Working in the electrical field can be hazardous. While the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has numerous regulations in place to protect people, unfortunately, they are not always followed. This can result in injury, death or citations and fines for violations. 

The best way for employers to prevent violations is by making comprehensive employee safety training a priority. This is done by conducting regular and recurring safety audits, keeping and maintaining records and properly documenting safety procedures. It’s important to proactively identify and correct hazards, create a strong safety culture in the organization and have effective written safety programs in place.

Besides the risk of death or injury, OSHA violations can result in steep financial penalties, increased insurance premiums, or reduced employee morale and productivity. Failing to adhere to agency workplace posting requirements and serious hazard violations capable of causing injury resulting in death can cost employers $16,550 per offense. Organizations that don’t correct violations can end up with a $16,550 fine for each day the violation extends past the date the abatement was supposed to be made. Additionally, willful or repeat violations can cost as much as $165,514. An employer that gets criminally convicted because of a willful violation causing death could end up having up to $500,000 in penalties.

The most frequently cited regulations, including those found during inspections, include fall protection, hazard communication (HazCom), scaffolding, respiratory protection and lockout/tagout (LOTO). However, the rules specific to electrical contractors most cited by OSHA include OSHA CFR 1926.416, General requirements; 1926.501, Duty to have fall protection; 1926.405, Wiring methods, components, and equipment for general use; 1926.453, Aerial lifts; and 1926.1053, Ladders. 

Falls

Falls are a leading cause of death in the workplace and result in more than 200,000 injuries annually. Additionally, improper fall protection is the most-cited violation in construction and second highest on electrical job sites, according to OSHA. Fall protection must be taken seriously. 

OSHA has several regulations pertaining to fall protection. Most notable is the 6-foot rule, which states that if any employee is in a situation where they may lose balance and fall to a lower level or fall 6 feet or more, fall protection must be provided and used. 

However, employers need to review all regulations. When performing work covered by the general industry standards, employers must provide fall protection when there is a potential for falling 4 feet or more. 

To avoid penalties for noncompliance with fall protection regulations, employers should review and understand rules and requirements, educate employees on acceptable means of fall protection, conduct and document hazard assessments to determine what type of fall protection is necessary for the job, and ensure employees have proper training and appropriate PPE. 

Keep records on employees trained on PPE proper use and maintenance, PPE purchases and inspections involving fall protection equipment; they will be valuable in demonstrating these efforts. It is also helpful to have written programs and guidelines addressing slips, trips and falls from same level and heights and ensuring employees understand and follow relevant safety protocols, procedures and fall prevention.

HazCom

HazCom is the most-cited standard in general industry. It isn’t among the top citations in the electrical and line industries, though some frequent violations include failure to develop and implement a compliant HazCom program, failure to provide adequate employee training, failure to maintain copies of SDSs and failure to properly label chemicals. Therefore, employers should assess their HazCom programs to ensure compliance and avoid citations. 

Assessments should ensure that chemical hazard classifications are done properly, an inventory-specific SDS library is available and up to date, employees have access to SDSs, manufacturer shipped labels and employer workplace labels are compliant, employees have been properly trained, a site-specific written HazCom program is accessible to employees and the current chemical inventory list is accurate. 

Scaffolding regulations

Scaffolding regulations are the third-most common violation in all industries and fifth highest in the electrical field. The significant dangers of working on or near scaffolds often include unsafe access to work platforms, potential collapses, encountering live wires, other electrical hazards, falls and falling objects, and struck-by hazards. 

Erectors and dismantlers also need to be wary of structural instability. As a result, it is imperative that employers provide proper training on the specific type of scaffold that workers must use. Common missteps include failure to retrain workers on changes in scaffold types, fall protection, falling object protection or other equipment. Similarly, if there are indications that workers have not retained information initially taught, they should be retrained.

