fast facts 

Electrical Panel Accessibility 

and Enclosure of Live Parts 

September 2009 

Office of Compliance 

advancing safety, health, and workplace rights in the legislative branch 

www.compliance.gov 

When an employee receives a shock from an electrical circuit or appliance in the workplace, shutting 

off the source of power may be the only safe method of preventing the individual from contacting the 

electric source. Electrical panels contain circuit breakers designed to trip and stop the flow of current 

to specific circuits and appliances. Easy access to electrical panels is essential for the protection of employees in the workplace, and panels should never be blocked or inaccessible. To promptly respond to 

an emergency, it is also critical that circuit breakers are clearly labeled with accurate and up-to-date 

directories. 

Potential Hazards 

Blocking electrical panels that house circuit breakers as shown in Figure 

1 is a violation of both Occupational Safety and Health Administration 

(OSHA) regulations and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 

codes. These regulations require accessibility to the front of electrical 

panels to have a minimum of three feet of clearance and a minimum 

width to be the width of the equipment or 2.5 feet, whichever is greater. 

This assures that in case of an electrical emergency, there is a clear working space in front for quick access to the circuit breakers. Having up-todate directories of circuit breakers also saves time. 

The three electrical panels shown in Figure 1 lack the required three foot clearance. The table blocking the panels further delays access in the event of an 

electrical emergency. 

Electrical panels contain multiple junctions of live wires and other components, and they are required to be accessible at all times. Panels are also 

required to have a “dead front,” per 29 CFR 1910.305(d). NFPA 70 describes 

a dead front as an area of the panel “without live parts exposed to a person on 

the operating side of the equipment.” All live components must be covered in 

this way so that anyone using the circuit 

breaker is safe from electric shock. The 

large electrical panel shown in Figure 2a 

displays the hazard of a missing dead 

front. Not only are all the live components in this panel exposed, 

but the panel door’s lock is broken so that anyone might open the 

panel. Electrical panel boxes in commercial buildings should be 

locked and accessible by trained personnel only. This panel is 

located in a large dishwashing area, where a wet floor might 

result in electrocution. Such hazards present imminent danger 

and should be corrected immediately. Figure 2b shows 

 the same electrical panel with a new dead front. 

Figure 1: Blocked Electrical Panel 

Figure 2a: Electrical panel with 

missing dead front 

Figure 2b: Same electrical panel after abatement. This panel now has a “dead front.” 
 fast stats 

Codes and Standards Related to Electrical Panels 

• The OSHA standard (29 CFR 1910.303 (g)) requires sufficient access and working space around all equipment 

serving 600 volts or less. For equipment serving between 120 volts and 250 volts, the regulations require a minimum of three feet of clearance. The width of the working space in front shall be 30 inches minimum or width of 

the equipment. 

• The OSHA standard (29 CFR1910.305 (d)) requires a dead front on electrical panel boards. 

• The National Electrical Code (NFPA 70 110.26) requires a minimum of three feet of clearance for all electrical 

equipment serving 600 volts or less. 

• The National Electrical Code (NFPA 70 110.27) requires live parts of electrical equipment operating at 50 volts or 

more to be guarded to prevent accidental contact by approved enclosures. 

 

This information does not constitute advice or an official ruling of the Office of Compliance or the Board of 

Directors and is intended for educational purposes only. For further information or comments concerning this 

Fast Facts, please refer to the Congressional Accountability Act (2 U.S.C. 1301 et seq.) and the regulations 

issued by the Board, or you may contact the Office of Compliance, 202-724-9249.

The Office of Compliance advances safety, 

health, and workplace rights in the U.S. 

Congress and the Legislative Branch. Established as an independent agency by the 

Congressional Accountability Act of 1995, 

the Office educates employees and employing offices about their rights and responsibilities under the Act, provides an impartial 

dispute resolution process, and investigates 

and remedies violations of the Act. 

If you have any questions, please do not 

hesitate to contact the Office of Compliance: 

Room LA 200, John Adams Building 

110 Second Street, SE 

Washington, D.C. 20540 

t/ 202-724-9250 

tdd/ 202-426-1912 

f/ 202-426-1913 

Peter Ames Eveleth 

General Counsel 

Mary-Margaret Smith 

Editor 

Download the entire Fast Facts suite at http://www.compliance.gov 

Damage Caused by Power Switch Gear or Overcurrent Protection Device (Circuit Breaker) in office 

properties. 2000-2004 annual average 

• 40 fires (1%) 

• 6 civilian (non-firefighter) injuries (18%) and no deaths 

Source: NFPA Fire Analysis and Research, May 2007 

Injuries and Losses in Private Industry Related to Electric Parts in 2007 

• 112 fatal occupational injuries 

• 4960 nonfatal occupational injuries 

• 0.5 injuries per 10,000 employees 

• 1220 employees (24.6%) unable to work for 31 days 

or more because of injuries from electric parts 

Source: US Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Electric parts” is a classification for unattached electric parts which 

primarily carry or generate electrical currents. This includes electric wiring, generators, transformers, controls, switchboards, alternators, coils, etc.