1910.303(g)(1)(i)(A): Depth of Working Space at Electrical Equipment
The depth of the working space in front of live parts, in the direction of access, may not be less than shown in Table S-1. Distances are measured from the live parts if exposed, or from the enclosure front or opening if enclosed.
Key takeaways
- 1910.303(g)(1)(i)(A) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart S).
- OSHA cited it 176 times in the last 3 years, in 176 inspections, with $372,541 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: NV (22), HI (19), KY (17).
- Related part: 1910.303(g) 600 Volts, nominal, or less (3,265 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1)(i)(A) is one requirement inside 1910.303 General, 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
(A) The depth of the working space in the direction of access to live parts may not be less than indicated in Table S-1. Distances shall be measured from the live parts if they are exposed or from the enclosure front or opening if they are enclosed; 176 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.303.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.303(g)(1)(i)(A).
At 9:00 a.m. on January 19, 2024, two employees (Employee #1 and Employee #2) were setting up the site to create another stack of steel pipes (30 inches in diameter by 40 feet long, weighing over 2,000 pounds each.) The employees removed the chock block…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2024 | 69 |
| 2025 | 64 |
| 2026 | 34 |
Top states: NV (22), HI (19), KY (17), VA (16), AK (15)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| FUYAO GLASS AMERICA INC. | MORAINE, OH | $99,300 |
| DOLLAR TREE INC | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $21,075 |
| MOUNTAINVIEW REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER | LAS CRUCES, NM | $16,071 |
| HEIDELBERG MATERIALS NORTHEAST LLC | NAZARETH, PA | $11,823 |
| PROFUSION INDUSTRIES, LLC. | MARIETTA, OH | $10,641 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.303(g)(1)(i)(A), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.303(g)(1)(i)(A).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.303(g) 600 Volts, nominal, or less 3,265 citations
- 1910.303(g)(1) Space about electric equipment 2,528 citations
- 1910.303(g)(1)(ii) 817 citations
- 1910.303(g)(2) Guarding of live parts 737 citations
- 1910.303(g)(2)(i) 587 citations
- 1910.303(g)(1)(i) 436 citations
- 1910.303(g)(2)(ii) 132 citations
- 1910.303(g)(1)(i)(B) 87 citations
- 1910.303(g)(1)(i)(C) 24 citations
- 1910.303(g)(1)(iii) 24 citations
- 1910.303(g)(1)(v) 11 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 deep must the working space be?
Not less than indicated in Table S-1.
Where is the distance measured from?
From the live parts if they are exposed, or from the enclosure front or opening if they are enclosed.
Which direction is measured?
The depth in the direction of access to live parts.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.303 (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.