1910.332(b): Content of Electrical Safety Training
Employers must train employees in the safety-related work practices in 1910.331 through 1910.335 that apply to their jobs. Unqualified persons must also learn other electrical safety practices needed for their safety, and qualified persons must at minimum learn to distinguish exposed live parts, determine their nominal voltage and know required clearance distances, with added training for work involving direct or tool contact.
Key takeaways
- 1910.332(b) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart S).
- OSHA cited it 214 times in the last 3 years, in 202 inspections, with $1,044,215 in current penalties.
- 16 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MI (18), CT (18), OH (17).
- Related part: 1910.332(b)(1) Practices addressed in this standard (160 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.332(b) ("Content of training") is one requirement inside 1910.332 Training, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart S). It includes 6 sub-paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(b) Content of training — 214 citations
(1) Practices addressed in this standard. Employees shall be trained in and familiar with the safety-related work practices required by §§ 1910.331 through 1910.335 that pertain to their respective job assignments. Open (b)(1) 160 citations
(2) Additional requirements for unqualified persons. Employees who are covered by paragraph (a) of this section but who are not qualified persons shall also be trained in and familiar with any electrically related safety practices not specifically addressed by §§ 1910.331 through 1910.335 but which are necessary for their safety. Open (b)(2) 35 citations
(3) Additional requirements for qualified persons. Qualified persons (i.e., those permitted to work on or near exposed energized parts) shall, at a minimum, be trained in and familiar with the following: Open (b)(3) 19 citations
(i) The skills and techniques necessary to distinguish exposed live parts from other parts of electric equipment, Open (b)(3)(i) 6 citations
(ii) The skills and techniques necessary to determine the nominal voltage of exposed live parts, and 3 citations
(iii) The clearance distances specified in § 1910.333(c) and the corresponding voltages to which the qualified person will be exposed. 2 citations
For the purposes of §§ 1910.331 through 1910.335, a person must have the training required by paragraph (b)(3) of this section in order to be considered a qualified person.
Qualified persons whose work on energized equipment involves either direct contact or contact by means of tools or materials must also have the training needed to meet § 1910.333(c)(2).
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.332.
Injuries linked to this rule
16 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.332(b).
At approximately 4:20 a.m. on February 25, 2025, Employee #1 was working on an AirTrain switch electrical panel, attempting to replace blown fuses. During the task, the employee came into contact with energized components and received a 600-volt electric shock. Employee #1 was fatally electrocuted.
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 15 |
| 2024 | 89 |
| 2025 | 67 |
| 2026 | 43 |
Top states: MI (18), CT (18), OH (17), TX (14), PR (11)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| GAGE TREE SERVICE LLC | CHUGIAK, AK | $99,308 |
| WEITSMAN SHREDDING LLC | OWEGO, NY | $39,013 |
| OSMOSE UTILITIES SERVICES, INC. | WEST HELENA, AR | $21,508 |
| WESTROCK CP, LLC | DUBLIN, GA | $20,026 |
| ALSTOM TRANSPORTATION USA INC. | NEWARK, NJ | $16,550 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.332(b), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Electrical Busway Hot Swappable Plug-In Units (2025-08-25)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.332(b)(1) Practices addressed in this standard 160 citations
- 1910.332(b)(2) Additional requirements for unqualified persons 35 citations
- 1910.332(b)(3) Additional requirements for qualified persons 19 citations
- 1910.332(b)(3)(i) 6 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
What makes someone a qualified person for electrical work?
They must have the training required by paragraph (b)(3), including identifying live parts, determining voltage and knowing clearance distances.
What training do unqualified persons need?
Safety-related work practices for their job, plus any electrically related safety practices not specifically addressed in 1910.331 through 1910.335 that are necessary for their safety.
What extra training is needed for direct contact work?
Qualified persons whose work involves direct contact or contact through tools or materials must have the training needed to meet 1910.333(c)(2).
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.332 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.