Licensed Electrical Contractor OSHA Safety Standards 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under OSHA 29 CFR 1926.416, what is the minimum safe approach distance for unqualified workers near energized parts operating at 50 kV or less?
- 3 feet
- 10 feet (Correct answer)
- 15 feet
- 25 feet
Correct answer: 10 feet
OSHA 1926.416 requires unqualified persons to stay at least 10 feet from energized lines or parts operating at 50 kV or less.
Question 2: OSHA's Lockout/Tagout standard (29 CFR 1910.147) requires that energy-isolating devices capable of being locked out must be locked during servicing unless the employer demonstrates that a tagout program provides:
- Equivalent safety to lockout (Correct answer)
- Faster restoration of power
- Reduced downtime
- Lower employee training costs
Correct answer: Equivalent safety to lockout
Tagout alone is only permissible when the employer can demonstrate it provides equivalent protection to lockout.
Question 3: Which OSHA standard covers electrical safety in general industry workplaces and applies when electrical contractors perform work inside facilities rather than construction sites?
- 29 CFR 1926 Subpart K
- 29 CFR 1910 Subpart S (Correct answer)
- 29 CFR 1910 Subpart P
- 29 CFR 1926 Subpart Q
Correct answer: 29 CFR 1910 Subpart S
29 CFR 1910 Subpart S governs electrical safety in general industry, while 1926 Subpart K applies to construction.
Question 4: OSHA 1926.405 requires flexible cords and cables to be protected from damage. Which of the following is specifically prohibited?
- Using SO cord for temporary power
- Running extension cords through doorways or windows where they could be pinched (Correct answer)
- Connecting cords with twist-lock connectors
- Using multi-outlet adapters rated for the load
Correct answer: Running extension cords through doorways or windows where they could be pinched
Running flexible cords through doorways, windows, or holes in walls where they can be pinched or damaged is explicitly prohibited by OSHA 1926.405.
Question 5: Under OSHA's Arc Flash and Electrical Safe Work Practices standard (29 CFR 1910.333), before any employee works on electrical equipment, the employer must ensure the equipment is:
- Inspected annually by a licensed contractor
- De-energized unless energized work is necessary or infeasible (Correct answer)
- Covered with rubber mats at all times
- Grounded using two independent ground paths
Correct answer: De-energized unless energized work is necessary or infeasible
OSHA 1910.333 requires that electrical equipment be de-energized before employees work on it unless de-energizing introduces additional or increased hazards, or is infeasible due to equipment design or operational limitations.
Question 6: What does OSHA require on a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) for electrical work involving exposed energized conductors?
- Only the voltage level and wire gauge
- Identification of energy sources, hazards, PPE, and safe work procedures (Correct answer)
- A signature from the building owner
- NFPA 70 code section references only
Correct answer: Identification of energy sources, hazards, PPE, and safe work procedures
A JHA for energized electrical work must identify all energy sources, associated hazards, required PPE, and the safe work procedures to control those hazards.
Question 7: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.954 requires that rubber insulating equipment used by qualified electrical workers must be electrically tested:
- Every 6 months (Correct answer)
- Annually
- Before first use only
- Every 3 years
Correct answer: Every 6 months
OSHA 1926.954 mandates that rubber insulating equipment be electrically tested at intervals not exceeding 6 months to ensure continued protection.
