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Laboratory Safety: Electrical Safety

29 minutesENSafety Training29 CFR 1910 Subpart S - Electrical Safety; 29 CFR 1910.1450 - Laboratory Standard
Quick Answer

Laboratory Safety: Electrical Safety is a 29-minute online course that teaches laboratory personnel how to identify electrical hazards, safely operate laboratory equipment, and respond to electrical emergencies in research and testing environments. It is designed for lab technicians, researchers, and facility managers and includes a downloadable certificate of completion.

Course Overview

Electrical hazards in laboratory settings present unique risks that differ from standard industrial environments. Research laboratories use a wide range of electrical equipment - from low-voltage instrumentation to high-voltage power supplies, electrophoresis units, and custom-built experimental apparatus. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, electrical incidents cause approximately 160 workplace fatalities and thousands of injuries annually across all industries. Laboratories are particularly vulnerable because equipment is frequently modified, electrical loads change as experiments evolve, and wet conditions are common near sinks and chemical processing areas.

This course trains your employees to identify electrical hazards specific to laboratory environments, apply safe work practices when operating and maintaining lab equipment, and respond appropriately to electrical emergencies including shock, arc flash, and equipment fires. Your team will learn about proper grounding and ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) requirements, safe use of extension cords and power strips, equipment inspection procedures, and lockout/tagout principles as they apply to laboratory equipment servicing.

What You'll Learn

  • Common electrical hazards in laboratory settings - shock, arc flash, and thermal burns
  • Proper grounding, GFCI protection, and circuit load management in labs
  • Safe use of extension cords, power strips, and temporary wiring in research environments
  • Equipment inspection procedures and recognizing signs of electrical damage
  • Lockout/tagout principles applied to laboratory equipment servicing
  • Emergency response to electrical shock, electrical fires, and equipment failure
  • Wet location safety - managing electrical equipment near sinks, fume hoods, and chemical baths
  • Reporting procedures for electrical hazards and damaged equipment

Who Needs This Training

  • Laboratory technicians operating analytical instruments and testing equipment
  • Research scientists working with custom electrical apparatus and high-voltage equipment
  • Lab managers responsible for equipment maintenance schedules and safety compliance
  • Maintenance staff servicing electrical systems in laboratory facilities
  • New laboratory employees as part of their facility safety orientation
  • Graduate students and interns entering research laboratory environments

Regulatory Background

Laboratory electrical safety is governed by OSHA's Electrical Safety standards under 29 CFR 1910 Subpart S, which covers electrical design safety for equipment and wiring (1910.302-308) and safety-related work practices (1910.331-335). The standard requires that electrical equipment be maintained in a safe condition, that employees be trained on electrical hazards relevant to their work, and that proper guarding and insulation be maintained. Laboratories may also fall under 29 CFR 1910.1450 (the Laboratory Standard) when working with hazardous chemicals, which requires a Chemical Hygiene Plan that addresses all laboratory hazards including electrical risks. Serious violations of electrical safety standards carry penalties of up to $16,550, and willful violations can reach $165,514. Employers are required to provide training that enables employees to recognize and avoid unsafe electrical conditions in their work environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Laboratory electrical safety falls under 29 CFR 1910 Subpart S (Electrical), which covers both installation requirements (1910.302-308) and safety-related work practices (1910.331-335). If the laboratory works with hazardous chemicals, 29 CFR 1910.1450 (the OSHA Laboratory Standard) also applies and requires electrical hazards to be addressed in the facility's Chemical Hygiene Plan.
OSHA requires GFCI protection for employees working in wet or damp locations under 29 CFR 1910.304(b)(3). In laboratories, this typically includes areas near sinks, eyewash stations, and chemical processing areas. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70 (National Electrical Code) also requires GFCI protection in laboratories where water and electrical equipment are in close proximity.
Yes. Under 29 CFR 1910.147, lockout/tagout requirements apply to any equipment where the unexpected energization or startup could cause injury during servicing or maintenance. In laboratories, this includes centrifuges, autoclaves, ovens, and other equipment that must be de-energized before maintenance. Machine-specific energy control procedures should be developed for each piece of laboratory equipment that presents this hazard.
The first priority is to disconnect the power source without making direct contact with the victim or energized equipment - use a non-conductive object to separate the person from the electrical source if the power cannot be quickly disconnected. Call emergency services immediately. Do not touch the person until they are clear of the electrical source. Begin CPR if the person is not breathing and has no pulse. Report the incident to your supervisor and facility safety officer.
OSHA requires that electrical equipment be maintained in a safe condition, but does not mandate a specific inspection frequency. Best practices for laboratory environments include visual inspections before each use (checking for damaged cords, exposed wires, and burn marks), formal documented inspections at least annually, and immediate removal from service of any equipment showing signs of electrical damage. Equipment that is modified for experimental use should be inspected by a qualified person before each new configuration.
$29.95
per person
Volume Pricing
Team Size Price per Person
1 - 9$29.95
10 - 24$23.95
25 - 49$21.55
50 - 99$17.50
Subtotal $29.95

Certificate of completion included. Downloadable upon passing the final assessment.

$29.95
per person