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General Industry (29 CFR 1910)

Electrical Safety-Related Work Practices – Scope

Verified vs OSHA sources · 2026-10-05

29 CFR 1910.331

29 CFR 1910.331 is the scope section for OSHA's general-industry electrical safety-related work practices (1910.331 through 1910.335). It establishes that those rules cover both qualified persons (trained to avoid electrical hazards near exposed energized parts) and unqualified persons (with little or no such training) who work on, near, or with electrical installations: the foundation for the de-energizing, lockout, and safe-practice requirements that follow.

29 CFR 1910.331 at a glance

What it is
The scope section for electrical safe-work practices (1910.331–.335)
Who it covers
Both qualified and unqualified persons
Qualified person
Trained to avoid electrical hazards near exposed energized parts
Unqualified person
Little or no such training
Where
Working on, near, or with covered electrical installations
The substantive rules
De-energizing and lockout (1910.333), safe practices (1910.334–.335)

What 29 CFR 1910.331 requires (plain English)

29 CFR 1910.331 opens the general-industry electrical "safety-related work practices" standards: the group of rules in 1910.331 through 1910.335 that govern how work is performed on or near electricity. Where the electrical installation standards (1910.301–.399) cover how systems are built, 1910.331–.335 cover how people work with them safely.

1910.331 defines the scope. It provides that the provisions of 1910.331 through 1910.335 cover electrical safety-related work practices for both qualified persons, those who have training in avoiding the electrical hazards of working on or near exposed energized parts, and unqualified persons, those with little or no such training, who work on, near, or with covered installations (premises wiring, wiring for connection to supply, other wiring, and premises-connected utilization equipment). It also notes what other work is or is not covered.

The substantive requirements follow: 1910.332 (training), 1910.333 (selection and use of work practices, including the requirement to de-energize and apply lockout/tagout before work on or near exposed energized parts, unless de-energizing is infeasible), 1910.334 (use of equipment), and 1910.335 (safeguards for personnel protection, including PPE). By covering unqualified as well as qualified persons, 1910.331 ensures the protections reach the many workers who are near electrical hazards without being electricians.

What the source requires, in summary

The provisions of §§1910.331 through 1910.335 cover electrical safety-related work practices for both qualified persons (those who have training in avoiding the electrical hazards of working on or near exposed energized parts) and unqualified persons (those with little or no such training) working on, near, or with the following installations:
29 CFR 1910.331(a)Summarized, not quoted: read the source for its operative wording.

Key facts about 29 CFR 1910.331

  • 1910.331 is the scope for the electrical safe-work-practice rules (1910.331–.335).
  • The rules cover both qualified and unqualified persons (1910.331(a)).
  • A qualified person is trained to avoid electrical hazards near exposed energized parts.
  • An unqualified person has little or no such training.
  • Coverage is for work on, near, or with covered electrical installations.
  • The substantive rules include de-energizing and lockout (1910.333).
  • It complements the electrical installation standards (1910.301–.399).

Scope: who 29 CFR 1910.331 applies to

Regulatory framework
General Industry (29 CFR 1910)
Citation reference
29 CFR 1910.331
Enforcement status
In force and enforced
Jurisdiction
Federal OSHA (29 State-Plan jurisdictions may be stricter)

State-Plan states (e.g. California, Washington, Michigan) operate OSHA-approved programs that must be at least as effective as federal OSHA and frequently impose higher penalties or additional requirements. Confirm the rule as adopted in your state.

Key requirements of 29 CFR 1910.331

#Employer obligation
1Apply to all electrical installations
2Distinguish qualified vs unqualified persons
3Protect against electrical shock and arc flash
4Use safe work practices near energized equipment

Summarized from the text of 29 CFR 1910.331. Always read the full regulation for the binding language.

Reference provision: definitions & scope

This section defines the terms or the applicability used by neighboring standards; it is not usually a standalone employer duty. When OSHA cites an employer, the citation issues under the substantive standard that uses these definitions. For example, a missing competent person is cited under the standard that requires one. Use this page to get the definitions right, and see the related standards below for the enforceable duties.

