1910.335(a)(2)(ii): Shields and Barriers Near Live Parts
Employers must use protective shields, barriers or insulating materials to protect each employee from shock, burns or other electrical injuries when working near exposed energized parts that could be touched or where dangerous heating or arcing might occur. When live parts are opened up for maintenance or repair, they must be guarded to keep unqualified people from touching them.
Key takeaways
- 1910.335(a)(2)(ii) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart S).
- OSHA cited it 20 times in the last 3 years, in 20 inspections, with $82,647 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: NY (5), TX (2), MA (2).
- Related part: 1910.335(a) Use of protective equipment (270 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.335(a)(2)(ii) is one requirement inside 1910.335 Safeguards for personnel 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
(ii) Protective shields, protective barriers, or insulating materials shall be used to protect each employee from shock, burns, or other electrically related injuries while that employee is working near exposed energized parts which might be accidentally contacted or where dangerous electric heating or arcing might occur. When normally enclosed live parts are exposed for maintenance or repair, they shall be guarded to protect unqualified persons from contact with the live parts. 20 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.335.
Injuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.335(a)(2)(ii).
At 10:00 a.m. on December 20, 2023, an employee working as an electronics technician was testing circuits for a newly fabricated 15-kilivolt switch. The employee possibly contacted energized components causing electric shock and experiencing a heart attack. The employee was transported the local hospital, where…
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 | 2 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 5 |
Top states: NY (5), TX (2), MA (2), NE (2), KY (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| SOUTH TEXAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. | NURSERY, TX | $16,131 |
| WESTLAKE - LAKE CHARLES SOUTH | WESTLAKE, LA | $16,131 |
| WARBIRD TUBULAR PROCESSORS, LLC | HOUSTON, TX | $10,938 |
| DREAMZ | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $10,245 |
| TURNER BELLOWS INC. | ROCHESTER, NY | $6,207 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.335(a)(2)(ii), 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)
- Use of ANSI C2-1997 as guidance for protecting employees working near insulated shielded conductors (2002-09-26)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.335(a) Use of protective equipment 270 citations
- 1910.335(a)(1) Personal protective equipment 204 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)(1)(ii) 9 citations
- 1910.335(a)(1)(v) 7 citations
- 1910.335(a)(1)(iv) 1 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
When are shields or barriers needed?
When an employee works near exposed energized parts that might be accidentally contacted or where dangerous electric heating or arcing might occur.
What can be used for protection?
Protective shields, protective barriers or insulating materials.
What about live parts opened for repair?
They must be guarded to protect unqualified persons from contact with them.
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.