Energized Electrical Safety

This program applies to University employees who may work on or near electrical systems and therefore have the potential to be injured by:

• Electrical shock
• Arc flash
• Arc blast

Penn State’s electrical safety program is based on avoiding energized work whenever possible. Employees must deenergize and apply lockout/tagout procedures before working on or near live electrical parts unless one of the following conditions applies:

• Deenergizing introduces additional or increased hazards
• Deenergizing is not possible due to equipment design or operational limitations
• Electrical parts operate at less than 50 volts to ground and do not increase the risk of electrical burns or arc‑related explosions

Energized electrical work

• Work performed without placing electrical parts in an electrically safe condition is considered energized electrical work
• Energized electrical work requires prior approval through the energized electrical work permit system
• Testing and troubleshooting activities may be performed without an energized electrical work permit

Safe work practices

Employees must follow safe work procedures for all energized electrical work, including testing and troubleshooting. These procedures include:

• Establishing appropriate safe approach distances
• Wearing required personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Implementing all other applicable electrical safety precautions

Roles and Responsibilities

Supervisors must:

• Ensure employee compliance with all electrical safety program requirements
• Provide task‑appropriate electrical safety training and maintain training records
• Provide required protective equipment and ensure proper use

Employees must:

• Follow all provisions of the electrical safety program
• Participate in the energized electrical work permit process when required
• Properly use assigned protective equipment

Training Requirements

• Electrical safety training must be completed before employees are assigned work on or near electrical systems
• Training requirements depend on whether the employee is classified as a:
  • Qualified person
  • Unqualified person
• Electrical Disconnect/Circuit Breaker Safety Training Individuals whose only electrical work involves the operation of electrical disconnect devices, including circuit breakers and fused switches ("knife switches"), are required to take Electrical Disconnect/Circuit Breaker Safety Training. Such devices do not include control circuits such as light switches or equipment on/off controls.

Recordkeeping Requirements

Each work unit must maintain:

• Records of all electrical safety training
• A current list of employees classified as qualified persons

Program:

• PSU Energized Electrical Safety Program

Procedure/ SOPs:

• Lab Electrical Safety - For Modified/Lab-Made Electrical Equipment
• Risk Assessment for Modified/Lab-Made Electrical Equipment (Appendix A)
• Work Unit Common Electrical Tasks and PPE Requirements
• SOP for Replacement of Receptables and Light Switches
• SOP for Changing Ballasts
• SOP for Voltage Testing/Verified Absence of Power
• Multimeter - Safe Use Requirements Guide

Forms:

• Energized Electrical Work Permit (Appendix A)
• Risk Assessment for Modified/Lab-Made Electrical Equipment - Qualified Person Approval Form (Appendix B)
• Work Unit PPE Requirements for Energized Tasks (Appendix F)
• Electrical Work Evaluation Checklist (Appendix I)
• Contractor-Hoist Employer Meeting (Appendix J)

Access the documents on SharePoint

• Penn State Lockout/Tagout Program
• OSHA Electrical Safety Regulations: 29 CFR 1910.331–1910.335