Protecting Employees from

Electric-Arc Flash Hazards

OSHA 4472-11 2024

This guidance is not a standard or regulation, and it creates no new legal obligations. It contains
recommendations as well as descriptions of mandatory safety and health standards. The recommendations
are advisory in nature, informational in content, and are intended to assist employers in providing a safe and
healthful workplace. The Occupational Safety and Health Act requires employers to comply with safety and
health standards and regulations promulgated by OSHA or by a state with an OSHA-approved state plan. In
addition, the Act’s General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1), requires employers to provide their employees with a
workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm.
Material contained in this publication is in the public domain and may be reproduced, fully or partially,
without permission. Source credit is requested but not required.
This information will be made available to sensory-impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: (202) 693-
1999; teletypewriter (TTY) number: 1-877-889-5627.
Contents
Introduction ............................................................................. 1
Addressing Arc Flash Hazards in a Safety and Health Program.......... 2
Worker Participation................................................................................................. 3
Hazard Identification and Assessment.................................................................... 4
Limited & Restricted Approach Boundary vs. Arc Flash Boundary.................................... 5
Difficulties in Determining Arc Flash Incident Energy......................................................... 7
Multiple Calculation Methods.....................................................................................7
Working Conditions and Equipment Maintenance...................................................7
Hazard Prevention and Control................................................................................ 7
Administrative Controls........................................................................................................ 8
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)................................................................................. 8
PPE: Arc-Rated, Rubber Insulated, and Fire-Resistant (FR) Clothing/PPE...............9
PPE: Arc-Ratings..........................................................................................................9

Conclusion .............................................................................11
OSHA’s Existing Standards for Working with Electricity ...................12
How OSHA Can Help .................................................................13
Introduction
Electrical injuries are a serious workplace health and
safety issue. This guidance helps employers whose
workers interact with live equipment or circuits, and
those in power generation, transmission, and
distribution to identify, assess, and mitigate arc flash
(also known as electric arc) hazards. While arc flash
incidents can occur in any setting with electrical
equipment, arc flashes typically involve large electrical
panels, motor control centers, electrical switchboards,
transformers, disconnect fuses and metal-clad switch
gears.
Research by the Fire Protection Research Foundation, an Electrical worker in
affiliate of the NFPA, determined that the principal injury protective gear.
events associated with electrical hazards are electric
shocks,1 arc flashes, and arc blasts.2
Specific arc flash statistics are difficult to quantify, and Arc flash incidents can ignite clothing, cause structural
multiple sources provide differing information, but fires, and produce particles of molten metal, causing
they all present alarming data. NFPA estimates, in its 70E severe or even fatal burn injuries. At these high
Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, that five to temperatures, most items within 3 feet (0.9 meters),
ten arc flash explosions occur daily across the US. including skin and flammable clothing, will burn, melt, or
Similarly, the Industrial Safety and Hygiene News, states vaporize. Most arc flash burn injuries occur when the arc
that up to ten arc flash incidents occur every day, ignites flammable clothing and not from the arc itself.
“totaling more than 3,600 disabling electrical contact
injuries each year.”3
An electric arc is a type of electrical explosion. The
electric arc produces a bright flash, where temperatures
can exceed 35,000 °F (19,400 °C), nearly four times the
temperature of the surface of the sun. This energy
creates an explosive blast, or arc blast, that produces
deafening sound, supersonic concussive forces, and
superheated shrapnel.

1. Electric shocks result from direct contact with exposed energized source or part where the electric current runs through the
body part making contact. Electric shocks can cause minor injuries like burns or serious issues like heart problems depending
on the strength of the electric current and the length of exposure time.
2. “Occupational Injuries From Electrical Shock and Arc Flash Events,” Richard B. Campbell & David A. Dini, March 2015, The Fire
Protection Research Foundation. https://efcog.org/wp-content/uploads/Wgs/Safety%20Working%20Group/_Worker%20
Safety%20and%20Health%20Subgroup/Electrical%20Safety%20Task%20Group/Documents/REPORT%20-%20Arc%20 Flash
%20Occ%20Data%20FINAL.pdf
3. “In a flash: Take Steps to protect workers from hazards,” Benita Mehta, Industrial Safety and Hygiene News
https://www.ishn.com/articles/112500-in-a-flash-take-steps-to-protect-workers-from-hazards

