Electrical Safety in Construction: Mitigating Hazards

OSHA's “fatal four” include the four main hazards that lead to construction worker deaths, and electrocution is one of them, causing 6% of fatalities in construction in 2022. Between overloaded circuits, power surges, and an array of other electrical hazards, construction workers face numerous potentially dangerous situations every time they're at work.

Creating a safer environment for all construction workers is paramount, and electrical safety in construction gives business owners and contractors a significant opportunity to refine processes that prioritize safety. By creating risk assessment and management plans and strictly adhering to state and deferral safety regulations, companies can prioritize electrical safety in construction and mitigate electrical hazards on-site.

Our complete guide covers everything construction managers need to know about electrical hazards in construction and best practices for mitigating them to create a safer jobsite.

Jump to a section:

• Types of Electrical Hazards
• Electrical Safety Regulations for Construction Sites
• Risk Assessment and Management for Electrical Hazards
• Implementing Electrical Safety Measures

Types of Electrical Hazards

Construction workers face various types of electrical hazards on jobsites, including: 

1. Touching Live Wires

Overhead and underground power lines are a significant risk to construction workers. These lines are almost always live while working on-site, so foresight and caution are of high priority to avoid contact with live wires. Construction teams can implement the following measures to ensure greater safety around power lines:

• Identify all power lines before beginning construction: Contact the local utility company or call 811, the call-before-you-dig number, to get cable locations for underground infrastructure. If staff is working on or around private property, contact the owners to access private locations for the power lines. Have a clear map of each power line's location to which every staff member has access.
• Maintain a safe distance from power lines: A worker doesn't need to touch power lines directly for them to be deadly. Electricity can arc to tools and workers in close proximity to the power lines. Keep a safe working distance between power lines and staff and equipment. The recommended safe distance, according to OSHA, is 20 feet.
• Mark power lines: Bright orange coverups can make power lines more visible. However, these coverups are solely for visibility and do not add any safety beyond that. 
• Use team communication: Have a signaler on-site to guide and support drivers or operators who may not be able to see obstructions. The signaler will help guide the driver and ensure the equipment stays 20 feet from the power cables. 
• Remember equipment safety features: Ensure equipment has the latest safety features. Indicator lights on trucks, for example, will let you know if the dump body is up or down to avoid overhead wires.

2. Overloading Circuits

Construction sites are busy spaces, and one of the dangers of this is the risk of electrical circuit overload. Overloading circuits happen when too many devices draw power from a single circuit. It may sound like a small issue, but if the circuit exceeds its maximum capacity, it can overheat, trip the breakers, or cause an electrical fire.

Sites with outdated wiring are more likely to experience circuit overload, but any site is at risk because of the increased use of technology in workplaces. Practical ways to reduce circuit load include using surge protectors and ensuring best practices like not having too many power-heavy devices plugged into one outlet.

3. Inadequate Grounding

Electrical systems must be properly grounded for the safety of everyone on-site. Proper grounding ensures electrical current flows from the source to only the intended components. Proper grounding also ensures the electrical current doesn't move to other parts of the equipment and electrify the wrong components in the event of equipment or components breaking or failing.

Without proper grounding, the wrong parts of equipment and tools can become electrified and transfer to anyone who touches them, leading to fatal shocks. With adequate grounding, current diverts away from the equipment through the ground wire to the electrical outlet. This trips the circuit breaker and cuts all power to equipment and tools.

It is vital that your construction site meets all grounding requirements. All electrical equipment must be compatible with the power outlets on-site. Some construction sites may not have grounding installed yet. If so, you will need grounding prongs and ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). These electrical protective devices will automatically shut down circuits if there is a current leak.

Today, it is standard for most outlets and extension cords to support grounding prongs. It is also important to only use outlets that have a receiver for plugs with grounding prongs. For electrical safety on construction sites, you must use GFCIs for all cord-based tools not plugged into a permanent, grounded outlet. Every worker should be aware that GFCIs can prevent fatal electrocution but may not always prevent shocks that can occur before the circuit shuts off.  

If you have a remote construction site, you may need to use a generator. If possible, opt for a portable generator that has built-in grounding.

4. Other Electrical Hazards

Workers also face a variety of other electrical hazards, including unexpected power outages, which can cause dangerous power surges or damage to equipment. Working with worn equipment and tools can also lead to harmful electrical incidents. Even minor signs of damage like an exposed cable can easily cause sparks, fire, and electrocution. 

Another danger related to malfunctioning equipment is the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Malfunctioning electrical equipment like generators can release carbon monoxide gas, which is highly toxic and especially dangerous as it is also odorless and colorless. Some signs of carbon monoxide poisoning include headaches, dizziness, feeling weak or sick, vomiting, confusion, shortness of breath, and muscle pain.

