The Ultimate Guide to Electrical Safety: Codes Every Electrician Should Know, Tools, and Tips
It’s that time of year again! As City Electric Supply (CES) recognizes National Electrical Safety Month, we’ve created a comprehensive, living guide to serve as a “North Star” for professional contractors, team members, and customers throughout the industry. Below are touchpoints we have covered previously in our blog, which will be the foundation of what will become an annual release of insights, tools, and tips.
The best way to start anything is at the beginning. When you think of electricity, you might think of this guy: Thomas Edison. Over 140 years ago, Edison invented the first incandescent light bulb that was able to be used long-term without burning out, and started one of the world’s first centralized electrical power plants in New York City, Pearl Street Station.
This led electricity to become the main energy source of lighting for homes and businesses, where gas lamps previously dominated. Just a few years later, in 1895, the first electrical codes were developed to try to keep workers safe. Shortly thereafter, as the use of electricity continued to spread, five different codes were established as installation standards.
However, having five different codes to follow made it difficult for workers to maintain consistent standards from job to job. To combat this safety issue, the first edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC) was published in 1897.
Source: archive.org
2. Understanding the National Electrical Code
The committee that established and published the first edition of the NEC was the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). As mentioned above, the NEC was created to serve as the universal code for safe installation techniques for electrical workers to abide by in jobs across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.
Since 1897, the NEC book has been updated every three years to remain current with innovations and advancements in the electrical industry. However, as of March 1, 2025, the 2023 edition of the NEC was only officially in effect in 17 states, according to the NFPA. Because the NEC is a “universal code” and not a federal law, when and which parts of the NEC are adopted can be determined on a state-by-state, city-by-city, or even a county-by-county basis. But, under state law, most electricians must adhere to some form of the National Electrical Code.
Check out the NFPA’s website to stay current on which version of the NEC your state follows. The 2026 edition of the NEC is expected to be released sometime this year!
Source: nfpa.org
3. Core safety tips for every electrician
Though reading and understanding the NEC can be complex, it’s essential to safety. Based on findings from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), electrical injuries are the fourth-leading cause of workplace-related traumatic fatalities in the United States.
By following basic tips like what equipment to wear (electrical personal protective equipment — PPE), how to check if you’re working with a live wire (test and inspect with voltage and electrical testers), and how to use your tools correctly (utilize an Electrician Information Resource), you’re well ahead of the game in knowing the dos and don’ts of navigating the dangers of working directly with electricity.
4. The tools that keep you safe
A core safety tip that every electrician should know is how to use their tools correctly — but, how do you know what you need? Our previous piece titled “The Tools to Safety” discusses insulated hand tools. These tools, including screwdrivers, pliers, cutters, tool sets, and more, help prevent harm or injury from arc flashes, arc blasts, and electrocution.
Insulated tools are typically made of several layers of plastic and/or rubber that are directly molded to the metal part of the tool to absorb shock and create comfort, control, and precision for the user. They are also tested to meet the international standards of withstanding high-voltage shocks of up to 1,000V. Our long-time vendor, Wiha Tools, is a renowned producer of insulated hand tools.
Wiha Tools is currently part of our Featured Product Promotions campaign for the month of May! Click below to check out Wiha’s wide-ranging catalog of insulated tools.
5. Arc flash awareness: What you need to know
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that between five and 10 arc flash explosions occur daily in U.S. facilities. The injuries that happen from these incidents can range from third-degree burns, blindness, hearing loss, and nerve damage.
Some of the major causes of arc flashes include malfunctioning, damaged, or severely neglected electrical equipment. The chart below contains several federally authorized approaches that can be used to maintain and manage safety on the jobsite.
| Prevention Methods | OSHA Regulations & Guidelines |
| De-energize electrical equipment to fully eliminate hazards using lockout/tagout procedures. | In compliance with 29 CFR 1910.147 |
| Identify and use approach boundaries for qualified and unqualified workers. | See OSHA fact sheet Establishing Boundaries Around Arc Flash Hazards for more details |
| Maintain electrical equipment to reduce the chance of an arc flash incident occurring. | In compliance with 29 CFR 1910.334 |
| Apply safe work practices to de-energize and test for the absence of voltage and the use of personal protective equipment. | In compliance with 29 CFR 1910.333 |
| Conduct arc flash risk assessments to determine potential hazards, voltage levels of exposed conductors or parts, and what appropriate arc-rated PPE to use. | See OSHA’s Being Aware of Arc Flash Hazards for more details |
| Use and maintain arc-rated PPE and insulated tools. | In compliance with 29 CFR 1910.137 and 29 CFR 1910.335 |
| Train workers to ensure knowledge of potential hazards and how to increase safety. | In compliance with 29 CFR 1910.332 |
Source: osha.gov
6. Testing circuit safety: a step-by-step reminder
Source: esfi.org
Follow these tips on the jobsite in a continued effort to remove as many hazards as possible and enhance safety.
- Before work begins on a site, ensure you understand what is needed and/or required to complete the job.
- Confirm the qualifications of each worker on the jobsite so that everyone is informed on how to handle electrical equipment.
- Identify all potential sources of danger on the site.
- Wear the correct PPE as a defense (hats, gloves, goggles, safety shoes, flame-resistant shirts and pants, safety glasses, face shields, etc.).
- De-energize the circuit with Lockout/ Tagout procedures and tools to make sure electrical equipment or machinery is completely turned off.
- Test the circuit to double-check that it has been de-energized.
- Verify the testing device as another safety measure to ensure that the testing equipment is fully operational prior to and after interacting with electrical equipment.
This National Electrical Safety Month, keep your jobsite safe with CES!