Related Regulations:

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OSHA 1910.333(a)(1)

OSHA has not accepted the argument that a qualified employee can work on energized circuits as safely as they can work on de-energized circuits. Therefore, OSHA is not leaving it to the employer’s discretion as to whether or not to de-energize electric circuits on the basis of convenience, custom, or expediency.

OSHA requires that all live parts to which an employee may be exposed shall be de-energized before the employee works on or near them, unless the employer can demonstrate that de-energizing introduces additional or increased hazards or is infeasible due to equipment design or operational limitations.

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NFPA – National Fire Protection Association (Article 120)

120.1 Process of Achieving an Electrically Safe Work Condition. An electrically safe work condition shall be achieved when performed in accordance with the procedures of 120.2 and verified by the following process:

• Determine all possible sources of electrical supply to the specific equipment. Check applicable up-to-date drawings, diagrams, and identification tags.

• After properly interrupting the load current, open the disconnecting device(s) for each source.

• Wherever possible, visually verify that all blades of the disconnecting devices are fully open or that drawout-type circuit breakers are withdrawn to the fully disconnected position.

• Apply lockout/tagout devices in accordance with a documented and established policy.

• Use an adequately rated voltage detector to test each phase conductor or circuit part to verify they are de-energized. Test each phase conductor or circuit part both phase-to-phase and phase-to-ground. Before and after each test, determine that the voltage detector is operating satisfactorily.

 

NIOSH – National Institute of Occupational Safety & Health

Before any work is done on a circuit, shut off the circuit, lock out and tag out the circuit at the distribution panel, then test the circuit to make sure it is de-energized.
Before ANY equipment inspections or repairs – even so-called low-voltage circuits – the current must be turned off at the switch box, and the switch must be padlocked in the OFF position. At the same time, the equipment must be securely tagged to warn everyone that work is being performed. Again, test circuits and equipment to ensure they are de-energized.

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INPO – Institute of Nuclear Power Operations

Expectations have been established for voltage-detection work practices, such as “test-before-touch” and “live-dead-live” verifications. Workers are expected to understand the limitations of voltage-detectors, such as proximity testers. Thorough voltage-detection is expected. Voltage checks should include exposed electrical conductors or circuit parts in proximity to the circuit to be worked.