1926.403(d)(1): Firmly Mounting Electrical Equipment
Employers must firmly secure electric equipment to the surface on which it is mounted. Wooden plugs driven into holes in masonry, concrete, plaster or similar materials must not be used.
Key takeaways
- 1926.403(d)(1) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart K).
- OSHA cited it 25 times in the last 3 years, in 25 inspections, with $30,027 in current penalties.
- Most citations: VA (16), MD (2), AZ (1).
- Related part: 1926.403(d) Mounting and cooling of equipment (25 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.403(d)(1) ("Mounting") is one requirement inside 1926.403 General requirements, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart K). 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) Mounting. Electric equipment shall be firmly secured to the surface on which it is mounted. Wooden plugs driven into holes in masonry, concrete, plaster, or similar materials shall not be used. 25 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.403.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 14 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: VA (16), MD (2), AZ (1), IN (1), MA (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| N-TIER DISASTER RECOVERY SOLUTIONS | ABINGDON, VA | $4,291 |
| G J HOPKINS INC | BLACKSBURG, VA | $3,525 |
| S&S ELECTRICAL SERVICES, INC. | RICHMOND, VA | $2,970 |
| A.R. CHESSON CONSTRUCTION CO. | NEWPORT NEWS, VA | $2,885 |
| S.B. BALLARD CONSTRUCTION COMPANY | SUFFOLK, VA | $2,460 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.403(d)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.403(d)(1).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.403(d) Mounting and cooling of equipment 25 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
How must electric equipment be mounted?
Firmly secured to the surface on which it is mounted.
Are wooden plugs allowed?
No, not in holes in masonry, concrete, plaster or similar materials.
Who is responsible?
The employer.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.403 (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.