1910.304(b)(3): GFCI Protection for Personnel
Employers must provide GFCI protection on 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles in bathrooms and on rooftops. For temporary wiring during construction-like maintenance, remodeling or repair, receptacle outlets in use that are not permanent wiring need GFCI protection, or for other receptacles where GFCI is not available, an assured equipment grounding conductor program.
Key takeaways
- 1910.304(b)(3) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart S).
- OSHA cited it 102 times in the last 3 years, in 102 inspections, with $97,776 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NY (22), ME (12), VA (7).
- Related part: 1910.304(b) Branch circuits (279 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.304(b)(3) ("Ground-fault circuit interrupter protection for personnel") is one requirement inside 1910.304 Wiring design and protection, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart S). It includes 5 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
(3) Ground-fault circuit interrupter protection for personnel. 102 citations
(i) All 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles installed in bathrooms or on rooftops shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel. Open (b)(3)(i) 69 citations
(ii) The following requirements apply to temporary wiring installations that are used during construction-like activities, including certain maintenance, remodeling, or repair activities, involving buildings, structures or equipment. Open (b)(3)(ii) 30 citations
(A) All 125-volt, single-phase,15-, 20-, and 30-ampere receptacle outlets that are not part of the permanent wiring of the building or structure and that are in use by personnel shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel. Open (b)(3)(ii)(a) 10 citations
A cord connector on an extension cord set is considered to be a receptacle outlet if the cord set is used for temporary electric power.
Cord sets and devices incorporating the required ground-fault circuit-interrupter that are connected to the receptacle closest to the source of power are acceptable forms of protection.
(B) Receptacles other than 125 volt, single-phase, 15-, 20-, and 30-ampere receptacles that are not part of the permanent wiring of the building or structure and that are in use by personnel shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel. 1 citations
(C) Where the ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection required by paragraph (b)(3)(ii)(B) of this section is not available for receptacles other than 125-volt, single-phase, 15-, 20-, and 30-ampere, the employer shall establish and implement an assured equipment grounding conductor program covering cord sets, receptacles that are not a part of the building or structure, and equipment connected by cord and plug that are available for use or used by employees on those receptacles. This program shall comply with the following requirements: Open (b)(3)(ii)(c) 19 citations
(1) A written description of the program, including the specific procedures adopted by the employer, shall be available at the jobsite for inspection and copying by the Assistant Secretary of Labor and any affected employee;
(2) The employer shall designate one or more competent persons to implement the program;
(3) Each cord set, attachment cap, plug, and receptacle of cord sets, and any equipment connected by cord and plug, except cord sets and receptacles which are fixed and not exposed to damage, shall be visually inspected before each day's use for external defects, such as deformed or missing pins or insulation damage, and for indications of possible internal damage. Equipment found damaged or defective shall not be used until repaired;
(4) The following tests shall be performed on all cord sets and receptacles which are not a part of the permanent wiring of the building or structure, and cord- and plug-connected equipment required to be grounded:
(i) All equipment grounding conductors shall be tested for continuity and shall be electrically continuous;
(ii) Each receptacle and attachment cap or plug shall be tested for correct attachment of the equipment grounding conductor. The equipment grounding conductor shall be connected to its proper terminal; and
(iii) All required tests shall be performed before first use; before equipment is returned to service following any repairs; before equipment is used after any incident which can be reasonably suspected to have caused damage (for example, when a cord set is run over); and at intervals not to exceed 3 months, except that cord sets and receptacles which are fixed and not exposed to damage shall be tested at intervals not exceeding 6 months;
(5) The employer shall not make available or permit the use by employees of any equipment which has not met the requirements of paragraph (b)(3)(ii)(C) of this section; and
(6) Tests performed as required in paragraph (b)(3)(ii)(C) of this section shall be recorded. This test record shall identify each receptacle, cord set, and cord- and plug-connected equipment that passed the test and shall indicate the last date it was tested or the interval for which it was tested. This record shall be kept by means of logs, color coding, or other effective means and shall be maintained until replaced by a more current record. The record shall be made available on the jobsite for inspection by the Assistant Secretary and any affected employee.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.304.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 12 |
| 2024 | 39 |
| 2025 | 31 |
| 2026 | 20 |
Top states: NY (22), ME (12), VA (7), NV (6), OR (6)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| CHROME HEARTS FACTORY LLC | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $11,588 |
| EAST COAST REPAIR AND FABRICATION, LLC | NEWPORT NEWS, VA | $8,044 |
| MACK TECHNOLOGIES FLORIDA, INC. | MELBOURNE, FL | $7,094 |
| BRENNTAG GREAT LAKES, LLC | DES MOINES, IA | $7,034 |
| NGC, INC. | NARRAGANSETT, RI | $6,964 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.304(b)(3), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.304(b)(3).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.304(b) Branch circuits 279 citations
- 1910.304(b)(4) Outlet devices 137 citations
- 1910.304(b)(4)(ii)(B) 70 citations
- 1910.304(b)(4)(ii) 70 citations
- 1910.304(b)(3)(i) 69 citations
- 1910.304(b)(2) Receptacles and cord connectors 37 citations
- 1910.304(b)(3)(ii) 30 citations
- 1910.304(b)(2)(ii) 23 citations
- 1910.304(b)(3)(ii)(C) 19 citations
- 1910.304(b)(3)(ii)(A) 10 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 are GFCIs required in permanent wiring?
On 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles installed in bathrooms or on rooftops.
Does an extension cord count as a receptacle?
Yes. A cord connector on an extension cord set used for temporary power is considered a receptacle outlet.
What if GFCI protection is not available for other receptacles?
The employer must set up and implement an assured equipment grounding conductor program.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.304 (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.
