Electrical Safety

Update to article published in 2019 to Rozel site We are often asked: “Does your electrical safety training qualify or certify someone to work on electrical equipment?” It's a logical question to ask. The short answer is no, and here’s why. The electrical safety regulation that all general industry employers must follow is OSHA 1910 Subpart S. Many U.S. employers also implement an electrical safety program that complies with NFPA 70E. In either case, the requirements for qual

As an executive, you make decisions every day about where to invest limited resources. Most of those decisions likely follow a familiar logic: fix what’s broken, improve what’s visible, and invest where returns are obvious. Electrical safety doesn't neatly fit that calculation. Although it's no less crucial to overall workplace safety, its real costs often remain invisible until after an incident occurs. And by then, the cost curve has already spiked. I have a personal reason

NEC® Requirements, Explained The National Electrical Code® (NEC®) Section 408.4 requires panel schedules and circuit directories to include enough detail so that anyone—whether it’s a building occupant, maintenance worker, or service technician—can easily locate the correct overcurrent device for a given circuit or area. This requirement exists for one simple reason: clarity saves time, and time saves lives when working around electrical equipment. Panel Schedules vs. Circuit

How to spot electrical and mechanical problems long before they become dangerous or expensive Infrared (IR) thermography inspections use specialized cameras to detect heat patterns and reveal risks that aren’t visible to the naked eye. It’s like getting an X-ray of your electrical and mechanical systems without shutting anything down. Infrared inspections matter to several key roles: facility managers, QA/QC managers, operations leaders, and EHS professionals all have someth

Every few years, facilities ask us the same question: “Why isn’t the update a fraction of the original price? Can’t you just rerun the old data?” It’s a fair question. And the answer is important for leaders, EHS managers, facility teams, and anyone responsible for electrical safety. Arc flash studies aren’t “one-and-done.” NFPA 70E and NFPA 70B both require a review at least every five years — and the reasons are practical, not bureaucratic. Electrical systems drift, utiliti

By Jesse Walker, Electrical Technician at Guidant Power When I board a 6 a.m. flight on Monday, my luggage isn’t exactly typical. Two 50-lb checked bags, a duffel, and a backpack. By Friday, those labels will be on energized equipment across a facility I’d never seen on Monday morning. That’s the job: travel, observe, document, verify, and keep people safe. My Background I’ve been an electrician since high school. Years in residential and commercial work, then a decade on the

A better way to verify absence of voltage It’s easy to trust a familiar tool, especially one you use every day. But even the most reliable voltmeter can fail without warning, so it's important to know what to do if it happens. Risks of Voltmeter Failure A damaged lead, a wrong setting, or an internal fault can turn a routine task into a life-threatening situation. Many shocks, arc flashes, and electrocutions have occurred because a voltmeter gave a false “zero” reading — indi

NEC 2026 Section 110.16 update series As companies rush to meet the expanded labeling requirements in NEC 2026 Section 110.16 , many electrical contractors ask this question: “Do you handle arc flash calculations in-house, or bring in an expert?” We've heard it time and again: "do we really need an arc flash analysis in (x) scenario?", and this question gives us pause. Many do not realize that “figuring it out” using software or online tools is far from easy . And when it com

NEC 2026 Section 110.16 update series You see an arc flash label on a piece of equipment — it looks professional, durable, and official. But can you trust the numbers printed on it? As the NEC 2026 Section 110.16 update expands labeling requirements , more equipment will carry arc flash stickers. Unfortunately, not all of them are based on valid engineering data. A label applied without proper calculations is worse than useless, because it gives a false sense of safety. This

NEC 2026 Section 110.16 update series The 2026 edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC) introduces major updates to Section 110.16 – Arc-Flash Hazard Marking, broadening the range of electrical equipment that must display arc-flash hazard labels. a Guidant Power arc flash label Hazard Labels Now Required on a Wider Variety of Equipment In previous NEC editions, labeling was only required on service equipment or feeder-supplied equipment rated 1,000 amps or higher. Under

Most electrical failures provide warning signs before they happen — but they are invisible to the naked eye. Infrared thermography makes...

(A Guide for Leaders and Safety Pros) With electrical safety, mistakes are rarely minor. Unlike many other workplace risks, electrical errors often allow no second chances. A small lapse in judgment can result in a severe injury, equipment damage, or even a fatality. That’s why NFPA 70E® emphasizes the role of human error in electrical incidents and requires employers to account for it in risk assessments. And it’s why facility and operations leaders must do more than “check

Resetting a tripped breaker might feel like a simple task — but it can be one of the most dangerous actions an electrician takes. In one...

Before I ever understood electricity, I understood fear and loss. When I was a young boy in Maine, my dad was helping my grandfather put...

When budgets get tight, safety programs often get pushed to the back burner. corporate executives discussing safety budgets Arc flash...

For years, a persistent myth has circulated in the electrical safety world: “Anything above 40 cal/cm² will kill you instantly.” a...

No injuries. Two breakers tripped. A faint whiff of smoke. Worker reporting a near-miss incident That’s how close one recent incident...

While electrical accidents are rare, their consequences can be severe. They have one of the highest fatality rates of all industrial accidents, and can bring huge costs in repair and downtime.

Real story. Real risk. The right precautions made all the difference. We buckle our seatbelt not because we expect to crash, but because...

Proactive assessment protects your people and your business, it prevents injuries or fatalities, and also avoids costly downtime.