Once workers have been properly trained on scaffolding and are ready to begin work, they should always conduct a visual inspection to identify any hazards. This may include electrical wires or improperly erected scaffolding. Before mounting a scaffold, it is important to make sure it is the proper type for the job, being used as it is intended and that all load capacity limits are adhered to. It is also important that a competent person has inspected the scaffold before it is used.

Respiratory protection

The New Jersey Department of Health estimates that 5 million workers are required to wear respirators in 1.3 million workplaces throughout the United States. Respirators protect workers against insufficient oxygen environments and harmful dusts, fogs, smokes, mists, gases, vapors and sprays. These hazards may cause cancer, lung impairment, diseases or death. Respiratory protection regulations are the second-most frequently cited standard for lineworkers. However, they are uncommon for electricians and carry a $0 penalty.

To avoid violations pertaining to respiratory protection regulations, employers should review and understand the rules, develop and implement a written respiratory protection program, evaluate hazards in the workplace, and select and provide appropriate respirators and PPE. They also should provide medical evaluations and respirator fit testing; respirator maintenance, storage and cleaning; and worker training about respiratory hazards and proper respirator use. Employers should evaluate workers’ respirator use and correct any problems, while giving employees access to specific records and documents.

Energized equipment

Wiremen, electricians and other electrical workers are familiar with the specific dangers associated with electricity and energized equipment. However, far too often, simple, essential safety practices are overlooked or neglected. These hazards appear in OSHA’s top 10 violations three times under different electrical standards: 1926.416, 1926.405 and 1926.403. 

Many incidents are caused by failure to comply with appropriate LOTO protocols. There are several steps that must be taken to provide an electrically safe work condition as part of the LOTO process and prescribed by NFPA 70E. These include identifying all energy sources, including stored energy; locating disconnecting means; and identifying procedures for releasing stored energy.

According to OSHA’s Electrical Safety Guidance, “OSHA’s electrical standards are designed to protect employees exposed to dangers such as electric shock, electrocution, fires, and explosions. Includes references that provide information related to electrical in construction, including OSHA’s electrical construction regulations, hazard recognition, possible solutions and additional resources. A variety of possible solutions may be implemented to reduce or eliminate the risk of injury associated with electrical work. Examples of solutions include the use of insulation, guarding, grounding, electrical protective devices, and safe work practices.”

Workers can comply with OSHA electrical regulations by ensuring electrical equipment is properly installed, maintained and used with the correct safety measures in place. This includes appropriate grounding, LOTO, using adequately trained personnel for high-voltage work, providing PPE and conducting regular inspections and assessments to identify and address potential hazards. 

Along with proper, regular training and safety briefings, further adherence to written programs and the protocols and guidance outlined in NFPA 70E will also ensure workers are kept safe from all additional top-cited electrical-specific hazards.

Good housekeeping

Finally, practicing good housekeeping is important. A messy work site can result in additional hazards and give the appearance of recklessness. Some hazards resulting in citations, injury or death can be avoided with the proper training, accountability for unsafe action and a healthy safety culture. 

The easiest way to avoid fines, penalties and protect workers is compliance with OSHA regulations and standards. This will also lower costs associated with accidents and injuries, reduce insurance costs and increase productivity. 

Employers needing assistance with OSHA compliance can contact the agency for assistance. OSHA has compliance assistance specialists in regional and area offices around the country who provide outreach to a variety of groups free of charge. 

According to the agency, “These groups include small businesses and other employers, trade and professional associations, union locals, and community and faith-based groups. Compliance Assistance Specialists can provide general information about OSHA’s compliance assistance resources and how to comply with OSHA standards. They are available for seminars, workshops, and speaking events. They also promote and help implement OSHA’s cooperative programs, including the Voluntary Protection Programs, the Strategic Partnership Program, and the Alliance Program.” 

Awareness on the most common OSHA violations will increase worker safety and help employers avoid potentially steep financial penalties from OSHA citations. 

Jenya Smyk / stock.adobe.com | narumon / stock.adobe.com | DREAMERLYN STUDIO / stock.adobe.com