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Electrical |
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For
information related to general industry, see OSHA's Electrical page. |
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Alliances
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Construction.
OSHA Alliance
Program. This is one of OSHA's Strategic Management Plan Focus Areas.
eTools
- Construction. OSHA. Helps workers identify and control the hazards, including electrical hazards, that commonly cause the most serious construction injuries.
- Electrical
Incidents. Outlines the most common electrical hazards for the construction industry and provides specific controls to help avoid injury.
- More...
OSHA Standards
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. Electrical hazards are addressed in specific standards for the construction industry. This
section highlights OSHA standards, frequently cited standards, directives (instructions for compliance officers),
and standard interpretations (official letters of interpretation of the standards) related to electrical hazards.
Frequently Cited Standards
The following standards, in order, were the most frequently cited by Federal
OSHA from October 2007 through September 2008, in
Building Construction General Contractors And Operative Builders Industry Group (SIC
code 1500).
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1926.501, Duty to have fall protection
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1926.451, General requirements
(Scaffolds)
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1926.1053, Ladders
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1926.20, General safety and health provisions
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1926.1052, Stairways
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1926.404, Wiring design and protection
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1926.405, Wiring methods, components, and equipment for general use
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1926.453, Aerial lifts
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1926.503, Training requirements
(Fall protection)
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1926.100, Head protection
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1926.403, General requirements (Electrical)
The following standards, in order, were the most
frequently cited by Federal OSHA from October 2007 through September 2008, in
Heavy Construction Other Than Building
Construction Contractors Industry Group (SIC
code 1600).
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1926.651, Specific excavation requirements
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1926.652, Requirements for protective systems
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1926.21, Safety training and education
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1926.100,
Head protection
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1926.550, Cranes and derricks
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1926.501,
Duty to have fall protection
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1926.1053, Ladders
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1910.1200, Hazard communication
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1926.20, General safety and health provisions
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1910.134, Respiratory protection
The following standards, in order, were the most
frequently cited by Federal OSHA from October 2007 through September 2008, in
Construction Special Trade Contractors Industry Group (SIC
code 1700).
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1926.451, General requirements
(Scaffolds)
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1926.501,
Duty to have fall protection
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1926.1053, Ladders
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1926.503, Training requirements
(Fall protection)
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1926.453, Aerial lifts
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1910.1200, Hazard communication
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1926.20,
General safety and health provisions
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1926.100,
Head protection
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1926.454, Training requirements (Scaffolds)
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1926.404, Wiring design and protection
Other Highlighted Standards
Construction Industry (29 CFR 1926)
- 1926 Subpart K, Electrical
- 1926.400, Introduction
- 1926.402, Applicability
- 1926.403, General requirements
(Electrical)
- 1926.404, Wiring design and protection
- 1926.405, Wiring methods, components, and equipment for general use
- 1926.406, Specific purpose equipment and installations
- 1926.407, Hazardous (classified) locations
- 1926.408, Special systems
- 1926.416, General requirements
- 1926.417, Lockout and tagging of circuits
- 1926.431, Maintenance of equipment
- 1926.432, Environmental deterioration of equipment
- 1926.441, Batteries and battery charging
- 1926.449, Definitions applicable to this subpart
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1926 Subpart V, Power transmission and distribution
- 1926.950, General requirements
(Power transmission and distribution)
- 1926.951, Tools and protective equipment
- 1926.952, Mechanical equipment
- 1926.953, Material handling
- 1926.954, Grounding for protection of employees
- 1926.955, Overhead lines
- 1926.956, Underground lines
- 1926.957, Construction in energized substations
- 1926.958, External load helicopters
- 1926.959, Lineman's body belts, safety straps, and lanyards
- 1926.960, Definitions applicable to this subpart
- For additional information on specific state plans or other general
standards, see the general industry Standards page.
Federal Registers
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Confined Spaces in Construction; Proposed Rule. OSHA Federal Register
Proposed Rules 72:67351-67425, (2007, November 28). OSHA is proposing a rule
to protect employees from the hazards resulting from exposure to confined
spaces in the construction industry and proposing four classifications:
Isolated-Hazard Confined Space, Controlled-Atmosphere Confined Space,
Permit-Required Confined Space, and Continuous System-Permit-Required Confined
Space. The proposed requirements for each type of confined space are tailored
to control the different types of hazards.
Directives
Standard Interpretations
Hazard Recognition
Many workers are unaware of the potential electrical hazards present in their work environment, which makes them more vulnerable to the danger of electrocution.
According to
1926.21(b)(2), "The employer shall instruct each employee in the recognition
and avoidance of unsafe conditions and the regulations applicable to his
work environment to control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure to
illness or injury." The following references aid in recognizing hazards associated with electrical work.
