1910.303(g)(2)(ii): Guarding Electric Equipment From Damage
In locations where electric equipment is likely to be exposed to physical damage, employers must provide enclosures or guards arranged and strong enough to prevent that damage.
Key takeaways
- 1910.303(g)(2)(ii) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart S).
- OSHA cited it 132 times in the last 3 years, in 130 inspections, with $166,693 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NY (47), MD (38), VA (10).
- 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)(2)(ii) 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
(ii) In locations where electric equipment is likely to be exposed to physical damage, enclosures or guards shall be so arranged and of such strength as to prevent such damage. 132 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.303.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 11 |
| 2024 | 44 |
| 2025 | 44 |
| 2026 | 33 |
Top states: NY (47), MD (38), VA (10), OH (5), PR (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| RETURN POLYMERS, INC. | WILMINGTON, OH | $16,550 |
| THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY | DANVILLE, VA | $15,875 |
| SV LABS PRESCOTT CORPORATION | PRESCOTT, WI | $14,188 |
| AMERICOLD LOGISTICS, LLC | SPRINGDALE, AR | $11,348 |
| ANNANDALE MILLWORK AND ALLIED SYSTEMS CORPORATION | WINCHESTER, VA | $9,745 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.303(g)(2)(ii), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Requirements for working clearances and spaces around electrical equipment, e.g., ladder cable trays. (2004-07-26)
- Guidance on approval requirments for general circuit breaker panel swich lockouts in General Industry. (2002-06-24)
- "Approval" of flexible corrugated plastic covers and generic circuit breaker panel switch lockouts. (2000-06-28)
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)(1)(i)(A) 176 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
When do electrical enclosures or guards need to resist damage?
In locations where electric equipment is likely to be exposed to physical damage.
How strong must the guards be?
Arranged and of such strength as to prevent such damage.
What kind of damage is this about?
Physical damage to the electric equipment.
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.