Employee electrical safety requirements

Under 1926.416(a)(1), an employer may allow an employee to work near an electric power circuit only if the employee is protected from electric shock by deenergizing and grounding the circuit or by effectively guarding it with insulation or other means.

• Follow the requirement in 1926.416(a)(1).
• Practical steps include deenergizing and grounding circuits before work, using insulating barriers, or ensuring tools/PPE provide adequate insulation for the voltage involved.
• If you rely on PPE (for example, insulated gloves), perform a hazard assessment and select PPE appropriate to the risk (see OSHA's PPE hazard assessment interpretation at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2024-03-28).

Under 1926.416(a)(2), yes — when the exact location of underground electric powerlines is unknown, employers must provide insulated protective gloves to employees using jack-hammers, bars, or other hand tools that might contact a line.

• See the requirement in 1926.416(a)(2).
• Also consider non-PPE controls before work (locating utilities, contacting utility owners, using cable locators) because PPE is the minimum when exact locations are unknown.
• Remember to perform a PPE hazard assessment when providing protective gloves; OSHA explains employers must assess hazards before selecting PPE in the PPE hazard assessment LOI.

Under 1926.416(a)(3), before work begins the employer must determine — by inquiry, direct observation, or instruments — whether any energized electric power circuit (exposed or concealed) is located such that the work could bring a person, tool, or machine into contact with it; the employer must post and maintain proper warning signs where such a circuit exists and advise employees of the line locations, hazards, and protective measures.

• See the full text at 1926.416(a)(3).
• Practical actions: contact utilities to mark underground lines, use cable locators, mark and sign the work area, brief workers on hazards and controls, and document locations when feasible.
• If PPE is needed as part of protection, follow OSHA guidance on conducting a PPE hazard assessment (PPE LOI).

Under 1926.416(b)(1), yes — employers must provide barriers or other guarding to ensure that workspace for electrical equipment is not used as a passageway during periods when energized parts of electrical equipment are exposed.

• See 1926.416(b)(1).
• Examples of practical guarding: temporary barricades, signage, lockable gates, or guarded walkways that keep foot traffic away from exposed energized parts.
• If exposed parts cannot be guarded, deenergize and ground the equipment before allowing passage through that area.

Under 1926.416(b)(2), no — working spaces, walkways, and similar locations must be kept clear of cords so they do not create hazards for employees.

• See 1926.416(b)(2).
• Practical steps: route cords away from walkways, use cord covers where crossing is unavoidable and safe, secure cords to prevent tripping, or provide alternate cable routing above or below walking surfaces.

Under 1926.416(c), no — in existing installations, employers must not change circuit protection to increase the load beyond the load rating of the circuit wiring.

• See 1926.416(c).
• If a higher load is required, the safe course is to upgrade the wiring, conduit, or protective device so the circuit’s components are all rated for the increased load rather than simply increasing overcurrent protection.

Under 1926.416(d), when fuses are installed or removed with one or both terminals energized, employers must ensure that special tools insulated for the voltage are used.

• See 1926.416(d).
• "Insulated for the voltage" means tools rated for the system voltage and maintained in good condition (no damaged insulation).
• Only trained workers should perform these tasks, and PPE (such as voltage-rated gloves and face protection) and safe work procedures should be used as necessary.

Under 1926.416(e)(1), no — worn or frayed electric cords or cables must not be used.

• See 1926.416(e)(1).
• If you find a damaged cord, take it out of service immediately and repair or replace it. Tagging damaged cords and removing them from use prevents shock and fire hazards.

Under 1926.416(e)(2), no — extension cords must not be fastened with staples, hung from nails, or suspended by wire.

• See 1926.416(e)(2).
• Use approved cord management methods such as cord ramps, trays, or properly rated overhead cable supports designed for the application instead of staples or nails that can damage insulation.

Under 1926.416(a), if an employer relies on insulating gloves as a protective measure, they must still assess workplace hazards and select appropriate PPE; OSHA requires employers to assess hazards before selecting PPE and to document the assessment when PPE is required.

