Electrical Safety Checklist for Contractors
Electrical work is one of the most dangerous trades. These 20 rules aren't optional.
Before Every Job 1. Test your multimeter on a known live circuit first 2. Verify all circuits are de-energized before working 3. Use lockout/tagout on every panel you open 4. Wear appropriate PPE (safety glasses, gloves, hard hat) 5. Check for water/moisture near work area
PPE Requirements 6. Insulated gloves rated for voltage you're working with 7. Safety glasses or face shield 8. Arc-rated clothing (for panel work) 9. Non-conductive hard hat (Class E) 10. Insulated tools
Working Live (When Unavoidable) 11. Use a buddy system — never work live alone 12. Stand on insulated mat 13. Keep one hand in your pocket (one-hand rule) 14. Wear arc-rated face shield 15. Have a fire extinguisher within reach
Ladder Safety 16. Fiberglass ladders only (never aluminum near electrical) 17. 3-point contact at all times 18. Don't overreach — move the ladder
General 19. Know where the main disconnect is before starting 20. Never assume a circuit is dead — test it yourself
OSHA Requirements - OSHA 1926 Subpart K (electrical safety for construction) - NFPA 70E (arc flash standards) - Document all safety training - Keep MSDS sheets for materials on-site
Incident Prevention - Most electrical accidents happen because someone assumed a circuit was off - Lockout/tagout prevents 90% of electrical injuries - Arc flash is the #1 cause of electrical burns
Safety isn't just compliance — it's how you go home at the end of the day.