OSHA Focus Four - Electrocution Hazards

Upon completing the program, participants will be able to:

• Identify construction electrocution hazards: overhead power lines, underground utilities, energised equipment and wiring, temporary electrical installations, damaged tools and cords, conductive materials, and wet conditions that increase electrical exposure risk.
• Apply overhead power line clearance requirements: OSHA Subpart K and Subpart CC crane-specific provisions, minimum 10-foot approach distance for lines up to 50 kV, increased clearance for higher voltages, and planning controls that prevent contact with energised lines.
• Implement power line protection strategies: de-energisation and grounding as the primary control, insulating barriers and line covers, use of non-conductive equipment, dedicated spotters for crane and equipment operations, and pre-task planning to identify overhead lines.
• Manage underground utility protection: 811/One-Call notification, utility locating and marking, tolerance zone control, hand-digging requirements, potholing, vacuum excavation, and verification procedures prior to excavation.
• Apply GFCI requirements for construction: OSHA §1926.405(a)(2)(ii) requirements for 120-volt, 15- and 20-amp receptacles, GFCI testing procedures, and use of assured equipment grounding conductor programs where applicable.
• Manage temporary electrical installations: proper installation under Subpart K, protection from physical damage, environmental exposure control, grounding and fault protection, and inspection and maintenance requirements.
• Inspect portable tools and electrical equipment: identification of damaged cords, missing ground pins, cracked housings, exposed conductors, double-insulated tool provisions, and daily inspection requirements before use.
• Manage extension cord safety: correct rating and capacity selection, routing and protection from damage, prohibition of daisy-chaining, mandatory GFCI protection, and pre-use inspection requirements.
• Implement wet condition electrical safety protocols: enhanced GFCI protection, waterproof connections, use of insulated tools, avoidance of standing water, and weather-related work controls.
• Respond to electrocution emergencies: ensuring power isolation before contact, use of non-conductive rescue methods, emergency services activation, CPR/AED awareness, and preservation of the incident scene for investigation.

Core Curriculum Topics

• Construction Electrocution Hazard Recognition: overhead power lines, underground utilities, energised equipment, temporary wiring, damaged tools, wet conditions
• Overhead Power Line Safety: clearance distances, Subpart K and CC requirements, 10-foot rule, voltage-based separation distances, planning and spotter procedures
• Power Line Protection Strategies: de-energisation, grounding, insulating barriers, non-conductive equipment, pre-task hazard identification
• Underground Utility Protection: 811/One-Call system, locating and marking, tolerance zones, hand-digging, potholing, vacuum excavation
• GFCI Requirements (§1926.405(a)(2)(ii)): construction GFCI mandate, testing procedures, assured equipment grounding conductor alternative
• Temporary Electrical Systems: installation requirements, support, protection, environmental exposure, grounding, and inspection
• Portable Tool Inspection: damage identification, grounding verification, double-insulated tools, and daily inspection practices
• Extension Cord Management: capacity rating, routing, GFCI protection, daisy-chain prohibition, and inspection controls
• Wet Condition Controls: enhanced protection measures, waterproof connections, standing water prevention, rainwork procedures
• Emergency Response to Electrocution: do-not-touch rule, power isolation, rescue procedures, CPR/AED, emergency response coordination
• Case Studies: OSHA electrocution fatality investigations, overhead line contacts, tool failures, and wet condition incidents

• No prior training required
• No electrical background required — this is hazard prevention, not electrical theory
• Essential for all construction workers exposed to electrical hazards
• All instruction in English; working proficiency required

Upon completion, graduates receive an American Institute of Safety Professionals certificate, wallet card, and transcript. Employer-verifiable at amiosp.com/student-verifications.

• Construction workers who work near overhead power lines, with portable electric tools, or with temporary wiring
• Crane operators, aerial lift operators, and equipment operators who work near energised power lines
• Excavation workers who dig near underground utilities
• Electricians and electrical helpers performing temporary wiring installations on construction sites
• Supervisors responsible for planning work near power lines and managing GFCI compliance
• Safety officers who manage the electrical safety programme on construction projects
• Any construction worker who uses extension cords, portable tools, or temporary power on site

• OSHA Focus Four — Fall Hazards (Subpart M, #1 construction killer) ✓
• OSHA Focus Four — Struck-By Hazards (falling/flying/swinging/rolling objects, #2) ✓
• OSHA Focus Four — Caught-In/Between Hazards (Subpart P, machinery, demolition, #3) ✓
• OSHA Focus Four — Electrocution Hazards — YOU ARE HERE (#4) ✓
• Electrical Safety for Technicians and Supervisors (deeper operational electrical safety with NFPA 70E)
• Electrical Safety for Managers (electrical safety programme governance)
• CSE: Certified Safety Engineer (electrical safety from engineering design perspective)
• International Diploma in Construction Safety Management (diploma depth)

The Focus Four Electrocution course covers construction-specific electrical hazards. For deeper operational electrical safety (NFPA 70E, LOTO, arc flash), see the Electrical Safety for Technicians and Supervisors course. For programme governance, see Electrical Safety for Managers.