1910.335(a)(1)(i): Electrical Protective Equipment
Employees working in areas with potential electrical hazards must be provided with, and must use, electrical protective equipment that is right for the parts of the body being protected and for the work being done.
Key takeaways
- 1910.335(a)(1)(i) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart S).
- OSHA cited it 183 times in the last 3 years, in 180 inspections, with $948,297 in current penalties.
- 15 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: OH (20), TX (15), CT (15).
- Related part: 1910.335(a) Use of protective equipment (270 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.335(a)(1)(i) is one requirement inside 1910.335 Safeguards for personnel protection, 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
(i) Employees working in areas where there are potential electrical hazards shall be provided with, and shall use, electrical protective equipment that is appropriate for the specific parts of the body to be protected and for the work to be performed. 183 citations
Personal protective equipment requirements are contained in subpart I of this part.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.335.
Injuries linked to this rule
15 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.335(a)(1)(i).
At approximately 4:20 a.m. on February 25, 2025, Employee #1 was working on an AirTrain switch electrical panel, attempting to replace blown fuses. During the task, the employee came into contact with energized components and received a 600-volt electric shock. Employee #1 was fatally electrocuted.
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2024 | 61 |
| 2025 | 74 |
| 2026 | 39 |
Top states: OH (20), TX (15), CT (15), MI (12), IL (10)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| MTD PRODUCTS, INC. | WILLARD, OH | $161,323 |
| US ENGINEERING SERVICES | KANSAS CITY, MO | $32,262 |
| HUBBELL INC. | READING, PA | $18,000 |
| ALSTOM TRANSPORTATION USA INC. | NEWARK, NJ | $16,550 |
| AMERESCO | EWA BEACH, HI | $16,550 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.335(a)(1)(i), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.335(a)(1)(i).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.335(a) Use of protective equipment 270 citations
- 1910.335(a)(1) Personal protective equipment 204 citations
- 1910.335(a)(2) General protective equipment and tools 66 citations
- 1910.335(a)(2)(i) 46 citations
- 1910.335(a)(2)(ii) 20 citations
- 1910.335(a)(1)(ii) 9 citations
- 1910.335(a)(1)(v) 7 citations
- 1910.335(a)(1)(iv) 1 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
Who must get electrical protective equipment?
Employees working in areas where there are potential electrical hazards.
Is providing the equipment enough?
No. The equipment must be provided and it must be used.
How is the right equipment chosen?
It must be appropriate for the specific parts of the body to be protected and for the work to be performed.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.335 (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.