Electrical Safety Regulations for Construction Sites

Safety regulations set by OSHA and other authorities help ensure companies follow practices that prevent and lessen the amount of construction site injuries and facilities. Understanding and following these regulations is also essential for being a compliant construction company. Not adhering to safety regulations could increase the likelihood of accidents and lead to fines and other penalties.

OSHA Standards for Construction and Electrical Safety

OSHA has several regulations and recommendations in place to reduce workplace accidents and fatalities caused by electrocution and arc flashes and blasts. It is wise to explore these requirements if you are in one of the 22 states maintaining OSHA-approved state plans.

Some general guidelines that adhere to OSHA's recommendations for electrical safety include the following:

• Everyone on-site must wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). 
• Equipment must pass a visual inspection before use.
• Use equipment properly and only for its intended purpose. 
• Never use faulty equipment or tools. 
• Ensure you properly ground all electrical supply systems, equipment, and circuits. 
• Use non-conductive materials when working near powerlines.
• Follow best practices, including not working in wet conditions or in an environment with exposed wires.

National Electric Code Requirements

The National Electric Code (NEC) is a safety standard for installing electrical wiring and equipment. It is also called NFPA 70 because it is part of the National Fire Code series released by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The NFPA's experts update the NEC every three years to ensure that safety standards and practices are relevant.

The NEC outlines the following:

• A circuit's conductors must be inside a cable, cord, cable tray, raceway, or trench. 
• Equipment must be installed and used according to instructions. 
• A circuit's nominal system voltage must not exceed the rating of the equipment. 
• Installations must be free of ground faults, short circuits, and connections to conductive metal components unless otherwise permitted by the Code.
• The authority having jurisdiction must approve electrical equipment and conductors. 

Consequences of Noncompliance

Since regulations are a matter of safety, OSHA may fine businesses that are not compliant or seek other penalties. Generally, OSHA penalties relate to violations of section 5 of the General Duty Clause or Act. At its core, the Act requires that all employers provide employees with a workplace free of hazards that could cause fatalities and serious injuries. OSHA penalties vary depending on the situation and range in severity.

Risk Assessment and Management for Electrical Hazards

Working on a construction site comes with a set of risks, including electrical hazards. Conducting risk assessments and having a risk management plan are essential for making a construction site as safe as possible.

Having a comprehensive risk assessment plan allows you to identify each site's unique risks. After highlighting the greatest areas of concern, create a plan that provides intentional solutions for mitigating each unique risk and allows staff to prepare in the event of an accident.

Conducting Risk Assessments

Risk assessment plans for construction sites should be comprehensive and include all and any type of potential hazards, though it can be useful to categorize each. Be sure to include the following in the electrical hazard assessment:

1. Identifying all sources of potential electrical hazards, including power lines, equipment and tools, working conditions, weather conditions, possible overloaded circuits, use of extension cords and generators, incompatible outlets, and inadequately grounded worksites.
2. Having an expert strategist determines the likelihood and severity of each of these risks. 
3. Determining if there are any electrical hazards that make the construction site noncompliant in terms of OSHA and NEC safety standards.

A strong risk management plan should include aspects of the following possible solutions for avoiding and mitigating electrical hazards: 

• Best practices: A good risk management plan starts with preventive measures and should include all best practices regarding electrical safety. 
• Assigning responsibilities: Each person on-site should understand their role in ensuring electrical safety and respect the chain of command. 
• Reporting: Each construction site should have clear communication channels and methods for reporting electrical hazards and other safety concerns. Inform workers who they can report to and have various reporting methods to report unsafe conditions, injuries, and other concerns. Reporting methods should also allow for anonymity should workers need to report a person who may be violating safety practices. 
• Safety training budgets: Providing staff with updated, ongoing electrical safety training is an effective way to ensure greater worker safety. An effective plan should also contain required resources like PPE and safety workshops and allocate a reasonable budget for ongoing safety resources. 

It is always best practice to ensure the person conducting and creating the risk assessment is an expert in construction safety management with knowledge of electrical risks and the best safety measures. 

Worker Training and Education

OSHA mandates that every construction worker have safety training, so worker training and education about electrical safety are essential. Various online and in-person courses are available to train staff in electrical safety practices in construction.

These courses generally include the following training:

• An introduction to how electricity works
• The different types of construction-related electrical hazards and injuries
• Basic risk assessment training for determining the severity of hazards according to amperage and other factors
• An overview of OSHA requirements
• Situational awareness
• Cord safety
• Proper use of equipment and tool safety 
• Inspections and maintenance
• Minimum safe distances
• How to effectively use PPE
• Best safety practices 
• Emergency training

Implementing Electrical Safety Measures

Several resources and strategies allow construction sites to implement safety measures effectively. Some are absolute requirements, such as wearing the appropriate PPE. Other strategies are useful methods and recommendations that worksites should strongly consider implementing, like lockout/tagout strategies. 

