Occupational safety for electricians: Important protective measures

Steven Miller
Steven Miller
Occupational safety for electricians: Important protective measures

Electricians work with electricity and running technical systems on a daily basis, which entails high risks. You've probably heard all kinds of horror stories about things that have happened in your workplace or to colleagues! - Admittedly, not all rumors are probably true, but to prevent accidents and protect lives, electricians are subject to strict safety measures, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). This article explains why occupational safety is particularly important in this profession - and why you really should follow the rules, presents the 5 safety rules and describes the PPE that electricians should wear at work.

Why is occupational safety so important for electricians?

Working on electrical systems can have fatal consequences - electrical accidents are a serious hazard. A good 80% of all electrical accidents involve electricians and persons with electrical training and a good 23 accidents ended fatally in 2023 (source: www.bgetem.de - Institute for Research into Electrical Accidents). Occupational safety is therefore not only important for the electrician themselves, but also for the entire team and the surrounding area. Companies rely on strict safety guidelines to prevent as many accidents as possible.  

One German safety concept is the DIN VDE 0105 series of standards, which defines specific safety measures and rules for electricians - perhaps the most important standard for electricians. In general, it defines how the safe operation of electrical systems should be ensured. 

The 5 safety rules for electricians

To minimize the risk when working on electrical systems, there are five basic safety rules - survival rules according to DIN VDE 0105 - that electricians should always follow:

  1. Disconnect - First switch off the electrical system and disconnect it from the power supply. If this is not possible, it is best to ask your supervisor again first and try to avoid direct contact if possible. 
  2. Secure against being switched on again - Make sure that your colleagues do not accidentally switch on the system - this is how many accidents happen! Make sure that every switch, control unit, button and fuse is secured. 
  3. Check that there is no voltage - Use a suitable test device to check that there really is no voltage. It is always possible that current is still flowing due to unclear auxiliary feeds, reverse transformation or backup power supply systems.
  4. Earthing and short-circuiting - All systems must be earthed or short-circuited. This is the only way to guarantee complete protection for employees. 
  5. Isolate live parts - Even if your system or sub-area is now de-energized, neighbouring parts may still be live - fuse them to prevent accidental contact. Of course, it is also best to disconnect these parts from the power supply. 

Source: www.tuev-nord.de and www.bgetem.de. 

Work safety for electricians PPE

These safety rules are essential and should be taken into account in every project to ensure the highest level of occupational safety. You can find more information about the profession in our article about the tasks of an electrician.

Are you no longer interested in being an electrician with so much installation and technology? Then maybe we have something for you: In the following article, you can find out everything you need to know about a profession that is at least as exciting and in which you also fight flames directly: Find out everything you need to know about training and further education as a fire inspector in the fire department!

What is personal protective equipment (PPE) for electricians?

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is specifically designed to protect electricians from injuries caused by electric shocks and other hazards in the workplace. PPE includes various items of protective clothing and equipment that can be adapted depending on the task. For example, PPE includes safety helmets, safety goggles, protective shields, hearing protection, safety shoes, protective gloves, protective clothing, but also skin protection products. There is also other PPE for specific hazards, such as PPE against drowning, PPE against falling or stab protection - you can find more information on this on the website of the Employer's Liability Insurance Association for Wood and Metal

As electricians are confronted with various hazards during different types of work, such as installation or maintenance, the right PPE is mandatory. Specifically, this means that your employer must provide you with the correct PPE in full working order and that you must wear it. 

PPE standard equipment for occupational safety as an electrician

Standard equipment is defined for electricians, which must be worn in most work areas to ensure basic protection:

  • Jacket and trousers: Fireproof work clothing that offers protection against sparks and high heat.
  • Safety shoes: Special shoes with non-slip soles and protective toecaps to protect you from injury.
  • Safety goggles or helmet with visor: Protects the eyes from flying sparks and the face from mechanical influences.
  • Gloves: Electrically insulated gloves for safe handling of live parts.
  • NH handle with cuff: Special tool for safely pulling NH fuses.
  • Respiratory protection (if required): Protects the respiratory tract when working in dusty or smoky environments.

Depending on specialization or specific tasks, additional PPE may be required, for example insulating protective equipment when working on high-voltage systems. In fact, the fewest electrical accidents happen at high voltage (source: bgetem.de)! Employees in the high-voltage sector also receive significantly higher salaries - €54,912 on average per year according to Jobvektor. You can find more information on this topic in our article on the salary of electricians.

WorkerHero: Your partner for starting your career in Germany

Occupational safety is a top priority for electrician jobs. If you are looking for a safe working environment and a new professional challenge, WorkerHero not only offers you suitable vacancies, but also valuable information on occupational safety and salary in the electrical industry. On our platform, you will find targeted job offers for skilled workers in the blue and gray areas - ideal for people who are not yet fluent in German. 

Further topics:
Other categories:

In 3 steps to a better job:

1. create profile

2. receive or apply for job offers

3. select job