Electrical Safety, Inspection, and Code Compliance
Safe Work Practices
Safety questions test the hierarchy of controls: eliminate the hazard, then engineer controls (de-energize, lockout/tagout), then administrative controls, then PPE. The most common trap is choosing PPE as the primary control when de-energizing is required. Energized work should be justified as infeasible to de-energize, not merely inconvenient.
Lockout/Tagout and Verification
Know that lockout/tagout requires a qualified person, a lock and tag, and verification that the circuit is de-energized. Test before touch-verify with a tester rated for the voltage, and treat circuits as energized until proven otherwise.
Inspection and Compliance
Inspectors verify installation against the Code and the approved plans. Common inspection failures include improper box fill, missing supports, incorrect grounding, and unlisted equipment. The AHJ may require correction before energization.
Documentation
Permits, plans, and records are part of compliance. Questions may ask who may perform work-generally only qualified persons-and what documentation is required.
Worked Example
A question describes a worker who plans to work on a live panel because shutting down is inconvenient. Answer: the work must be de-energized unless justified as infeasible; inconvenience is not a valid justification. PPE is the last line of defense, not the first.