Electrical JHA: job hazard analysis example and generator

An electrical JHA starts with identifying the circuits, then de-energizing and tagging them out. It then covers testing for absence of voltage, rough-in, terminations and re-energizing. The core references are in 29 CFR 1926 Subpart K, including 1926.416 (protection of employees) and 1926.417 (lockout and tagging of circuits).

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Draft only. Every JHA is a draft and must be reviewed by a competent person for the specific site before work begins. JHABox is not affiliated with OSHA or the US Department of Labor.

General contractors (GCs) ask for written JSAs (job safety analyses) on electrical startup, shutdown, and panel entry. A good electrical JHA shows who locks out, where the tags go, and how you prove a circuit is dead before anyone touches it.

Common electrical hazards

Shock and electrocution from circuits thought to be dead
Arc flash during testing and panel work
Back-feed from generators and solar
Falls from ladders and lifts
Concealed conductors when drilling or cutting

Sample electrical hazard table

Sample from the JHABox electrical library. Example task: “Panel replacement and branch circuit rough-in, occupied house” at a Florida address. Showing 5 of 11 steps.

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Swipe sideways to see the full table.

#	Job step	Potential hazards	Risk before controls	Controls	Risk after controls	29 CFR reference
1	Identify circuits and nearby energized parts	Unknown or mislabeled circuits Concealed energized conductors in walls, ceilings or slabs Contact with overhead service conductors	HHigh	Survey the work area and confirm which circuits are energized before work starts Trace and label circuits; update the panel schedule Post warning signs and barricades around exposed energized parts	MMedium	1926.416(a)(3) 1926.416(a)(1)
2	De-energize, lock out and tag out	Circuit re-energized while someone is working on it Back-feed from generators, solar or other sources Stored energy in capacitors	HHigh	Open the disconnect; apply a personal lock and tag at every point where the circuit can be energized Tags plainly identify the equipment or circuit being worked on Check for generators, solar and other back-feed sources Only the person who applied a lock removes it	MMedium	1926.417(a) 1926.417(b) 1926.417(c)
3	Test for absence of voltage	Shock or arc flash during testing Faulty meter gives a false 'dead' reading	HHigh	Verify the tester on a known live source before and after testing (live-dead-live) Wear insulated gloves, arc-rated clothing and face shield while testing Treat conductors as energized until proven otherwise	MMedium	1926.416(a)(1) 1926.95(a)
4	Ladder access and use	Fall from ladder Ladder slides out or tips Electrical contact (metal ladder near energized parts) Losing balance while carrying materials	HHigh	Competent person inspects ladders; tag and remove defective ladders Extend side rails 3 ft above landing; secure top; set at 4:1 angle Set on stable, level base Use non-conductive (fiberglass) ladders near electrical work Face the ladder, keep one hand on it; hoist materials instead of carrying	MMedium	1926.1053(b)(1) 1926.1053(b)(5)(i) 1926.1053(b)(6) 1926.1053(b)(12) 1926.1053(b)(15) 1926.1053(b)(20)-(22) 1926.1060(a)
5	Conduit, boxes and wire pulling	Hand and back strain pulling wire Cuts from conduit, knockouts and cable ends Eye injury from drilling overhead Hidden utilities when drilling or cutting	MMedium	Use pull lubricant and a mechanical puller for long runs; team lifts Deburr conduit ends; cut-resistant gloves Safety glasses for overhead drilling Check behind walls and slabs for utilities before drilling	LLow	1926.102(a)(1) 1926.28(a) 1926.416(a)(3)

Risk = Severity × Likelihood on a 3×3 matrix (1–2 Low, 3–4 Medium, 6–9 High). Citations link to the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR).

Relevant 29 CFR 1926 subparts

KSubpart K: Electrical1926.400–1926.449 XSubpart X: Stairways and Ladders1926.1050–1926.1060 ESubpart E: Personal Protective and Life Saving Equipment1926.95–1926.107 CSubpart C: General Safety and Health Provisions1926.20–1926.35

Key paragraphs we cite

1926.416(a)(1)No work near a circuit unless it is de-energized and grounded, or guarded
1926.416(a)(3)Find out where energized circuits are before work begins
1926.417(b)De-energized equipment rendered inoperative and tagged at every energizing point
1926.404(b)(1)(i)Ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI), or an assured equipment grounding conductor program

Checked against the eCFR (Title 29, as amended through October 14, 2026). Confirm the current text, and any state plan rules that apply to your site.

Florida job sites

Florida: storm restoration and generators

After hurricanes, portable and standby generators create back-feed risk on circuits that should be dead. JHABox electrical drafts include a back-feed check in the lockout step. Storm-damage tasks add a walk-down step that treats every downed line as energized.

Electrical JHA FAQ

Does OSHA require a written electrical JHA?

Federal OSHA has no construction standard that requires a document called a “JHA” (job hazard analysis). You still have to meet the specific 29 CFR 1926 standards for the work and run the accident-prevention program in 1926.20(b). General contractors (GCs), owners, and the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) often require one. USACE calls it an Activity Hazard Analysis.

Which OSHA standard covers lockout/tagout on construction sites?

In construction, 1926.417 requires controls to be tagged, de-energized equipment to be rendered inoperative and tagged at all points where it can be energized, and tags to plainly identify the equipment or circuit.

Can I hand this straight to my general contractor?

Not without review. Every JHABox document is a draft. A competent person (someone who can identify the hazards and is authorized to correct them) has to check it for that site, adjust it to real conditions, and sign it before work starts. JHABox is not affiliated with OSHA.

Is the Spanish version included?

Yes. Pick Spanish on the build form and the whole document comes out in Spanish, including the hazard table, personal protective equipment (PPE) list, and crew sign-off sheet. A paid document includes both languages.

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