9 Expert Safety Tips for Electrical Contractors

Electrical contractors operate in environments where even small mistakes can cause major losses, from fires and equipment breakdowns to injuries and vehicle accidents. While no safety program can eliminate every risk, taking proactive steps to prevent claims and foster a culture of safety can significantly strengthen a company’s risk profile.

“Being safety-minded isn’t just about compliance—it’s about protecting your people, reputation, and ability to keep jobs moving,” says Shawn Gentry, loss control construction specialist at Central Insurance. “Companies that demonstrate a strong commitment to safety are often better positioned regarding risk management and insurance.“

Here, Gentry outlines the key strategies electrical contractors can implement to protect their teams, strengthen operations, and build a safer future.

Tip #1: Conduct Regular Safety Training

Employees who understand electrical risks—and how to avoid them—are less likely to make costly mistakes. Safety training should be a core part of every electrical contractor’s operations. Regular training reinforces safe work habits and ensures teams stay current with changing regulations.

All employees should be trained on:

Tip #2: Wear Proper PPE

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is the last defense against serious injury, especially around energized systems. Even routine tasks like panel inspections can turn dangerous without warning. Electrical contractors must ensure workers wear the proper PPE for every task, including insulated gloves, arc-rated clothing, face shields, and dielectric footwear. Reinforcing PPE use on every project builds safer habits and reduces the risk of claims.

Examples of Proper vs. Improper PPE Use & Its Impact on Safety

The examples below spotlight two scenarios with and without proper PPE usage:

Example 1: A journeyman electrician inspected an energized panel without full arc-rated PPE. He wore standard workwear, and the site foreman failed to enforce safety checks. An unexpected arc flash caused severe burns, OSHA citations, and a major insurance claim.

Key Failures:

• Improper PPE use
• Lack of enforced site safety protocols 
• No pre-task safety checks 

Example 2: A crew following a strict PPE checklist minimized energized work. When an arc flash occurred during testing, the worker closest to the fault walked away unharmed thanks to full PPE. The company documented the incident, updated its training materials, and reviewed it with the team at their monthly safety meeting. 

Key Successes:

• Use of full arc-rated PPE
• Pre-task planning minimized exposure to energized work
• Post-incident follow-up included documentation, training updates, and review with the team 

Quick Tip: Keep training sessions interactive and real-world. Use real jobsite scenarios or past incidents as learning opportunities.

Tip #3: Have a Clear Emergency Response Plan

Accidents can still happen even with strong preventative measures in place. How a crew responds during the first few minutes of an emergency can make all the difference.

Electrical contractors should maintain a written emergency response plan tailored to each job site. This plan should outline exactly what to do if an incident occurs, from calling emergency services to administering first aid and securing the area.

Having a written plan is only the first step, however. Gentry empashizes that regular drills and toolbox talks reinforce the plan and keep procedures top of mind. A fast, organized response protects injured workers, minimizes liability, improves claims outcomes, and demonstrates a strong commitment to safety.

Examples of Emergency Response Plans in Action

Example 1: A subcontractor was shocked when an old junction box unexpectedly carried live current. The on-site team had no clear emergency response plan, and valuable minutes were lost as workers scrambled to call for help and locate a first aid kit.

The worker survived but suffered greater injury due to delayed medical treatment, and the company faced penalties for failing to maintain a written emergency action plan.

Key Failures:

• No on-site emergency action plan 
• Inadequate first aid supplies
• Poor crisis communication

Example 2: An apprentice accidentally cut into a live conduit during a warehouse build-out. Although the shock was minor, the crew immediately activated their emergency response plan: the foreman called emergency services, the crew assessed the injured worker using a well-stocked first aid kit, and they filed documentation promptly.
Thanks to the team’s calm, trained response, the worker recovered fully, OSHA was satisfied with the company’s proactive handling, and they were issued no major penalties were issued.

Key Successes:

• Conducted emergency response drills quarterly
• Visible, accessible first aid stations
• Clear communication channels on-site

Quick Tip: Make sure emergency contact numbers, site addresses, and first aid locations are clearly posted and accessible on every project.

Get insights like this right in your inbox. Subscribe to the Central Blog below.

Tip #4: Maintain and Inspect Equipment Regularly

Worn or faulty tools are a leading cause of jobsite injuries and electrical fires. Electrical contractors should foster a preventative maintenance culture by requiring routine inspections of all equipment, including power tools, extension cords, grounding systems, and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Catching problems like frayed wiring, damaged insulation, or faulty grounding early can prevent serious accidents and costly downtime. Make equipment checks part of the daily routine, and ensure workers know how to recognize common warning signs of wear.

