1926.432: Protecting Electrical Equipment From Damage
Employers must not place electrical conductors or equipment in damp or wet locations, near deteriorating gases, fumes, vapors or liquids, or in excessive heat unless they are identified for that environment. Dry-location equipment must be protected from weather during construction, and metal raceways, boxes, fittings and supports must be made of materials suited to where they are installed.
Key takeaways
- 1926.432 is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart K).
- OSHA cited it 1 times in the last 3 years, in 1 inspections, with $1,097 in current penalties.
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.432, "Environmental deterioration of equipment", is an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart K). It has 7 numbered 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
Show the full text of 1926.432 (7 paragraphs)
(a) Deteriorating agents. 1 citations
(1) Unless identified for use in the operating environment, no conductors or equipment shall be located: 1 citations
(i) In damp or wet locations;
(ii) Where exposed to gases, fumes, vapors, liquids, or other agents having a deteriorating effect on the conductors or equipment; or 1 citations
(iii) Where exposed to excessive temperatures.
(2) Control equipment, utilization equipment, and busways approved for use in dry locations only shall be protected against damage from the weather during building construction.
(b) Protection against corrosion. Metal raceways, cable armor, boxes, cable sheathing, cabinets, elbows, couplings, fittings, supports, and support hardware shall be of materials appropriate for the environment in which they are to be installed.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15.
Where and how often it was cited
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.432, plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Applicable standards to protect employees, not engaged in electrical work, operating an aerial lift within 10 feet of overhead electrical lines. (2001-09-25)
- Electric utility industry concerns. (1986-10-03)
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Frequently asked questions
Can regular electrical equipment be used in a wet location?
Not unless the conductors or equipment are identified for use in that operating environment.
What about equipment rated for dry locations only?
Control equipment, utilization equipment and busways approved for dry locations only must be protected against weather damage during building construction.
What must metal raceways and boxes be made of?
Materials appropriate for the environment in which they are installed.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.432 (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.