WHITEPAPER

BASICS
of Electrical Safety —
Top 13 Questions

ANSWERED

73837-103
Copyright 2023 J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. All rights reserved.
BASICS OF
ELECTRICAL
SAFETY —
TOP 13
QUESTIONS
ANSWERED
Electricity is essential to modern life, both at home and on
the job. Some employees — engineers, electricians, electronic
technicians, and power line workers — work with electricity
directly. Others, such as office workers and salespeople, work
with it indirectly.
Because it’s become such a familiar part of daily life, many
people don’t give much thought to how much the work they
do depends on a reliable source of electricity. More important,
people tend to overlook the hazards electricity poses and fail
to treat it with the respect it deserves.
The fact is, electricity has long been recognized by safety
professionals as a serious workplace hazard, exposing
employees to electric shock, electrocution, burns, fires, and
explosions.
1 Which OSHA standards apply?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
standards are covered in 1910.302 through 1910.399 (Subpart
S) — Electrical. Sections 1910.302 through 1910.308 contain
design safety standards for electric utilization systems. Included
in this category are all electric equipment and installations used
to provide electric power and light for employee workplaces.
Sections 1910.331 through 1910.335 include training and employee
safeguards. Section 1910.399 contains definitions.
OSHA’s electrical requirements generally apply to all workers
who’re exposed to the various types of hazards. The requirements
vary, depending on training, voltages, type of work and
equipment, and other factors.
2 What is covered by the standards?
The general industry electrical standards cover electrical
installations and utilization equipment installed or used within or
on buildings, structures, and other premises, including:
Yards,
Carnivals,
Parking and other lots,
Mobile homes,
Recreational vehicles,
Industrial substations,
Conductors that connect the installations to a supply of
electricity, and
Other outside conductors on the premises.
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 3 What is not covered by the standards?
The general industry electrical standards do not cover:

Installations in ships, watercraft, railway rolling stock, aircraft, or

automotive vehicles other than mobile homes and recreational vehicles;

Installations underground in mines;

Installations of railways for generation, transformation, transmission,

or distribution of power used exclusively for operation of rolling stock or
installations used exclusively for signaling and communication purposes;

Installations under the exclusive control of electric utilities for the:

• Generation, control, transformation, transmission, and distribution

of electric energy located in buildings used exclusively by utilities for such
purposes; or

• Generation, control, transformation, transmission, and distribution

of electric energy located outdoors on property owned or leased by the utility,
or on public highways, streets, roads, etc., or outdoors by established rights on
private property; or

Installations under the exclusive control of electric utilities for the

purpose of communication or metering.

4 Do electrical conductors and equipment

need to be approved?
Approved in the general industry regulations means sanctioned, endorsed, accredited,
certified, or accepted as satisfactory by a duly constituted and nationally recognized
authority or agency.

When looking for electrical equipment, employers need to make

sure that it’s:

• Listed and labeled by a Nationally Recognized TestingLaboratory (NRTL);

• Installed as the manufacturer intended; and

• Marked with the manufacturer’s name or trademark, voltage, current,

wattage, and other necessary information.

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NRTLs are third-party, private sector organizations recognized by OSHA as
having the technical capability to perform safety testing and certification of
particular types of products. NRTLs provide testing and certification services
to the manufacturers of a wide range of products used in the workplace.

Employers may expose workers to serious hazards when they use non-
approved (e.g., job-built), counterfeit, improperly approved, or modified
products instead of an NRTL-approved product as required by OSHA. NRTL
approval ensures that a product meets applicable test-standard requirements
and will operate safely in the workplace.

For example, NRTL approval ensures that an electric product will operate at its
rated voltage, current and power, and will not exceed limits that pose hazards
to workers.

These hazards include:

