Electrical Safety Program

Purpose

Electricity has long been recognized as a serious construction site hazard, exposing
employees to electric shock, electrocution, burns, fires, and explosions. Therefore,
electrical safety is paramount at Company name , and a written program for
electrical safety makes sense for our company.

The purpose of this Electrical Safety Program for Construction is two-fold. This
program is intended to demonstrate our compliance with OSHA’s assured
equipment grounding conductor program requirements necessary for the practical
safeguarding of employees involved in construction work, found in 29 CFR 1926
Subpart K, the Electrical Standard. It also establishes specific written lockout and
tagging procedures to protect the health and safety of all employees.

Your company “may” wish, but is not required, to establish and implement written
procedures for working on or near exposed electrical equipment if you have any
employee exposed to contact with parts of fixed electrical equipment or circuits
which have been de-energized. While these written procedures are not required for
construction, you may still wish to complete the procedures for working on or near
exposed de-energized parts as found under the former Subpart K requirements
dated prior to August 12, 1996.

The OSHA regulations for lockout and tagging (at 29 CFR 1926.417(d)) were
removed from Subpart K by a final rule in the August 12, 1996, Federal Register.
OSHA determined that the former regulations originated from “general industry”
standards that specifically stated they do not apply to construction. In fact, the text
of the former §1926.417(d) was nearly identical to the current text of 29 CFR
1910.333(b)(2) for general industry. The former §1926.417(d) was and is not
enforceable in construction work. However, the former paragraph (d) has good work
rules and can still be used in your own written safety program as long as you meet
existing applicable regulations, including §1926.417(a) to (c).

Administrative duties

We have designated the following competent person(s) to administer the program:

Name/position. This Electrical Safety Program Administrator(s) is responsible for
developing, implementing, and maintaining this written Electrical Safety Program
for Construction. He/She/They is qualified, by appropriate training and experience
that is commensurate with the complexity of the program, to administer and
oversee our written program and conduct the required evaluations of program
effectiveness.

Copies of the program may be obtained from our Program Administrator(s) at

Location and phone number. Feel free to ask our Administrator(s) for further
information. We strive for clear understanding and safe behavior. If after reading

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this program, you find that improvements can be made, please contact the Program
Administrator(s). We encourage all suggestions because we are committed to the
success of our written program.

Assured equipment grounding conductor program (AEGCP)

Under 29 CFR 1926.404(b)(1)(i), employers must provide ground-fault protection.

The regulation addresses two separate methods of ground-fault protection, of which
the employer must choose one. Therefore, employers have two options for meeting
paragraph (b)(1)(i) — use ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) for the particular
voltage OR implement a written assured equipment grounding conductor program
(AEGCP).

Based on the options at §1926.404(b)(1)(i) and the AEGCP provisions at

§1926.404(b)(1)(iii), OSHA requires a written AEGCP if all the following statements
apply to your company:

 You have employees that work at a construction jobsite(s); and

 Your construction jobsite(s) has one or more of the following:

1. Cord sets, and/or

2. Equipment connected by cord and plug, and/or

3. Receptacles are not a part of the permanent wiring of the building or

structure; and

 The above cord sets, equipment, and/or receptacles, if applicable, are available
for use or used by employees at the construction jobsite(s); and

 One or both of the following applies to your cord sets, equipment, and/or
receptacles:

1. A GFCI is not available to some or all of the above applicable cord sets,
equipment, and/or receptacles; or

2. GFCIs are available for all of the above applicable cord sets, equipment, and
receptacles, but you choose to go with an AEGCP for all of them.

Because ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) protection is not always available at

the site for all receptacles that are not a part of the permanent wiring of the
building or structure, we have established and implemented this Assured Equipment
Grounding Conductor Program (AEGCP). The purpose of the AEGCP is to assure that
equipment grounding conductors for the following equipment are installed and
maintained to protect employees from electrical ground faults during work at any of

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our construction jobsites: Equipment types covered, such as cord sets, equipment
connected by cord and plug, and receptacles that are not part of the permanent
wiring..

The specific equipment that falls under our AEGCP includes: List equipment.

It is our intent to meet the requirements of OSHA regulation, § 1926.404(b)(1)(iii).

Our written AEGCP is posted and may be viewed at Location. Copies may be
obtained by contacting the Electrical Safety Program Administrator(s).

