1910.335(a)(1): Electrical Personal Protective Equipment
Employers must provide, and employees must use, electrical protective equipment suited to the body part being protected and the work, wherever there are potential electrical hazards. The equipment must be kept safe and reliable and periodically inspected or tested, insulating material protected from damage, and workers must wear nonconductive head protection and eye or face protection where those dangers exist.
Key takeaways
- 1910.335(a)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart S).
- OSHA cited it 204 times in the last 3 years, in 194 inspections, with $1,092,823 in current penalties.
- 16 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: OH (20), CT (18), TX (17).
- Related part: 1910.335(a) Use of protective equipment (270 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.335(a)(1) ("Personal protective equipment") is one requirement inside 1910.335 Safeguards for personnel 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
(1) Personal protective equipment. 204 citations
(i) Employees working in areas where there are potential electrical hazards shall be provided with, and shall use, electrical protective equipment that is appropriate for the specific parts of the body to be protected and for the work to be performed. Open (a)(1)(i) 183 citations
Personal protective equipment requirements are contained in subpart I of this part.
(ii) Protective equipment shall be maintained in a safe, reliable condition and shall be periodically inspected or tested, as required by § 1910.137. Open (a)(1)(ii) 9 citations
(iii) If the insulating capability of protective equipment may be subject to damage during use, the insulating material shall be protected. (For example, an outer covering of leather is sometimes used for the protection of rubber insulating material.)
(iv) Employees shall wear nonconductive head protection wherever there is a danger of head injury from electric shock or burns due to contact with exposed energized parts. Open (a)(1)(iv) 1 citations
(v) Employees shall wear protective equipment for the eyes or face wherever there is danger of injury to the eyes or face from electric arcs or flashes or from flying objects resulting from electrical explosion. Open (a)(1)(v) 7 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.335.
Injuries linked to this rule
16 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.335(a)(1).
At approximately 4:20 a.m. on February 25, 2025, Employee #1 was working on an AirTrain switch electrical panel, attempting to replace blown fuses. During the task, the employee came into contact with energized components and received a 600-volt electric shock. Employee #1 was fatally electrocuted.
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 11 |
| 2024 | 69 |
| 2025 | 82 |
| 2026 | 42 |
Top states: OH (20), CT (18), TX (17), MI (12), IL (11)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| MTD PRODUCTS, INC. | WILLARD, OH | $161,323 |
| JINDAL TUBULAR USA LLC | BAY SAINT LOUIS, MS | $44,361 |
| US ENGINEERING SERVICES | KANSAS CITY, MO | $32,262 |
| HUBBELL INC. | READING, PA | $18,000 |
| ALSTOM TRANSPORTATION USA INC. | NEWARK, NJ | $16,550 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.335(a)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- OSHA requirements for warning signs and protection from electric-arc-flash hazards and compliance with NFPA 70E-2004. (2006-11-14)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.335(a) Use of protective equipment 270 citations
- 1910.335(a)(1)(i) 183 citations
- 1910.335(a)(2) General protective equipment and tools 66 citations
- 1910.335(a)(2)(i) 46 citations
- 1910.335(a)(2)(ii) 20 citations
- 1910.335(a)(1)(ii) 9 citations
- 1910.335(a)(1)(v) 7 citations
- 1910.335(a)(1)(iv) 1 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Who must provide electrical PPE?
Employees working where there are potential electrical hazards must be provided with, and use, appropriate electrical protective equipment.
How must electrical PPE be maintained?
In a safe, reliable condition, and periodically inspected or tested as required by 1910.137.
When is face or eye protection required?
Wherever there is danger of injury to the eyes or face from electric arcs or flashes or from flying objects resulting from electrical explosion.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.335 (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.