), NY (59).
- 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)(7) ("Mechanical execution of work") is one requirement inside 1910.303 General, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart S). It includes 4 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
(7) Mechanical execution of work. Electric equipment shall be installed in a neat and workmanlike manner. 827 citations
(i) Unused openings in boxes, raceways, auxiliary gutters, cabinets, equipment cases, or housings shall be effectively closed to afford protection substantially equivalent to the wall of the equipment. Open (b)(7)(i) 349 citations
(ii) Conductors shall be racked to provide ready and safe access in underground and subsurface enclosures that persons enter for installation and maintenance.
(iii) Internal parts of electrical equipment, including busbars, wiring terminals, insulators, and other surfaces, may not be damaged or contaminated by foreign materials such as paint, plaster, cleaners, abrasives, or corrosive residues. Open (b)(7)(iii) 11 citations
(iv) There shall be no damaged parts that may adversely affect safe operation or mechanical strength of the equipment, such as parts that are broken, bent, cut, or deteriorated by corrosion, chemical action, or overheating. Open (b)(7)(iv) 398 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.303.
Injuries linked to this rule
5 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.303(b)(7).
On April 9, 2024, an employee was cleaning under a machine that slices veneer. The employee's elbow or torso pressed a pedal which actuated the machine, and hewas pinned between the machine and the floor. The employee was initially hospitalized after the incident on April…
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 | 58 |
| 2024 | 320 |
| 2025 | 276 |
| 2026 | 173 |
Top states: NV (107), VA (63), NY (59), NC (53), TX (52)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| STRATEGIC MATERIALS, INC | MIDLOTHIAN, TX | $71,000 |
| DAEHAN SOLUTION NEVADA, LLC. | FERNLEY, NV | $27,378 |
| M & H CRATES, INC. | JACKSONVILLE, TX | $21,903 |
| SOUTHWEST CHEESE COMPANY, LLC | CLOVIS, NM | $16,554 |
| FLEETPRIDE INC. | CORPUS CHRISTI, TX | $16,550 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.303(b)(7), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.303(b)(7).
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)(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)(6) Deteriorating agents 75 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
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Frequently asked questions
What does neat and workmanlike mean for electrical work?
It means equipment is installed carefully and properly, with openings closed, parts clean and nothing damaged that could affect safety.
What must be done with unused openings in electrical boxes?
They must be effectively closed to give protection about equal to the wall of the equipment.
Can paint or plaster get on internal electrical parts?
No. Busbars, terminals, insulators and other internal parts may not be damaged or contaminated by paint, plaster, cleaners, abrasives or corrosive residues.
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.