AEGCP inspections and tests

Our Electrical Safety Program Administrator(s) is responsible for performing and

following inspections and tests:

The following inspection/test: Must be performed When:

on:
Visual inspection Look for:  Cord sets  Before each day’s
 Attachment caps use
 External defects (such as  Plug and  Other
deformed or missing pins or receptacle of cord
insulation damage) sets
 Indications of possible  Any equipment
internal damage connected by
cord and plug
(except cord sets
and receptacles
which are fixed
and not exposed
to damage)

Continuity testing Equipment  Cord sets  Before first use;

grounding conductors must be  Receptacles  Before equipment is
tested for continuity and shall be which are not returned to service
electrically continuous. Testing part of the following any
device to use is Name of testing permanent wiring repairs;
device, located at Location. of the building or  Before equipment is
structure used after any
 Cord- and plug- incident which can
connected be reasonably
equipment suspected to have
required to be caused damage (for
grounded example, when a
cord set is run over);
 At intervals not to
exceed 3 months,
except that cord

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 sets and receptacles
which are fixed and
not exposed to
damage shall be
tested at intervals
not exceeding 6
months; AND
 Other

Grounding conductor testing  Cord sets  Before first use;

Each receptacle and attachment  Receptacles  Before equipment is
cap or plug shall be tested for which are not returned to service
correct attachment of the part of the following any
equipment grounding conductor. permanent wiring repairs;
The equipment grounding of the building or  Before equipment is
conductor shall be connected to structure used after any
its proper terminal. Testing  Cord- and plug- incident which can
device to use is Name of testing connected be reasonably
device, located at Name of equipment suspected to have
testing device. required to be caused damage (for
grounded example, when a
cord set is run over);
 At intervals not to
exceed 3 months,
except that cord
sets and receptacles
which are fixed and
not exposed to
damage shall be
tested at intervals
not exceeding 6
months
 Other

Other test or inspection What other test or When other test or

inspection is inspection is performed
Description of other test or performed on
inspection

Equipment that fails an inspection or test or is otherwise found to be damaged or

defective is removed from service and given to Name/position. This failed,
damaged, or defective equipment is then discarded, repaired, or adjusted according
to the following procedures: List procedures including who is responsible. The
equipment may not be used until properly repaired or replaced.

Company name does not provide or permit employees to use any equipment which
has not met the requirements of this AEGCP.

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AEGCP recordkeeping

Tests will be recorded by means of Describe method in detail, e.g., logs, color-
coding, numeric, or other effective means. (Your recording method must identify (1)
each receptacle, cord set, and cord- and plug-connected equipment that passed the
test, and (2) the last date it was tested or the interval for which it was tested. The
“record” must be maintained until replaced by a more current record. We have
provided a blank Assured Equipment Grounding Conductor Program Form in the
Appendices. If you use a color-coding system, use the fill-in above to list the colors
and the month and/or quarter of the year they represent.)

Explain how test results are made available. (If you use color-coding, explain that
because the test results are color-coded right on the equipment, they are readily
available. If you use logs, they must be readily available, such as by posting, and an
affected employee must not need to request to see them.)

Name/position is responsible for maintaining these test records.

AEGCP training

Under no circumstances may an employee use any cord set, equipment connected
by cord and plug, or receptacle that is not a part of the building or structure, until
he/she has successfully completed this company’s training program under the
AEGCP. This includes each new, affected employee, regardless of claimed previous
experience. Individuals in the following teams receive training:

List teams or departments.

The Electrical Safety Program Administrator(s) will identify trainees in each set of
new employees and make arrangements with management to schedule training.
The Program Administrator(s) will also identify those existing employees who need
retraining.

Name/position is responsible for conducting training. His/Her/Their qualifications

include: List qualifications.

Training is done in-house or by an outside company. See the attached current copy
of the training materials and the course outline. (Attach training materials and
course outline to this program.) The company training program includes: Enter type
of instruction, e.g., classroom lecture, discussion, video, and/or conference formats
or practical demonstrations, exercises, and/or hands-on instruction.

Through training we ensure that each employee in the teams listed above are
knowledgeable in: List topics.

