Cal/OSHA Guide to

Electrical Safety

Cal/OSHA Consultation Service

Research and Education
Division of Occupational Safety and Health
 This guide is not meant to be either a substitute for or a legal interpretation of
the occupational safety and health regulations. Readers shall refer directly to
Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations and the Labor Code for detailed
information regarding the regulation’s scope, specifications, and exceptions and
for other requirements that may be applicable to their operations.

Revised: October 2012

Produced by the State of California

Department of Industrial Relations
Cal/OSHA Consultation Service

Cal/OSHA safety and health publications are available at

www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/puborder.asp

You may also call Cal/OSHA Consultation Service offices listed on the back
cover of this guide for information on how to get Cal/OSHA publications.
 Cal/OSHA Guide to
Electrical Safety

Why is electrical safety

so important?
Workers such as electricians, apprentices, This booklet explains some of the most
power line workers, and other groups of common electrical hazards and
employees work directly with electricity and measures the law requires employers and
may be exposed to dangerous conditions if employees to take in order to provide a safe
adequate precautions are not taken. and healthful workplace.
Workers are injured or killed every year in
California due to occupational accidents
involving uncontrolled exposure to Common electrical hazards
electricity. When shortcuts are taken and
With all electrical equipment operations, there
safe procedures are not followed, loss of
is the threat of shock and/or electrocution.
life, permanent disfigurement, lost work
Electrical workers are potentially exposed to a
time, increased workers’ compensation
variety of hazards such as electric shock (the
costs, and lawsuits can occur.
most common hazard), arc flashes, falls, and
thermal burns.
As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 163
workers died from injuries from contact with When you receive an electric shock, an
electric current in 2010. 76 workers died from electric current runs through your body
overhead power lines in the same year. because the body has become a
Source: US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics conductor for electricity. Electrocution
Fatal occupational injuries by event or exposure, 2009-2010 occurs when enough current flows
through your body to cease the functions
A worker was electrocuted from accidental
of vital organs and causes burns to
contact with an overhead power line. The
muscular and skin tissues.
victim was carrying a metal ladder upright to
his work van. The foreman and several of his
co-workers observed and verbally warned
him about the overhead power line. The following are samples of the most
However, several seconds later, the victim’s common electrical safety related hazards that
ladder made contact with the overhead will pose a risk of being shocked and/or
power line and the victim fell to the ground electrocuted.
suffering fatal injuries.

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 Exposed wires and energized parts Where can I find the
Cal/OSHA regulations for
electrical safety?
Cal/OSHA regulations on electrical safety
require California employers to provide
workers with a safe and healthful workplace.
These regulations are contained in Title 8 of
the California Code of Regulations (T8CCR).
 Faulty/broken wiring or equipment Most of the electrical health and safety
 Damaged outlets and missing covers regulations can be found in T8CCR, Chapter
 Worn/damaged electrical cords 4, Subchapter 5 in the Electrical Safety
Orders, Sections 2299 through 2989
(http://www.dir.ca.gov/Title8/sub5.html).
Cal/OSHA regulations on electrical safety are
grouped by electrical voltage. Regulations for
low voltage (0-600V) are given in Sections
2299-2599 and the regulations for high
voltage (above 600V) are given in Sections
2700-2989.
 Improperly used extension cords
 Overloaded outlets Section 1518 addresses the safety
requirements for the protection of yourself
and others from electric shock in
construction. Section 1541 addresses
electrical safety requirements for excavation
works including subsurface installations.

What can you do to protect

 No warning signs
yourself and others from
 Working under wet conditions electrical hazards?
Employees can prevent shocks and
injuries/electrocution from electrical hazards
by:

