OSHA Field Safety and Health Management System (SHMS) Manual

CHAPTER 22. ELECTRICAL SAFETY

  1. Purpose

    This chapter establishes the OSHA Field Safety and Health Management System (SHMS) Electrical Safety Program. The policies and procedures in this Program are intended to set broad expectations for preventing employee injury or death from electrical hazards. OSHA expects Regions, DTSEM, and DTE to develop specific procedures that align with this Program as needed.

    OSHA employees may encounter equipment and circuits that are energized or have the potential for energization while performing expected work activities. Safe work practice guidance in this Program is based on OSHA employees’ work activities and the potential for exposure to electrical hazards.

    This Program provides specific guidance to OSHA employees who may perform work on or near energized and deenergized electrical equipment operating at 50 or more volts. It is supplemented by Chapter 13, Control of Hazardous Energy Sources (Lockout/Tagout) and pertinent electrical safety work practices required by 29 CFR 1910.333(b). It also describes electrical safety training requirements for all OSHA employees covered by the OSHA Field Safety and Health Manual.

  2. Scope

    This Electrical Safety Program applies to all OSHA employees covered by the OSHA Field Safety and Health Manual.

  3. References

    1. 29 Code of Federal Regulations 1910 Subpart S, Electrical

    2. 29 Code of Federal Regulations 1926 Subpart K, Electrical

    3. 29 Code of Federal Regulations 1926 Subpart V, Electric Power Transmission and Distribution

    4. 29 Code of Federal Regulations Section 1910.147, The Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout)

    5. 29 Code of Federal Regulations Section 1910.269, Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution

    6. OSHA Field Safety and Health Manual, Chapter 13, Control of Hazardous Energy Sources

    7. CPL 2-1.38, Enforcement of the Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution Standard, dated June 18, 2003

    8. CPL 02-00-100, Application of the Permit-Required Confined Spaces (PRCS) Standard, 29 CFR 1910.146, dated May 5, 1995

    9. STD 01-16-007, Electrical Safety-Related Work Practices – Inspection Procedures and Interpretation Guidelines, dated July 1, 1991

    10. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) C2, National Electrical Safety Code

    11. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70, National Electrical Code

    12. NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace

  4. Definitions

    1. Arc Flash Risk Assessment (e.g. Arc Flash Hazard Analysis): An assessment that investigates a worker’s potential exposure to arc flash energy. This information is used to determine appropriate safe work practices, boundaries, and personal protective equipment (PPE).

    2. Boundaries:

      1. Arc Flash Boundary: When the potential for an arc flash hazard exists, an arc flash boundary is an approach limit at a distance from a prospective arc source within which a person could receive a second degree burn if an electrical arc flash were to occur. A second degree burn is possible if unprotected skin is exposed to an electric arc flash with an incident energy level above 5 J/cm2 (1.2 cal/cm2).

      2. Limited Approach Boundary: An approach limit at a distance from an exposed energized electrical conductor or circuit part within which a shock hazard exists.

      3. Restricted Approach Boundary: An approach limit at a distance from an exposed energized electrical conductor or circuit part within which there is an increased likelihood for electric shock, due to electrical arc-over combined with inadvertent movement.

    3. Electrical Hazard: Contact or equipment failure that could result in electric shock, flash burn, thermal burn, or arc blast injury.

    4. OSHA Qualified Person: An OSHA employee who has received the electrical safety training specified in this program to identify and control electrical hazards. An OSHA Qualified Person is also familiar with electrical equipment hazards and configurations.

    5. Unqualified Person: An OSHA employee who is not an OSHA Qualified Person, but who may perform work near energized and deenergized electrical equipment operating or typically operated at 50 or more volts. At a minimum, an Unqualified Person must receive training that prepares him/her to work safely, which includes being able to identify electrical hazards and maintain appropriate safe distances.

    6. Responsible OSHA Manager: This is the Regional Administrator (RA)/Directorate Director (Director) or appointed designee (e.g., Area Director or an employee’s direct supervisor) responsible for performing duties specified in this Program.

  5. Responsibilities

    1. Responsible OSHA Managers will:

      1. Designate OSHA Qualified Person(s) that voluntarily accept and are comfortable performing assigned electrical inspection duties. The OSHA Qualified Person may withdraw from performing a specific electrical inspection task at any time.

      2. Ensure that all employees receive appropriate training and OSHA Qualified Persons remain proficient in recognizing and avoiding electrical hazards, proper inspection methodology for electrical issues, safe field testing equipment practices, and PPE use, care and cleaning.

      3. Review qualifying electrical work experience documentation that is submitted in lieu of meeting minimum training requirements for OSHA Qualified Persons and ensure that they complete courses required by applicable compliance directives.

      4. Maintain training records, as well as electrical field testing equipment and PPE records.

      5. Provide appropriate PPE and make it available to employees (see Appendix A).

      6. Provide appropriate and approved electrical testing equipment for employee use.

      7. Ensure that PPE and electrical testing equipment are properly tested, calibrated, and maintained per manufacturer specifications.

