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Electricity is one of the most serious workplace hazards. OSHA’s Electrical Standards (Subpart S general industry and Subpart K construction) and equivalent state standards, require employers to train all employees exposed to electrical hazards. These electrical safety training standards aim to prevent electric shock, electrocution, fires, and explosions.

OSHA Subpart S, 1910.332 outlines which electrical hazards require training and which employees must receive it. Workers at higher risk include electrical and electronic engineers, equipment assemblers, technicians, industrial machine and material-handling operators, mechanics, repairers, painters, and welders. Even employees who operate industrial electrical equipment with all doors and covers closed should receive safety training to ensure that systems operate correctly.

Employees who only use general electrical items like light switches, microwaves, or portable cords and tools, face lower risk. Still, awareness-level training helps them recognize when equipment is not working properly and how to respond safely.

Training for electrical safety generally falls into three main categories:

  1. Qualified electrical worker training – for those authorized to work on live electrical circuits and equipment.
  2. Task-specific safety training – for employees who don’t work on live equipment but face elevated risk, such as when opening panels or resetting breakers.
  3. Awareness-level safety training – for all workers, covering safe habits like inspecting cords and keeping equipment covers in place.

Ask your employees if they feel confident performing the electrical tasks their jobs require. If they say yes, your training program is on track. If they identify tasks they haven’t been trained for, update your safety program to include these tasks and retrain your employees. Many workers don’t realize the full range of electrical hazards around them, especially those who are not regularly exposed to electrical hazards. So, it’s up to employers to make sure everyone knows how to work safely with electrical equipment.

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