A guard assembly is for an electrical enclosure. The electrical enclosure includes a housing, an electrical switching apparatus, and a handle. The guard assembly includes: a shaft including a first end and a second end, the first end being structured to be coupled to the handle, the second end being structured to be coupled to the electrical switching apparatus; and a sleeve assembly structured to move between a retracted position and an extended position, the sleeve assembly including a sleeve member, the sleeve member including: a base located proximate the first end of the shaft, and a cover portion extending from the base toward the second end of the shaft, the shaft extending at least partially through the cover portion. Responsive to the sleeve assembly moving from the retracted position toward the extended position, the sleeve member moves away from the second end of the shaft.