1910.305(j)(3): Electrical Appliance Safety
Appliances must have no exposed live parts except open heating elements, like a toaster's, that must be exposed. Each appliance needs a way to disconnect it from all ungrounded conductors, grouped and identified if there is more than one source. Each must have a nameplate showing its name and volt and amp or watt rating, with markings visible or easy to reach after installation.
Key takeaways
- 1910.305(j)(3) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart S).
- OSHA cited it 7 times in the last 3 years, in 7 inspections, with $23,137 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- 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)(3) ("Appliances") is one requirement inside 1910.305 Wiring methods, components, and equipment for general use, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart S). It includes 4 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) Appliances. 7 citations
(i) Appliances may have no live parts normally exposed to contact other than parts functioning as open-resistance heating elements, such as the heating elements of a toaster, which are necessarily exposed. Open (j)(3)(i) 4 citations
(ii) Each appliance shall have a means to disconnect it from all ungrounded conductors. If an appliance is supplied by more than one source, the disconnecting means shall be grouped and identified. 1 citations
(iii) Each electric appliance shall be provided with a nameplate giving the identifying name and the rating in volts and amperes, or in volts and watts. If the appliance is to be used on a specific frequency or frequencies, it shall be so marked. Where motor overload protection external to the appliance is required, the appliance shall be so marked. 2 citations
(iv) Marking shall be located so as to be visible or easily accessible after installation.
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)(3).
At 7:30 a.m. on December 17, 2023, an employee worming as an associate for a supermarket was walking down an aisle. Store personnel routinely take cleaning products from the display areas in the store to use for either cleaning or disinfecting surfaces. The employee took…
Where and how often it was cited
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OSHA interpretation letters
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)(1)(i) 115 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)(i) 4 citations
- 1910.305(j)(7) Storage Batteries
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Frequently asked questions
Can an appliance have exposed live parts?
Only parts working as open-resistance heating elements, like toaster elements, that are necessarily exposed.
What must the nameplate show?
The identifying name and the rating in volts and amperes, or volts and watts, plus frequency or external overload protection markings when needed.
What if an appliance has more than one power source?
The disconnecting means must be grouped and identified.
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.