• The electrical protection rule is in 1926.416(a) and OSHA's PPE hazard assessment LOI explains employers must perform a workplace hazard assessment and provide written certification if PPE will be required.
• Practical steps: identify electrical hazards (voltage, likelihood of contact), choose gloves rated for the voltage, ensure proper inspection and testing of gloves, train workers on proper use, and keep a written certification of the hazard assessment.

Under 1926.416(a)(3), employers must advise employees of the location of energized lines that could affect their work, explain the hazards involved, and tell them what protective measures to take; the employer must also post and maintain proper warning signs where such circuits exist.

• See 1926.416(a)(3).
• Guidance should include where lines run, how to avoid contact, required PPE, deenergizing procedures, and emergency response steps in case of contact.

Under 1926.416(b)(1), a suitable barrier is any physical guarding or means that prevents the workspace from being used as a passageway while energized parts are exposed; the barrier must effectively keep unauthorized or unprotected personnel away from the exposed parts.

• See 1926.416(b)(1).
• Examples: temporary fencing, barricades, locked enclosures, or guarded walkways. Ensure signs and lighting accompany barriers so workers understand the hazard and alternate routes are provided.

Under 1926.416(c), no — replacing circuit protection (for example, installing a higher-rated fuse) to carry more load does not permit exceeding the load rating of the circuit wiring; this is explicitly prohibited for existing installations.

• See 1926.416(c).
• To safely increase load capacity, upgrade the circuit wiring and other components to match the higher load rating rather than simply increasing fuse or breaker size.

Under 1926.416(d), only trained personnel should install or remove fuses where one or both terminals are energized, and they must use special tools insulated for the voltage; additional protections such as voltage-rated gloves, face protection, and safe work procedures are recommended.

• See 1926.416(d).
• Practical protections: deenergize whenever possible, use insulated fuse pullers rated for the system, wear appropriate PPE, and follow written procedures or lockout/tagout as applicable.

Under 1926.416(e)(1), the employer must stop using the worn or frayed cord immediately and remove it from service until repaired or replaced; such cords are not to be used.

• See 1926.416(e)(1).
• Actions: tag the cord out-of-service, replace with a properly rated cord, and investigate to prevent recurrence (e.g., better routing, protection from abrasion).

Under 1926.416(e)(2), fastening extension cords with staples, hanging them from nails, or suspending them by wire is prohibited because those practices can damage the cord insulation and create electrical shock or fire hazards.

• See 1926.416(e)(2).
• Instead use approved cable support systems or cord protectors that prevent abrasion and maintain the cord's integrity.

Under 1926.416(a)(3), posting warning signs is required but not the only step — employers must also ascertain circuit locations by inquiry, observation, or instruments and advise employees about locations, hazards, and protective measures.

• See 1926.416(a)(3).
• Best practice: combine signs with pre-job briefings, utility marking, written work instructions, and hazard-specific training to ensure employees understand how to avoid contact with concealed energized circuits.

Under 1926.416(a)(1) and (a)(3), acceptable controls are deenergizing and grounding the circuit, guarding it effectively by insulation or other means, or providing appropriate PPE like insulated gloves when the exact location is unknown; employers must also ascertain circuit locations and advise employees of hazards and protections.

• See 1926.416(a)(1) and 1926.416(a)(3).
• Employers should prioritize deenergizing and grounding over relying solely on PPE, and when using PPE conduct a PPE hazard assessment per OSHA’s PPE LOI.

Under 1926.416 the standard itself does not explicitly require written documentation for PPE selection, but OSHA's PPE policy requires that employers perform a hazard assessment and provide written certification when PPE will be required; therefore, documenting the hazard assessment and PPE selection is a necessary compliance step when PPE is used for electrical protection.

• See 1926.416(a) and OSHA's explanation of PPE hazard assessment requirements in the PPE hazard assessment LOI.
• Maintain a written certification of the hazard assessment, list the PPE selected, and keep training records for employees who use the PPE.