When it comes to electrical safety, two common questions come up:
– Does OSHA require preventive maintenance?
– Does OSHA require arc flash studies?
The short answer: Not exactly — but in practice, yes.
Even though OSHA doesn’t explicitly say “perform an arc flash study or preventative maintenance” it recognizes arc flash and poorly maintained electrical equipment as known hazards. So, if employees are exposed without proper hazard assessment, labeling, or PPE, or to equipment that is not properly maintained, OSHA can (and does) issue citations under the General Duty Clause.
Leer Electric, Inc. provides expert electrical contractor services throughout central Pennsylvania. Here, we discuss the importance of arc flash studies and electrical preventive maintenance to keep keep your employees safe and your business running smoothly.
What Is OSHA’s General Duty Clause?
OSHA’s General Duty Clause is found in the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, Section 5(a)(1).
It states:
“Each employer shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees.”
What this means in practice:
- Employers must protect workers from known hazards, even if there isn’t a specific OSHA standard covering that hazard.
- OSHA uses the General Duty Clause when no regulation directly applies but a recognized hazard still exists (e.g., heat stress, workplace violence, arc flash, etc.).
- To cite under the General Duty Clause, OSHA must prove:
- A hazard existed.
- The hazard was recognized by the employer or the industry.
- The hazard was causing or likely to cause serious harm or death.
- There was a feasible way to correct the hazard.
NFPA 70E, the industry standard for electrical safety in the workplace and NFPA 70B, the industry standard for electrical maintenance in the workplace, are both essential for meeting your responsibilities under OSHA regulations Together, they help protect your employees, maintain safe working conditions, and reduce costly downtime or liability.
Electrical Preventive Maintenance (EPM)
OSHA doesn’t spell out that you must have a formal preventive maintenance program. However, OSHA does require all electrical equipment to be kept in a safe condition (29 CFR 1910.303(b)(1)). If equipment isn’t maintained and it creates a hazard, OSHA can and will cite employers.
NFPA 70B provides detailed guidance on inspection, testing, and maintenance intervals for electrical systems. Inspectors often use it as the industry benchmark to determine whether an employer has done enough to keep equipment safe and cite for non-compliance accordingly.
Electrical Preventive Maintenance (EPM) and NFPA 70B
Electrical equipment performance and safety degrade over time. An EPM Program provides the ongoing safety solution, including:
- Scheduled inspections and thermal imaging
- Torque and connection checks
- Insulation resistance testing
- Cleaning and servicing of equipment
- Documentation of all maintenance activities
In short: Preventive maintenance isn’t optional if you want to reduce failures, improve reliability, and show OSHA compliance.
Arc Flash Studies
OSHA doesn’t specifically say “do an arc flash study.” But OSHA does require hazard assessments (29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1)) and that employees are protected with appropriate PPE and a workplace hazard assessment (29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1))
The recognized industry standard for meeting this requirement is NFPA 70E, which requires an Arc Flash Risk Assessment. That means in order to comply with OSHA, employers need a documented process for identifying arc flash hazards, labeling equipment, and ensuring workers have the right PPE.
Arc Flash Studies and NFPA 70E
An Arc Flash Assessment calculates the potential energy released during an arc event and determines how close to energized components personnel can safely work.
To meet these requirements, companies rely on NFPA 70E: Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace. NFPA 70E requires an Arc Flash Risk Assessment that includes:
- Calculating incident energy or using the arc flash PPE category method
- Labeling electrical equipment with arc flash information
- Training employees on safe work practices
- Ensuring PPE matches the hazard level
In short, without an arc flash study, it’s almost impossible to prove that workers are properly protected — leaving a major compliance and safety gap.
Real-World Example: OSHA Penalty
In December 2023, OSHA cited MTD Products, Inc. (dba Stanley Black & Decker) for a willful-serious violation after employees worked on a 480-volt electrical panel without required PPE such as rubber gloves, arc-rated face shields, and protective clothing.
Penalty: $161,323
Employees were exposed to risks of electrocution, shock, and arc flash/blast hazards — proving that OSHA takes electrical safety violations very seriously.
This case underscores OSHA’s expectation that employers protect workers from arc flash risks — not only through PPE, but by maintaining equipment and conducting hazard assessments.
The Bottom Line on Electrical Preventive Maintenance
- OSHA sets the expectation. Employers must keep equipment safe and protect workers from electrical hazards.
- NFPA 70B and NFPA 70E show you how.
- NFPA 70B → Best practices for preventive maintenance.
- NFPA 70E → Procedures for identifying arc flash hazards, labeling equipment, and protecting workers.
Find Expert Electrical Preventive Maintnance Services Near You in Pennsylvania
At Leer Electric, Inc., we help businesses stay ahead of compliance while protecting their people and facilities. Our team provides electrical preventive maintenance programs, arc flash risk assessments, and turnkey safety solutions that align with OSHA requirements and NFPA 70B/70E guidelines. If your central Pennsylvania facility is due for an update — or if you’re unsure whether your current program meets today’s standards — we’re here to help you get there safely and confidently. Contact us today to find out how we can help you.