1 | Protecting Employees from Electric-Arc Flash Hazards

Before discussing how to identify and mitigate arc flash hazards, two common myths
should be addressed -- energized work and justified energized work. Many workers
mistakenly assume that they do not need arc rated or arc flash rated (AR) personal
protective equipment (PPE) because they are not performing energized work.
Employees must understand that work on deenergized equipment is not the same as
an electrically safe working condition (ESWC).4 Deenergizing is just one step toward an
ESWC, and it does not eliminate electrical hazards.5
Additionally, there is a common myth among employees that the justified energized
work they are performing is electrically safe. Even when work is considered
"justified,"strict safety measures must be implemented and followed to minimize the
risks associated with electrical hazards. Justified energized work refers to specific
situations where working on or near energized electrical equipment is deemed
necessary and “justified” under certain conditions. In some instances, it may not be
feasible or practical to deenergize the equipment for maintenance or other tasks
(such as interrupting power to a hospital) and de-energization may introduce or
create additional hazards.

Addressing Arc Flash Hazards in a Safety and

Health Program
OSHA recommends that employers implement a safety W Hazard Prevention and Control
and health program. OSHA’s publication,
W Education and Training
“Recommended Practices for Safety and Health
Programs,” www.osha.gov/safety-management, W Program Evaluation and Improvement
presents a step-by-step approach to implementing a W Communication and Coordination for Host
safety and health program, built around seven core Employers, Contractors, and Staffing Agencies
elements that make up a successful program:
This guide shows how management systems can be
W Management Leadership used to protect workers from arc flash hazards with a
W Worker Participation focus on worker participation, hazard identification
and assessment, and hazard prevention and control.
W Hazard Identification and Assessment

4. NFPA 70E defines an ESWC as a state in which an electrical conductor or circuit part has been disconnected from energized
parts, locked-out or tagged-out in accordance with established standards (such as 29 CFR 1910.147), and tested to verify the
absence of voltage.
5. According to OSHA’s 29 CFR 1910.333(b)(1) standard, conductors and parts of electric equipment that have been
deenergized but have not been properly locked out or tagged out must be considered energized parts.

2 | Protecting Employees from Electric-Arc Flash Hazards

Worker Participation
To be effective, any safety and health program needs fails. Employers should leverage the firsthand knowledge
the meaningful participation of workers and their and experience of their workers who are directly exposed
representatives. Workers have much to gain from a to arc flash risks:
successful program, and the most to lose if the program

Worker Participation and Arc Flash Safety

Encourage Workers to Safety Culture: Create a culture where workers feel comfortable sharing safety
Participate in the Safety concerns and participating in safety programs. Acknowledge and provide positive
and Health Program feedback for workers who raise concerns about arc flash hazards. Managers and
supervisors should maintain an environment that invites workers to make safety
and health suggestions.
Encourage Workers to Reporting Hazards: Workers have a right to raise safety concerns. Establish a
Report Safety and Health system for workers to report potential arc flash hazards without fear of reprisal.
Concerns Involve workers in finding solutions to any arc flash issues reported.
Feedback Mechanisms: Regularly review and act on worker feedback to address
reported concerns. Ensure workers that reported information will only be used to
improve workplace safety.
Give Workers Access Access to Procedures and Guidelines: Ensure workers have up-to-date information
to Safety and Health on arc flash hazards, safety procedures, required personal protective equipment, and
Information emergency plans.
Training and Education: Provide access to training materials and sessions on arc
flash hazards.
Involve Workers in All Collaborate on Procedures: Involve workers in developing and revising safety
Aspects of the Program procedures and procedures for activities involving arc flash hazards. Analyze arc flash
hazards in each step of routine and nonroutine jobs, tasks, and processes.
Customize Training: Design training with worker input to cover relevant arc flash
risks and protective measures.
Participatory Inspections: Include workers in safety inspections and audits to spot
arc flash hazards.
Remove Barriers to Ensure Inclusivity: Allow all workers to participate, regardless of skill level,
Participation education, or language. Implement multilingual resources as needed.
Support and Resources: Provide necessary resources and time for workers to
participate effectively in the safety and health program (i.e., safety and health
meetings during regular work hours).