Electric shock, Equipment shorts,

Arc flash, Explosions, INCIDENT

Blast events, Burns, CENTER
Electrocution, Fires, and, To help ensure your
work-related documentation
Toxic atmospheres generated by burning insulation and other materials. is compliant and up to date,
the J. J. Keller® SAFETY
One example of the relationship between OSHA standards, NRTLs, MANAGEMENT SUITE
and suitable electrical equipment can be found in an OSHA Letter of provides ongoing
Interpretation (LOI) dated November 18, 2002. This LOI discusses the use access to a wealth of
of power strips (also known as surge/spike protectors or portable outlets), world-class recordkeeping
features of which typically include multiple electrical receptacles, an on/off and reporting tools. Use it
switch, circuit breaker, and a grounded flexible power cord. The LOI notes to autogenerate regulatory
that one NRTL, Underwriters Laboratories (UL), refers to such devices as documents, analyze incident
relocatable power taps (RPTs). trends, and manage and
OSHA’s standard requires electrical equipment such as RPTs to “be installed monitor corrective actions.
and used in accordance with any instructions included in the listing or
labeling,” and notes that manufacturers and NRTLs determine the proper uses START TRACKING
for such equipment. For example, UL requires that any UL-listed RPTs must INCIDENTS
be directly connected to permanently installed branch circuit receptacles,
must not be series-connected to other RPTs, and must not be connected to
extension cords.
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The LOI further discusses the correct use of RPTs in regard to power loads, noting
that per OSHA standards, such devices are appropriate to be used with low-powered
load equipment like computers, peripherals, or audio-visual equipment. They’re
not suitable for high-powered loads such as refrigerators and microwaves. It also
discusses proper handling of the RPT’s flexible power cord, which is not to be routed
through walls, windows, ceilings, floors, or similar openings, in accordance with
1910.305(g)(1).
5 What criteria determine the need for electrical
safety training?
When working with electricity, employees who face a risk of electric shock must be
trained in safe work practices.
OSHA’s Subpart S standards cover electrical safety-related work practices for
both qualified persons (those who have training in avoiding the electrical hazards
of working on or near exposed energized parts) and unqualified persons (those
with little or no such training) who are working on, near, or with the following
installations:
Premises wiring — Installations of electric conductors and equipment within or
on buildings or other structures, and on other premises such as yards, carnival,
parking, and other lots, and industrial substations;
Wiring for connections to supply — Installations of conductors that connect to
he supply of electricity; and
Other wiring — Installations of other outside conductors on the premises.
6 Who must receive electrical safety training?
The training requirements apply to employees who face a risk of electric shock that
is not reduced to a safe level by the electric installation requirements of 1910.303–
1910.308. Employees in occupations listed below face such risk and are required to
be trained:
Blue collar supervisors
Electrical and electronic engineers
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 Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers

Electrical and electronic technicians

Electricians

Industrial machine operators

Material handling equipment operators,

Mechanics and repairers

The J. J. Keller® SAFETY
Painters SAFETY PLANS MANAGEMENT SUITE offers
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and in minutes you’ll have
Except for electricians and welders, workers in the above groups do not need to be trained
a compliant written plan
if their work or the work of those they supervise does not bring them or the employees
tailored to your business.
they supervise close enough to exposed parts of electric circuits operating at 50 volts or
more to ground for a hazard to exist.
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Other employees who may reasonably be expected to face a comparable risk of injury due
to electric shock or other electrical hazards must also be trained.

7 How much space must be maintained around

electrical equipment?
Employers are required to provide and maintain sufficient access and working space
around all electrical equipment. A certain amount of space is needed to operate the
equipment and to perform any needed maintenance. The electrical equipment must be
readily accessible.

Depending on the voltage and the condition (e.g., exposed wiring), the minimum clear
distance needed in front of the panel is three feet. The width of working space in front must
be the width of the equipment or 30 inches, whichever is greater. In addition, the working
space must allow a 90-degree opening of equipment doors or hinged panels.

Refer to 1910.303 Table S-1 for the minimum depth of clear working space for 600 volts or
less and Table S-2 for over 600 volts.

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Keep the workspace clear and don’t use it for storage. If indoors, it must extend from the grade,
floor, or platform to a height 6 feet above the equipment or to the structural ceiling, whichever
is lower. Necessary control equipment is permitted in the dedicated space.

8 Is ground-fault circuit interrupter protection needed?

The ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is a fast-acting device which senses small current
leakage to ground and, in a fraction of a second, shuts off the electricity and interrupts its faulty
flow to ground. The rapid response of the GFCI is fast enough to prevent electrocution and this
protection is independent of the condition of the ground conductor.

A GFCI can prevent an electrocution; however, it cannot by itself prevent an electric shock to an
employee before it interrupts the circuit. This initial shock could lead to injuries of an indirect or
secondary nature in which involuntary muscular reaction could cause bruises, bone fractures, and
even death resulting from collisions or falls. Therefore, GFCIs are in addition to, and not in lieu of,
equipment grounding conductor requirements.

9 Is an assured equipment grounding program needed?

Employers should implement an assured equipment grounding conductor program, which
requires inspection and testing of cord sets, receptacles that are not a part of the building or
structure, and equipment connected by cord and plug that are available for use or used by
employees on those receptacles.

