Electrical contractors are responsible for the health and safety of employees who are exposed to a variety of hazards. Some of these hazards are obvious, such as electrical shock and electrocution. Others, such as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), back injuries, slips and falls, or automobile-related incidents may not be as obvious. The occurrence of these injuries is increasing as the scope of work performed by the typical electrical contractor and the age of the work population increases. While much of their work is still concentrated in construction, they may also perform building maintenance or installation of data an networking applications.

This page is maintained as a product of the Alliance between OSHA and the Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc. (IEC).

Electrical hazards are addressed in specific standards for recordkeeping, the general industry, shipyard employment, marine terminals, and the construction industry.

Standards

This section highlights OSHA standards, the Regulatory Agenda (a list of actions being taken with regard to OSHA standards), directives (instructions for compliance officers), standard interpretations (official letters of interpretation of the standards), and national consensus standards related to the electrical contractors industry.

OSHA

Note: Twenty-five states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have OSHA-approved State Plans and have adopted their own standards and enforcement policies. For the most part, these States adopt standards that are identical to Federal OSHA. However, some States have adopted different standards applicable to this topic or may have different enforcement policies.

Frequently Cited Standards

The following standards, in order, were the most frequently cited by Federal OSHA from October 2010 through September 2011, in Electrical Work Industry Group (SIC Code 1731).

• 1926.405, Wiring methods, components, and equipment for general use
  


• 1926.403, General requirements (Electrical) [related topic page]
  


• 1926.453, Aerial lifts [related topic page]
  


• 1926.1053, Ladders
  


• 1926.501, Duty to have fall protection [related topic page]
  
  
• 1926.416, General requirements (Electrical)
  
  
• 1910.67, Vehicle-mounted elevating and rotating work platforms
  
  
• 1926.21, Safety training and education.
  
  
• 1926.404, Wiring design and protection
  
  
• 1926.20, General safety and health provisions

Other Highlighted Standards

Recording and reporting occupational injuries and illness (29 CFR 1904)

General Industry (29 CFR 1910)

• 1910 Subpart I, Personal protective equipment
  • 1910.137, Electrical protective devices [related topic page]
    
  
  
• 1910 Subpart J, General environmental controls
  • 1910.147, The control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout) [related topic page]
    • Appendix A, Typical minimum lockout procedures
      
    
    
• 1910 Subpart R, Special industries
  • 1910.269. Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution [related topic page]
    
  
  
• 1910 Subpart S, Electrical
  • 1910.302, Electric utilization systems
  • 1910.303, General requirements [related topic page]
  • 1910.304, Wiring design and protection
  • 1910.305, Wiring methods, components, and equipment for general use
  • 1910.306, Specific purpose equipment and installations
  • 1910.307, Hazardous (classified) locations
  • 1910.308, Special systems
  • 1910.331, Scope
  • 1910.332, Training
  • 1910.333, Selection and use of work practices
  • 1910.334, Use of equipment
  • 1910.335, Safeguards for personnel protection

Shipyard Employment (29 CFR 1915)

• 1915 Subpart L, Electrical machinery
  • 1915.181, Electrical circuits and distribution boards

Marine Terminals (29 CFR 1917)

• 1917 Subpart G, Related terminal operations and equipment
  • 1917.157, Battery charging and changing

Construction Industry (29 CFR 1926)

• 1926 Subpart K, Electrical
  • 1926.402, Applicability
  • 1926.403, General requirements
  • 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

Regulatory Agenda

• The OSHA Regulatory Agenda contains a number of entries related to electrical.

Directives

• Enforcement of the Electrical Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution Standard. CPL 02-01-038 [CPL 2-1.38], (2003, June 18).
  
  
• OSHA Technical Manual (OTM). TED 01-00-015 [TED 1-0.15A], (1999, January 20).
  
  
• Electrical Safety-Related Work Practices -- Inspection Procedures and Interpretation Guidelines. STD 01-16-007 [STD 1-16.7], (1991, July 1).
  
  
• 29 CFR 1926.550(a)(15)(i) Clearance Between Electrical Power Lines and Cranes. STD 03-12-001 [STD 3-12.1A], (1980, May 9).
  
  
• Search all available directives.
  

Standard Interpretations

• Application of 1926.404(b)(1) to 208-volt branch circuits; requirement for electrical subcontractor under 1926.404(b)(1) to provide ground-fault circuit interrupters on circuits used by other subcontractors. (2005, March 22).
  


• Emergency medical services on construction sites. (2005, March 2)
  


• OSHA's multi-employer citation policy application to a homeowner who contracts with specialty contractors to perform construction on a house. (2004, December 29).
  


• Recognition of ANSI/ASSE Z244.1-2003 "Control of Hazardous Energy - Lockout/Tagout and Alternative Methods" consensus standard. (2004, November 10).
  


• Use of caution tape or rope to barricade a crane's swing radius; guarding of lug connectors on portable welders. (2004, March 10).
  


