1910.304(g)(5): Effective Grounding Path
Employers must make sure the path to ground from circuits, equipment and enclosures is permanent, continuous and effective.
Key takeaways
- 1910.304(g)(5) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart S).
- OSHA cited it 556 times in the last 3 years, in 555 inspections, with $1,095,311 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TN (102), MN (77), NV (75).
- Related part: 1910.304(g) Grounding (598 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.304(g)(5) ("Grounding path") is one requirement inside 1910.304 Wiring design and protection, 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
(5) Grounding path. The path to ground from circuits, equipment, and enclosures shall be permanent, continuous, and effective. 556 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.304.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.304(g)(5).
At 11:18 p.m. on July 6, 2024, Employee #1 was leaning against a structural truss that secured one corner of a vinyl canopy over the customer waiting area while talking to coworkers. The structural truss became energized, and Employee #1 received a fatal electrical shock.…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 32 |
| 2024 | 184 |
| 2025 | 201 |
| 2026 | 139 |
Top states: TN (102), MN (77), NV (75), HI (62), VA (41)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| THE BURKS COMPANIES, INC | STATELINE, NV | $35,465 |
| MOCK, INC | TUSCALOOSA, AL | $16,550 |
| AEKO KULA LLC | HONOLULU, HI | $16,550 |
| PATTERSON-UTI DRILLING COMPANY LLC | CARLSBAD, NM | $15,442 |
| THE HOME DEPOT #0457 | SCOTTSDALE, AZ | $15,211 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.304(g)(5), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.304(g)(5).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.304(g) Grounding 598 citations
- 1910.304(g)(6) Supports, enclosures, and equipment to be grounded 34 citations
- 1910.304(g)(6)(vi) 29 citations
- 1910.304(g)(6)(vi)(C) 27 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
What makes a grounding path acceptable?
It must be permanent, continuous and effective.
What does it apply to?
The path to ground from circuits, equipment and enclosures.
What breaks a grounding path?
Common examples include a missing ground pin, a cheater adapter, or a loose or broken ground connection.
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.