1926.402: Which Electrical Installations Are Covered
The installation rules in 1926.402 through 1926.408 apply to temporary and permanent electrical equipment and installations used for power and light at the jobsite, but not to existing permanent installations in place before construction began. Installations made per the National Electrical Code ANSI/NFPA 70-1984 are deemed compliant with 1926.403 through 1926.408, with listed exceptions. Generation, transmission and distribution installations are not covered, though portable and vehicle-mounted generators are.
Key takeaways
- 1926.402 is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart K).
- Most-cited part: 1926.402(a) Covered.
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.402, "Applicability", is an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart K). It has 2 numbered 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
Show the full text of 1926.402 (2 paragraphs)
(a) Covered. Sections 1926.402 through 1926.408 contain installation safety requirements for electrical equipment and installations used to provide electric power and light at the jobsite. These sections apply to installations, both temporary and permanent, used on the jobsite; but these sections do not apply to existing permanent installations that were in place before the construction activity commenced. Open (a)
If the electrical installation is made in accordance with the National Electrical Code ANSI/NFPA 70-1984, exclusive of Formal Interpretations and Tentative Interim Amendments, it will be deemed to be in compliance with §§ 1926.403 through 1926.408, except for §§ 1926.404(b)(1) and 1926.405(a)(2)(ii) (E), (F), (G), and (J).
(b) Not covered. Sections 1926.402 through 1926.408 do not cover installations used for the generation, transmission, and distribution of electric energy, including related communication, metering, control, and transformation installations. (However, these regulations do cover portable and vehicle-mounted generators used to provide power for equipment used at the jobsite.) See subpart V of this part for the construction of power distribution and transmission lines.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15.
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.402, plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Maximum allowable distance between supports for temporary electrical wiring. (2004-05-13)
- Relevance of NFPA 70E industry consensus standard to OSHA requirements; whether OSHA requirements apply to owners. (2003-07-25)
- Applicable standards to protect employees, not engaged in electrical work, operating an aerial lift within 10 feet of overhead electrical lines. (2001-09-25)
- Electric utility industry concerns. (1986-10-03)
Most-cited parts of this rule
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Frequently asked questions
Do the construction electrical installation rules cover temporary wiring?
Yes. They apply to both temporary and permanent installations used on the jobsite.
Are existing permanent installations covered?
No. Existing permanent installations in place before construction began are not covered.
Are portable generators covered?
Yes. Portable and vehicle-mounted generators used to power jobsite equipment are covered.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.402 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly
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.