      8. Immediately remove defective or damaged equipment from service.

      9. Provide appropriate assistance to employees and answer any questions regarding assigned task conditions, qualifications, or proper equipment needed.

      10. Ensure employee safety by requiring adherence to this Program and by performing periodic reviews.

      11. Ensure that an adequate number of appropriately trained and/or experienced OSHA Qualified Persons are available for tasks at electric power generation, transmission, and distribution installations, as well as at other installations covered by 29 CFR 1910.269

      12. Request assistance from SLTC’s Health Response Team through the RA/Director for tasks that present electrical hazards, when the Region/Directorate does not have the resources to safely conduct work activities.

    2. OSHA employees will:

      1. Follow this Program's requirements, procedures, and restrictions.

      2. Attend task-appropriate electrical safe work practices training.

      3. Recognize and avoid electrical hazards.

      4. Understand and perform assigned tasks or operations and recognize the associated limitations and hazards.

      5. Use task-appropriate PPE when necessary (see Appendix A).

      6. Immediately communicate safety concerns and request appropriate assistance from the Responsible OSHA Manager(s) regarding inspection conditions, qualifications, or proper equipment required for an inspection.

      Note: Qualified OSHA employees who have voluntarily accepted performing tasks may voluntarily withdraw from performing a specific task at any time by notifying their manager. If necessary, the manager will arrange for a safe transfer of duties.

  6. Procedures

    1. Electrical Safety Procedures for All OSHA Employees

      1. Assess areas for electrical hazards when conducting work activities at another employer's worksite.

      2. Inspect locations where a disaster has occurred for fallen or damaged energized lines and circuits (e.g. due to fires, explosions, natural causes). Lines and circuits are considered energized until lockout/tagout is applied, or equipment is deenergized and grounded, in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.147, 29 CFR 1910. 333(b), 29 CFR 1910.269, and 29 CFR Part 1926 Subpart K, 29 CFR Part 1926 Subpart V (as applicable), and OSHA SHMS Manual Chapter 13, Control of Hazardous Energy Sources.

      3. Stop work and immediately contact the Responsible OSHA Manager for direction when electrical hazards are identified and proper controls are not in place.

      4. Unqualified Persons will not approach uninsulated and/or unguarded sources or open electrical panels, covers, doors, etc., until lockout/tagout is applied, or equipment is deenergized and grounded, in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.147, 29 CFR 1910. 333(b), 29 CFR 1910.269, 29 CFR Part 1926 Subpart K, 29 CFR Part 1926 Subpart V 29 CFR 1926.960 (as applicable), and OSHA SHMS Manual Chapter 13, Control of Hazardous Energy Sources.

    2. Approach Determination Procedures for OSHA Qualified Persons at Inspection/Investigation Worksites

      1. Where the employer has made a determination and established an arc flash boundary based on an arc flash hazard analysis, the OSHA Qualified Person will discuss the employer’s determinations with the Responsible OSHA Manager prior to proceeding with an inspection involving exposed energized parts.

      2. If the employer has not performed arc flash hazard analyses or established arc flash boundaries, prior to proceeding, the OSHA Qualified Person and Responsible OSHA Manager will together:

        1. Consult a qualified engineer to help determine the appropriate protection level for relevant arc flash hazards.

          OR

        2. Consult the most current NFPA 70E tables to help determine the appropriate protection level for relevant arc flash hazards.

        3. Consult 29 CFR 1910.269, Appendix E or 29 CFR 1926 Subpart V, Appendix E tables (as applicable) to help determine the appropriate protection level for relevant arc flash hazards.

      3. When an OSHA Qualified Person agrees to work within the arc flash boundary, he/she will wear protective clothing and other PPE as described in Appendix A to protect all body parts inside the arc flash boundary.

      Note: The prohibited approach boundary was deleted from NFPA 70E because the requirement for using shock protective equipment typically begins at the restricted approach boundary. See Figure C.1.2.3. in NFPA 70E for a helpful diagram on Limits of Approach.

      As the distance between a person and exposed energized conductors or circuit parts decreases, the potential for an electrical incident increases.

    3. Appropriate Testing Equipment Determination

      1. Unqualified Persons may not take direct contact measurements from uninsulated energized parts (e.g. multi-meter).

      2. All electrical testing equipment requires some level of training (e.g. on the job training) and approval for use. Some equipment requires OSHA Qualified Persons training. Responsible OSHA Managers can determine requirements for the use of specific equipment.

    4. Procedures for Common Electrical Tasks, Table 1.

  7. PPE for OSHA Qualified Persons

    1. When an OSHA Qualified Person agrees to work within the arc flash boundary, he/she will wear protective clothing and other PPE in accordance with Appendix A. All body parts inside the arc flash boundary will be protected.

    2. The Responsible OSHA Manager will provide PPE for use by employees working in areas where they could be exposed to electrical hazards.

    3. OSHA Qualified Persons are required to observe the following procedures for PPE use:

      1. PPE use is mandatory when contact with exposed electrical sources is possible.

      2. Only use PPE that is designed for the specific task.

      3. Inspect and test all PPE prior to use.

      4. Use a protective outer cover (leather, for example) if the work performed might damage the PPE's insulation (Voltage-Rated gloves).