This testing must be done every three months, except for cord sets and receptacles which are
fixed and not exposed to damage, which should be tested at least every six months.

10 When is the use of temporary electrical power allowed?

Temporary electrical power and lighting installations of 600 volts, nominal, or less may be used
only as follows:

During and for remodeling, maintenance, or repair of buildings, structures, or equipment,

and similar activities;

For a period not to exceed 90 days for holiday decorative lighting, carnivals, and similar
purposes; and

For experimental or development work, and during emergencies.

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Remove temporary wiring immediately upon completion of the project or purpose
that the wiring was installed for.

Temporary electrical installations of more than 600 volts may be used only during
periods of tests, experiments, emergencies, or construction-like activities.

11 When can flexible cords and cables be used?

Only use flexible cords and cables for:

Pendants,

Wiring of fixtures,

Connection of portable lamps or appliances,

Portable and mobile signs,

Elevator cables,

Wiring of cranes and hoists,

Connection of stationary equipment to facilitate their frequent interchange,

Prevention of the transmission of noise or vibration,

Appliances where the fastening means and mechanical connections are Remove temporary
designed to permit removal for maintenance and repair,
wiring immediately upon
Data processing cables approved as a part of the data processing system,
completion of the project
Connection of moving parts, and
or purpose that the wiring
Temporary wiring as permitted above.
was installed for.
Do not use flexible cords and cables:

As a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure;

Where they run through holes in walls, ceilings, or floors;

Where they run through doorways, windows, or similar openings;

Where they are attached to building surfaces;

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 Where they are concealed behind building walls, ceilings, or floors; or

Where they are installed in raceways.

12 What are the lockout/tagout requirements?

While any employee is exposed to contact with parts of fixed electric equipment
or circuits which have been de-energized, the circuits energizing the parts must be
locked out, or tagged, or both in the following order:

Procedures must be in place before equipment is de-energized.

Circuits and equipment to be worked on must be disconnected from all

electrical energy sources.

Stored electrical energy which poses a hazard to workers must be released.

Stored non-electrical energy in devices that could re-energize electric circuit

parts must be blocked or relieved to the extent that the circuit parts couldn’t be
accidentally energized by the device.

A lock and a tag must be placed on each disconnecting means used to

de-energize circuits and equipment on which work is to be performed, except as
provided below:

• Each tag must contain a statement prohibiting unauthorized operation of

the disconnecting means and removal of the tag.

• If a lock cannot be applied, or if the employer can demonstrate that

tagging procedures will provide a level of safety equivalent to that obtained
by the use of a lock, a tag may be used without a lock.

• A tag used without a lock must be supplemented by at least one

additional safety measure that provides a level of safety equivalent to that
obtained by the use of a lock. Examples include the removal of an isolating
circuit element, blocking of a controlling switch, or opening of an extra
disconnecting device.

• A lock may be placed without a tag only under the following

conditions: (a) Only one circuit or piece of equipment is de-energized,
(b) The lockout period does not extend beyond the work shift, and (c)

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 Employees exposed to the hazards associated with re-energizing the
circuit or equipment are familiar with this procedure.

13 How can employees be protected from

electric shock and arc flash and blast?
OSHA requires employees to wear protective equipment for the eyes or
face whenever there’s danger of injury to the eyes or face from electric arcs,
flashes, or from flying objects resulting from electrical explosion. AUDITS &
They also require the use of protective shields, protective barriers, or INSPECTIONS:
insulating materials to protect employees from shock, burns, or other
electrically related injuries while employees are working: The J. J. Keller® SAFETY
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Conclusion organization.
Employers can easily take electricity for granted and overlook the hazards
electricity poses and fail to treat it with the respect it deserves. Protect your GET FREE CHECKLISTS
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

MARK STROMME, SENIOR EDITOR

J. J. KELLER & ASSOCIATES, INC.
Mark Stromme is one of the lead safety editors at J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. He specializes
in OSHA construction and general industry safety. At J. J. Keller Mark researches and
develops content for a variety of proprietary products, including training videos, newsletters,
handbooks, manuals, and online solutions. Mark is a Walkway Auditor Certificate Holder
(WACH). WACHs are trained and certified through the National Floor Safety Institute in the
proper techniques for auditing the traction of building walkways through observation and
measurement. The NFSI’s mission is to aid in the prevention of slips, trips, and falls through
education, research, and standards development.

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