 Understanding electric shock and

electrocution
 Lack of or insufficient protective devices
 Unrestricted access to live exposed parts  Recognizing potential hazards around
 Lack of or insufficient personal protective work involving electricity
equipment (PPE)  Following Cal/OSHA requirements
 Insufficient clearances around panels
 Lack of/improper lockout/tagout procedures  Maintaining clearances around panels
 Failure to maintain proper clearance from  Using proper protective devices
overhead lines
 Failure to follow manufacturer’s instruction  Eliminating access to exposed
when using electrically powered energized parts
equipment.
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  Using proper PPE 2. The length of time the current flows
through your body
 Using proper lockout/tagout procedures
If the shock causes you to stay attached
 Maintaining proper clearance from to the electrical equipment, you could
overhead lines receive severe internal injury. The longer
 Following proper procedures for the employee stays in contact, the longer
confined space/enclosed space the exposure to the current flow, and
/underground electrical work hence the more severe the shock.
 Following manufacturer’s instructions
3. The path the current takes through
 Following safe work practices
your body
The most dangerous paths through the
body are those where the current goes
through vital organs. For example, current
Understanding electric shock and which runs from hand to hand, hand to
electrocution head, or foot to hand (or head) and
passes through vital organs can cause
severe internal damage to vital organs
It is important to understand that shock can such as the heart and lungs.
occur even without physically contacting live
electrical parts when there is enough voltage.
Recognizing potential hazards
It is the rate of current flowing through the around work involving electricity
body, more than anything else, which
determines how severe the shock will be. Electrical workers need to recognize/identify
Effects on the body could range from a minor all of the potential hazards involving their
shock to paralysis of vital organs such as the work. They need to know that the chances of
lungs and heart. being electrocuted go up when working:
with high voltage, around water, while
How severely the body is affected by sweating, and without wearing/using proper
electric shock depends on: protective clothing.
Before the work begins, it is important to
1. The rate of flow of the current through identify and recognize if any of the
your body hazardous conditions exist (including those
The rate of current flow (measured in listed above under “Common electrical
amperes) depends on how good of a hazards”).
conductor of electricity the human body
can be. If you have dry hands and are You can take precautionary measures against the
hazard only when you know about it.
standing on a nonconductive surface
such as a rubber mat, your body will not
be a good conductor and you may not Following Cal/OSHA
even feel the shock. However, if you
have wet hands, are perspiring or requirements
standing in water, your body will become
a good conductor and you may get a Following all of the requirements of
severe shock or be killed. Cal/OSHA including those from the Electrical

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Safety Orders and Construction Safety Maintaining clearances around
Orders helps you in keeping the workplace
safe and accident/injuriy free. Because of electric panels
the danger of electric shock, Cal/OSHA
regulations specify that only qualified
employees can work on electrical
equipment or systems.

A few of the most common Cal/OSHA

requirements are briefly summarized below:

• No work is to be done on exposed,

energized parts of equipment or systems
until: Make sure there is sufficient clearance to
operate and service electrical equipment
 A responsible and qualified supervisor
safely. The chance that a worker may be
has determined that the work is to be
shocked increases when he or she works on
done while the part or system is
equipment with energized and exposed parts
energized
in a cramped space. Because of the danger
 Workers have been trained in the posed to workers who work in cramped
hazards involved and the specific spaces, Cal/OSHA has established
techniques in their job regulations setting minimum clearances
 Personal protective equipment around electrical equipment rated at 600
(including insulating gloves and eye volts or less. The minimum clearances
protection) has been issued depend on:
 Necessary barriers, barricades, tags or
warning signs are in place 1. The voltage rating of the equipment
• You also need to always assume that 2. The nature of the work area
circuits are energized unless you have
Cal/OSHA also has regulations pertaining to
locked them out and tested them to
performing electrical work within confined
ensure they are de-energized. 2320.3
spaces. The employer will need to refer to
T8CCR Section 5157 to determine if the work
• When the work has been completed, the area is a confined space and a permit-
supervisor is responsible for ensuring required confined space prior to performing
that all permanent barriers and covers work.
are reinstalled.
In this illustration, the
• Before beginning construction work, the
employer needs to know whether any part worker is working on a
of an energized electric power circuit switchboard, parts of
could make contact with employees or which are exposed and
equipment. Employers must put legible energized. The
markings and post warning signs as minimum clearance
required to identify these circuits. 1518 under these conditions
is 3 feet from the face
• Before beginning excavation work the of the switchboard to
approximate location of subsurface the opposing wall.
installations shall be determined. Wall not grounded. e.g. Plasterboard
Excavation shall not commence until all of on Wood Studs

the requirements of 1541(b) are met.

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 0-150v:
In this Illustration the worker 150-600v:
damage to wiring and equipment caused by
can touch both an an excessive flow of current.
energized part of the switch
board and the grounded
wall. Current will flow
through the worker to
ground possibly causing a
disabling injury or death. To
prevent this from
happening, minimum
clearances between the
face of the switchboard
and the opposite wall are to be 3 feet for The current ratings of fuses and circuit
voltages up to 150 and 3 1/2 feet for voltages breakers are so high (15 to 30 amperes for
between 151 and 600. most residences) that they cannot protect
against shock. When the current flow
0-150v: 3 ft; 150-600v: 4 ft
exceeds the rated levels, the fuse melts or
In this illustration, there are the circuit breaker is tripped. In either case,
exposed, energized parts the circuit is broken and current can no
on both sides of the work longer flow.
area. If the worker makes
contact with both sets of  Grounding
switches, the worker can
become part of a short
circuit with potentially fatal
amounts of current flowing
through him. To avoid this, Motor control centers with
live parts at relays and
minimum clearances conductors exposed
between the switches are
to be 3 feet for voltages up to 150 and 4 feet for
voltages between 151 and 600.