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AEGCP training certification

After an employee has completed the training program, the instructor will
determine whether the employee can safely perform the job. Name/position is
responsible for keeping records certifying each employee who has successfully
completed training. Each certificate includes List content, e.g., employee name,
date(s) of training, signature of trainer/evaluator.

Procedures for work on/near exposed de-energized parts

The purpose of this set of procedures is to protect employees who may be exposed
to electrical hazards when they work on or near enough to exposed de-energized
parts of Name of electrical machine, equipment or conductors. (Note: This
procedure is filled out differently for each lockout/tagout situation.) The following
employees are authorized and qualified to conduct work on this electrical Enter the
word machine, equipment, or conductor: List authorized, qualified employees.

Company name maintains a written copy of these procedures at Location and

makes it available for inspection by employees.

Hazard analysis

Name/position has performed a hazard analysis on Name of electrical machine,

equipment, or conductors. This person was equipped with appropriate information
and knowledge about the following before making any hazard analysis decisions:
List information and knowledge, e.g., understanding of electrical energy sources
and ways to control them.

A copy of the hazard analysis for Name of electrical machine, equipment, or

conductors may be obtained from Name/position. The hazard analysis contains: List
content, i.e., date equipment assessment was/is performed, items assessed, the
hazards, potential electrical energy source(s), electrical energy control device(s) for
each source, and location of device(s), etc..

The findings and determinations were used to create this energy control (lockout
and tagging) procedure, as well as to develop other related electrical work practices
and employee training.

(We have provided a blank Hazard Analysis Form in the Appendix.)

Electrical lockout and tagging procedure (for exposed de-energized parts)

While any employee is exposed to contact with parts of Name of electrical machine,
equipment, or conductors which has been de-energized, the circuits energizing the
parts must be tagged or tagged and locked out in accordance with the procedures
below. The main procedural steps include:

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 De-energize equipment
 Apply locks and tags
 Verify the de-energized condition
 Perform work
 Re-energize equipment

(The current 29 CFR 1926.417(a) to (c) does not allow for lockout alone. Tags are
required for work involving de-energized parts.)

The procedure must be followed in the order in which it is presented below.

Note: If Name of electrical machine, equipment, or conductors has been de-

energized but has not been tagged or tagged and locked out in accordance with
these procedures, then Name of electrical machine, equipment, or conductors shall
be treated as energized parts, and §1926.417 applies to work on or near them.
Please refer to §1926.417 for more information.

De-energize Name of electrical machine, equipment, or conductors

1. The qualified person determines safe procedures for de-energizing circuits

and equipment before circuits or equipment are de-energized.
2. The qualified person disconnects the circuits and equipment to be worked on
from all electrical energy sources by: Procedure.

Note: Control circuit devices, such as push buttons, selector switches, and
interlocks, may not be used as the sole means for de-energizing circuits or
equipment. Interlocks for electric equipment may not be used as a substitute
for lockout and tagging procedures.

3. The qualified person releases any stored “electric” energy that might
endanger personnel by Procedure. (The qualified person must discharge any
capacitors if the stored electric energy might endanger personnel. Capacitors
or associated equipment must be treated as energized if handled. The
qualified person must short-circuit and ground high capacitance elements if
the stored electric energy might endanger personnel.).
4. Stored “non-electrical” energy in devices that could re-energize electric
circuit parts is Brief description of what is done, i.e., blocked or relieved to
the extent that the circuit parts could not be accidentally energized by the
device. The qualified person does this by Procedure.

Apply locks and tags

(If you never take exceptions A or B below, and you always use both a lock and tag
on the equipment in every situation, then use the following procedure.)

1. The qualified person places a Enter names of lockout/tagout devices on each

disconnecting means used to de-energize circuits and equipment on which

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 work is to be performed. These devices prevent persons from operating the
disconnecting means.
2. The qualified person ensures that each tag identifies plainly the equipment or
circuits being worked on, and each tag contains the following statement:
Enter statement prohibiting unauthorized operation of the disconnecting
means and removal of the tag..

(Exception A: If a lock cannot be applied, a tag may be used without a lock. Use the
following procedure.)

1. The qualified person places a Name of tagout device on each disconnecting

means used to de-energize circuits and equipment on which work is to be
performed. This device helps to prevent persons from operating the
disconnecting means.

