Electrical Safety Mistakes & How to Prevent Them

Even experienced workers can make dangerous mistakes when dealing with electrical equipment. Whether it’s due to complacency, lack of training, or pressure to get the job done quickly, these errors can lead to serious injuries, equipment damage, or even fatalities. At Herzig Engineering, we work with safety and engineering leaders to eliminate these risks through expert training, inspections, and compliance-focused services. 

Top Electrical Safety Mistakes—and How to Prevent Them 

1. Working Without Proper PPE One of the most common and dangerous mistakes is performing energized tasks (including troubleshooting) without the required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). This can result in severe burns, arc flash injuries, and death. 

Prevention: Implement a PPE program aligned with NFPA 70E. Herzig’s Electrical Safety Training ensures workers know what PPE is required and when to use it. 

2. Skipping the Risk Assessment Rushing into a task without conducting a proper risk assessment and job safety planning increases the chance of encountering unforeseen hazards. 

Prevention: Incorporate job safety planning as a required step before any work begins. Herzig’s Electrical Safety Audits evaluate how well your current procedures align with NFPA 70E standards. 

3. Ignoring Arc Flash Labels Workers often overlook or disregard arc flash labels, especially if they’re outdated or unclear. 

Prevention: Ensure all equipment is accurately labeled with current arc flash data. Herzig’s Arc Flash Studies include on-site labeling, reviewed by licensed Professional Engineers (P.E.s). 

4. Assuming Equipment is De-Energized This assumption has led to countless accidents. Without proper testing, workers may unknowingly expose themselves to live circuits. 

Prevention: Enforce lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures and verify equipment de-energization through live-dead-live testing at each point of work. Our training programs reinforce these essential practices (including the use of PPE for these steps). 

5. Inadequate Training for Non-Electrical Workers Employees who aren’t "qualified” may still encounter electrical hazards but often receive little or no training. 

Prevention: Provide role-specific training for all personnel. Herzig offers customized training for both qualified and unqualified workers. 

Building a Culture of Electrical Safety 

Mistakes happen—but they don’t have to. By identifying common errors and implementing preventive measures, your team can dramatically reduce risk. Herzig Engineering partners with companies nationwide to build sustainable, code-compliant safety programs that keep every worker safe. 

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