A routine inspection and maintenance schedule should include:

• Electrical testing devices
• Power tools
• Extension cords
• Ladders and lifts

This essential coverage complements routine maintenance and inspections, helping you avoid project delays and unexpected out-of-pocket costs.

Quick Tip: Document all inspections and repairs. Well-kept records help demonstrate due diligence in the event of a claim.

Tip #5: Implement a Driver Safety Program

Many electrical contractors rely on fleets of service vehicles to keep projects moving. A strong driver safety program starts with regular vehicle maintenance to prevent mechanical failures and extends to proactive policies encouraging safe driving behavior.

Reduce your auto exposure by: 

• Running motor vehicle record (MVR) checks before hiring drivers
• Utilizing telematics to flag risky driving behaviors
• Offering defensive driving training
• Enforcing distracted driving policies

Quick Tip: Use telematics to help identify risky driving habits and prevent claims.

Tip #6: Conduct Daily Jobsite Walkthroughs

Conditions on active construction sites can shift rapidly—what was safe yesterday might be hazardous today.

Gentry suggests assigning a responsible team member to conduct a safety walkthrough at the start of each day, looking for new risks such as exposed wires, blocked exits, trip hazards, unsecured ladders, or weather-related dangers. These quick inspections are a simple but powerful way to catch minor problems before they turn into serious incidents.

Use a consistent checklist to guide walkthroughs and ensure you overlook nothing. Addressing hazards in real time protects workers and demonstrates a proactive approach to safety that regulators and insurers appreciate.

Train your crew to recognize and report hazards, including:

• Exposed wiring
• Unstable scaffolding
• Water near electrical panels
• Improper grounding

Quick Tip: Create a walkthrough schedule that rotates through different supervisors or crew leads. Fresh eyes often spot overlooked hazards.

Tip #7: Enforce Lockout/Tagout Procedures

Working on energized equipment without proper lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures is one of the most dangerous situations on a construction site—and it’s a leading cause of serious injuries and fatalities in the electrical industry.

Crews must be thoroughly trained to de-energize equipment, verify isolation, and apply lockout/tagout devices before starting any maintenance, repairs, or inspections.

Formal LOTO protocols should be documented, job-specific, and regularly reinforced through training and jobsite reminders. Clear signage, designated equipment for locking out systems, and leadership enforcement help create an environment where safety is non-negotiable. Following LOTO procedures protects not only the worker performing the task but everyone else on the site.

Clear LOTO protocols should include:

• Verifying that energy is fully isolated before work begins
• Using proper locks and tags
• Documenting compliance through checklists

Quick Tip: Post LOTO procedures on jobsite trailers and equipment sheds for easy reference.

Tip #8: Utilize Thorough Documentation and Recordkeeping

In Gentry’s experience, proper documentation reflects a company managing risks actively, not reactively.

Your documentation process doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does need to be consistent. Keeping clear, simple records of inspections, employee training, jobsite walkthroughs, and maintenance activities can make a difference when handling claims or undergoing insurance reviews.

Quick Tip: Take photos of completed work—especially electrical panel installations and underground wiring—documenting quality and compliance when completing a job.

Tip #9: Work With An Insurance Carrier with Construction Industry Expertise

One of the smartest steps an electrical contractor can take is partnering with an insurance carrier that understands the industry’s unique risks of the construction industry and offers resources that specialize in supporting them.

At Central, we go beyond writing policies—we collaborate with agents and policyholders to strengthen operations, improve jobsite safety, and tailor coverage strategies to your business.

One of the best ways we do this is by providing direct access to dedicated construction loss control and underwriting specialists in your area who can offer expert guidance and support when it comes to your coverage.

Gentry himself is one of these resources. As a dedicated Loss Control Construction Specialist, he partners with Construction Underwriting expert Brian Schafer, to help our construction policyholders in our Central region manage their policies, prevent accidents before they happen, and reduce claims.

Did You Know? Similar partnerships exist in our other regions, and are designed to provide specialized, hands-on support for contractors looking to minimize their insurance risks and maximize safety.

As far as his perspective on loss control goes, Gentry explains, “For me, it’s not enough to just point out hazards. I want to educate clients so they understand why controlling risk matters. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing a contractor take your advice and then hearing how it prevented an accident or a large loss.”

Looking for an insurance partner who will help you build a safer, more resilient business? Find an agent and learn how Central can support your loss control efforts and long-term success.