3 | Protecting Employees from Electric-Arc Flash Hazards

Hazard Identification and Assessment
Existing regulations require assessing the workplace for Ultimately, arc flashes are less likely to occur when
hazards, including electric arcs, but do not specify the equipment is properly maintained. Having recognized the
components of the assessment. The hazard assessment potential hazards related to arc flashes, employers and
should include: identification of hazards (both electrical workers should assess their likelihood and severity.
and non-electrical); the likelihood of occurrence for each
Existing regulations require that employers in the electric
hazard; the severity of harm if the hazard were to occur;
power utility industry make an estimate of the “incident
and hazard mitigation measures that will reduce the
heat energy” available at the energized electrical
hazard to an acceptable risk.
conductor or equipment (29 CFR 1910.269(l)(8)(ii) and
To identify and assess potential hazards, employers – 29 CFR 1926.960(g)(2)), often referred to as an “arc flash
in consultation with workers – should review existing risk assessment.”6 Incident energy is the amount of heat
information about workplace hazards and periodically energy, measured in calories per square centimeter (cal/
conduct an inspection to find additional hazards. cm²), that a worker may be exposed to during an arc
Hazards that may lead to arc flashes include: flash. This energy can cause burns or other injuries to
a worker nearby. The estimate of incident energy will
W Faulty or malfunctioning electrical equipment,
determine:
W Inadequate installation or maintenance practices,
W The distance between the arc flash boundary and
W Operating equipment beyond its rated capacity, the energized source,
W Unauthorized modifications or alterations to W The incident energy at the working distance, and
electrical equipment,
W The level of PPE required to safely perform any
W Lack of proper warning systems, such as warning permitted energized electrical work.
signs and labels,
W Assuming low voltage equipment, 240V and under,
cannot produce arcs, and
W Inadequate or insufficient PPE.
Additionally, the likelihood of an arc flash incident
increases when exposed energized electrical conductors
or circuit parts are subject to various factors:
W Unintentional tool contact with conductive
surfaces,
W Inadequate training on safety practices,
W Use of improper equipment or tools,
W Corrosion of conductive contacts,
W Worn or damaged insulation,
W Loose contacts,
Engineer wearing an arc flash protection
W Weather conditions, and
suit while performing an inspection.
W Impurities like dust or moisture on the insulating
material.

6. Conducting an arc flash study is highly recommended for all employers whose workers may be exposed to electrical hazards,
not just utility workers.

4 | Protecting Employees from Electric-Arc Flash Hazards

Limited & Restricted Approach Boundary vs. Arc
Flash Boundary Exposed,
Energized
Electrical
NFPA 70E recommends that the closer a worker gets to Conductor

the electrical hazard the more training and protection

they should have. The limited and restricted
boundaries are for protecting against electric shock, not
against arc flashes:
W Restricted approach boundary: Inside this Limited Approach Boundary Restricted Approach Boundary

boundary is the highest likelihood of electric shock.

Figure 1. The Limited and Restricted Approach
Under no circumstance should an unqualified worker
ever be permitted to cross the restricted boundary. Boundaries. The Restricted Approach Boundary is ALWAYS
inside the Limited Approach Boundary.
Qualified workers should never enter or take
conductive objects within the restricted approach These boundaries serve as the minimum
boundary unless they are using appropriate PPE, allowable safe limit for a worker, including any
and the conductive object is insulated. conductive tools/equipment, to approach an
W Limited approach boundary: Inside this boundary energized conductor or circuit part. In some
an electric shock hazard exists. Wherever it is instances, the arc flash boundary is larger than
necessary for an unqualified worker to cross the the limited approach boundary (see Figure 2).
limited approach boundary, the unqualified worker This occurs when there is a large amount of
should be supervised by a qualified worker (see 29 incident energy that may be released by an arc
CFR 1910.399 or 1926.968) and accompanied while flash. If employers only rely on the limited
inside the limited approach boundary. However, it is approach boundary, they may place workers
important to note that if the arc flash boundary is within the arc flash boundary and could
within or outside the limited approach boundary, expose them to arc flash hazards. Whenever
the rules for the arc flash boundary have priority. there is a likelihood of arc flash incident,
employers should determine and use both the
However, the arc flash boundary is specific to arc flash arc flash boundary and the limited/restricted
hazards, not electric shock. Additionally, unlike the approach boundaries to ensure worker safety.
electric shock boundaries, the arc flash boundary does Employers must ensure compliance with
not follow a set relationship. Specifically, the restricted minimum approach distances set in applicable
approach boundary is always inside the limited OSHA standards (29 CFR 1926.960(c)(1) and 29
approach boundary. The arc flash boundary, however, CFR 1910.269(l)(3)).
may be inside or outside of either the limited or
restricted boundary:
W Arc flash boundary: At this boundary a worker
without appropriate PPE could receive second
degree burns from an arc flash.7 Similar to the
restricted boundary, under no circumstance should
an unqualified worker ever be permitted to cross the
arc flash boundary .

