Applying Electrical Standards
Consequences of Not Following Electrical Standards
For employees, failing to follow Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
regulations and consensus standards can result in death, injuries or loss of employment.
For employers, failing to follow OSHA regulations and consensus standards can result in:
• Civil penalties (fines)
• Criminal penalties (jail time)
• Increased costs (lawsuits, insurance premiums, etc.)
• Lost business (negative publicity, damaged reputation/brand integrity)
• Property damage
OSHA: 29 CFR 1910 (General Industry) and 29 CFR 1926 (Construction)
Workers should NOT work on energized equipment unless:
• De-energizing introduces additional or increased hazards
(example: hospital life support)
• Removing power is not feasible due to equipment design or operational limitations
(example: power is needed to troubleshoot equipment)
Where an electrical hazard exists, such as when electrical equipment must remain energized
while servicing and maintenance is performed, the work must be performed by a qualified
person. A qualified person is someone who has the skills, training or credentials needed to
work safely around electrical hazards. A person can be qualified for specific equipment and
methods, but still be unqualified for others.
Consensus Standards
Consensus standards are guidelines that nationally recognized, standards-producing
organizations produce and distribute. Consensus standards are updated more frequently than
OSHA standards and provide additional information.
Consensus standards for electrical work include:
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
o NFPA 70, National Electrical Code (NEC)
o NFPA 70E®
• National Electrical Safety Code (NESC)
• American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
• American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
o ASTM F1506 – fabric flame-resistance
o ASTM F2178 – eye and face protection
This job aid is intended to provide you with supplemental inf ormation associated with UL Solutions courseware.
© UL LLC. All rights reserved.
NFPA 70E® Training Requirements
Unqualified Worker Training
Employers must train unqualified workers about:
• Electrical dangers
• Approach boundaries
• Lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures
Qualified Worker Training
Employers must train qualified workers about safe work practices, such as:
• Verifying the energy condition
• De-energizing equipment that has lockout/tagout applied
• Releasing stored electrical energy
• Using temporary protective grounding equipment
• Releasing or blocking stored mechanical energy
• Responding to emergencies (including contact release and first aid)
• Using electrical equipment, such as testing instruments and GFCI protection
• Verifying proper installation, maintenance, use and safeguards
• Getting energized electrical work permits
Work will be supervised during the training and qualification process, and a hands-on
demonstration of skills is essential to the qualification process. Training is needed every 3
years and sooner if everyday supervision or annual skills inspections determine deficiencies.
Training is also needed after changes to equipment, procedures and job roles. Employees are
expected to review infrequently performed and unfamiliar tasks.
Employers must train qualified workers about safety-related maintenance and operating
requirements:
• Qualified persons • Single/multiple conductors and cables
• Single-line diagrams • Flexible cords and cables
• General requirements • Overhead line clearances
• Overcurrent protection • Substations
• Working space • Premises wiring
• Grounding and bonding • Controller equipment
• Guarding energized conductors • Fuses and circuit breakers
• Safety equipment • Rotating equipment
• Clear spaces • Hazardous locations
• Identification of components • Batteries and battery rooms
• Warning signs • Portable electrical tools and equipment
• Identification of circuits • Personal safety/protective equipment
Employers must train qualified workers about safety requirements for special equipment,
including safety-related work practices for:
• Electrolytic cells and use of lasers • Research and development laboratories
• Power electronic equipment • Batteries and battery rooms
This job aid is intended to provide you with supplemental inf ormation associated with UL Solutions courseware.
© UL LLC. All rights reserved.
If a qualified person performs work within the limited approach boundary of exposed
energized parts operating at 50 volts or more, they must be trained on:
• Distinguishing exposed energized parts from other parts of electrical equipment
• Determining nominal voltage of exposed energized parts
• Approach-boundary distances and corresponding voltages of exposure
• Decision-making processes to determine the degree and extent of a hazard and the PPE
and job planning necessary to perform a task safely
Using NFPA 70E® Tables
NFPA 70E® tables contain vital information about approach boundaries, hazard categories
and PPE. Always use the most current edition of the NPFA 70E® when working on energized
electrical equipment. You can purchase the latest standards at [Link].
This job aid is intended to provide you with supplemental inf ormation associated with UL Solutions courseware.
© UL LLC. All rights reserved.
