1910.332: Electrical Safety Training
Employers must train employees who face a risk of electric shock not reduced to a safe level by the electrical installation rules, including those in occupations listed in Table S-4 and others facing a comparable risk. Workers must know the safety-related work practices for their jobs, unqualified persons must also learn other practices needed for their safety, and qualified persons must learn to identify exposed live parts, determine their voltage and know required clearance distances.
Key takeaways
- 1910.332 is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart S).
- OSHA cited it 226 times in the last 3 years, in 212 inspections, with $1,088,207 in current penalties.
- 16 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MI (19), OH (18), CT (18).
- Most-cited part: 1910.332(b) Content of training (221 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.332, "Training", is an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart S). It has 9 numbered 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
Show the full text of 1910.332 (9 paragraphs)
(a) Scope. The training requirements contained in this section apply to employees who face a risk of electric shock that is not reduced to a safe level by the electrical installation requirements of §§ 1910.303 through 1910.308. Open (a) 2 citations
Employees in occupations listed in Table S-4 face such a risk and are required to be trained. Other employees who also may reasonably be expected to face a comparable risk of injury due to electric shock or other electrical hazards must also be trained.
(b) Content of training — Open (b) 221 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) 163 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) 39 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 2 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).
(c) Type of training. The training required by this section shall be of the classroom or on-the-job type. The degree of training provided shall be determined by the risk to the employee. Open (c) 3 citations
| Occupation |
|---|
| Blue collar supervisors. 1 |
| Electrical and electronic engineers. 1 |
| Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers. 1 |
| Electrical and electronic technicians. 1 |
| Electricians. |
| Industrial machine operators. 1 |
| Material handling equipment operators. 1 |
| Mechanics and repairers. 1 |
| Painters. 1 |
| Riggers and roustabouts. 1 |
| Stationary engineers. 1 |
| Welders. |
| 1 Workers in these groups do not need to be trained if their work or the work of those they supervise does not bring them or the employees they supervise close enough to exposed parts of electric circuits operating at 50 volts or more to ground for a hazard to exist. |
[55 FR 32016, Aug. 6, 1990]
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15.
Export the list: 212 inspections cited 1910.332 in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moInjuries linked to this rule
16 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.332.
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 | 14 |
| 2024 | 92 |
| 2025 | 67 |
| 2026 | 53 |
Top states: MI (19), OH (18), CT (18), TX (16), 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 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.332.
Most-cited parts of this rule
- 1910.332(b) Content of training 221 citations
- 1910.332(b)(1) Practices addressed in this standard 163 citations
- 1910.332(b)(2) Additional requirements for unqualified persons 39 citations
- 1910.332(b)(3) Additional requirements for qualified persons 19 citations
- 1910.332(b)(3)(i) 6 citations
- 1910.332(c) Type of training 3 citations
- 1910.332(a) Scope 2 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Who needs electrical safety-related work practices training?
Employees who face a risk of electric shock that is not reduced to a safe level by the installation requirements of 1910.303 through 1910.308, including occupations in Table S-4.
What must qualified persons be trained in?
At a minimum, distinguishing exposed live parts, determining the nominal voltage of exposed live parts, and the clearance distances in 1910.333(c) and the corresponding voltages.
Do unqualified workers need training too?
Yes. They must be trained in the practices that apply to their jobs and any other electrically related safety practices necessary for their safety.
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 2026-11-06
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.