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OSHA Regulations for Breaker Panels

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 112 people were killed in electrical accidents in 2007. In addition, 4,960 people were injured. The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates certain aspects of electrical panels and electrical safety.

  1. Access

    • Breaker panels should be easily accessible and should never be blocked. According to the OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.303 (g), companies are required to provide 3 feet of clearance around electrical services and breaker panels with between 120 and 250 volts. The working width around the panel must be at least 30 inches. In addition to OSHA standards, electrical panels fall under National Electrical Code (NEC) regulations. NEC standards also require 3 feet of clearance around electrical breaker panels.

    Circuit Protection

    • To help prevent shocks and electrocutions, OSHA standard 29 CFR1910.305 (d) requires a dead front on all electrical panels. This means that the front of electrical panels must be insulated from the circuits they contain, thus reducing injury risk in the event of an electrical fault. NEC standards require that all live circuitry over 50 volts be enclosed or guarded to prevent accidental injury.

    Examples of Violations

    • The Congressional Accountability Office of Compliance has documented violations of OSHA regulations in congressional offices. In one case, a work table was placed in front of electrical panels, blocking access and creating a condition where adequate work space might not be possible. In another example, a computer desk was placed in front of a door that covered an electrical closet. In addition, the door to that closet was not marked as containing electrical breakers.

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