7. According to NFPA 70E the arc flash boundary is the distance from an exposed energized electrical conductor or circuit part
where the incident energy equals 1.2 cal/cm2 (5.02 J/cm2).

5 | Protecting Employees from Electric-Arc Flash Hazards

Exposed,
Energized
Electrical
Conductor

Arc Flash Boundary

Limited Approach Boundary Restricted Approach Boundary

Exposed,
Energized
Electrical
Conductor

Arc Flash Boundary

Limited Approach Boundary Restricted Approach Boundary

Exposed,
Energized
Electrical
Conductor

Arc Flash Limited Approach Restricted Approach

Boundary Boundary Boundary

varies

Figure 2. Different Arc Flash Boundaries. Unlike the Restricted and

Limited Approach Boundaries, the Arc Flash Boundary does not have
a set rule for placement. It could be inside or outside the Limited/
Restricted Approach Boundaries.

6 | Protecting Employees from Electric-Arc Flash Hazards

Difficulties in Determining Arc Flash The amount of incident energy also depends on how fast
Incident Energy the faulty component can be isolated from the source of
energy. If the protective device isolating the equipment
Multiple Calculation Methods does not operate as intended (e.g., a breaker not opening
Many organizations and consensus bodies have as quickly as intended), the arc flash energy will be higher
developed methods to calculate arc flash incident energy than expected during a fault. Employers must inspect and
levels.8 These methods vary in applicability, depending maintain these protective devices in accordance with 29
on the situation, and the results of the methods may vary CFR 1910.334 to ensure they function as designed.
dramatically. Employers can more accurately determine Additionally, employers should calculate incident energy
the likely incident heat energy to which their workers after each major modification of the electrical system or
may be exposed by using multiple methods and utilizing
equipment to account for possible changes in incident
the most reasonable and conservative results.
energy during an arc flash.
Working Conditions and Equipment Maintenance By identifying and assessing arc flash hazards employers
If equipment is not properly maintained and kept in good can determine appropriate safeguards to protect their
working condition, the calculation of available incident employees.
energy may not be accurate. As a result, the approach
boundaries may be incorrect, leading to worker exposure
to arc flash hazards.

Hazard Prevention and Control

The hierarchy of controls ranks safeguards to protect Due to the nature of electrical work, many preventive
workers from hazards (Figure 3). They are arranged controls will be difficult or impractical to implement
from most to least effective and include: elimination, (such as redesigning an existing electrical distribution
substitution, engineering controls, administrative system). As such, employers often rely on protective
controls, and PPE. controls – administrative controls and PPE – to protect
These five levels of the hierarchy can be organized their employees.
into two groups: preventive and protective controls. The use of administrative controls and PPE require
Preventive controls – elimination, substitution, and significant and ongoing effort by workers and their
engineering controls – are aimed at eliminating or supervisors. They are most useful when employers are in
minimizing hazards at their source to prevent them the process of implementing other control methods from
from occurring in the first place. These controls should the hierarchy, when arc flash hazards cannot be reduced
be considered first, as they are the most effective in to an acceptable level, or to provide an additional layer of
ensuring workplace safety. Protective controls on the protection.
other hand – administrative controls and PPE – are
measures implemented to minimize the impact of the
hazard or reduce workers’ exposure to the hazard.
Protective controls are utilized when it is not feasible or
practical to eliminate the hazard completely. Employers,
in consultation with their workers, should evaluate their
safeguards on a regular basis, determine the effectiveness
of reducing workers’ exposure, and identify potential
improvements.

8. Examples of calculation methods are found in IEEE 1584, NFPA 70E’s Informative Annex D, and commercially available
software.

