Work Space Around Electrical Equipment

Recently, I have received several calls from customer requesting information about the clearance distances and identifying the work space around electrical equipment.  Section 1910.303(g)(1)(i) defines the working clearances that shall be provided and maintained about all electric equipment to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment in Table S-1.

Table S-1. — Minimum Depth of Clear Working Space at Electric Equipment, 600 V or Less

Nominal voltage to ground Minimum clear distance for condition
Condition A Condition B Condition C
m Ft m ft m ft
0-150
151-600		 0.9*
0.9*		 3.0*
3.0*		 0.9*
1.0		 3.0*
3.5		 0.9
1.2		 3.0
4.0

Condition A:  Exposed live parts on one side and no live or grounded parts on the other side of the working space, or exposed live parts on both sides effectively guarded by suitable wood or other insulating material. Insulated wire or insulated busbars operating at not over 300 volts are not considered live parts.
Condition B:  Exposed live parts on one side and grounded parts on the other side.
Condition C:  Exposed live parts on both sides of the work space (not guarded as provided in Condition A) with the operator between.

* Minimum clear distances may be 0.7 m (2.5 ft) for installations built before April 16, 1981.

In addition to the dimensions shown in Table S-1, work space may not be less than 30″ wide in front of the covered electric equipment.

Section 1910.303(g)(1)(ii) elaborates on the clear spaces requirement for such working spaces. Additionally, the working space clearances required by this subpart may not be used for storage. This access and working space shall be kept clear at all times for operation and maintenance personnel and may not be used for intermittent/incidental storage of nonpermanent equipment or furniture, which could interfere with ready access to the electric equipment in the event of an emergency.  This OSHA regulation does not require the working space to be marked with a border (i.e. marking tape), however, this is a very easy method to prevent the electrical equipment from being blocked.

Click here for more information from OSHA.

This entry was posted on Monday, January 11th, 2010 at 7:45 am and is filed under Workplace Compliance. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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