1910.335(a): Use of Electrical Protective Equipment
Employers must provide, and employees must use, electrical protective equipment suited to the body part being protected and the work being done wherever there are potential electrical hazards. The equipment must be kept in safe condition and inspected or tested, employees must wear nonconductive head protection and eye or face protection where needed, and insulated tools must be used near exposed energized parts.
Key takeaways
- 1910.335(a) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart S).
- OSHA cited it 270 times in the last 3 years, in 220 inspections, with $1,401,663 in current penalties.
- 17 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (30), OH (22), CT (18).
- Related part: 1910.335(a)(1) Personal protective equipment (204 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.335(a) ("Use of protective equipment") is one requirement inside 1910.335 Safeguards for personnel protection, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart S). It includes 11 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
(a) Use of protective equipment — 270 citations
(1) Personal protective equipment. Open (a)(1) 204 citations
(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. Open (a)(1)(i) 183 citations
Personal protective equipment requirements are contained in subpart I of this part.
(ii) Protective equipment shall be maintained in a safe, reliable condition and shall be periodically inspected or tested, as required by § 1910.137. Open (a)(1)(ii) 9 citations
(iii) If the insulating capability of protective equipment may be subject to damage during use, the insulating material shall be protected. (For example, an outer covering of leather is sometimes used for the protection of rubber insulating material.)
(iv) Employees shall wear nonconductive head protection wherever there is a danger of head injury from electric shock or burns due to contact with exposed energized parts. Open (a)(1)(iv) 1 citations
(v) Employees shall wear protective equipment for the eyes or face wherever there is danger of injury to the eyes or face from electric arcs or flashes or from flying objects resulting from electrical explosion. Open (a)(1)(v) 7 citations
(2) General protective equipment and tools. Open (a)(2) 66 citations
(i) When working near exposed energized conductors or circuit parts, each employee shall use insulated tools or handling equipment if the tools or handling equipment might make contact with such conductors or parts. If the insulating capability of insulated tools or handling equipment is subject to damage, the insulating material shall be protected. Open (a)(2)(i) 46 citations
(A) Fuse handling equipment, insulated for the circuit voltage, shall be used to remove or install fuses when the fuse terminals are energized. 4 citations
(B) Ropes and handlines used near exposed energized parts shall be nonconductive.
(ii) Protective shields, protective barriers, or insulating materials shall be used to protect each employee from shock, burns, or other electrically related injuries while that employee is working near exposed energized parts which might be accidentally contacted or where dangerous electric heating or arcing might occur. When normally enclosed live parts are exposed for maintenance or repair, they shall be guarded to protect unqualified persons from contact with the live parts. Open (a)(2)(ii) 20 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.335.
Injuries linked to this rule
17 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.335(a).
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 | 17 |
| 2024 | 88 |
| 2025 | 105 |
| 2026 | 60 |
Top states: TX (30), OH (22), CT (18), MI (16), NY (13)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| MTD PRODUCTS, INC. | WILLARD, OH | $161,323 |
| GAGE TREE SERVICE LLC | CHUGIAK, AK | $99,308 |
| SOUTH TEXAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. | NURSERY, TX | $48,393 |
| JINDAL TUBULAR USA LLC | BAY SAINT LOUIS, MS | $44,361 |
| US ENGINEERING SERVICES | KANSAS CITY, MO | $32,262 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.335(a), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Whether use of personal protective equipment is mandatory when working under heat stress conditions. (2010-05-18)
- OSHA requirements for warning signs and protection from electric-arc-flash hazards and compliance with NFPA 70E-2004. (2006-11-14)
- Use of ANSI C2-1997 as guidance for protecting employees working near insulated shielded conductors (2002-09-26)
- Training and PPE for employees performing tests on equipment. (1998-06-22)
- Use of insulated hand tools (1996-07-30)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.335(a)(1) Personal protective equipment 204 citations
- 1910.335(a)(1)(i) 183 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
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Frequently asked questions
When must workers wear nonconductive head protection?
Wherever there is a danger of head injury from electric shock or burns due to contact with exposed energized parts.
When are insulated tools required?
When working near exposed energized conductors or circuit parts, if the tools might make contact with them.
How should fuses be removed when the terminals are energized?
With fuse handling equipment insulated for the circuit voltage.
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.