The electrical work-practice rules cover unqualified workers too, not just electricians

A common misconception is that OSHA's electrical work-practice rules only concern electricians. 1910.331 says otherwise: the provisions of 1910.331–.335 cover BOTH qualified persons (trained to avoid electrical hazards near exposed energized parts) AND unqualified persons (with little or no such training). That matters because most electrical injuries happen to workers who are NOT electricians: maintenance, construction, and general workers who come near energized parts. The rules keep unqualified persons away from exposed energized parts and require de-energizing and lockout, precisely because the untrained majority need protection. Assuming "we don't do electrical work" exempts a workplace ignores that anyone working near electrical installations is covered.

Electrical Work Practices compliance checklist

Use this to evaluate your compliance with 29 CFR 1910.331. Each item is a key requirement OSHA may verify during an inspection.

  • Recognize that the electrical work-practice rules cover both qualified and unqualified workers.
  • De-energize and apply lockout/tagout before work on or near exposed energized parts.
  • Keep unqualified persons away from exposed energized parts.
  • Train affected employees under 1910.332.
  • Use electrical equipment safely (1910.334) and provide protection (1910.335).
  • Coordinate with the electrical installation standards (1910.301–.399).

Free compliance tools for 29 CFR 1910.331

LOTO Procedure GeneratorJob Hazard Analysis BuilderPPE Selector

Electrical Work Practices penalties by state

Penalties and enforcement vary by state. State-Plan states may impose higher penalties and additional requirements beyond federal 29 CFR 1910.331.

AlabamaArkansasColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of Columbia
View all 50 states + DC →

Frequently asked questions about 29 CFR 1910.331

What do 1910.331 through 1910.335 cover?

They are OSHA's general-industry electrical safety-related work practices. 1910.331 sets the scope; 1910.332 requires training; 1910.333 governs selection and use of work practices (including de-energizing and lockout/tagout before work on or near exposed energized parts); 1910.334 covers use of equipment; and 1910.335 requires personal protective equipment and safeguards. 1910.331 establishes that these rules cover both qualified and unqualified workers.

Who is a 'qualified person' for electrical work?

Under 1910.331, a qualified person is one who has training in avoiding the electrical hazards of working on or near exposed energized parts. An unqualified person has little or no such training. The distinction matters throughout 1910.331–.335, for example, only qualified persons may perform certain tasks near energized parts, and unqualified persons must be kept away from them.

Do the electrical work-practice rules apply to non-electricians?

Yes. 1910.331 explicitly covers both qualified and unqualified persons: the unqualified being workers with little or no electrical-hazard training. Most electrical injuries occur to non-electricians who come near energized parts, so the rules (including keeping unqualified persons away from exposed energized parts) are designed to protect them, not just electricians.

What is the difference between the electrical installation and work-practice standards?

The electrical installation standards (1910.301–.399) cover how electrical systems are designed, built, and installed. The electrical safety-related work practices (1910.331–.335) cover how people work safely on or near those systems: de-energizing, lockout, safe practices, and PPE. 1910.331 is the scope section for the work-practice group.

Regulatory history of 29 CFR 1910.331

OSHA added the electrical safety-related work practices (1910.331–1910.335), including the 1910.331 scope, in 1990 (55 FR 31984). They complemented the older electrical installation standards by governing how employees work safely on or near electricity: extending coverage explicitly to unqualified as well as qualified persons.

Related glossary terms

Key terms that appear in 29 CFR 1910.331, each with a full plain-English explainer.

Hazardous EnergyElectrocutionQualified PersonHierarchy of Controls

Related guides & articles

Electrical Safety in Construction: OSHA & NFPA 70EOSHA Safety Training Requirements 2026

Related OSHA standards

29 CFR 1910.137

Electrical PPE

29 CFR 1910.268

Telecommunications

29 CFR 1910.269

Electric Power Operations

29 CFR 1910.303

Electrical General

Primary sources

OSHA figures on this page are imported from HazComFast's verified regulatory module (verified 2026-10-05 against eCFR, OSHA.gov, and the Federal Register).

This page is an educational summary, not legal advice. OSHA standards and penalty amounts change; confirm requirements against the current regulation and your applicable State-Plan before acting.

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