We continue to identify too many low voltage electrical hazards in 2025 on our job sites. Low voltage electrical systems in construction still present significant hazards. These include electric shock, arc flash burns, and secondary injuries from falls or being thrown due to muscle contractions. Even low voltage can cause severe burns, cardiac issues, and fatalities.
- Electric Shock: Low voltages can cause muscle contractions, making it difficult to release a conductor and leading to prolonged exposure and potential internal organ damage and heart fibrillation.
- Arc Flash: Low voltage systems can produce dangerous arc flashes, which can cause severe burns and ignite flammable materials.
- Secondary Injuries: Muscle spasms from shocks can cause workers to fall from heights or be thrown into objects, resulting in additional injuries.
- Burns: Both electrical burns and arc flash burns can occur, with low voltage systems potentially causing deep tissue damage and extensive scarring.
- Cardiac Arrest: Electrical current passing through the heart can disrupt its rhythm, leading to cardiac arrest.
- Fire: Arc flashes can ignite combustible materials, leading to fires and potential explosions.
All examples above have a common root cause. They all go back to an act of non-compliant behavior from employees and/or construction site leadership.
SOURCES OF HAZARDS
- Wet Conditions: Water and damp environments reduce the body’s resistance to electricity, increasing the risk of electrocution.
- Damaged Equipment: Damaged cords, tools with missing ground prongs, and improperly rated equipment create shock and fire hazards.
- Lack of Proper PPE: Not using appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), like GFCIs, grounded extension cords, arc-rated clothing, and gloves, can increase the severity of injuries from electrical hazards.
- Working Near Energized Wires or Equipment: Working near exposed, energized parts of electrical equipment, even if not directly touching them, poses a risk of arc flash and shock.
- Improper Lockout/Tagout: Failure to properly de-energize and lockout/tagout equipment before working on it can expose workers to live parts.
REGULATIONS
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OSHA Standard Subpart E – Electrical 1926.404(b)(1)(iii)(C): Each cord set, attachment cap, plug, and receptacle of cord sets, and any equipment connected by cord and plug, except cord sets and receptacles which are fixed and not exposed to damage, shall be visually inspected before each day’s use for external defects, such as deformed or missing pins or insulation damage, and for indications of possible internal damage. Equipment found damaged or defective should not be used until repaired.
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OSHA Standard Subpart K – Electrical 1926.403(b)(2): Installation and use. Listed, labeled, or certified equipment shall be installed and used in accordance with instructions included in the listing, labeling, or certification.
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OSHA Standard Subpart K – Electrical 1926.405(a)(2)(ii)(F): Temporary lights shall not be suspended by their electric cords unless cords and lights are designed for this means of suspension.
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OSHA Standard Subpart K – Electrical 1926.405(j)(1)(i): Fixtures, lamp holders, lamps, rosettes, and receptacles shall have no live parts normally exposed to employee contact. However, rosettes and cleat-type lamp holders and receptacles located at least 8 feet (2.44 m) above the floor may have exposed parts.
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OSHA Standard Subpart K – Electrical 1926.417(b): Equipment and circuits that are de-energized shall be rendered inoperative and shall have tags attached at all points where such equipment or circuits can be energized.
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OSHA Standard Subpart K – Electrical 1926.404(b)(1)(i): The employer shall use either ground fault circuit interrupters as specified in paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section or an assured equipment grounding conductor program as specified in paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section to protect employees on construction sites.
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OSHA Standard Subpart K – Electrical 1926.403(b)(1): The employer shall ensure that electrical equipment is free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees.
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OSHA Standard Subpart K – Electrical 1926.405(a)(2)(ii)(A): Feeders shall originate in a distribution center. The conductors shall be run as multiconductor cord or cable assemblies or within raceways; or, where not subject to physical damage, they may be run as open conductors on insulators not more than 10 feet (3.05 m) apart.
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OSHA Standard Subpart K – Electrical 1926.405(a)(2)(ii)(I): Flexible cords and cables shall be protected from damage. Sharp corners and projections shall be avoided. Flexible cords and cables may pass through doorways or other pinch points if protection is provided to avoid damage.
