ELECTRICAL SAFETY

Working with electricity poses significant hazards, including electric shock, burns, and arc flashes. Adhering to proper safety protocols is crucial to prevent serious injury and damage. See below for essential guidance on identifying risks and following safe work practices.

• Electrical safety

  Working with electricity can be dangerous. Engineers, electricians, and other professionals work with electricity directly, including working on overhead lines, cable harnesses, and circuit assemblies. Others, such as office workers, work with electricity indirectly and may also be exposed to electrical hazards.
  
  Electricity has long been recognized as a serious workplace hazard. OSHA's electrical standards are designed to protect employees exposed to dangers such as electric shock, electrocution, fires, and explosions.
  

• Controlling hazardous energy—lockout/tagout policy

  Equipment that has the potential of being energized, activated or operated, during service or maintenance activities, shall be assessed prior to the start of work to ensure that all sources of energy and potential hazards are properly identified and secured in accordance with the procedure established by the Lockout Tagout policy.

• Training

  Training requirements apply to employees who face a risk of electrical shock that is not reduced to a safe level by the electrical installation requirements of 1910.303 through 1910.308. Employees in occupations facing a higher than normal risk of electrical incidents are required to be trained. Additionally, employees who may reasonably be expected to face comparable risk of injury due to electric shock or other electrical hazards must also be trained.  Employees shall be trained in, and become familiar with, the safety-related work practices required by 1910.331 through 1910.335 that pertain to their respective job assignments. View the EH&S training webpage.