- Construction - Pocket Guide. OSHA Publication 3252-05N, (2005). Also available as a 285 KB PDF, 36 pages.
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Ground-Fault Protection on Construction Sites. OSHA Publication 3007,
(Revised 1998). Also available as a 2 MB
PDF, 31 pages. Helps employers and employees who are responsible for
electrical equipment provide protection against 120-volt electrical hazards
on construction sites.
- Construction Industry Safety and Health Outreach Program.
OSHA, (1996, May). Contains reference materials to assist instructors in
providing training on construction industry safety and health topics to
entry-level participants. Also available is OSHA Outreach Training Program Guidelines
[228 KB
PDF*, 26 pages].
There are three sections pertaining to electrical standards for construction:
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Why Are So Many Construction Workers Being Electrocuted? Electronic Library of Construction Occupational Safety and Health (eLCOSH).
- Overhead Power Lines-Don't Get Zapped! OSHA
Employer Kit, (2003, February 3). Provides an "Employer Information Kit" developed for use by construction employers or trainers to voluntarily comply with OSHA's regulations related to electrocution hazards.
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Proceedings of a Meeting to Explore the Use of Ergonomics Interventions for the Mechanical and Electrical Trades.
US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH) Publication No. 2006-119, (2006, July). Describes work-related
musculoskeletal disorder (WMSD) risk factors and injury or illness data for
the mechanical and electrical trades, as well as ergonomics "best-practices"
provided by stakeholders in the construction industry.
- Alerts. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Presents information about occupational illnesses, injuries, and deaths. Requests assistance in preventing, solving, and controlling newly identified occupational hazards. The following alerts are associated with electrical
injuries:
- Preventing Electrocutions of Crane Operators and Crew Members Working Near Overhead Power Lines. Publication No. 95-108, (1995, May). Describes five cases (six electrocutions) that resulted from such hazards and makes recommendations for preventing similar incidents.
- Preventing Injuries and Deaths From Metal-Reinforced Hydraulic Hoses. Publication No. 93-105, (1993, May). Warns that workers may be burned or electrocuted when using metal-reinforced hoses on aerial bucket trucks near energized power lines.
- Preventing Electrocutions During Work with Scaffolds Near Overhead Power Lines. Publication No. 91-110, (1991, August). Describes 13 deaths that occurred in six separate incidents when workers erected or moved scaffolds that came into contact with energized, overhead power lines, or when they contacted overhead power lines while using conductive tools or materials from scaffolds.
- Preventing Electrocutions of Workers Using Portable Metal Ladders Near Overhead Power Lines. Publication No. 89-110, (1989, July). Describes six deaths that occurred because portable aluminum ladders, which are electrical conductors, came in contact with energized overhead power lines. If nonconductive ladders had been used instead, or if safe working clearances had been maintained, these deaths might have been prevented.
- Preventing Electrocutions from Contact Between Cranes and Power Lines. Publication No. 85-111, (1985, July).
Possible Solutions
A variety of possible solutions
may be implemented to reduce or eliminate the risk of injury associated with
electrical work. Examples of solutions include the use of insulation, guarding,
grounding, electrical protective devices, and safe work practices. The following
references aid in controlling electrical hazards in the workplace.
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Proceedings of a Meeting to Explore the Use of Ergonomics Interventions for the Mechanical and Electrical Trades.
US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH) Publication No. 2006-119, (2006, July). Describes work-related
musculoskeletal disorder (WMSD) risk factors and injury or illness data for
the mechanical and electrical trades, as well as ergonomics "best-practices"
provided by stakeholders in the construction industry.
-
Ground-Fault Protection on Construction Sites. OSHA Publication 3007,
(Revised 1998). Also available as a 2 MB
PDF, 31 pages. Helps employers and employees who are responsible for
electrical equipment provide protection against 120-volt electrical hazards
on construction sites.
- Construction Industry Safety and Health Outreach Program.
OSHA, (1996, May). Contains reference materials to assist instructors in
providing training on construction industry safety and health topics to
entry-level participants. Also available is OSHA Outreach Training Program Guidelines
[228 KB
PDF*, 26 pages].
There are three sections pertaining to electrical standards for construction:
- Overhead Power Lines-Don't Get Zapped! OSHA, (2003, February 3). Provides an "Employer Information Kit" developed for use by construction employers or trainers to voluntarily comply with OSHA's regulations related to electrocution hazards.
Additional Information
Related Safety and Health Topics Pages
Training
- Electrical. OSHA Slide Presentation, 27 slides.
Available for download, 4 MB
ZIP*.
Assists trainers conducting OSHA outreach training
for workers emphasizing hazard identification, avoidance, and control.
*These files are provided for downloading. |
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