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OSHA Standard Subpart K – Electrical 1926.403(i)(2)(i): Live parts of electric equipment operating at 50 volts or more shall be guarded against accidental contact by cabinets or other forms of enclosures.
EXAMPLE INCIDENTS
- A man died after being electrocuted while doing construction work at the Walmart Distribution Center in Grove City when he touched an exposed wire while working in a bathroom ceiling, July 25, 2025.
- Coroner confirms Anderson County employee electrocuted to death while working on an HVAC system, July 18, 2024.
- Employee was electrocuted and killed while inspecting electrical panels at Tesla’s Austin Gigafactory, May 19, 2025.
THE BASICS
To protect workers from electrocution, employees and employers should do the following:
- Rigorous Inspection: Regularly inspect all electrical equipment and tools for damage or wear.
- Safety Inspections: Mandate and enforce a 100% GFCI protection program.
- Proper Grounding: Ensure proper grounding of all equipment to provide a path for fault currents.
- Adequate PPE: Always wear appropriate PPE for the task, including arc-rated clothing, gloves, and eye protection. Use a buddy system and do not allow new workers to work alone.
- Training and Awareness: Provide comprehensive electrical safety training to all workers. These increased precautions should last for 1–2 weeks.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
- Even “low voltage” can be deadly.
- Always treat every circuit as if it is energized until proven otherwise.
- Use only tools and equipment that are properly rated and inspected.
- Never bypass safety devices such as GFCIs or breakers.
- Wet or damp conditions greatly increase the risk of shock.
- Muscle contractions caused by electrical contact can prevent you from letting go.
- Arc flashes can occur without direct contact and cause severe burns.
- Lockout/Tagout is the only safe method before working on electrical systems.
- Secondary injuries, such as falls, can result from even minor shocks.
- Proper PPE, including insulated gloves and arc-rated clothing, is essential.
IMPORTANT DO’S TO KEEP IN MIND ABOUT LOW VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL
- DO use Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) on all temporary power and extension cords.
- DO inspect all tools, cords, and equipment before each use.
- DO maintain dry working conditions whenever possible.
- DO use insulated tools when working around electrical systems.
- DO report and tag damaged or defective electrical equipment immediately.
- DO maintain safe distances from exposed conductors.
- DO follow proper Lockout/Tagout procedures before beginning work.
- DO wear the appropriate PPE for the task, including gloves, eye protection, and arc-rated clothing.
- DO stop work and notify your supervisor if unsafe conditions exist.
IMPORTANT DON’TS TO KEEP IN MIND ABOUT LOW VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL
- DO NOT assume low voltage is safe.
- DO NOT use cords or tools with missing ground prongs or visible damage.
- DO NOT work with electricity in wet or damp areas without proper protection.
- DO NOT bypass breakers, fuses, or other safety devices.
- DO NOT touch exposed wiring or terminals without de-energizing first.
- DO NOT wear conductive items such as metal jewelry while working.
- DO NOT overload circuits with multiple tools or equipment.
- DO NOT allow untrained personnel to work near electrical systems.
- DO NOT continue work if an electrical hazard has not been corrected.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration. 1926 Subpart K – Electrical Standards. U.S. Department of Labor, www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926SubpartK
. Accessed 15 Sept. 2025.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration. 1926 Subpart E – Electrical Standards. U.S. Department of Labor, www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926SubpartE
. Accessed 15 Sept. 2025.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration. 29 CFR 1926.404(b)(1)(iii)(C): Electrical—Inspection of Cord Sets and Equipment. U.S. Department of Labor, www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.404
. Accessed 15 Sept. 2025.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration. 29 CFR 1926.403(b)(2): Electrical—Installation and Use of Equipment. U.S. Department of Labor, www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.403
. Accessed 15 Sept. 2025.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration. 29 CFR 1926.405(a)(2)(ii)(F): Electrical—Temporary Lighting. U.S. Department of Labor, www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.405
. Accessed 15 Sept. 2025.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration. 29 CFR 1926.417(b): Electrical—Lockout/Tagout of Circuits. U.S. Department of Labor, www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.417
. Accessed 15 Sept. 2025.























































