Electrical

Overview

We humans are more conductive than the ground we stand on, which means that if there is no other easy path, electricity will make a path through our bodies. When we become part of the electrical circuit, the consequences are never good for us. Electricity is a serious workplace hazard that can cause falls and burns, and do major damage to our internal organs. It should come as no surprise that the word “electrocution” is derived from "electro" and "execution" - electrocution is death caused by electric shock.

It is not necessarily the number of volts that will electrocute you, but the amount of current, its path, and the time it takes to pass through your body.

Three rules from the general industry electrical standard are among Oregon OSHA’s top 25 violations every year:

1910.303(b): Examination, installation, and use of equipment
1910.305(b): Wiring requirements for cabinets, boxes, and fittings
1910.305(g): Wiring requirements for flexible cords and cables

All available content

Publications

Brochures/Guides
- Lockout/Tagout
  Gives instruction on how to protect employees who could be injured as a result of the unexpected release of hazardous energy. Lockout and tagout are the primary methods of controlling hazardous energy.
  English Order printed copy 03/09/2021
Checklists
- Electrical safety
  Checklist for electrical safety.
  English
Fact sheets
- Control of hazardous energy (Lockout/tagout)
  Gives an overview of Oregon OSHA standards for lockout/tagout during service and maintenance.
  English 12/11/2024
- Flexible cords and cables (general industry)
  Summarizes general industry requirements for flexible cords and cables in wiring design, components, and connectors.
  English 05/30/2024
- Ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCI)
  Describes GFCI requirements in construction, details how GFCIs protect workers from electrocution, and addresses common errors.
  English 10/25/2005
- Power line safety - evaluating the work zone
  Provides contractors with a flow chart to help them evaluate a work zone when cranes will be operating within 20 feet of an overhead power line.
  English 08/07/2023
Hazard alerts
- Electrical hazard - call before you dig!
  Hazard alert on why to "call before you dig."
  English 09/02/2022
Labels and stickers
- Don't block electrical switches or panels
  Don't block electrical switches or panels sticker.
  English Order printed copy 08/04/2006
- Sticker Sheet
  An 8½ x 11 sheet of our most popular stickers.
  English 01/04/2024
- Warning Do not use around energized electrical equipment
  Warning Do not use around energized electrical equipment.
  English Order printed copy 08/04/2006
- Warning! Unlawful to operate within 10' of high voltage lines
  Warning! It is unlawful to operate this equipment within 10' of high voltage lines.
  English Order printed copy 08/04/2006
References
- Rules with requirements
  We get many calls and emails from employers asking the same question. It begins: “Which of your rules have requirements for…” You can finish the sentence with words like “recordkeeping,” “employee training,” and “written documents.” To answer those questions, we’ve organized these rules requirements into a filterable, sortable, searchable table.
  English 05/10/2019

Education and training

PESO
- La Construcción Residencial: Techado
  Residential Construction: Roofing
  Del programa PESO para la seguridad en la construcción residencial - PESO English-Spanish residential construction safety training
  Training program English Spanish 10/14/2020
- La Construcción Residencial: Acabado de Exteriores
  Residential Construction: Exterior Finishing
  Del programa PESO para la seguridad en la construcción residencial - PESO English-Spanish residential construction safety training
  Training program English Spanish 10/14/2020

