Electrical Safety

surge protector — *Surge suppressor with overcurrent protection*

Updated October 7, 2024

The UW Electrical Safety Program establishes the key requirements to ensure the safety of University personnel and prevent personal injury that could result from conducting work on electrical systems between 50 and 600 volts (V).

University personnel and students who are designated to perform work on, or near, energized electrical circuits and components; operate, maintain, and repair electrical equipment and systems; or design, construct, install, and use electrical equipment or systems in research and development are required to follow the UW Electrical Safety Manual.

Roles and responsibilities

A Qualified Person is an individual who has demonstrated skills and knowledge related to the construction, operation, and installation of electrical equipment, and has received safety training to identify the hazards and reduce the associated risk.

Ensure required documents are completed prior to conducting any work on energized parts and/or equipment.
Complete all required training(s) to maintain Qualified Person status.
Perform work using the proper safety equipment and personal protective equipment required for the job.
Report all incidents to a supervisor immediately.

An Unqualified Electrical Worker is an individual who has not been recognized by the department/organization/unit as having sufficient understanding of the equipment, device, system, or facility to effectively control presented hazards. Reports to a Qualified Person.

Does not conduct work without the Qualified Person’s “eyes on” oversight until determined to be qualified by the department/unit/organization.
Report all incidents to a supervisor immediately.

This role is designated by the unit/department/organization; allowed to be an electrical safety committee, engineer, or equivalent Qualified Person.

Ensure the use of appropriate electrical safety-related work practices and controls.
Allowed to delegate authority to an individual or organization within their control.
Act in a manner similar to an authority having jurisdiction for Research & Development (R&D) electrical systems and electrical safe work practices.
Report all incidents to a supervisor immediately.

Provide necessary resources to implement, maintain, and document department-specific electrical safety procedures.
Designate personnel as a Qualified Person based on their training, knowledge, and experience related to energized parts.
Ensure only Qualified Persons work on exposed energized electrical conductors and circuit parts.
Ensure the UW Electrical Safety Manual is reviewed and followed by personnel; record the signatures of personnel to indicate they have read and understood the manual.
Provide documented training to personnel by a person/company qualified to train personnel in working on energized parts.
For work involving electrical hazards, perform arc flash risk assessment as required by NFPA 70E, sec 130.4 and shock hazard risk assessment as required by NFPA 70E, sec 130.5. (Utilize the Risk Assessment Procedure defined in NFPA 70E, sec 110.3 (H)).
Ensure personnel have and use the proper safety equipment and personal protective equipment required for the job.
Ensure workers are trained by a Qualified Person on proper use, operation, and procedures to work on energized equipment.
Ensure contractors are made aware of the UW Electrical Safety Manual before beginning work on energized equipment.
Ensure all new electrical installations meet applicable codes and standards.
Ensure any energized work performed as part of this Program meets the exemption criteria noted in NFPA 70E Article 110.2.
Report incidents to EH&S within 24 hours via the UW Online Accident Reporting System (OARS). Some incidents require immediate notification.

Develop, coordinate, and maintain the UW Electrical Safety Program in accordance with NFPA 70E, applicable Labor and Industries regulations, and industry best practices. Perform an annual review of the UW Electrical Safety Program and update as needed.
Assign a UW Electrical Safety Program Administrator to maintain the overall program.
Provide consultation and assistance to University departments, units, and organizations to comply with the requirements of this Program.
Audit a representative sample of department/unit/organization procedures to ensure compliance in accordance with the UW Electrical Safety Manual.
Provide training to personnel working on or near energized electrical equipment.

Identify and control electrical hazards

Refer to the risk assessment procedure defined in NFPA 70E, sec 110.3 (H) to determine if a task meets exemption criteria for energized work, identify hazards, assess risks, and implement controls to reduce risk.

Personnel working in areas where there are potential electrical hazards are required to wear PPE that protects against electrical hazards.

Personnel must be trained on its selection and use by the department/unit/organization.
PPE provided must be appropriate for the specific parts of the body to be protected and for the work to be performed.
Protective equipment must be maintained in a safe, reliable condition and must be periodically inspected and/or tested according to the manufacturer’s requirements.
When arc-rated clothing is worn to protect personnel, it must cover all ignitable clothing and must allow for movement and visibility.
When selecting arc flash PPE, use either the Incident Energy Analysis Method or the Arc Flash PPE Categories Method, but not both.
Personnel must remove all metal objects including rings, watches, necklaces, earrings, etc.

Refer to the UW Electrical Safety Manual for PPE requirements, tools for selecting PPE, and guidance on maintenance and inspection.

