1926.405(b): Cabinets, Boxes and Fittings
Employers must protect conductors entering boxes, cabinets and fittings from abrasion and close entry and unused openings. Pull boxes, junction boxes and fittings must have covers, metal covers must be grounded, and energized outlet boxes need a cover, faceplate or canopy. Boxes for systems over 600 volts, nominal must fully enclose conductors, have securely fastened covers and be marked "HIGH VOLTAGE" on the outside.
Key takeaways
- 1926.405(b) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart K).
- OSHA cited it 233 times in the last 3 years, in 223 inspections, with $300,120 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MD (35), VA (26), NY (21).
- Related part: 1926.405(b)(2) Covers and canopies (168 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.405(b) ("Cabinets, boxes, and fittings") is one requirement inside 1926.405 Wiring methods, components, and equipment for general use, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart K). It includes 5 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 — 233 citations
(1) Conductors entering boxes, cabinets, or fittings. Conductors entering boxes, cabinets, or fittings shall be protected from abrasion, and openings through which conductors enter shall be effectively closed. Unused openings in cabinets, boxes, and fittings shall also be effectively closed. Open (b)(1) 63 citations
(2) Covers and canopies. All pull boxes, junction boxes, and fittings shall be provided with covers. If metal covers are used, they shall be grounded. In energized 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) 168 citations
(3) Pull and junction boxes for systems over 600 volts, nominal. In addition to other requirements in this section for pull and junction boxes, the following shall apply to these boxes for systems over 600 volts, nominal: Open (b)(3) 2 citations
(i) Complete enclosure. Boxes shall provide a complete enclosure for the contained conductors or cables. 2 citations
(ii) Covers. Boxes shall be closed by covers securely fastened in place. Underground box covers that weigh over 100 pounds (43.6 kg) meet this requirement. 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. Open (b)(3)(ii)
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.405.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.405(b).
At 9:00 a.m. on April 2, 2024, an employee working as a field service technicianfor an electrical contractor was working at a city water plant. The employee wasback feeding a variable frequency drive (VFD) using 480 volts to reform cell capacitors. The work environment had…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 13 |
| 2024 | 93 |
| 2025 | 84 |
| 2026 | 43 |
Top states: MD (35), VA (26), NY (21), PR (17), IN (17)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| THE OSCAR W. LARSON COMPANY | GROVE CITY, OH | $16,550 |
| EUGENIO LARA | LAKESIDE MARBLEHEAD, OH | $11,292 |
| DIVERZIFY PRO, LLC | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 |
| DOBCO, INC. | DOVER AFB, DE | $8,511 |
| PARAMOUNT BUILDERS, LIMITED | PAGO PAGO, AS | $7,022 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.405(b), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Electrical standard requirements concerning covers for electrical pull boxes, junction boxes, and fittings. (2002-10-03)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.405(b)(2) Covers and canopies 168 citations
- 1926.405(b)(1) Conductors entering boxes, cabinets, or fittings 63 citations
- 1926.405(b)(3) Pull and junction boxes for systems over 600 volts, nominal 2 citations
- 1926.405(b)(3)(ii) Covers
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
Do unused openings in electrical boxes need to be closed?
Yes. Unused openings in cabinets, boxes and fittings must be effectively closed.
Do outlet boxes need covers?
In energized installations, each outlet box must have a cover, faceplate or fixture canopy.
How must high-voltage box covers be marked?
Boxes for systems over 600 volts, nominal, must have covers permanently marked "HIGH VOLTAGE" on the outside, readily visible and legible.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.405 (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 2026-10-19
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.