Electrical systems, equipment and tools

Using proper protective that are not grounded or double-insulated
devices can be dangerous. Grounded or double-
insulated equipment protect the operator
Using proper protective devices such as from being shocked.
fuses and circuit breakers, grounding, and
GFCI’s is extremely important in all electrical The ground conductor connects the metal
works in order to eliminate the danger of case of a tool or equipment to the ground.
shock and electrocution. Under normal conditions, there is no
current running through the ground
 Fuses and Circuit Breakers conductor. However, if there is a fault in
Both fuses and circuit breakers are "over- the tool or equipment the ground
current" devices used to prevent fires and conductor takes the fault current safely to
the ground.

5
 If the ground conductor connectivity has Workers who operate electrical equipment
been lost (such as a missing or broken should be protected by GFCI's against the
ground prong on an disabling and often fatal effects of ground
electric cord), the faults.
worker’s body might
become the best path CAL/OSHA regulations require the use of
to the ground and the GFCI's on all 120 volt, AC, single phase,
fault current would 15-20 ampere receptacles on construction
pass through the sites when:
worker causing shock • the receptacles are used by workers
or electrocution.
• the receptacles are not part of the
Should the ungrounded frame of a hand permanent wiring of the structure
tool becomes energized, the quickest and
easiest path for the current to take to While GFCI's provide workers with the best
ground is through the worker. Depending protection from electric shock, employers
on the conditions, the severity of the may institute an Assured Equipment
shock will range from slight to fatal. Grounding Conductor Program as an
alternative to installing GFCI's.
However, if the frame of the tool is
grounded, the connection to ground There are three basic types of GFCI’s, all of
provides an easy pathway for the current to which have a test and reset button:
follow. This does not mean that the worker
will not receive a shock. A certain amount
of current will flow through the worker. But
the chances of serious injury or death are 1. Portable adapter for
reduced because most of the current will existing wall outlets
follow the grounding wire. (convenient because it
requires no installation
 Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) and provides additional
outlets for more plugs)

2. Replacement for wall

outlets

The GFCI is an inexpensive device which

measures the difference in current levels 3. Circuit breaker type of
going to and returning from a piece of GFCI
electrical equipment. How does this
device protect against shock?
When there is a ground fault in the
equipment a certain amount of current may
flow through the operator to the ground.
The GFCI senses this leakage, trips, and
breaks the circuit within 1/40th of a
second. Instead of possible electrocution,
the worst effect on the operator will be a
shock before the circuit is broken.

6
 Using proper personal protective
In addition, portable
equipment (PPE)
multiple outlet
GFCI’s are available
for use on
construction sites
and industrial sites
where heavy duty,
multiple outlet
GFCI's are required. Heavy Duty GFCI

Eliminating access to exposed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

provides protection to workers from hazards.
energized parts Depending on the job task to be performed,
PPE for electrical workers generally includes
safety glasses, flame-resistant (FR) face
shields, hard hats, safety shoes, insulating
(rubber) gloves with leather protectors,
insulating sleeves, and FR clothing.

Additional PPE, such as fall protection

equipment, respirators, chemical-resistant or
cut-resistant gloves, and chaps, may be
needed, depending on the potential hazard in
the job.

Using proper lockout/tagout

Covers on openings and approved electrical
boxes restrict access to the exposed procedures
energized parts inside the openings and
boxes.

All openings in boxes, enclosures or fittings

shall be effectively guarded or closed as
per 2340.23.

Missing covers and free access to exposed

energized electrical parts are very common
safety hazards in works involving electricity.
However, these are easy to eliminate.
Replacing missing covers in electrical panels
and boxes, and covering the openings that
have unrestricted access to exposed
energized electrical parts save workers from
the danger of shock and electrocution.

