Electrical Safety: What you need to know

OSHA’s electrical safety rules deal with the reliability and effective maintenance of electrical systems that can be achieved in part by careful planning and proper design, and with safe work practices for persons exposed or potentially exposed to electrical hazards.

U.S. OSHA's electrical safety rules for general industry workplaces (29 CFR 1910, Subpart S) cover electrical safety requirements that are necessary for the practical safeguarding of employees in the workplace. They include design safety standards for electric utilization systems (all electric equipment and installations used to provide electric power for workplaces) and safety-related work practices for both "qualified" (those who have a specific level of training) and "unqualified" (those who have little or no training) employees.

OSHA's electrical standards for construction work (i.e., construction, alteration, or repair) cover the hazards that expose construction employees to such dangers as electric shock, electrocution, fires, explosions, and falls. Subpart K - Electrical is based on those safeguards in the National Electrical Code (NEC) which OSHA regards as applicable to construction workers. Additional requirements, designed to supplement the NEC, are also provided. Key topics covered include the use of equipment for electrical works, temporary and permanent electrical installations, maintenance procedures, safe use of equipment and materials, grounding, lockout/tagout, confined space practices, work in hazardous environmental conditions, and selection and use of work practices.

Electrical equipment grounding; the enclosing, covering, and guarding of live parts; and conductors all have specific regulations pertaining to them. Flexible cords ...