JSA for Electrical Work
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Electrical Hazards and the Fatal Four
Electrocution is one of OSHA's "Fatal Four" causes of death in the construction industry. Lockout/tagout and machinery guarding also rank among OSHA's most frequently cited standards.
Unintended contact with electrical power can cause burns, explosions, property damage, fire, and death. A job safety analysis (JSA) or activity hazard analysis (AHA) for electrical work ensures that hazard controls are in place before anyone picks up a tool.
OSHA identifies five common causes of electrical injuries. Each one should be considered when building your electrical work JSA.
Contact with Power Lines
When working outdoors, you may encounter overhead or buried power lines. Your JSA should address these questions:
- Are there overhead power lines in or near the work area?
- Are there buried power lines in or near the work area?
- Do we have a site map showing buried power lines?
- Has a geophysical survey been performed to locate underground utilities?
- Can the power be shut off during work?
- Is there a lockout/tagout (LOTO) plan covering:
- De-energizing the lines?
- Preventing accidental or premature re-energization?
- Re-energizing the lines when work is complete?
- Has the LOTO plan been communicated to all affected parties?
- If the power cannot be shut off, what controls will prevent worker and equipment contact with the lines?
Lack of Ground-Fault Protection
Most indoor environments already have ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) hardwired into the building. But during new construction, that protection may not exist yet. If GFCIs aren't in place, the work team must follow an assured equipment grounding conductor program (AEGCP). See OSHA's electrical safety guidance for details on establishing an AEGCP.
Questions for your JSA when construction activities will use electrical power:
- Are we using GFCIs on all 120-volt single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles?
- If not, do we have an AEGCP in place?
- What are the manufacturer's recommended testing procedures to make sure the GFCI is working?
- Are we using double-insulated tools and equipment? Is that equipment marked to distinguish it from other tools?
- Is all equipment being used in accordance with manufacturer specs and labeling?
- Has every tool and cord been visually inspected for frayed wires, missing ground prongs, cracked casings, or other damage?
- Is there a system to identify, tag, and remove faulty equipment from service?
Path to Ground Missing or Discontinuous
In non-construction work environments, electrical grounding is just as important. The building may already have GFCIs, but it's your responsibility to properly connect to them.
Questions for your JSA when working with an existing electrical system:
- Have all power supply systems, electrical circuits, and electrical equipment been grounded?
- Has the electrical system been recently inspected? Is there an inspection protocol covering what to check and how often?
- Are all circuit breakers and fuses properly rated for over-current protection?
- Are all ground prongs on cord-connected equipment and extension cords intact?
- Have any cords or prongs been modified?
- Are we using double-insulated tools and equipment?
- Have all exposed metal parts of equipment been grounded?
- Have metal parts of certain non-electrical equipment been grounded per 29 CFR 1926.404(f)(7)(v)?
- Is there a system to identify, tag, and remove faulty equipment from service?
Equipment Not Used as Prescribed
Manufacturers design equipment for specific uses, workloads, and environments, with safety features built in. When equipment is used in ways the manufacturer didn't intend, those safety features may not work.
Questions for your JSA before using any electrical equipment:
- Has the equipment been visually inspected before use?
- Does it meet applicable OSHA standards (29 CFR 1926.403(a))?
- Will it be used according to the manufacturer's instructions, including environmental factors like indoor vs. outdoor, wet vs. dry, and ventilation requirements?
- Is there a different piece of equipment better suited for this job?
- Are all circuit breakers and fuses properly rated for over-current protection?
- Have any cords or prongs been modified?
- Has the equipment been shop-fabricated or altered? If so, is it still in compliance?
- Is there a system to identify, tag, and remove faulty equipment from service?
Improper Use of Extension and Flexible Cords
Extension cords let workers reach better positions and work more safely, but cords wear out over time and can become hazards themselves.
Questions for your JSA before starting any job that uses electrical cords:
- Has each cord been visually inspected for loose or exposed wires, damaged casing, and sturdy prongs?
- Is this a factory-assembled cord set?
- Is the cord 3-wire type?
- Is the cord marked with a designation code for hard or extra-hard usage?
- Has the cord, connection device, or fitting been equipped with strain relief?
- Will cords be removed by pulling the plug (not the cord) and stored properly to protect the casing and internal wires?
- Is there a system to identify, tag, and remove faulty cords from service?
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Get started free →Real-World Results
In 2012, a steel production company in Michigan started working with OSHA's On-Site Consultation Program to improve its safety culture. Through the job safety analysis process, consultants helped identify hazards including an improperly guarded band saw, an opening in a circuit breaker box, hot and neutral conductors reversed on a 120-volt plug, and an inadequate guard on a belt and pulley. The company has since seen decreases in total recordable cases and DART rates, and was awarded Michigan SHARP status. Read the full story on OSHA.gov.
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