• Compliance requirements for renovation work involving material containing less than 1% asbestos. (2003, November 24).
  


• Search all available standard interpretations.
  

National Consensus

Note: These are NOT OSHA regulations. However, they do provide guidance from their originating organizations related to worker protection.

American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

• Z244.1-2003, Control of Hazardous Energy - Lockout/Tagout and Alternative Methods. A hazardous energy control program guidance standard developed by ANSI/ASSE. For additional information, see Recognition of ANSI/ASSE Z244.1-2003 "Control of Hazardous Energy — Lockout/Tagout and Alternative Methods" consensus standard.
  • Z244.1 Committee information. American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE).

Hazards and Solutions

In electrical work, hazards exist in many forms. Ergonomic hazards include musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) caused by repetitive motions, contact stress from poorly designed tools, and poor lifting and handling practices. Slip and fall hazards are frequently present due to the high places and rough ground that electricians must navigate. Motor vehicles are also a source of hazards, and electrocution hazards are present in many phases of the electrical process.

Ergonomics

Ergonomic injuries have been identified as the number one cause of worker injury, responsible for more worker's compensation claims than any other hazard, according to data provided by the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC).

• Ergonomics: Solutions for Electrical Contractors. OSHA eTool.
  


• Ergonomics. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
  


• Cumulative Trauma Disorders in the Workplace. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), (1995, September). Provides a bibliography of NIOSH research and policy on cumulative trauma disorders.
  


• "Protecting Workers from Ergonomic Injuries." Job Safety and Health Quarterly (JSHQ) 13.3(2002, Spring).

Falls

Slips, trips, and falls together account for a large portion of on-the-job accidents that electrical workers experience. These links discuss methods of eliminating such mishaps, from correct personal fall arrest systems to proper ladder usage.

• Construction. OSHA eTool.
  • Falls
    
• Fall Protection Safety Tips for Employers and Employees [26 KB PDF^*, 2 pages]. Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc., OSHA Alliance. Describes general safety tips to help prevent fall-related injuries.
  


• Fall Protection - It's a Snap! OSHA, (2003, February 3). Provides an employer information kit which includes many useful resources and links.
  


• For additional information, see OSHA's Safety and Health Topics Pages on:
  • Fall Protection
  • Scaffolding
  • Walking/Working Surfaces

Motor Vehicles

Motor vehicle accidents, and rear-end collisions in particular, make up a significant portion of all accidents experienced by electrical workers.

• Motor Vehicle Safety. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.

Electrocution

Electrocution is a significant hazard in the electrical industry. Below are links to resources with solutions for electrocution hazards.

• Construction. OSHA eTool.
  • Electrical Incidents
    
  
  
• Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout). OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
  


• Lockout-Tagout Interactive Training Program. OSHA eTool. Provides requirements and suggestions for proper lockout/tagout methods.
  
  
• Electrical Safety. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Workplace Safety and Health Topic. Links to several useful NIOSH alerts and reports, and an electrical safety training manual.
  


• Electrical. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
  

Safety and Health Programs

An effective safety and health program depends on the credibility of management's involvement in the program, inclusion of employees in safety and health decisions, rigorous worksite analysis to identify hazards and potential hazards, including those which could result from a change in worksite conditions or practices, stringent prevention and control measures, and thorough training. It addresses hazards whether or not they are regulated by government standards. The following references characterize and further explain safety and health programs.

• Job Hazard Analysis. OSHA, (2002). Also available as a 497 KB PDF, 50 pages. Explains what a job hazard analysis is and offers guidelines to help employers conduct their own step-by-step analysis.
  


• Safety and Health Management Systems. OSHA eTool. There are four crucial questions you should be asking when it comes to safety and health programs. The detailed answers are found in the four modules of this eTool.
  


• $afety Pays Program. OSHA. Assists employers in estimating the costs of occupational injuries and illnesses and the impact on a company's profitability.
  


• Safety and Health Management Program Guidelines; Issuance of Voluntary Guidelines. OSHA Federal Register Notice 54:3904-3916, (1989, January 26). These safety and health program management guidelines are for use by employers to prevent occupational injuries and illnesses.
  • Elements of an Effective Safety and Health Program. OSHA Slide Presentation. Summarizes safety and health program guidelines.
    
  
  
• Safety and Health Add Value. OSHA Publication 3180, (2003). Also available as a 200 KB PDF, 6 pages. Describes how safety and health add value to your business, your workplace, and your life.
  
  
• For additional information, see OSHA's Injury and Illness Prevention Programs Safety and Health Topics Page.

Additional Information

Related Safety and Health Topics Pages

• Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution Industry - Construction

Other Resources

• IEC Safety. OSHA and Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) Alliance.
  


• OSHA Training Institute Course Catalog Search
  


• Small Business. OSHA.
  • On-Site Consultation
    • Program Information and Benefits

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