Rules and rule-related

Advisory committee

Electrical power generation, transmission, and distribution

Final Rules
- Division 2, Subdivision F, Powered Platforms, Manlifts, and Vehicle-Mounted Platforms
  2-2017 Word version
- Division 2, Subdivision I, Personal Protective Equipment
  Administrative Order 2-2023 Word version
- Division 2, Subdivision R, Special Industries (includes Grain Handling Facilities, Ornamental Tree & Shrub Services, Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills, Sawmills, Telecommunications)
  6-2017 Word version
- Division 2, Subdivision RR, Electrical Power Generation, Transimssion, and Distribution
  2-2017 Word version
- Division 2, Subdivision S, Electrical
  3-2015 Word version
- Division 3, Subdivision E, Personal Protective & Life Saving Equipment
  Administrative Order 2-2023 Word version
- Division 3, Subdivision K, Electrical
  2-2007 Word version
- Division 3, Subdivision L, Scaffolding
  1-2011 Word version
- Division 3, Subdivision N, Helicopters, Hoists, Elevators, and Conveyors
  1-2011 Word version
- Division 4, Subdivision I, Protective Equipment
  Administrative Order 2-2023 Word version
- Division 4, Subdivision S, Electricity
  9-2006 Word version
- Division 7, Subdivision C, Planning, First Aid and Work Conditions
  2-2005
Interpretations
- Clarification of GFCI standard
  06/11/2003
- Definition of "railway" as found in OAR 437-002-1910.302, electrical
  05/08/2003
- Digger derricks and crane certifications
  04/07/2017
- Division 3, Subdivision R interpretations
  08/03/2016
- Electrical panel clearance requirements
  02/02/2004
- Exposure to light bulb hazard
  11/23/2005
- Installing protective rubber equipment on 12.5 kV lines using rubber gloves and sleeves
  12/14/2017
- Labeling field requirements
  08/24/1998
- Labeling of temporary electrical circuits
  04/01/1993
- Neutral conductor - required clearances
  08/15/2016
- NFPA 70E
  03/16/2004
- Power line safety
  08/29/2012
- Powerline tree trimmers wearing chaps
  03/19/2018
- Requirements for employees doing high voltage work
  03/19/2018
- Rubber goods use and testing
  03/19/2018
- Safety watcher
  03/19/2018
- Spider boxes on construction sites
  05/06/1994
- Static electricity
  12/08/2003
- Training requirements for electrical workers
  05/19/2016
- Un-licensed electrical worker requirements
  09/15/1998
- Usage of GFCI's on construction sites
  05/14/2004
Program Directives
- Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution Facilities
  Purpose: This guide provides inspection assistance related to 1910.269 and a glossary of industry terms to assist OR-OSHA staff performing inspections and consultations at electric power generation, transmission, and distribution facilities.
  A-212 02/03/2017
- Electrical Equipment Used in Wetwells
  Purpose: To provide guidelines for determining the appropriate type of electrical equipment for use in confined spaces containing waste water with organic matter.
  A-074 03/09/2001
- Electrical Product Approval
  Purpose: The purpose of this directive is to inform all Oregon OSHA personnel of recognized Electrical Testing Laboratories.
  A-022 01/16/2013
- Electrical Safety
  Purpose: To provide inspection guidelines relating to OR-OSHA's rules addressing work practices and procedures for electrical safety.
  A-164 10/21/1993
- Focused Inspections In Construction
  Purpose: This directive establishes Oregon OSHA’s policy for conducting focused construction inspections of employers that have been recognized by trade associations within the construction industry for their workplace safety and health programs.
  A-264 07/29/2011
- Local Emphasis Program (LEP): Falls In All Industries
  Purpose: This instruction describes state Local Emphasis Program (LEP) to reduce or eliminate serious injuries and fatalities associated with falls to a lower level while working at heights in all industries covered under Oregon OSHA’s jurisdiction.
  A-239 11/27/2023
- Meat Tenderizing Technology in the Meat Packing Industry
  Purpose: This instruction provides guidelines for inspection of possible electrically hazardous conditions associated with a meat tenderizing technology being introduced into the meat packing industry.
  A-181 08/15/2000
Summary of comments and decisions
- Summary of comments and agency decisions regarding proposed changes to Division 2 Subdivision S Electrical Administrative Rules. Adopted changes in 1910.303 General, and 1910.304 Wiring Design and Protection
  3-2009
- Summary of comments and agency decisions regarding proposed changes to electric power generation, transmission, and distribution in Division 2 General industry and Division 3 Construction Administrative Rules
  3-2015

Video Resources

Borrow from the Resource Center

Electrical Safety
See available titles
Borrow DVDs about Electrical Safety from the Resource Center

Watch Online

English
- NIOSH Arc Flash Awareness
  Arc Flash Awareness parts 1, 2, and 3 from NIOSH. An arc flash is the sudden release of electrical energy through the air when a high-voltage gap exists and there is a breakdown between conductors.
  Language: English Length: 8:13, 9:33, and 8:07 minutes

Additional Resources

Oregon PUC - Utility and Operator Safety

Highlights

Arc flash awareness videos from The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

Watch videos

An arc flash is the sudden release of electrical energy through the air when a high-voltage gap exists and there is a breakdown between conductors. An arc flash gives off thermal radiation (heat) and bright, intense light that can cause burns.