Note: A lock cannot be applied because Explain why lock cannot be applied to the
equipment. Therefore, the qualified person may simply use a tag without a lock.

2. The qualified person ensures that each tag identifies plainly the equipment or
circuits being worked on, and each tag contains the following statement:
Enter statement prohibiting unauthorized operation of the disconnecting
means of the tag.
3. Because a tag is used without a lock, the qualified person supplements the
tag by Enter additional safety measure that provides a level of safety
equivalent to the use of a lock, e.g., removal of an isolating circuit element,
clocking of a controlling switch, or opening of an extra disconnecting device.

(Exception B: If you can demonstrate that tagging procedures will provide a level of
safety equivalent to that obtained by the use of a lock, a tag may be used without a
lock. Use the following procedure.)

1. The qualified person places a Enter name of tagout device on each

disconnecting means used to de-energize circuits and equipment on which
work is to be performed. This device helps to prevent persons from operating
the disconnecting means.

Note: We are able to demonstrate that tagging procedures will provide a level of
safety equivalent to that obtained by the use of a lock. That’s because Explain why
your tagging procedures will provide a level of safety equivalent to the use of a
lock. Therefore, the qualified person may simply use a tag without a lock.

2. The qualified person ensures that each tag identifies plainly the equipment or
circuits being worked on, and each tag contains the following statement:
Enter statement prohibiting unauthorized operation of the disconnecting
means and removal of the tag.
3. Because a tag is used without a lock, the qualified person supplements the
tag by Enter additional safety measure that provides a level of safety

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 equivalent to the use of a lock, e.g., removal of an isolating circuit element,
blocking of a controlling switch, or opening of an extra disconnecting device.

(The former§1926.417(d) allowed qualified employees to apply a lock without a tag

under the conditions set forth in (i)-(iii): (i) Only one circuit or piece of equipment is
de-energized; (ii) The lockout period does not extend beyond the work shift; or (iii)
Employees exposed to the hazards associated with re-energizing the circuit or
equipment are familiar with this procedure. However, the current §1926.417(a) to
(c) does not allow for lockout alone for construction. According to §1926.417(a) to
(c): “(a) Controls. Controls that are to be deactivated during the course of work on
energized or deenergized equipment or circuits shall be tagged. (b) Equipment and
circuits. Equipment or circuits that are deenergized shall be rendered inoperative
and shall have tags attached at all points where such equipment or circuits can be
energized. (c) Tags. Tags shall be placed to identify plainly the equipment or circuits
being worked on.”‘ Therefore, this sample program does not offer a procedure for
lockout alone.)

Verify the de-energized condition

(If the circuit to be tested is over 600 volts, nominal, use the following procedure.)

1. The qualified person verifies that the equipment cannot be restarted by

Procedure used to verify equipment cannot be restarted, i.e., operating the
equipment operating controls.
2. The qualified person checks Name of testing device for proper operation
immediately before the test. This person performs this check by List of
procedures.
3. The qualified person uses Name of testing device to test the circuit elements
and electrical parts of Name of electrical machine, equipment, or conductors
to which employees will be exposed, and verifies that:
— The circuit elements and electrical parts are de-energized. This person
performs this verification by List verification procedure; and
— No energized condition exists as a result of inadvertently induced voltage
or unrelated voltage backfeed even though specific parts of the circuit
have been de-energized and presumed to be safe. This person makes this
determination by List determination procedure.
4. The qualified person checks Name of testing device for proper operation
immediately after the test. This person does this by List procedures for check.

(If the circuit to be tested is at or under 600 volts, nominal, use the following
procedure.)

1. The qualified person verifies that the equipment cannot be restarted by List
verification procedure, i.e., operating the equipment operating controls.
2. This step is optional. The qualified person may check Name of testing device
for proper operation immediately before the test. This person performs this
check by List procedure.

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 3. The qualified person uses Name of testing device to test the circuit elements
and electrical parts of Name of electrical machine, equipment, or conductors
to which employees will be exposed, and verifies that:
— The circuit elements and electrical parts are de-energized. This person
performs this verification by Verification procedures; and
— No energized condition exists as a result of inadvertently induced voltage
or unrelated voltage backfeed even though specific parts of the circuit
have been de-energized and presumed to be safe. This person makes this
determination by Procedure.
4. This step is optional. The qualified person may check Testing device for
proper operation immediately after the test. This person does this by
Procedure.