7 | Protecting Employees from Electric-Arc Flash Hazards

Figure 3. Image by NIOSH
{https://www.cdc.gov/
niosh/hierarchy-of-controls/
about/index.html}
Administrative Controls W Implementing a permit-to-work system that
requires authorization and risk assessment before
Administrative controls establish work practices that
conducting work on or near energized electrical
reduce the duration, frequency, or intensity of exposure
equipment.
to hazards. This may include training, maintenance/
housekeeping, limiting access to hazardous areas or Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
machinery, or adjusting work procedures. Existing
PPE is worn to minimize exposure to hazards. Examples
regulations require employers to implement
of PPE include shock and arc rated (AR) garments,
administrative controls in certain situations. For
including clothing, footwear, gloves, safety glasses/face
example, 29 CFR 1910.335(b)(1) requires the use of
shields, hearing protection, coats, hard hats, and
safety signs/tags to warn employees of electrical hazards
coveralls. When workers use PPE, employers must
which may endanger them. Additionally, there are
implement a PPE program according to 29 CFR 1910.132
training requirements contained in 29 CFR 1910.332 for
or 29 CFR 1926.95 & 1926.97. The program must address:
employees who face a risk of electric shock that is not
reduced to a safe level. W Workplace hazards analysis/assessment
Additional examples of administrative controls include: W PPE selection and use
W Developing and documenting clear, step-by- W Replacement of damaged or worn-out PPE
step procedures for workers exposed to arc flash W Employee training
hazards.
When other control methods are unable to reduce the
W Barricading the arc flash boundary with caution hazardous exposure to safe levels, employers must
or danger tape to indicate that work is in progress provide PPE that is appropriate for the work performed
and unauthorized or unqualified persons must not and the body parts covered, and is maintained in a safe,
encroach upon the approach boundaries. reliable condition and is periodically inspected or tested
W Providing comprehensive training to personnel on (29 CFR 1910.335(a)(1)(ii)). This may include:
electrical safety and arc flash hazard recognition. W While other controls are under development
W Ensuring that employees performing the electrical W When other controls cannot sufficiently reduce the
tasks are adequately trained, competent, and hazardous exposure
certified.
W When PPE is the only control option available

8 | Protecting Employees from Electric-Arc Flash Hazards

Employers must not rely solely on PPE alone to control Additionally, employers should stress the importance of
hazards when other effective control options are what workers wear under AR PPE, since the arc flash, or
available. PPE can be effective, but only when workers the molten metal created, can unpredictably penetrate
use it correctly and consistently. PPE might seem to be seams, closures, or flaps and ignite flammable
less expensive than other controls, but relying on PPE undergarments.
alone can be costly over time if it is not implemented
PPE: Arc-Ratings
correctly or relied on in lieu of more protective options.
NFPA 70E identifies four categorization levels of AR PPE,
PPE: Arc-Rated, Rubber Insulated, and Fire-Resistant where each number represents an increased risk of
(FR) Clothing/PPE danger from arc flash events. Category 1 is the lowest
As discussed above, most arc flash burn injuries occur level of arc-rated PPE and generally recommends only a
when the arc ignites flammable clothing and not from single layer of material. Category 2 increases the level of
the arc itself. Wearing flame-resistant or rubber-insulated protection by also increasing the minimum arc rating of
PPE does not necessarily provide arc flash protection. AR clothing, recommending eye and hearing protection;
Specifically rated PPE, known as arc-rated personal rubber-insulated gloves; and leather shoes. Categories 3
protective equipment (AR PPE), is needed to protect and 4 further boosts protection by recommending hard
employees from these high temperatures. Employers can hats and multiple layers of PPE.9
stress the importance of wearing the right PPE by using
phrases like, “Don’t wear fuel,” to remind workers that
proper AR PPE must always be used.

Damaged electrical boxes.

9. The most recent revision of ASTM F3258 (2021) outlines testing procedures and performance guidelines for rubber insulated
gloves effective against shock and arc flashes while the most recent revision of ASTM F1959 (2006) outlines testing methods
for determining the arc rating of clothing.

