1910.335(b)(1): Electrical Safety Signs and Tags
Employers must use safety signs, safety symbols or accident prevention tags where necessary to warn employees about electrical hazards that may endanger them, as required by 1910.145.
Key takeaways
- 1910.335(b)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart S).
- OSHA cited it 18 times in the last 3 years, in 18 inspections, with $75,696 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (6), PA (3), ID (1).
- Related part: 1910.335(b) Alerting techniques (35 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.335(b)(1) ("Safety signs and tags") 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
(1) Safety signs and tags. Safety signs, safety symbols, or accident prevention tags shall be used where necessary to warn employees about electrical hazards which may endanger them, as required by § 1910.145. 18 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.335.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.335(b)(1).
At 6:04 p.m. on January 24, 2024, a forklift made contact with power lines. An employee touched the forklift and was electrocuted and killed.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Top states: TX (6), PA (3), ID (1), GA (1), FL (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| HUBBELL INC. | READING, PA | $18,000 |
| PEAK OILFIELD SERVICES, LLC | VAN HORN, TX | $10,000 |
| FMC TECHNOLOGIES SURFACE INTEGRATED SERVICES INC | ODESSA, TX | $9,679 |
| NEXTIER COMPLETION SOLUTIONS INC. | TEXON, TX | $9,375 |
| JBL ELECTRIC, INC. | SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ | $9,035 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.335(b)(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(b) Alerting techniques 35 citations
- 1910.335(b)(3) Attendants 4 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 electrical warning signs required?
Where necessary to warn employees about electrical hazards that may endanger them.
What kinds of warnings count?
Safety signs, safety symbols or accident prevention tags.
What other rule do the signs follow?
They must meet the requirements of 1910.145.
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 2026-10-22
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.