Perform work on Name of electrical machine, equipment, or conductors

If the hazardous energy is controlled using all the steps above, then the qualified
person may consider Name of electrical machine, equipment, or conductors de-
energized, and the qualified person may perform the work on Name of electrical
machine, equipment, or conductors.

Re-energize Name of electrical machine, equipment, or conductors

These requirements shall be met, in the order given, before circuits or equipment is
re-energized, even temporarily.

1. The qualified person conducts the following tests and visual inspections, as
necessary, to verify that all Enter devices; all tools, electrical jumpers, shorts,
grounds, and other such devices must be removed have been removed:
Tests, visual inspections, and test equipment used.
2. The qualified person warns employees to stay clear of Name of electrical
machine, equipment, or conductors if they are exposed to the hazards
associated with re-energizing the circuit or equipment.
3. The qualified person(s) who applied a Name(s) of lockout/tagout devices must
remove his/her/their own Name(s) of lockout/tagout devices or directly
supervise the removal of his/her/their own Name(s) of lockout/tagout devices
as follows: Procedure to remove lockout/tagout devices. See the exception in
step 4.
4. If the qualified person(s) who applied a Name(s) of lockout/tagout devices is
absent from the worksite, then the Name(s) of lockout/tagout devices may be
removed by a qualified person designated to perform this task provided that:
— The qualified person ensures that the employee who applied the Name(s)
of lockout/tagout devices is not available at the worksite, and
— The qualified person ensures that the employee is aware that the Name(s)
of lockout/tagout devices has been removed before he/she resumes work
at the worksite.
5. The qualified person visually determines that all employees are clear of the
Name of electrical machine, equipment, or conductors.

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 6. The qualified person may energize the Name of electrical machine,
equipment, or conductors.

Electrical safety program evaluation

In order to improve employee protection and prevent safety issues and ensure
continued effectiveness of the Electrical Safety Program for Construction, our
Program Administrator(s), thoroughly evaluates and, as necessary, revises our
program Enter frequency, i.e., weekly, monthly, quarterly, semiannually, annually,
etc.. This evaluation involves the following: Methods of evaluation (This may include
conducting evaluations of the worksite as necessary to ensure that the provisions of
the current written program are being effectively implemented and that it continues
to be effective, or regularly consulting employees to assess the employees’ views
on program effectiveness and to identify any problems. Any problems that are
identified during this assessment must be corrected.)

This program is current as of Click here to enter date .

Appendices

Our company has attached the following appendices to this written program: List
attachments. (Attachments may include any forms (like the Assured Equipment
Grounding Conductor Program Form and/or Hazard Analysis Form for Electrical
Machines, Equipment, and Conductors), any related regulations, any records or
documentation, list of equipment related to this procedure, list of qualified
employees, related written programs or procedures, protective equipment
inspection checklist, other inspection checklist(s), copies of signs, copies of notices,
copies of labels, information about the outside training company and its training
materials, in-house training curriculum/materials, list of trained employees, and/or
other attachments).

Assured equipment grounding conductor program form

Equipment Test Timing of Comment: Initials of person

tested: date: test:* doing test:
* Timing includes:

(1) Before first use;

(2) Before equipment is returned to service following any repairs;

(3) Before equipment is used after any incident which can be reasonably
suspected to have caused damage (for example, when a cord set is run over);

(4) At intervals not to exceed 3 months, except that cord sets and receptacles
which are fixed and not exposed to damage shall be tested at intervals not

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exceeding 6 months; and

(5) Other timing

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Hazard analysis form for electrical machines, equipment, and conductors

Name of person performing analysis: Date of analysis:

Name of machine, equipment, or Location of machine, equipment, or
conductor: conductor:
Do employees perform maintenance or repair on the machine, equipment, or
conductor? (Yes or No)

If no, stop filling out the form here and return it to Name/position
Potential electrical energy source(s): Location of electrical energy
source(s):

Are multiple locks required for this machine, equipment, or conductor? (Yes or No)
Electrical energy control devices* that Location of electrical energy control
may be used: devices:

* Examples of possible devices include: keyed locks, tags only, blanks, wedges,
blocks, chains, cables, etc.

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