Institute of Occupational Safety and Health

Safety Training Presentations

Electrical Safety
29 CFR 1910.332
FY-11 OSHA Susan Harwood
Grant Program

This material was produced under grant

number SH22297-SH1 from OSHA. It does
not necessarily reflect the views or policies of
the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does
mention of trade names, commercial products,
or organizations imply endorsement by the
U.S. Government.
Objectives: Participants will:
 Interpret OSHA’s role and standards regarding
electrical safety / hazards
 Define the basic fundamentals of electricity
 Identify and recognize safety hazards
 Describe protection methods against electrical
hazards
 Analyze and discuss case studies
Introduction
 An average of one worker is electrocuted
on the job every day
 There are four main types of electrical
injuries:
• Electrocution (death due to electrical shock)
• Electrical shock
• Burns
• Falls
 OSHA Standards
 Electrical safety-related work practice requirements
for general industry are detailed in Subpart S of 29
CFR
 Part 1910, in Sections 1910.331–1910.335. For
construction applications, electrical safety-related
work practice requirements are detailed in
Subpart K of 29 CFR Part 1926.416 to 1926.417.
 Electric Basics
Electrical Flow:
Conductors – substances, such as metals- little resistance
to electricity
Insulators – substances, such as wood, rubber, glass, and
bakelite-high resistance to electricity
Current – the movement of electrical charge
Resistance – opposition to current flow
Voltage – a measure of electrical force
Grounding – a conductive connection to the earth which
acts as a protective measure
 Electricity Basics
 Water and electricity
• Pure water is a poor conductor
• Impurities can make water an insulator
• Salts
• Acid
• Solvents
• Working in a damp environment requires
preventive measures against electrical hazards
Electric Basics
What causes shocks?
Electricity travels in closed circuits,
usually through a conductor
Your body can be a conductor which may
mean an electrical shock!
 Electrical Shock
 Current passes through the body
 Severity of the shock depends
on:
• Path of current through the
body
• Amount of current flowing
through the body
• Length of time the body is in
the circuit
 Low voltage does not mean low
hazard
 Types of Electrical Shock
Injuries
 Electrical burns
 Thermal contact burns
 Related hazards:
• Fire
• Equipment damage
• Fragmented metal
• Flammable gases, vapors or combustible dusts
• Arc or flash burns
ARC Flash: Live to Tell Video
“Freeze”
 Electrical shock may cause the muscles
to contract
 This “freezing: effect” is dangerous
• Increases the length of exposure
 If you witness a “freeze”
• Shut off the power
• Use a non-conductive object to knock the
person free of the contact
Severe Shock
 A severe shock requires medical help
immediately
 Unseen medical issues may be present, such
as:
• Internal Hemorrhages
• Destruction of tissues, nerves
or muscles
Static Electricity
 Created when materials rub together
 Can cause shocks or even minor skin
burns
 Reduced or prevented by:
• Proper grounding
• Rubber matting
• Grounding wires, gloves, or shoes
Protection Against Electrical
Hazards

 Insulation

 Guarding
Grounding
 Most electrical equipment is designed
with a grounding system
 Do not use equipment with damaged
grounding connectors
 Do not use adapters that interrupt the
grounding connection
Grounding Fault Circuit
Interrupters
 GFCIs reduce the
likelihood of fatal shocks
 Detect small amount of
earth current and
automatically switch off
the power
 Used with extension cords
and portable tools
 Fuses and circuit breakers
protect equipment, not
people
Circuit Protection
 Energize or de-energize with appropriate
switches, breakers, etc.
 Do not energize or de-energize with
fuses, terminal lugs, or cable splice
connections
 If circuit protection device is tripped—
inspect
 Protection from Power Lines
 Maintain a safe distance to the lines High-voltage lines
 Ground any equipment such as cranes that can become
energized
 Lines must be de-energized and grounded by the owner or
operator of the lines
 Guarding or insulating the lines help prevent accidental
contact
 OSHA E-Tool:
• http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/construction/electrical_incidents/
powerlines.html
Protection for Machine Operators

 Never tamper with electrical interlocks

 Do not repair electrical components of your machine

 Properly shut off machinery before working in the

point of operation

 Obey warning signs and follow safe procedures

Protection Against Energized
Metal Parts
 A break in an electric tool’s or machine’s
insulation can cause its metal parts to
become “hot”
• Use “double insulated” tools
• Equipment grounding conductor such as a three
prong plug
Unexpected Equipment Startup
 Proper lockout/tagout procedures protect
from dangers of accidental startup of
electrical equipment
• 29 CFR1926.417, Lockout and Tagging of
Circuits
Lock Out Tag out: Lightning in a
Bottle Video
Portable Power Tools Safety
 Inspect portable power tools
 Never use damaged equipment
• Tag it out of service
• Have it repaired or replaced
 Never use portable power equipment in
wet or damp areas
 Stop using power tools if they become hot
or start sparking
Extension Cords
 Inspect and check
for capacity
 For temporary work only
 Do not use as a rope
to pull or lift objects
 Should not be fastened
with
staples or hung over
hooks
Electrical Cord Inspection
 Deformed or mission pins
 Damaged outer jacket or
insulation
 Evidence of internal damage
 If damaged, take out of
service until repaired
Other Electrical Hazards and
Protective Measures
 Damaged insulation on wires
 Digging or trenching near buried lines
 Overloaded/exposed circuits
 Overheated appliances or tools
 Flammable materials
Safe Work Practices
 De-energize electric equipment before
inspection or repair (Lock out Tag out)
 keeping electric tools properly maintained,
 Exercise caution when working near
energized lines
 Use the correct protective equipment
 Guarding of Live Parts

 Must guard live parts of electric equipment operating at

50 volts or more against accidental contact by:
• Approved cabinets/enclosures, or
• Location or permanent partitions making them
accessible only to qualified persons, or
• Elevation of 8 ft. or more above the floor or working
surface
 Mark entrances to guarded locations with conspicuous
warning signs
Training
 Qualified workers
• How to identify exposed energized parts
• How to safeguard or work on energized parts
 Unqualified workers
• How electricity works
• Risks of working with energized equipment
• Tasks to be performed only by qualified
workers
 OSHA Resources
 OSHA has many helpful programs, including
assistance about safety and health programs, state
plans, workplace consultations, voluntary
protection programs, strategic partnerships,
training and education, and more
Summary
 Electricity will try to reach ground even if it
means going through a person
 Even the “small” voltage from your home can
cause serious injury
 Always inspect power tools and cords and do
not use them if damaged
 Do not attempt to repair electrical equipment
unless trained and qualified
OSHA Contact Numbers
To report Unsafe Working Conditions, Safety
and Health Violations Contact OSHA @:
1-800-321-OSHA (6742) / TTY1-877-889-5627
To File a Complaint Form:
To file an OSHA-7 report online, see how to file
a complaint with OSHA (www.osha.gov)
For more information regarding your rights, see
Worker Rights
 References
 OSHA Publication 3075: Controlling Electrical Hazards
 29 CFR1926.417, Lockout and Tagging of Circuits
 OSHA E-Tool:
• http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/construction/electrical_incidents/pow
erlines.html
 LOTO Plus Expert Advisor
• http://www.osha-slc.gov/dts/osta/oshasoft/lotoplus.html
 Self-Inspection Checklists
• http://www.osha-slc.gov/SLTC/smallbusiness/chklist.html#Electrical
 Self-Inspection Checklists – Lockout/Tagout Procedures
• http://www.osha-slc.gov/SLTC/smallbusiness/chklist.html#Lockout
Institute of Occupational Safety and Health

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