1910.334(b)(2): Resetting Circuits After a Trip
Employers must not let workers manually reenergize a circuit after a protective device trips until it has been determined that the equipment and circuit can be safely energized. Repeatedly resetting breakers or replacing fuses is prohibited, but no examination is needed when the design shows the trip was caused by an overload rather than a fault.
Key takeaways
- 1910.334(b)(2) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart S).
- OSHA cited it 12 times in the last 3 years, in 12 inspections, with $48,454 in current penalties.
- Most citations: MI (4), WI (1), AZ (1).
- Related part: 1910.334(b) Electric power and lighting circuits (20 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.334(b)(2) ("Reclosing circuits after protective device operation") is one requirement inside 1910.334 Use of equipment, 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
(2) Reclosing circuits after protective device operation. After a circuit is deenergized by a circuit protective device, the circuit may not be manually reenergized until it has been determined that the equipment and circuit can be safely energized. The repetitive manual reclosing of circuit breakers or reenergizing circuits through replaced fuses is prohibited. 12 citations
When it can be determined from the design of the circuit and the overcurrent devices involved that the automatic operation of a device was caused by an overload rather than a fault condition, no examination of the circuit or connected equipment is needed before the circuit is reenergized.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.334.
Export the list: 12 inspections cited 1910.334(b)(2) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Top states: MI (4), WI (1), AZ (1), CA (1), PA (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| 160596 - PERDUE FOODS LLC | COFIELD, NC | $16,550 |
| HEIDELBERG MATERIALS NORTHEAST LLC | GLEN MILLS, PA | $11,823 |
| ALL TESTING SPECIALISTS, LLC | HARTLAND, WI | $6,742 |
| WOLLASTON ALLOYS, INC. | BRAINTREE, MA | $6,000 |
| STONE DEPOT OF RHODE ISLAND, INC. | CRANSTON, RI | $3,039 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.334(b)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.334(b)(2).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.334(b) Electric power and lighting circuits 20 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Can I just reset a tripped breaker?
Not until it has been determined that the equipment and circuit can be safely energized.
Can I keep resetting a breaker that keeps tripping?
No. Repetitive manual reclosing of breakers or reenergizing through replaced fuses is prohibited.
When is no examination needed?
When the circuit and device design show the trip was caused by an overload rather than a fault.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.334 (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 2026-11-06
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.