      5. Wear non-conductive headgear if there is electrical burn or shock hazards from contact with exposed, energized equipment.

      6. Wear eye and/or face protection any time there are flying object, flash, or electrical arc hazards posed by the potential for an electrical explosion.

      Note: Unqualified persons will not be involved in tasks that require electrical PPE they are not trained to use (e.g. arc-rated apparel, arc-rated face shields, voltagerated gloves, hot sticks).

  8. Restrictions

    1. OSHA Qualified Persons and Unqualified Persons:

      1. Will not install personal protective grounds on electrical equipment; and

      2. Will not wear conductive clothing, other apparel such as hard hat liners and hair nets made from conductive materials, and conductive articles such as jewelry while documenting electrical hazards. If clothing does not meet these conditions, OSHA employees will not approach an electrical hazard.

    2. OSHA Qualified Persons:

      1. Will not wear conductive jewelry and clothing within a restricted approach boundary or where they present a contact hazard with exposed energized electrical conductors or circuit parts. These include: watchbands, bracelets, rings, key chains, necklaces, metalized aprons, cloth with conductive thread, metal headgear, or metal frame glasses.

      2. Will not wear clothing and other apparel such as hard hat liners and hair nets made from materials that do not meet NFPA 70E section 130.7(C) requirements regarding melting or flammability, while documenting electrical hazards.

    3. The following electrical safety rules apply to all OSHA employees:

      1. Report any potential for exposure to an electrical hazard to your supervisor immediately.

      2. Do not conduct any electrical repairs.

      3. Do not operate equipment if you believe there is an electrical hazard.

      4. Do not allow electrical equipment or components to contact water.

      5. Do not use cords or plugs that are missing the "ground" prong.

      6. Do no overload electrical receptacles (e.g. daisy chaining).

      7. Do not use any electrical equipment that is not free from recognized hazards.

      8. Remember that even low-voltage electricity can be physically harmful.

  9. Training

    1. Minimum Training for OSHA Qualified Persons

      1. Complete OSHA Training Institute (OTI) course #3090, Electrical Standards, or its equivalent and documented electrical safety training received through utility or other private sector electrical experience. Electrical education and/or work experience may be used to meet the minimum training requirements. The Responsible OSHA Manager will review documentation of previous qualifying experience.

        AND

      2. The Responsible OSHA Manager will ensure that the OSHA Qualified Person has completed courses required per applicable compliance directives to safely perform assigned tasks and address associated electrical hazards

        Example: In the course of inspecting electrical hazards, OSHA Qualified Persons may encounter enclosed or confined spaces during an inspection. Enclosed spaces such as vaults or substations are by definition permit-required confined spaces, and OSHA Qualified Persons must treat them as such. OSHA Qualified Persons may not enter such spaces on a routine basis. When it is essential, they must adhere to OSHA CPL 02-00-100, Application of the Permit Required Confined Spaces Standards, 29 CFR 1910.146.

      3. Retraining will occur: (1) when tasks are performed less than once per year; or (2) when the Responsible OSHA Manager (a) determines the OSHA Qualified Person does not possess adequate understanding and skill to perform work safely, or (b) identifies other needs for retraining.

    2. Minimum Training for Unqualified Persons: Unqualified Persons will receive Annual SHMS Electrical Safety Awareness training and training on how to identify hazards and perform work near energized and deenergized electrical equipment operating or typically operated at 50 or more volts, for example, take photographs from a distance (see Table 1: Procedures for Common Electrical Tasks). On the job training is necessary before using basic electrical tools (e.g. low voltage non-contact testers, three light circuit analyzers).

    3. Annual SHMS Electrical Safety Awareness Training: This training will cover how to recognize and avoid electrical hazards; the requirements, restrictions, and permissions in this Program; and any specific electrical safety procedures implemented by the Region/SLTC/CTC/DTE. All employees covered by the OSHA Field Safety and Health Manual will receive Annual SHMS Electrical Safety Awareness Training. OSHA Qualified Persons and Unqualified Persons will complete the Annual SHMS Electrical Safety Awareness Training as a refresher.

    4. Retraining for Unqualified Persons and other OSHA employees covered by the OSHA Field Safety and Health Manual who are not OSHA Qualified Persons will occur whenever the Responsible OSHA Manager determines that an employee does not possess adequate understanding and skill to work safely or identifies other needs for retraining.

    5. Training Documentation: Written records will include the training source, training description, trained OSHA employee names, and the training dates. All training records will be maintained in the applicable OSHA Office.

APPENDIX A
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

Please see the following NFPA 70E tables to identify appropriate PPE for the specific task:

  • 130.7(C)(15)(a): Arc-Flash Hazard PPE Categories for Alternating Current (AC) Systems
  • 130.7(C)(15)(b): Arc-Flash Hazard PPE Categories for Direct Current (DC) Systems
  • 130.7(C)(15)(c): PPE

Access to the Standard is available on our shared drive: O:\DTSEM\TDC\Standards\N\NFPA - Natl Fire Protection Assn. If you have any questions please email FieldSHMS@dol.gov