Electrical Safety Checklist for Construction Sites

Use this Electrical Safety Checklist for Construction Sites to inspect temporary power, GFCIs, extension cords, portable tools, overhead lines, and OSHA 1926 compliance.

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Electrical Safety Checklist for Construction Sites



Documentation And Program Requirements

1. A written ground fault protection program is in place — either a GFCI protection program or an Assured Equipment Grounding Conductor Program (AEGCP), as required by OSHA 1926.404(b)(1)


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2. If an AEGCP is in place, the written program is available on site and includes procedures for visual inspections, continuity testing, and color-coded inspection cycles


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3. Only qualified persons are assigned to install, maintain, or repair electrical equipment and wiring on site


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4. A list of qualified electrical persons on site is documented and current


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5. Workers have received electrical safety training appropriate to their role and exposure level


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6. Training records for electrical safety are available on site for review


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7. An electrical hazard assessment has been completed and is current for the project


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Temporary Power Distribution

1. All temporary power panels and spider boxes are in good physical condition with no damage to enclosures, doors, or knockouts


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2. GFCI protection is provided on all 120-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacle outlets that are not part of the permanent wiring


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3. All GFCI receptacles and breakers are tested and confirmed to trip correctly


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4. Temporary panels are labeled clearly, identifying circuits and voltage levels


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5. Temporary panels and spider boxes are positioned to allow safe access and at least 3 feet of clear working space in front


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6. Temporary power distribution equipment in outdoor or exposed locations is rated for outdoor use and protected from weather


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7. Energized parts inside temporary panels are guarded against accidental contact


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8. Temporary panels are secured and not at risk of being knocked over or damaged by site traffic or equipment


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Temporary Wiring And Extension Cords

1. All extension cords used with portable tools and equipment are three-wire grounded cords rated for hard or extra-hard usage (types S, ST, SO, STO, SJ, SJO, SJT, or SJTO)


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2. No two-wire ungrounded extension cords are in use anywhere on site


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3. All extension cords are inspected before use and any cord with damaged insulation, exposed conductors, bent or broken ground pins, or damaged plugs is removed from service immediately


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4. Extension cords are not routed across vehicle or equipment traffic paths without physical protection such as cord covers or conduit


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5. Extension cords are not routed through doorways, windows, or wall openings in a way that subjects them to pinching or abrasion damage


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6. Extension cords are not fastened with staples, hung from nails, or suspended in a way that damages the insulation


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7. Extension cords are not daisy-chained together as a substitute for adequate temporary wiring


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8. Temporary wiring feeders originate in a distribution center and are installed to minimize exposure to physical damage


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9. Temporary wiring is not run through or under standing water, accumulated debris, or areas with heavy foot traffic without appropriate protection


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10. Temporary wiring is removed promptly upon completion of the work or phase for which it was installed


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Portable Electric Tools And Equipment

1. All portable electric tools are inspected before each use for damaged cords, cracked housings, missing guards, and damaged plugs


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2. Any tool found to be damaged or defective is tagged out and removed from service — no makeshift repairs using tape or improvised cord splices are in use


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3. All portable electric tools are either grounded (three-prong plug) or double-insulated — no ungrounded tools are in use


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4. Guards and safety devices on portable tools are in place and functional — no guards have been removed or defeated


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5. Portable tools used in wet or damp locations are protected by GFCI


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6. Pneumatic and powder-actuated tools are not substituted for electrical tools in areas where electrical tools have been removed due to hazard — the underlying hazard is addressed


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7. Tools are stored properly when not in use and not left energized and unattended


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Temporary Lighting

1. All temporary light fixtures and bulbs are protected from accidental contact or breakage with guards or cages


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2. Temporary lights are not suspended by their electrical cords unless both the cord and the fixture are specifically designed for this method of suspension


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3. Metal-case lamp sockets used for temporary lighting are grounded


