1910.305(j)(1)(i): No Exposed Live Parts on Fixtures
Fixtures, lampholders, lamps, rosettes and receptacles may have no live parts normally exposed to employee contact. Rosettes and cleat-type lampholders and receptacles located at least 2.44 m (8.0 ft) above the floor may have exposed terminals.
Key takeaways
- 1910.305(j)(1)(i) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart S).
- OSHA cited it 115 times in the last 3 years, in 115 inspections, with $135,322 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: IL (22), VA (14), PR (12).
- Related part: 1910.305(j) Equipment for general use (359 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.305(j)(1)(i) is one requirement inside 1910.305 Wiring methods, components, and equipment for general use, 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
(i) Fixtures, lampholders, lamps, rosettes, and receptacles may have no live parts normally exposed to employee contact. However, rosettes and cleat-type lampholders and receptacles located at least 2.44 m (8.0 ft) above the floor may have exposed terminals. 115 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.305.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.305(j)(1)(i).
At 6:00 a.m. on January 9, 2024, a custodian was found deceased inside the entrance door of a school at the start of shift. It appears to have been a personal medical issue, possibly a heart attack, that caused his death.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 39 |
| 2025 | 37 |
| 2026 | 34 |
Top states: IL (22), VA (14), PR (12), MD (11), NY (6)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY | DANVILLE, VA | $15,875 |
| THE HOME DEPOT #0457 | SCOTTSDALE, AZ | $15,211 |
| FREEMAC INC. | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $10,395 |
| ZIPS CAR WASH | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $9,376 |
| MONRO, INC. | NORWICH, NY | $7,500 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.305(j)(1)(i), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.305(j)(1)(i).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.305(j) Equipment for general use 359 citations
- 1910.305(j)(2) Receptacles, cord connectors, and attachment plugs (caps) 192 citations
- 1910.305(j)(1) Lighting fixtures, lampholders, lamps, and receptacles 147 citations
- 1910.305(j)(2)(iv) 113 citations
- 1910.305(j)(1)(iv) 26 citations
- 1910.305(j)(2)(vi) 26 citations
- 1910.305(j)(2)(v) 24 citations
- 1910.305(j)(2)(vii) 23 citations
- 1910.305(j)(4) Motors 13 citations
- 1910.305(j)(3) Appliances 7 citations
- 1910.305(j)(3)(i) 4 citations
- 1910.305(j)(7) Storage Batteries
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 light fixtures have exposed live parts?
No. They may have no live parts normally exposed to employee contact.
Is there an exception?
Rosettes and cleat-type lampholders and receptacles at least 2.44 m (8.0 ft) above the floor may have exposed terminals.
Which devices does this cover?
Fixtures, lampholders, lamps, rosettes and receptacles.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.305 (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.