Working Safely with Electricity

Working around live electricity is a serious hazard. Engineers, linemen, 

electricians, and others who work with electricity directly, and workers who work 

with electricity indirectly may be exposed to serious electrical hazards.

Generators

Generators are commonly used as a 

replacement source of electricity when electrical 

power is lost. Most generators are gasoline 

or diesel powered with internal combustion 

engines which turn an alternator to produce 

electricity. One of the hazards from gasoline or 

diesel powered engines is carbon monoxide 

(CO). Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless 

gas produced during the operation of gasoline 

powered generators. When inhaled, the gas 

reduces your ability to transport oxygen. 

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning 

include headache, nausea and fatigue that can 

lead to unconsciousness and ultimately prove 

fatal. The following information is a list of best 

practices to identify hazards when operating 

around power lines and electrical equipment.

• DO NOT operate a generator indoors. 

Generators should be placed outdoors in a 

location where the exhaust gases cannot enter 

a home or building. Good ventilation is key to 

operating a generator safely.

• Be sure the main circuit breaker is OFF and 

locked out prior to starting any generator. 

This will prevent inadvertent energization of 

power lines from backfeed electrical energy 

from generators and help protect utility line 

workers from electrocution.

• Turn off generators and let them cool prior 

to refueling.

Power Lines

Overhead and buried power lines are especially 

hazardous because they carry dangerously high 

voltage. Fatal electrocution is the main risk, but 

burns and falls are also hazards.

• Look for overhead power lines and buried 

power line indicators.

• Stay at least 10 feet away from overhead 

power lines and assume they are energized.

• De-energize and ground lines when working 

near them.

• Use non-conductive wood or fiberglass 

ladders when working near power lines.

Extension Cords

Worn cords can expose the wires within, 

or loosen the connections on the plug end. 

Extension cords that are not 3-wire type, not 

designed for hard-usage, or that have been 

modified are not as durable. These conditions 

can increase the risk of electric shock.

• Use equipment that is approved by a 

nationally recognized testing laboratory.

• Do not modify cords or use them incorrectly.

• Use factory-assembled cord sets and 

extension cords that are 3-wire type.

• Use cords, connection devices, and fittings 

equipped with strain relief.

• Remove cords from receptacles by pulling on 

the plugs, not the cords.

Equipment

Due to the dynamic, rugged nature of 

construction work, normal use of electrical 

equipment causes wear and tear that results in 

insulation breaks, short-circuits, and exposed 

wires. If there is no ground-fault protection, 

it can cause a ground-fault that sends current 

through a worker’s body.

Use ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) on 

all 120-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere 

receptacles that are not on an existing building’s 

permanent wiring, or have an assured equipment 

grounding conductor program (AEGCP).

• Use double-insulated tools and equipment, 

distinctively marked.

FactSheet
• Visually inspect all electrical equipment before 

use. Remove from service any equipment with 

frayed cords, missing ground prongs, cracked 

tool casings, etc.

Electrical Incidents

If the power supply to the electrical equipment 

is not grounded or the path has been broken, 

fault current may travel through a worker’s 

body, causing electrical burns or death. Visually 

inspect electrical equipment before use. Take 

any defective equipment out of service.

• Ground all power supply systems, electrical 

circuits, and electrical equipment.

• Frequently inspect electrical systems to 

ensure that the path to ground is continuous.

• Do not remove ground prongs from cord- and 

plug-connected equipment or extension cords.

• Use double-insulated tools and ground all 

exposed metal parts of equipment.

• Avoid standing in wet areas when using 

portable electrical power tools.

Workers’ Rights

Workers have the right to:

• Working conditions that do not pose a risk of 

serious harm.

• Receive information and training (in a 

language and vocabulary the worker 

understands) about workplace hazards, 

methods to prevent them, and the OSHA 

standards that apply to their workplace.

• Review records of work-related injuries 

and illnesses.

• File a complaint asking OSHA to inspect their 

workplace if they believe there is a serious 

hazard or that their employer is not following 

OSHA’s rules. OSHA will keep all identities 

confidential.

• Exercise their rights under the law without 

retaliation, including reporting an injury or 

raising health and safety concerns with their 

employer or OSHA. If a worker has been 

retaliated against for using their rights, they 

must file a complaint with OSHA as soon as 

possible, but no later than 30 days.

For additional information, see OSHA’s Workers 

page (www.osha.gov/workers).

How to Contact OSHA

Under the Occupational Safety and Health 

Act of 1970, employers are responsible for 

providing safe and healthful workplaces for 

their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these 

conditions for America’s working men and 

women by setting and enforcing standards, 

and providing training, education and 

assistance. For more information, visit www.

osha.gov or call OSHA at 1-800-321-OSHA 

(6742), TTY 1-877-889-5627.

DOC FS-3942 02/2018

This is one in a series of informational fact sheets highlighting OSHA programs, policies or 

standards. It does not impose any new compliance requirements. For a comprehensive list of 

compliance requirements of OSHA standards or regulations, refer to Title 29 of the Code of Federal 

Regulations. This information will be made available to sensory-impaired individuals upon request. 

The voice phone is (202) 693-1999; teletypewriter (TTY) number: (877) 889-5627.