Personal Protective Equipment

For construction workers, wearing full required PPE is nonnegotiable for safety and compliance. PPE is an effective part of risk mitigation and is essential and beneficial for electrical safety in construction.

The appropriate electrical PPE, such as insulated gloves, safety shoes, and insulation mats, helps protect workers from electrical shock. It can also prevent or reduce electric currents flowing through a worker's body. Flame-resistant clothing and PPE designed for arc flashes provide thermal protection and can reduce the extent of injuries.

Essential types of PPE include the following items: 

• Safety hard hats with electrical insulation
• Safety glasses and face shields that protect the eyes from sparks, arc flashes, and other hazards
• Earplugs to protect hearing from loud electrical equipment
• Insulated electrical gloves, rubber lineman gloves for high-voltage tasks, and sleeves made from insulated materials that cover the arms
• Safety shoes or boots with nonconductive soles
• Dielectric overshoes that can be worn over normal shoes made from non-conductive materials
• Flame-resistant full-body clothing and arc flash suits

Another important consideration is determining the right PPE for each project — and this is where a risk assessment plan is once again beneficial. You can select the best PPE according to the risks workers will be facing. For example, if construction workers are in danger of overhead powerlines and arc flashes, arc flash suits are necessary.

It is also vital to review all PPE specifications to ensure they are suited to the work environment and workers use them accordingly.  

Best Safety Practices — Lockout/Tagout

Lockout/tagout (LOTO) is a set of procedures that follow OSHA's regulations regarding Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations for Control of Hazardous Energy. LOTO ensures systems and equipment are shut down properly and inoperable before workers complete any repair work or maintenance. LOTO helps teams conduct safe repairs or maintenance and prevent accidental exposure to electricity. 

Lockout/tagout involves placing a physical lock on equipment to keep it turned off and a tag on the equipment that shows it is shut down and must remain so until it is properly serviced. Only authorized staff can perform LOTO procedures. All authorized employees must undergo LOTO training that enables them to recognize hazardous energy sources, understand various LOTO methods and devices, and report damaged or missing LOTO devices.

Inspections and Audits

Regular electrical inspections and safety audits are important for compliance and maintaining a safer worksite. Audits allow you to assess your worksite's electrical safety and address potential hazards. Electrical safety audits can be voluntary or mandated. 

The following may be assessed during an inspection or audit: 

• Equipment, tools, and other electrical accessories
• Grounding and earth arrangements
• Wiring systems
• Distribution boards
• PPE

After the audit, you will receive a report that covers what the inspector assessed, whether the items or systems checked were compliant, a performance evaluation score, and their recommendations. As a result, you can gain crucial insights into electrical safety on your construction site and make the appropriate changes to create a safer work environment. This type of inspection can also help you become completely compliant with relevant standards.

Preparing for Emergencies

Intentional adherence to safety standards significantly reduces the risks associated with electrical hazards, but unfortunately, construction site accidents still happen. Therefore, it is vital to have an emergency response plan that equips workers to deal with accidents swiftly and correctly.

Emergency preparedness plans should include what to do in the event of electrical fire or injuries like burns and shocks. Training and best practices to add to an emergency plan include:

• Switching off a power source safely and only if possible
• Immediately calling emergency services
• Not touching a person experiencing electric shock
• Knowing how to perform CPR if a person is unresponsive and not experiencing electric shock
• Using a Class C fire extinguisher for electrical fires and knowing not to use water to try to extinguish electrical fires
• Immediately shouting down all equipment and tools in emergency events like power outages

Rent Quality Construction Equipment From The Cat® Rental Store

All workspaces must create a culture that prioritizes worker safety, and this is especially true for construction worksites. Electrical hazards happen but can be effectively mitigated by strictly adhering to all safety regulations and practices. Additionally, investing in high-quality machinery and technology means you can give your team the tools they need to complete jobs safely.

At The Cat® Rental Store, we provide state-of-the-art construction equipment rentals from trusted manufacturers. Our inventory includes the latest construction equipment and machines, featuring smart technology that allows for enhanced safety and efficiency. We also provide comprehensive technology rentals your crew can rely on to increase productivity while creating better awareness on the jobsite.

No matter what kind of construction project you're working on, you want to do everything you can to keep your workers protected and efficient. Find the right construction equipment for your worksite at The Cat Rental Store near you. You can also contact us at 1-800-RENT-CAT or request a quote or additional information by filling out our convenient form.