29 CFR 1910 · General Industry · Subpart S

1910.305(b): Electrical cabinets, boxes and fittings

By Black Belt Safety Editorial Team Official text as of October 15, 2026 Data updated October 20, 2026 5 min read

In plain words:

Conductors entering electrical boxes, cabinets and fittings must be protected from abrasion, and the openings they enter through must be effectively closed. Unused openings must also be closed, and each cable must be secured to the cabinet or box, with a narrow exception for certain nonmetallic cables run through short raceways. Pull boxes, junction boxes and fittings need covers made for the purpose, and metal covers must be grounded.

Key takeaways

  • 1910.305(b) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart S).
  • OSHA cited it 2,745 times in the last 3 years, in 2,437 inspections, with $4,055,489 in current penalties.
  • 14 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
  • Most citations: TN (317), MD (189), VA (170).
  • Related part: 1910.305(b)(2) Covers and canopies (1,373 citations).
  • Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
2,745citations, 3 years
$4,055,489current penalties
2,437inspections
14linked deaths
In this article
  1. What this rule covers
  2. Official text
  3. Injuries linked to this rule
  4. Where and how often it was cited
  5. Free toolbox talk
  6. OSHA interpretation letters
  7. Related parts of this rule
  8. Get your crew competent
  9. Frequently asked questions
  10. About this page

What this rule covers

29 CFR 1910.305(b) ("Cabinets, boxes, and fittings") is one requirement inside 1910.305 Wiring methods, components, and equipment for general use, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart S). It includes 18 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

(b) Cabinets, boxes, and fittings — 2,745 citations

(1) Conductors entering boxes, cabinets, or fittings. Open (b)(1) 1,314 citations

(i) Conductors entering cutout boxes, cabinets, or fittings shall be protected from abrasion, and openings through which conductors enter shall be effectively closed. Open (b)(1)(i) 202 citations

(ii) Unused openings in cabinets, boxes, and fittings shall be effectively closed. Open (b)(1)(ii) 1,058 citations

(iii) Where cable is used, each cable shall be secured to the cabinet, cutout box, or meter socket enclosure. However, where cable with an entirely nonmetallic sheath enters the top of a surface-mounted enclosure through one or more nonflexible raceways not less than 457 mm (18 in.) or more than 3.05 m (10.0 ft) in length, the cable need not be secured to the cabinet, box, or enclosure provided all of the following conditions are met: Open (b)(1)(iii) 21 citations

(A) Each cable is fastened within 305 mm (12 in.) of the outer end of the raceway, measured along the sheath;

(B) The raceway extends directly above the enclosure and does not penetrate a structural ceiling;

(C) A fitting is provided on each end of the raceway to protect the cable from abrasion, and the fittings remain accessible after installation;

(D) The raceway is sealed or plugged at the outer end using approved means so as to prevent access to the enclosure through the raceway; 7 citations

(E) The cable sheath is continuous through the raceway and extends into the enclosure not less than 6.35 mm (0.25 in.) beyond the fitting;

(F) The raceway is fastened at its outer end and at other points as necessary; and 8 citations

(G) Where installed as conduit or tubing, the allowable cable fill does not exceed that permitted for complete conduit or tubing systems.

(2) Covers and canopies. Open (b)(2) 1,373 citations

(i) All pull boxes, junction boxes, and fittings shall be provided with covers identified for the purpose. If metal covers are used, they shall be grounded. In completed installations, each outlet box shall have a cover, faceplate, or fixture canopy. Covers of outlet boxes having holes through which flexible cord pendants pass shall be provided with bushings designed for the purpose or shall have smooth, well-rounded surfaces on which the cords may bear. Open (b)(2)(i) 1,349 citations

(ii) Where a fixture canopy or pan is used, any combustible wall or ceiling finish exposed between the edge of the canopy or pan and the outlet box shall be covered with noncombustible material.

(3) Pull and junction boxes for systems over 600 volts, nominal. In addition to other requirements in this section, the following requirements apply to pull and junction boxes for systems over 600 volts, nominal: Open (b)(3) 58 citations

(i) Boxes shall provide a complete enclosure for the contained conductors or cables. 9 citations

(ii) Boxes shall be closed by suitable covers securely fastened in place. Open (b)(3)(ii) 46 citations

Underground box covers that weigh over 45.4 kg (100 lbs) meet this requirement.

(iii) Covers for boxes shall be permanently marked “HIGH VOLTAGE.” The marking shall be on the outside of the box cover and shall be readily visible and legible. 3 citations

Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.305.

Injuries linked to this rule

14 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.305(b).

Employee is fatally injured in grain bin auger incident
2025-02-24 · Fatal · BUFFALO, MO

At 7:00 p.m. on February 24, 2025, Employee #1 entered a grain bin while operating an auger and became caught in the sweep auger. The employee was fatally injured.

See all 14 cases

Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).

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Where and how often it was cited

YearCitations
2023189
20241,016
2025937
2026603

Top states: TN (317), MD (189), VA (170), NY (141), PR (136)

Largest penalties

EmployerLocationPenalty for this rule
THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANYDANVILLE, VA$47,625
DCRBAYAMON, PR$35,000
FLORENCE HARDWOODS, LLCFLORENCE, WI$34,378
NUCO FOODS, LLCELIZABETHTOWN, PA$32,770
LOWE'S HOME CENTERS LLCHONOLULU, HI$23,646

Free toolbox talk

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OSHA interpretation letters

Related parts of this rule

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

Is an open knockout in an electrical box a violation?

Yes. Unused openings in cabinets, boxes and fittings must be effectively closed.

Do junction boxes need covers?

Yes. All pull boxes, junction boxes and fittings must have covers identified for the purpose, and metal covers must be grounded.

About this page

Sources

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.

Written and reviewed by

Black Belt Safety Editorial Team

Site Safety Officer and Safety Professional

OSHA 30 · CPR · USACE CQM

Written and reviewed by the Black Belt Safety team. Every post is checked against the OSHA standard or agency source it cites.

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