Methods For Effectively Guarding Electrical Equipment

Guarding involves locating or enclosing electric equipment to make sure people do not
accidentally contact live parts. Effective guarding requires equipment with exposed parts
operating at 50 volts or more to be placed where it is accessible only to authorized people
qualified to work with it. Recommended locations are:

• a room, vault, or similar enclosure;

• a balcony, gallery, or elevated platform; or

• a site elevated 8 feet or more above the floor.

Sturdy, permanent screens also can serve as effective guards
Conspicuous signs must be posted at the entrances to electrical rooms and similarly guarded
locations to alert people to the electrical hazard and to forbid entry to unauthorized people.

Signs may contain the word “Danger,” “Warning,” or “Caution,” and beneath that, appropriate
concise wording that alerts people to the hazard or gives an instruction, such as “Danger/High
Voltage/Keep Out.”