7
Many occupational injuries and deaths occur 5. Keep the key with you.
during the cleaning, adjusting, and servicing
of machinery. Here's why:

A machine needs servicing. The worker

disconnects the machine from the power
source and begins to service the machine.
Has the worker taken the necessary
precautions to prevent an accident? No. In a
few minutes another worker comes by and
reconnects the machine to the power source. Each worker who works on the machine
The worker servicing the machine may be must lock out and tag the power disconnect.
injured by electric shock or can become Never assume that the machine you are
caught in the moving parts of the machine if working on has been disconnected and
the machine is activated. locked out unless you have done it
yourself.
When you have to do maintenance work on a
machine, take these four steps to protect Also remember that the current ratings of
yourself and your coworkers from injury: fuses and circuit breakers are at 15 to 30
amperes for most residences. These
1. De-energize the machine. Positively safeguards cannot protect you against
disconnect it from the power source. If shocks.
there is more than one source of power,
disconnect them all.
Maintain clearance from
2. Lock out the disconnect switches. You
must be given a lock and key for each overhead lines
disconnect before you begin working on
the machine.

High voltage transmission and distribution

lines carry a lot of electricity and if
accidently touched it can be fatal.
3. Tag the disconnect switches. Get tags
or accident prevention signs from your Since farm and construction workers use
supervisor. equipment that can reach high, these
4. Test the machine to make sure it won’t employees must be trained on the hazards
start. posed by high voltage overhead lines. Each
year, workers who accidentally make contact
with high voltage power lines are either killed
or become permanently disabled.

8
What precautions can you take to avoid this If you don't know if a line is "live", assume
kind of accident? that it is until whoever owns or operates the
line verifies that the power is not on. If you
Cal/OSHA regulation 2946(b)(4) prohibits the are working near a "dead" line, make sure
storage of irrigation pipe or any other that it is clearly grounded at the work site.
materials or equipment near high voltage
overhead lines if they are long enough to Note:
reach the lines. With some exceptions, work A grounded line has a grounding wire
done over “live” overhead lines is a violation clamped to it with the other end clamped to
of the California Title 8 regulations. Workers the structure or to a grounding rod.
should never get themselves or any tools or
equipment within 10 feet of lines carrying
between 600 - 50,000 volts. Following proper procedures for
confined space/enclosed space/
Do not store tools, machinery, or equipment
near "live" high voltage overhead lines if it is
underground electrical work
possible for them to come within the
minimum clearance distance when they are
being moved or used.

When an employee is using boom-type

lifting or hoisting equipment, the minimum
clearance is 10 feet from overhead lines
carrying between 600 - 50,000 volts. An
exception for this requirement exists when
the equipment is in transit, with the boom
lowered and no load attached. When these
conditions exist, the minimum clearance
must be 6 feet. Post a warning sign on the Performing electrical work in confined
equipment in clear view of the operator spaces and enclosed areas including
which says: underground electrical vaults, manholes and
similar structures can be dangerous and
UNLAWFUL TO OPERATE THIS fatal if the work is not done properly.
EQUIPMENT WITHIN 10 FEET OF HIGH Workers need to have the required training
VOLTAGE LINES OF 50,000 VOLTS OR in first aid, CPR, rescue, and communication
LESS procedures before they perform tasks
inside these spaces.

Workers may not enter any confined space or

enclosed space while the space contains a
hazardous atmosphere. Before removing a
cover, the enclosed space must be checked
for indications of potential problems (for
example, heat or pressure from a faulted
cable). Also, a guardrail or barrier must be set
up around the opening to prevent objects
from falling or being dropped into the space.
After the cover is removed for entry, the
atmosphere in the enclosed space must be

9
tested for oxygen and flammable gases or maintaining the equipment in order to work
vapors. safely.
Employees who are working in a manhole,
vault or other similar type locations must Manufacturers typically refer to industrial
comply with the confined space standards such as ANSI, etc. Electrical
requirements in Article 108 and the workers need to have an understanding of
requirements for working in underground their job related standards and follow
installations in Section 2943. these standards closely.

All cables to be worked on in the above Following safe work practices

mentioned spaces need to be identified by
electrical means unless their identity is
obvious. Any energized cable that needs to Workers also need to follow industry safe
be moved should be inspected for defects. practices on how to work safely in jobs
involving electrical works. The following list
includes some of the common safe practices:

 Use a checklist to make sure that

Following the manufacturer’s everything is OK and safe before
instructions starting work.
 Inspect tools, equipment and electrical
fittings for damage or wear prior to each
use. Repair or replace damaged
equipment immediately.
 Use cords or equipment that are rated
for the level of amperage or wattage
that you are using.
 Do not use outlets or cords that have
exposed wiring.
 Do not use power tools with the guards
removed.
 Remember that the risk of electric shock
Electrically powered equipment is used daily
is greater in areas that are wet or damp.
by most workers. Power tools, metal and
Take proper caution.
woodworking machines, restaurant
equipment, computers and many other types  Check power cords and plugs daily.
of electrical equipment are found in the Discard if worn or damaged.
workplace.