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4. Temporary lighting cords are rated for hard or extra-hard usage


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5. Illumination levels in all active work areas are adequate for the work being performed and for safe movement through the site


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6. Temporary lighting circuits in wet or damp locations are GFCI protected


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Wet And Damp Location Protection

1. All temporary electrical installations in wet or damp locations use equipment rated and listed for wet or damp location use


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2. GFCI protection is provided for all receptacle outlets in wet or damp locations without exception


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3. No exposed conductors, open splices, or unprotected terminations are present in areas where water accumulation is possible


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4. Temporary panels and junction boxes in exposed outdoor locations have weatherproof enclosures and are sealed against moisture ingress


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5. Water accumulation near temporary electrical equipment is reported and addressed immediately — no equipment is left operating in standing water


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Overhead Power Line Clearances

1. All overhead power lines in and around the work site have been identified and their voltage levels confirmed with the utility company before work begins


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2. A minimum clearance of 10 feet is maintained between all overhead power lines (up to 50kV) and any workers, tools, equipment, materials, or scaffolding — greater clearances apply for higher voltages per OSHA 1926.416


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3. Crane, aerial lift, and other equipment operations near overhead power lines comply with minimum approach distances and the equipment operator has been briefed on line locations and voltage


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4. Barricades, warning signs, or physical barriers are in place to alert workers and equipment operators to the presence of overhead power lines


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5. A dedicated spotter is assigned during any crane or equipment operation within the restricted zone near overhead lines


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6. No materials are stored, stacked, or staged in a location where they could fall onto or contact overhead power lines


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Underground Utilities

1. All underground utilities have been identified and located using a utility locate service (call 811 in the US) before any excavation begins


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2. Located underground utilities are marked clearly on the ground surface and on site drawings


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3. Excavation within the marked tolerance zone of any underground electrical utility is performed by hand digging or other careful non-mechanical means


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4. Workers performing excavation near marked utilities have been briefed on the location and depth of electrical lines


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5. Any unmarked or unexpected utility encountered during excavation is treated as energized until confirmed otherwise — work stops and the utility owner is contacted


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LockoutTagout On Construction Sites

1. Written lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures are in place and available on site for all electrical maintenance and repair work


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2. No electrical maintenance or repair work is performed on energized equipment or circuits unless energized work has been specifically authorized and appropriate PPE is in use


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3. All energy sources are de-energized, locked out, and tagged before any electrical maintenance, repair, or inspection work begins on temporary or permanent systems


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4. Each worker exposed to a hazardous energy source applies their own personal lock to the lockout point — no single-lock group LOTO without a group lockout device


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5. Lockout tags are legible, durable, and identify the authorized employee who applied them


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6. After work is complete, a verification check confirms all workers are clear before energy is restored


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7. Workers have been trained on the site LOTO procedures and training is documented


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Electrical PPE And Worker Safety

1. Appropriate electrical PPE is available and in use for all tasks involving potential electrical exposure — including voltage-rated insulating gloves, insulating sleeves, and safety glasses at minimum


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2. Workers are not performing work on or near exposed energized parts unless they are qualified persons with appropriate PPE and authorization


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3. Arc flash hazards have been assessed for any work on energized equipment and appropriate arc-rated PPE is available where required


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4. Workers maintain a safe approach distance from energized parts based on the voltage level and their qualification status


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5. No jewelry, metallic watchbands, or other conductive items are worn by workers performing electrical work


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6. Workers report all electrical shocks, near-misses, and electrical incidents — an incident reporting procedure is in place and understood by all site personnel


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7. Emergency response procedures for electrical shock and arc flash incidents are posted and all workers know the location of the nearest first aid kit and emergency contacts


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Checklist by GoAudits.com – Please note that this checklist is intended as an example. We do not guarantee compliance with the laws applicable to your territory or industry. You should seek professional advice to determine how this checklist should be adapted to your workplace or jurisdiction.

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