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 OSHAs 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 1910.3311910.335. 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/po
werlines.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 tools or machines

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/powe
rlines.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

Thank You

Lets not meet again . . . by accident!