Failure to use the equipment correctly can

create hazards to employees. Generally,
there are instructions from the manufacturers
on the use and maintenance of each piece of
equipment. Workers need to follow the
instructions while using and

10
 Replace broken 3-prong plugs and  Do not block access to circuit breakers
make sure the third prong is properly or fuse boxes.
grounded.  Assume that all overhead wires are
 Never use extension cords as energized and have high voltage.
permanent wiring.  Never touch a fallen overhead power
 Do not plug several power cords into line.
one outlet.  Before working at heights or carrying
 Do not disconnect power supplies long objects, check the area for
by pulling or jerking the cords from overhead power lines.
the outlets.  Don’t operate electrical equipment while
 Always use the correct size fuse or you are standing in water.
breaker.  Don’t repair electrical cords or
 Be aware that unusually warm or hot equipment unless qualified and
outlets may be a sign that unsafe wiring authorized.
conditions exists.  Have a qualified electrician inspect
 Use proper PPE for the electrical job. electrical equipment that has gotten wet
 Always use ladders made of wood or before energizing it.
other non-conductive materials when  Lockout and tagout when electrical
working with or near electricity or power equipment or lines are to be serviced,
lines. maintained or adjusted.
 Keep equipment such as ladders,  Post enough warning signs to make
cranes, man-lifts, and scaffolds away people aware of the safety hazard.
from power lines and live electrical
wires.

 Know where the breakers and boxes  Use only grounded or double insulated
are located in case of an emergency. power tools.
 Label all circuit breakers and fuse boxes  Determine location of electrical power
clearly. lines and cables before digging, drilling
or similar works.

11
 Label all disconnecting switches and
circuit breakers to indicate their use
and the equipment served.
 Always open disconnecting means
before fuses are replaced.
 Use approved cabinets or enclosures to
guard energized parts.
 Maintain access and working space
around all electrical equipment as
required.
 Close unused openings (including
conduit knockouts) in electrical
enclosures and fittings with appropriate
covers, plugs or plates.

*************

Resources for Electrical Safety

Cal/OSHA’s Electric Power Interruptions and Employee Safety
http://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/dosh_publications/epies.pdf

Center of Excellence for Eletrical Safety - Electrical Safety Resource Center

http://www.lanl.gov/safety/electrical/resources.shtml

NIOSH, Arc Flash Awareness

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/products/pdfs/afa.pdf

NIOSH, “Preventing Worker Deaths from Uncontrolled Release of Electrical, Mechanical,

and Other Types of Hazardous Energy”
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/99-110/pdfs/99-110.pdf

OSHA Quick Cards - Electrical Safety

http://www.osha.gov/Publications/electrical_safety.html

OSHA Construction eTool – Electrical Incidents

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/construction/electrical_incidents/mainpage.html

OSHA Health and Safety Topics – Electrical

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/electrical/index.html

12
 Acknowledgments
This document is a revised version of an
earlier work by Cal/OSHA. Special thanks are
due to the following professionals who
contributed their expertise and support to the
revision of this document.

(Titles, names and affiliations were current at the

time the document was developed)

Revision and Editing:

Mario Feletto, MS, MPH

Cal/OSHA Consultation Service

Mark Kaphle, ME, MS

Cal/OSHA Consultation Service

Zin Cheung, MS, CIE

Cal/OSHA Consultation Service

Editorial Review:

Richard DaRosa, MS, CIH

Senior Safety Engineer – Industrial Hygiene
Cal/OSHA Consultation Service

Michael Donlon, PE, CSP

Senior Safety Engineer
Cal/OSHA Research and Standards Unit

John Ford
Senior Safety Engineer
Cal/OSHA Consultation Service

David Gee, CSP

Senior Safety Engineer
Cal/OSHA Consultation Service

John Husmann
Safety Consultant
Cal/OSHA Consultation Service

Layout and Design:

Mark Kaphle, ME, MS

Cal/OSHA Consultation Service

13
 Cal/OSHA Consultation Service
Toll-free Number: 1-800-963-9424 Internet: http://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh

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Northern California
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Sacramento, CA 95825
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• Research and Education • Voluntary Protection Program

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