1910.303(h)(5): Electrical Working Space and Guarding Over 600 Volts
Employers must keep the minimum clear working space in front of live electric equipment set by Table S-2, measured from exposed live parts or the enclosure front. Equipment of 600 volts or less must be separated from exposed parts over 600 volts by a partition, fence or screen, high-voltage entrances must be locked unless watched by a qualified person, and warning signs and lighting must be provided.
Key takeaways
- 1910.303(h)(5) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart S).
- OSHA cited it 16 times in the last 3 years, in 15 inspections, with $35,114 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NJ (5), IL (2), TX (2).
- Related part: 1910.303(h) Over 600 volts, nominal (27 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
Get the free 5-minute toolbox talk on 1910.303(h)(5) ↓
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.303(h)(5) ("Working space and guarding") is one requirement inside 1910.303 General, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart S). It includes 10 sub-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
(5) Working space and guarding. 16 citations
(i) Except as elsewhere required or permitted in this subpart, the minimum clear working space in the direction of access to live parts of electric equipment may not be less than specified in Table S-2. Distances shall be measured from the live parts, if they are exposed, or from the enclosure front or opening, if they are enclosed. 5 citations
(ii) If switches, cutouts, or other equipment operating at 600 volts, nominal, or less, are installed in a room or enclosure where there are exposed live parts or exposed wiring operating at over 600 volts, nominal, the high-voltage equipment shall be effectively separated from the space occupied by the low-voltage equipment by a suitable partition, fence, or screen. However, switches or other equipment operating at 600 volts, nominal, or less, and serving only equipment within the high-voltage vault, room, or enclosure may be installed in the high-voltage enclosure, room, or vault if accessible to qualified persons only. 1 citations
(iii) The following requirements apply to the entrances to all buildings, rooms, or enclosures containing exposed live parts or exposed conductors operating at over 600 volts, nominal: 9 citations
(A) The entrances shall be kept locked unless they are under the observation of a qualified person at all times; and 1 citations
(B) Permanent and conspicuous warning signs shall be provided, reading substantially as follows: 8 citations
“DANGER—HIGH VOLTAGE—KEEP OUT.”
(iv) Illumination shall be provided for all working spaces about electric equipment. 1 citations
(A) The lighting outlets shall be arranged so that persons changing lamps or making repairs on the lighting system will not be endangered by live parts or other equipment.
(B) The points of control shall be located so that persons are prevented from contacting any live part or moving part of the equipment while turning on the lights.
(v) Unguarded live parts above working space shall be maintained at elevations not less than specified in Table S-3.
(vi) Pipes or ducts that are foreign to the electrical installation and that require periodic maintenance or whose malfunction would endanger the operation of the electrical system may not be located in the vicinity of service equipment, metal-enclosed power switchgear, or industrial control assemblies. Protection shall be provided where necessary to avoid damage from condensation leaks and breaks in such foreign systems.
Piping and other facilities are not considered foreign if provided for fire protection of the electrical installation.
| Nominal voltage to ground | Minimum clear distance for condition 2 3 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Condition A | Condition B | Condition C | ||||
| m | ft | m | ft | m | ft | |
| 601-2500 V | 0.9 | 3.0 | 1.2 | 4.0 | 1.5 | 5.0 |
| 2501-9000 V | 1.2 | 4.0 | 1.5 | 5.0 | 1.8 | 6.0 |
| 9001 V-25 kV | 1.5 | 5.0 | 1.8 | 6.0 | 2.8 | 9.0 |
| Over 25-75 kV 1 | 1.8 | 6.0 | 2.5 | 8.0 | 3.0 | 10.0 |
| Above 75 kV 1 | 2.5 | 8.0 | 3.0 | 10.0 | 3.7 | 12.0 |
| Notes to Table S-2: | ||||||
| 1 Minimum depth of clear working space in front of electric equipment with a nominal voltage to ground above 25,000 volts may be the same as that for 25,000 volts under Conditions A, B, and C for installations built before April 16, 1981. | ||||||
| 2 Conditions A, B, and C are as follows: | ||||||
| Condition A—Exposed live parts on one side and no live or grounded parts on the other side of the working space, or exposed live parts on both sides effectively guarded by suitable wood or other insulating material. Insulated wire or insulated busbars operating at not over 300 volts are not considered live parts. | ||||||
| Condition B—Exposed live parts on one side and grounded parts on the other side. Concrete, brick, and tile walls are considered as grounded surfaces. | ||||||
| Condition C—Exposed live parts on both sides of the work space (not guarded as provided in Condition A) with the operator between. | ||||||
| 3 Working space is not required in back of equipment such as dead-front switchboards or control assemblies that has no renewable or adjustable parts (such as fuses or switches) on the back and where all connections are accessible from locations other than the back. Where rear access is required to work on the deenergized parts on the back of enclosed equipment, a minimum working space 762 mm (30 in.) horizontally shall be provided. | ||||||
| Nominal voltage between phases | Elevation | |
|---|---|---|
| m | ft | |
| 601-7500 V | 1 2.8 | 1 9.0. |
| 7501 V-35 kV | 2.8 | 9.0. |
| Over 35 kV | 2.8 + 9.5 mm/kV over 35 kV | 9.0 + 0.37 in./kV over 35 kV. |
| 1 The minimum elevation may be 2.6 m (8.5 ft) for installations built before August 13, 2007. The minimum elevation may be 2.4 m (8.0 ft) for installations built before April 16, 1981, if the nominal voltage between phases is in the range of 601-6600 volts. | ||
[46 FR 4056, Jan. 16, 1981, as amended at 73 FR 64205, Oct. 29, 2008]
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.303.
Export the list: 15 inspections cited 1910.303(h)(5) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Top states: NJ (5), IL (2), TX (2), PR (2), NY (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| MODERN MACHINE SHOP, INC. | LAREDO, TX | $7,035 |
| PRINT 1 LLC | LAS PIEDRAS, PR | $5,600 |
| TOWNSHIP OF RIVERSIDE SEWERAGE AUTHORITY | RIVERSIDE, NJ | $3,500 |
| BURLINGTON TWP WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY | BURLINGTON, NJ | $3,500 |
| TWP OF DELRAN SEWER UTILITIES | DELRAN, NJ | $3,500 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.303(h)(5), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.303(h)(5).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.303(h) Over 600 volts, nominal 27 citations
- 1910.303(h)(2) Enclosure for electrical installations 6 citations
- 1910.303(h)(2)(ii)
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
How much working space is required near live parts?
Not less than specified in Table S-2, measured from exposed live parts or the enclosure front or opening.
Must high-voltage rooms be locked?
Yes. Entrances must be kept locked unless they are under the observation of a qualified person at all times.
What sign is required on high-voltage entrances?
A permanent and conspicuous sign reading substantially "DANGER-HIGH VOLTAGE-KEEP OUT."
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 2026-11-06
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.