Safe work practices

Use safe work practices to prevent electric shock or other injuries resulting from either direct or indirect electrical contact when work is performed near or on equipment or circuits, which are (or may be) energized.

Specific safe work practices must be consistent with the nature and extent of the associated electrical hazard. These practices must be conducted in combination with appropriate training, regulatory requirements, and risk assessments.

UW Hazardous Energy Control Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Program must be followed when working on or near exposed energized electrical equipment.

Qualified Persons are required to use properly rated test equipment to test circuit elements and current-carrying parts to verify all circuits and parts are de-energized.

Where the possibility of induced voltages or stored electrical energy exists, ground the phase conductors or circuit parts before touching them. Where it could be reasonably anticipated that the conductors or circuit parts being de-energized could contact other exposed energized conductors or circuit parts, apply temporary protective grounding equipment in accordance with the UW Electrical Safety Manual.

There must be justification to work on equipment in an energized state, between 50V and 600V, that would pose additional hazards or increased risks, infeasibility due to equipment design, or operational limitation by deenergizing the equipment.

Work must be reviewed and approved by the Qualified Person’s supervisor prior to the beginning of the task or project.
The Qualified Person will perform the electrical tasks following all the safe work practices detailed in the UW Electrical Safety Manual.
Personnel working with powered electronic equipment must be aware of the hazardous effects of electricity on the human body and hazards associated with powered electronic equipment.
When energized electrical work is performed, an Energized Electrical Work Plan and Permit is required to be documented under the following conditions:
- When energized electrical work will be performed within the restricted approach boundary.
- When personnel may interact with the equipment when conductors or circuit parts are not exposed, but an increased likelihood of injury from exposure to an arc flash exists.
Before starting each job that involves exposure to electrical hazards, the Qualified Person on site must complete a Job Safety Plan, which is reviewed by their supervisor, and conduct a Job Safety Briefing with the personnel conducting work.
- The Job Safety Plan must be completed by a Qualified Person (and be documented) and include the information listed in the UW Electrical Safety Manual.
- The Job Safety Briefing must cover the job safety plan, the information on the Energized Electrical Work Plan and Permit, and must include the information listed in the UW Electrical Safety Manual.
Personnel working in areas where there are potential electrical hazards are required to wear electrical personal protective equipment (PPE) as described in the UW Electrical Safety Manual.

What you need to know

Don't work with exposed conductors carrying 50 volts or more without proper training and a Qualified Person designation from your unit/department/organization.
Make sure electrical equipment is properly connected, grounded and in good working order.
Extension cords may not be used as permanent wiring and should be removed after temporary use for an activity or event.
Surge suppressors with built-in circuit breakers may be used long-term and are available with three-, six-, and 15-foot-long cords.
High amperage equipment such as space heaters, portable air conditioners and other equipment must be plugged directly into permanent wall receptacles.
Do not access, use or alter any building’s electrical service, including circuit breaker panels, unless you are specifically qualified and authorized to do so.
Wet environments can increase the risk of an electrical shock.

Read more information about electrical cords, including extension cords, surge suppressors and power strips.

Emergency response and reporting

Report workplace incidents, injuries, near-miss events, and work-related illnesses within 24 hours. Some incidents, including fires, require immediate notification.

Visit the Incident Reporting webpage for more information.

More information

The requirements of the UW Electrical Safety Program meet the requirements of Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Section 296-24-957 Part L Electrical, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70 National Electrical Code, and NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace.
The purpose of this program is to establish requirements to protect personnel from potential harm and prevent fires/explosions that could result during the use of electrical systems (electrical equipment, wiring, and components) greater than 50 volts and less than 600 volts, AC or DC power.

The UW Electrical Safety Program applies to all University personnel and students who: 1) are designated to perform work on, or near, energized electrical circuits and components; 2) operate, maintain, and repair electrical equipment and systems; and 3) design, construct, install, and use electrical equipment or systems in research and development. This includes all locations that serve as assigned workplaces and educational settings for University personnel, including the Seattle, Bothell and Tacoma campuses, the University of Washington Medical Center, Harborview Medical Center, as well as all other University owned properties, University leased spaces, temporary field locations, and research vessels owned or leased by the UW.

This program does not cover electrical transmission operations on energized systems over 600V which are regulated under WAC 296-45 Electrical Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution. WAC 296-45 includes information on specialized training, personal protective equipment, and work practices for energized systems over 600V. EH&S must be made aware of proposed work on energized systems over 600V prior to work being conducted.

This program does not cover work on energized systems less than 50V as there are no specific regulatory requirements for work on these systems. Recommended training for personnel working on or near energized parts less than 50V can be found in the training section of the UW Electrical Safety Manual.