9 | Protecting Employees from Electric-Arc Flash Hazards

Arc Flash PPE Personal Protective Equipment
Category Arc-Rated (AR) Clothing Protective Equipment
Category 1 W AR long-sleeve shirt and pants or AR W Hard hat
Minimum arc overalls W Safety glasses or safety goggles
rating of 4 cal/cm2 W AR face shield or AR flash suit hood W Hearing protection
W AR jacket, parka, high-visibility apparel, W Leather footwear (AN)
rainwear, or hard hat liner (AN)
W Heavy-duty leather gloves, AR gloves,
or rubber insulating gloves with leather
protectors
Category 2 W AR long-sleeve shirt and pants or AR W Hard hat
Minimum arc overalls W Safety glasses or safety goggles
rating of 8 cal/cm2 W AR flash suit hood or AR face shield and AR W Hearing protection
balaclava
W Leather footwear (AN)
W AR jacket, parka, high-visibility apparel,
W Heavy-duty leather gloves, AR gloves,
rainwear, or hard hat liner (AN)
or rubber insulating gloves with leather
protectors
Category 3 W AR long sleeve shirt W Hard hat
Minimum arc W AR pants W Safety glasses or safety goggles
rating of 25 cal/cm2 W AR overall W Hearing protection
W AR flash suit jacket W Leather footwear
W AR flash suit pants
W AR flash suit hood
W AR gloves, or rubber insulating gloves with
leather protecters
W AR jacket, parka, high-visibility apparel,
rainwear, or hard hat liner (AN)
Category 4 W AR long sleeve shirt W Hard hat
Minimum arc W AR pants W Safety glasses or safety goggles
rating of 40 cal/cm2 W AR overall W Hearing protection
W AR flash suit jacket ather footwear
W Leather
W AR flash suit pants
W AR flash suit hood
W AR gloves, or rubber insulating gloves with
leather protecters
W AR jacket, parka, high-visibility apparel,
rainwear, or hard hat liner (AN)

(AN) – as needed.
Table 1. NFPA 70E (2021) Arc-Rated PPE Categorization Levels. Credit NFPA

10 | Protecting Employees from Electric-Arc Flash Hazards

Some jurisdictions have opted to recognize an additional Employers must select appropriate PPE for their workers
category of arc-rated PPE. For example, the Canadian based on the calculated incident energy, ensuring
Standards Association Workplace Electrical Safety they are protected from potential arc flash hazards in
Standard (CSA Z462) has defined a fifth category of arc- accordance with 29 CFR 1910.269(l)(8)(v) and 29 CFR
rated PPE. Category 5 arc-rated PPE is rated to have a 1926.960(g)(5).
minimum arc flash protection of 75 cal/cm2 (313.8 J/cm2).

Conclusion
Implementing a robust safety and health program can W Reduce costs, including significant reductions in
protect workers from arc flash hazards. Safety and health workers’ compensation premiums,
programs foster a proactive approach to “finding and
W Engage workers,
fixing” workplace hazards before they cause injury or
illness. Rather than reacting to an incident, management W Enhance their social responsibility goals, and
and workers collaborate to identify and solve issues W Increase productivity and enhance overall business
before they occur. By identifying, assessing, preventing, operations.
and controlling the risks associated with arc flash
hazards, employers can protect their workers from For more information on safety and health programs,
incidents. Employers should emphasize the distinction please visit: www.osha.gov/safety-management/.
between ‘deenergized’ and ‘locked out/tagged out,’ and Additionally, employers should share the following arc
highlight the consistent use of AR PPE. flash hazards guides specifically tailored to employees:
Employers will find that implementing a safety and health W Being Aware of Arc Flash Hazards
program also brings other benefits. Safety and health
W Common Electrical Work Myths
programs help businesses:
W Establishing Boundaries Around Arc Flash
W Prevent workplace injuries and illnesses,
Hazards
W Improve compliance with laws and regulations,

Engineer wearing an arc flash protection

suit while performing an inspection.

11 | Protecting Employees from Electric-Arc Flash Hazards

OSHA’s Existing Standards for Working with
Electricity
OSHA standards for employees who work with Appendices A through G. For Construction other than
electricity appear in three different sections of the electric utility industry work, the OSHA electrical safety
regulations, with a few subdivisions: regulations are in 29 CFR 1926, Subpart K – Electrical,
29 CFR 1926.400 through 29 CFR 1926.449.
W General Industry, 29 CFR 1910
The employer does not have to be an electric utility for
▶ Electrical work that involves electric power
a worker to be covered by 29 CFR 1910.269 or 29 CFR
generation, transmission, and distribution.
1926, Subpart V. If the worker is doing utility-type work –
▶ Electrical work that does not involve electric that is, their work involves the distribution of electricity
power generation, transmission, and throughout a workplace rather than to the use of
distribution. electricity in the workplace – then that worker is covered
W Construction, 29 CFR 1926 by 29 CFR 1910.269 or 29 CFR 1926, Subpart V.

