Electrical Safety Training Isn’t Just for Electricians

For many small and mid-sized manufacturers, electrical safety training is often viewed as something that only applies to electricians or lockout/tagout. In practice, training needs depend on the electrical tasks employees perform, the hazards they may face, and the limits of what they are authorized to do

Who is Likely to Be Exposed

OSHA’s electrical training standard applies to employees who face a risk of electric shock that is not reduced to a safe level by electrical installation requirements. OSHA also identifies job categories that typically face a higher-than-normal risk of electrical accident. For small manufacturers, the takeaway is simple: look beyond the electrician and include other roles that may work on, near, or with electrical equipment.

• Supervisors who direct hands-on work, such as production, maintenance, repair, material handling, or equipment setup.
• Employees who design, assemble, service, troubleshoot, or repair electrical or electronic equipment.
• Operators who use industrial machines, material-handling equipment, or stationary equipment.
• Employees who support maintenance or equipment work, such as mechanics, repairers, welders, painters, riggers, and roustabouts.

Job titles are only a starting point. Review the tasks employees perform and whether those tasks may expose them to electric shock or other electrical hazards. Pay close attention to work on or near exposed energized parts or circuits, including tasks involving parts operating at 50 volts or more to ground, such as opening electrical equipment, testing voltage, troubleshooting, verifying absence of energy, or replacing electrical components.

Some employees, even those with job titles that OSHA identifies as higher risk, may not need additional electrical safety training beyond normal equipment operation procedures. For example, an employee who only operates a machine using closed external controls, including routine resets from a closed operator control panel, is generally not exposed to electrical parts during normal operation. That training should still explain when to stop, report abnormal conditions, and avoid opening, bypassing, or defeating equipment.

Review the Work Employees Actually Perform

Once you have identified employees who may have electrical exposure, review the actual tasks they perform and compare those tasks to their current training.

Pay close attention to work on or near exposed energized parts or circuits, including tasks involving parts operating at 50 volts or more to ground. Examples include opening electrical equipment, testing voltage, troubleshooting, verifying absence of energy, or replacing electrical components.
 

Compare Training to Actual Job Duties

Training should be customized for your company’s specific equipment and procedures, not just based on a general classroom certificate. Look for gaps between what employees are trained to do and what they are actually doing in daily operations.

Set Clear Limits on In-House Electrical Work

After completing the evaluation, use the results to update job descriptions, training content, and authorization limits. Employees should understand which tasks they may perform, which tasks require additional training, and when to stop and involve maintenance, supervision, a qualified electrician, or an outside contractor. Document completed training, retrain employees when expectations are not followed, and keep a current list of electrical tasks showing who is authorized to perform each one.

Bring in a Qualified Electrical Contractor When Risk Is Higher

Many companies hire an electrical contractor for higher-risk electrical work, including work on energized circuits, higher-voltage equipment, or electrical equipment in hazardous locations. Even if employees have some electrical training, not every task is worth handling in-house. When the risk is significant or the task is outside your team’s normal responsibilities, hire a qualified electrical contractor.