1910.303(g)(1)(ii): Keep Electrical Working Space Clear
Employers must keep the required working space around electrical equipment free of storage. When live parts that are normally enclosed are exposed for inspection or servicing, and the working space is in a passageway or open area, the space must be suitably guarded.
Key takeaways
- 1910.303(g)(1)(ii) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart S).
- OSHA cited it 817 times in the last 3 years, in 816 inspections, with $746,177 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: CT (137), TN (91), NY (74).
- Related part: 1910.303(g) 600 Volts, nominal, or less (3,265 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1)(ii) 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
(ii) Working space required by this standard may not be used for storage. When normally enclosed live parts are exposed for inspection or servicing, the working space, if in a passageway or general open space, shall be suitably guarded. 817 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(g)(1)(ii).
At 9:57 p.m. on October 18, 2024, an employee working as a machine operator for a plastics manufacturer was checking the bottom chute of a ribbon blender. The machine was energized causing the employee to be struck by the blender blade. The employee died from…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 64 |
| 2024 | 293 |
| 2025 | 288 |
| 2026 | 172 |
Top states: CT (137), TN (91), NY (74), NC (60), MD (50)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| THE KROGER COMPANY | STOCKBRIDGE, GA | $76,043 |
| UNITED PARCEL SERVICE, INC. D/B/A UPS (VT) | BARRE, VT | $57,620 |
| GENUINE PARTS COMPANY | HARTFORD, CT | $50,000 |
| MOAPA PAIUTE TRAVEL PLAZA | MOAPA, NV | $20,092 |
| HEIDELBERG MATERIALS NORTHEAST LLC | GLEN MILLS, PA | $16,550 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.303(g)(1)(ii), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.303(g)(1)(ii).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.303(g) 600 Volts, nominal, or less 3,265 citations
- 1910.303(g)(1) Space about electric equipment 2,528 citations
- 1910.303(g)(2) Guarding of live parts 737 citations
- 1910.303(g)(2)(i) 587 citations
- 1910.303(g)(1)(i) 436 citations
- 1910.303(g)(1)(i)(A) 176 citations
- 1910.303(g)(2)(ii) 132 citations
- 1910.303(g)(1)(i)(B) 87 citations
- 1910.303(g)(1)(i)(C) 24 citations
- 1910.303(g)(1)(iii) 24 citations
- 1910.303(g)(1)(v) 11 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 I store materials in front of an electrical panel?
No. Working space required by the standard may not be used for storage.
What if live parts are exposed in a walkway?
When live parts are exposed for inspection or servicing in a passageway or general open space, the working space must be suitably guarded.
Why does working space matter?
It gives workers room to work on equipment safely and get away quickly if something goes wrong.
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.