▶ Electrical work that involves electric power OSHA’s existing standards for utility-type work,
transmission and distribution. adopted in April 2014, contain requirements for arc
flash protection and guidelines for assessing arc-flash
▶ Electrical work that does not involve electric hazards. These standards require the employer to make
power transmission and distribution. reasonable estimates of incident heat energy from
W Maritime Industry, 29 CFR Parts 1915, 1917, and electric arcs. Based on these estimates, the employer
1918 shall select appropriate protective equipment (79 FR
20316 et seq., April 11, 2014).
▶ Shipyard Employment.
Regulations for workers who work with electricity in
▶ Marine Terminals.
Shipyard Employment (shipbuilding, ship repair, and
▶ Longshoring. shipbreaking) are in 29 CFR 1915, Subpart L10 – Electrical
In both General Industry (29 CFR 1910) and Construction Machinery. The only electrical standard is 29 CFR
(29 CFR 1926), distinctions are made between the types of 1915.181, Electrical circuits and distribution boards.
electrical work that is being done. The standards for maritime workers who work with
For electric utility industry work in General Industry, electricity in Marine Terminal operations are in 29 CFR
the OSHA electrical regulations are in 29 CFR 1910, 1917, Subpart G – Related Terminal Operations and
Subpart R – Special Industries. Within Subpart R, the Equipment, 29 CFR 1917.151 through 29 CFR 1917.158.
regulations are in 29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power, The only topic covered related to electricity is battery
transmission and distribution. For General Industry other charging and changing. Even then, when shore-based
than electric utility industry work, the OSHA electrical electrical installations provide power for use aboard
regulations are in 29 CFR 1910, Subpart S – Electrical, vessels, workers use 29 CFR 1910, Subpart S, a General
29 CFR 1910.301 through 29 CFR 1910.399. Industry standard; shipboard electrical installations, use
Coast Guard regulations.
For electric utility industry work in Construction,
the OSHA electrical regulations are in 29 CFR 1926,
Subpart V – Electric Power Transmission and Distribution,
29 CFR 1926.950 through 29 CFR 1926.968 and

10. Many General Industry standards from 29 CFR 1910 Subpart S are incorporated by OSHA Instruction CPL 02-00-162 Shipyard
Employment “Tool Bag” Directive

12 | Protecting Employees from Electric-Arc Flash Hazards

The standards for maritime workers who work with OSHA standards follow NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical
electricity in Longshoring are in 29 CFR 1918, Subpart G – Safety in the Workplace, but OSHA has never
Cargo Handling Gear and Equipment Other Than Ship’s incorporated that consensus standard by reference.
Gear; and 29 CFR 1918, Subpart I – General Working
Conditions.

How OSHA Can Help

We have compliance assistance specialists throughout
the nation who can provide information to employers Exercise their rights under the law without
and workers about OSHA standards, short educational retaliation, including reporting an injury or raising
programs on specific hazards or OSHA rights and health and safety concerns with their employer or
responsibilities, and additional compliance assistance OSHA. If a worker has been retaliated against for
resources. Contact your local OSHA office for more using their rights, they must file a complaint with
information. OSHA as soon as possible, but no later than 30
OSHA’s On-Site Consultation Program offers no cost and days.
confidential services to help small and medium-sized
For additional information on workers’ rights, visit
businesses find and fix workplace hazards. On-site
consultation services are separate from enforcement osha.gov/workers.
and do not result in penalties or citations. Visit the
nearest Consultation office, or call 1-800-321- OSHA How to Contact OSHA
(6742).
OSHA’s mission is to assure America’s workers have safe
and healthful working conditions free from unlawful
Workers' Rights retaliation. For more information, visit osha.gov or call
Workers have the right to: OSHA at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742), TTY 1-877-889-5627.
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.

13 | Protecting Employees from Electric-Arc Flash Hazards OSHA 4472-11 2024