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Home›Courses›Safety Training›Working with Electricity: Basic Electrical Safety

Working with Electricity: Basic Electrical Safety

26 minutesEN / ES / MLCCSafety Training29 CFR 1910 Subpart S / 29 CFR 1926 Subpart K - Electrical Safety
Quick Answer

Working with Electricity: Basic Electrical Safety is a 26-minute online course that teaches employees to recognize electrical hazards, understand the physiological effects of electric shock, and apply safe work practices to prevent electrical injuries. It is designed for all employees who encounter electrical equipment in their work, not just electricians, and includes a downloadable certificate of completion.

Course Overview

Electrical contact is one of the leading causes of workplace fatalities, with over 2,070 electrical deaths recorded in U.S. workplaces between 2011 and 2024. Critically, 70% of those fatalities occurred in non-electrical occupations - workers who were not electricians but encountered electrical hazards on the job. There were 5,180 non-fatal electrical injuries requiring days away from work in 2023-2024 combined, a 59% increase from the previous two-year period. Overhead power line contact is the leading cause of workplace electrical fatalities, followed by unexpected contact with energized equipment. For employers, the message is clear: electrical safety training is essential for your entire workforce, not just your electrical team.

This course gives your employees a practical foundation in electrical safety, starting with the basics of how electricity works and why it is dangerous. Your team will learn about voltage, current, resistance, and how the human body can become part of an electrical circuit. The training covers the physiological effects of electric shock, the dangers of arc flash and electrical fires, and the three main causes of electrical accidents: unsafe equipment, unsafe environments, and unsafe work practices. Employees will learn to identify electrical hazards in their work areas and apply practical strategies to prevent contact injuries.

What You'll Learn

  • Fundamentals of electricity including voltage, current, resistance, and how electrical circuits work
  • How the human body conducts electricity and the physiological effects of electric shock at different current levels
  • The difference between high voltage and low voltage hazards, including the danger of low-voltage 'freezing'
  • Overhead power line hazards - the leading cause of workplace electrical fatalities
  • Arc flash hazards, electrical fires, and emergency response procedures for electrical injuries
  • The three main causes of electrical accidents: unsafe equipment, unsafe environments, and unsafe work practices
  • Practical strategies for identifying and mitigating electrical hazards in your work area

Who Needs This Training

  • Construction workers who encounter temporary wiring, power tools, and overhead power lines on job sites
  • Office workers who use electrical equipment daily but may not recognize hidden electrical hazards
  • Maintenance and facilities staff who troubleshoot equipment and work near electrical panels
  • Manufacturing workers who operate electrically powered machinery and tools
  • Landscaping and tree trimming crews who work near overhead power lines
  • Any non-electrical worker who needs basic awareness of electrical hazards in the workplace

Regulatory Background

OSHA regulates electrical safety under multiple standards depending on the industry and type of work. General industry electrical safety falls under 29 CFR 1910 Subpart S, while construction electrical requirements are covered under 29 CFR 1926 Subpart K. The National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) and NFPA 70E (Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace) provide additional requirements and best practices. Between 2011 and 2024, over 2,070 workers died from electrical contact in U.S. workplaces, with 70% occurring in non-electrical occupations. The 2023-2024 period saw 5,180 non-fatal electrical injuries requiring days away from work - a 59% increase from 2021-2022. Overhead power line contact accounts for 49% of all electrical fatalities. Serious electrical safety violations carry penalties of up to $16,550, and willful violations can reach $165,514 per instance.

Frequently Asked Questions

According to ESFI analysis of OSHA data from 2011 to 2024, 70% of all workplace electrical fatalities occurred in non-electrical occupations. Workers in construction, landscaping, manufacturing, and maintenance frequently encounter electrical hazards including power lines, temporary wiring, and energized equipment even though electrical work is not their primary job function. Basic electrical safety awareness is essential for any employee who works around electrical equipment or power sources.
General industry electrical safety is covered under 29 CFR 1910 Subpart S, which addresses electrical safety-related work practices, installation safety requirements, and safety requirements for special equipment. Construction electrical standards are found in 29 CFR 1926 Subpart K. Additionally, NFPA 70E provides detailed requirements for electrical safety in the workplace, including arc flash hazard analysis and safe work practices.
Overhead power line contact is the leading cause of workplace electrical fatalities, accounting for 49% of all electrical deaths between 2011 and 2024 according to ESFI's analysis of OSHA data. Many of these fatalities involve workers operating cranes, aerial lifts, ladders, or other equipment near power lines. Unexpected contact with energized equipment is the second leading cause, accounting for 20% of fatalities.
Freezing occurs when electrical current causes involuntary muscle contraction that prevents the victim from releasing the energized source. This happens most commonly with low-voltage alternating current between 110-220 volts - the range found in standard household and office circuits. Prolonged contact due to freezing can cause severe burns, cardiac arrest, and death. This is why low-voltage circuits can be just as lethal as high-voltage sources under the right conditions.
Never touch someone who is in contact with an energized source - you will become part of the circuit. First, shut off the power source if it can be done quickly and safely. If you cannot disconnect the power, use a dry non-conductive object (such as a wooden board or dry rope) to separate the person from the electrical source. Call emergency services immediately. Once the person is free of the source, begin CPR if they are not breathing and the scene is safe.

Related Courses

Basic electrical safety training provides the foundation that pairs with more specialized courses as your team's needs require. Employers in construction frequently combine this with Electrical Safety: Arc Flash Prevention for workers who may encounter arc flash hazards on job sites. For a complete general industry safety program, the General Industry Safety bundle combines electrical safety awareness with lockout/tagout, PPE, and other core compliance topics.

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$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
Language

This course is available in English, Spanish, and Multi-Language CC at no additional charge.

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

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$29.95
per person