1910.305(d)(2): Panelboard Enclosures
Employers must mount panelboards in cabinets, cutout boxes or enclosures designed for the purpose, and panelboards must be dead front. Panelboards other than the dead front externally-operable type are allowed only where accessible only to qualified persons.
Key takeaways
- 1910.305(d)(2) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart S).
- OSHA cited it 93 times in the last 3 years, in 93 inspections, with $160,103 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: VA (12), HI (11), NY (9).
- Related part: 1910.305(d) Switchboards and panelboards (98 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.305(d)(2) ("Panelboard enclosures") is one requirement inside 1910.305 Wiring methods, components, and equipment for general use, 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
(2) Panelboard enclosures. Panelboards shall be mounted in cabinets, cutout boxes, or enclosures designed for the purpose and shall be dead front. However, panelboards other than the dead front externally-operable type are permitted where accessible only to qualified persons. 93 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.305.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.305(d)(2).
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 | 7 |
| 2024 | 33 |
| 2025 | 31 |
| 2026 | 22 |
Top states: VA (12), HI (11), NY (9), TX (6), IL (5)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| JINDAL TUBULAR USA LLC | BAY SAINT LOUIS, MS | $16,131 |
| CREATIVE MODULAR CONSTRUCTION | SPRINGFIELD, MO | $10,000 |
| PCI ENTERPRISES INC | QUITMAN, TX | $9,578 |
| ACME BRICK COMPANY | EL PASO, TX | $9,000 |
| RED GARTER OPERATOR, LLC | WEST WENDOVER, NV | $8,276 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.305(d)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.305(d)(2).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.305(d) Switchboards and panelboards 98 citations
Get your crew competent
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Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
How must panelboards be mounted?
In cabinets, cutout boxes or enclosures designed for the purpose.
Must panelboards be dead front?
Yes, except other types are permitted where accessible only to qualified persons.
Who may access non-dead-front panelboards?
Only qualified persons.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.305 (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 2026-10-21
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.