1910.303(g)(1)(v): Lighting for Electrical Working Spaces
Employers must provide lighting for all working spaces around indoor service equipment, switchboards, panelboards and motor control centers. Extra fixtures are not needed if an adjacent light source lights the space, and in electric equipment rooms lighting may not be controlled by automatic means only.
Key takeaways
- 1910.303(g)(1)(v) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart S).
- OSHA cited it 11 times in the last 3 years, in 11 inspections, with $42,897 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NJ (6), NY (1), VA (1).
- 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)(v) 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
(v) Illumination shall be provided for all working spaces about service equipment, switchboards, panelboards, and motor control centers installed indoors. Additional lighting fixtures are not required where the working space is illuminated by an adjacent light source. In electric equipment rooms, the illumination may not be controlled by automatic means only. 11 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.303.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 3 |
Top states: NJ (6), NY (1), VA (1), IL (1), GA (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ACCURIDE CORPORATION | ROCKFORD, IL | $9,500 |
| PALISADES PARK BOROUGH HALL | PALISADES PARK, NJ | $6,300 |
| CAMDEN CITY PUBLIC WORKS | CAMDEN, NJ | $6,300 |
| DOWNTOWN HOTEL, LLC | NORFOLK, VA | $5,383 |
| MARGATE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS | MARGATE CITY, NJ | $4,900 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.303(g)(1)(v), 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)(v).
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)(1)(ii) 817 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
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
Where is lighting required?
In all working spaces about service equipment, switchboards, panelboards and motor control centers installed indoors.
Can lights in an electrical room be on a motion sensor only?
No. In electric equipment rooms, illumination may not be controlled by automatic means only.
Do I need a separate light if the space is already lit?
No. Additional fixtures are not required where an adjacent light source lights the working space.
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.