Electrical Hazards at Work: Prevention and Safety Standards

Electrical hazards are among the most serious risks in the workplace. Electric shock, electrocution, burns and electrical arcs can cause severe injuries or death. This article explains the main electrical risks, preventive measures, relevant safety standards and the regulatory framework applicable in Morocco.

Electricity is essential to the operation of businesses, industrial facilities and professional equipment. However, defective installations, poorly planned interventions or inadequate protective measures can lead to serious accidents.

Effective electrical risk prevention relies on safe installation design, maintenance, worker training and appropriate procedures for each type of electrical operation.

1. Electric Shock and Electrocution: What Is the Difference?

It is important to distinguish between two terms.

• Electric shock (electrisation): The passage of electrical current through the human body. Its effects range from tingling sensations to burns, cardiac disturbances or cardiorespiratory arrest.
• Electrocution: An electrical shock that results in death.

The severity of an electrical accident depends on several factors, including current intensity, exposure duration, the current's path through the body and the conditions of contact.

Even relatively low voltages can be dangerous under certain circumstances, particularly in wet environments or when contact is prolonged.

2. Main Types of Electrical Accidents

2.1. Direct Contact

Direct contact occurs when a person touches a live electrical part, such as an exposed conductor or an accessible terminal under voltage.

Prevention: Insulate live parts, install suitable barriers and protective enclosures, display appropriate warning signs and follow established safety procedures.

2.2. Indirect Contact

Indirect contact occurs when a person touches a conductive metal part that has accidentally become live because of an insulation fault.

Prevention: Use earthing where required, equipotential bonding and suitable protective devices in accordance with the installation's characteristics.

2.3. Short Circuit

A short circuit occurs when an unintended low-impedance connection is established between points at different electrical potentials.

It can cause intense heating, metal projections, fires or electrical arcing.

Prevention: Correctly size electrical circuits, install overcurrent protection, maintain equipment and replace defective components.

2.4. Electrical Arc

An electrical arc is an electrical discharge through an insulating medium, usually air. It can release intense thermal energy, generate a pressure wave and project molten metal particles.

Work on electrical panels, inappropriate switching operations and equipment faults can expose workers to this phenomenon.

Prevention: Prioritise de-energised work, assess arc-flash risks, use suitable protective equipment and restrict access to hazardous areas.

3. Technical Measures for Electrical Risk Prevention

Prevention begins with the safe design and maintenance of electrical installations.

3.1. Earthing and Equipotential Bonding

Earthing and equipotential bonding help reduce the risks associated with electrical faults when properly designed and installed.

Their effectiveness depends on the network configuration, earthing arrangement and coordination with protective devices.

3.2. Circuit Breakers and Residual Current Devices

Circuit breakers provide protection against overloads and short circuits according to their specifications.

Residual current devices detect certain leakage currents and help protect people and electrical installations. Devices with a rated residual operating current of 30 mA are commonly used for additional personal protection in certain applications, including socket-outlet circuits.

However, the selection and positioning of protective devices must comply with the technical requirements applicable to the installation. A residual current device does not replace earthing where required or other preventive measures.

3.3. Insulation and Protection of Live Parts

Live electrical parts must be protected against hazardous contact through suitable insulation, enclosures, barriers or other protective arrangements.

Damaged equipment, exposed conductors and defective electrical panels must be reported and made safe.

3.4. Warning Signs and Safety Distances

Areas presenting electrical hazards must be identified, and access must be controlled where necessary.

Safe distances depend on factors such as voltage, installation configuration, working environment and the operation being performed. They must be determined according to the applicable requirements rather than through a generic distance.

3.5. Electrical Isolation and Lockout

Before work requiring de-energisation begins, an appropriate isolation procedure must be implemented.

Depending on the circumstances, the procedure includes:

1. Correctly identifying the installation and all energy sources.
2. Isolating the installation from all relevant power sources.
3. Locking the isolation devices and displaying warning notices to prevent reconnection.
4. Verifying the absence of voltage using a suitable voltage detector that has been checked before and after use.
5. Applying earthing and short-circuiting where required by the applicable rules and installation characteristics.
6. Protecting the work area against residual hazards and adjacent live sources.

Isolation must be performed by a competent and authorised person in accordance with the organisation's procedures.

The American Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) method, addressed in OSHA regulations for certain equipment and activities in the United States, is a useful reference for controlling hazardous energy. However, it does not replace the technical and regulatory requirements applicable in Morocco.

4. Electrical Authorisation and Worker Training

Electrical authorisation is intended to ensure that a worker has the knowledge and skills required to perform specific operations safely in an electrical environment.

It should not be confused with an electrician's diploma or a general professional qualification.

4.1. The French Electrical Authorisation System

In France, electrical authorisation is based notably on standard NF C 18-510 and the relevant provisions of the French Labour Code.

Common authorisation symbols include:

• B0: Non-electrical operations in low-voltage environments, within the applicable limits.
• B1 and B2: Electrical work executant and supervisor roles in low-voltage environments.
• BR: General low-voltage interventions.
• BC: Low-voltage electrical isolation and lockout responsibilities.
• H0, H1 and H2: Operations or work corresponding to defined roles in high-voltage environments.
• HC: High-voltage isolation and lockout responsibilities.

The precise symbols and additional attributes depend on the assigned operations, voltage range and working environment.

In France, the employer issues the authorisation after assessing the worker's training, competence and suitability for the assigned duties.

The French National Research and Safety Institute (INRS) generally recommends refresher training every three years. A two-year interval may be appropriate for occasional or exceptional electrical work. The employer must also monitor whether the authorisation remains suitable for the worker's actual activities.

These provisions describe the French framework and must not automatically be presented as requirements applicable in Morocco.

4.2. Electrical Risk Prevention in Morocco

In Morocco, training, competence requirements, authorisation to perform specific operations and protective measures must be determined by reference to applicable legislation, relevant standards and the characteristics of the installation.

The Moroccan standard NM 06.1.225, referenced by IMANOR under the title concerning operations on electrical structures and installations and within electrical environments, is an important national reference for electrical risk prevention.

Before presenting French authorisation symbols such as B0, B1, B2, BR or BC as regulatory authorisations in Morocco, the applicable national requirements and workplace procedures must be verified.

5. Main Electrical Safety Standards

5.1. NM 06.1.225 — Electrical Risk Prevention

This Moroccan standard concerns operations on electrical structures and installations, as well as activities performed within electrical environments.

It should be consulted to identify the technical requirements applicable to the operations concerned. Its precise scope and conditions of application must be checked against the official text.

5.2. NM 06.1.100 — Low-Voltage Electrical Installations

IMANOR indicates that Moroccan standard NM 06.1.100, approved in May 2025, establishes general requirements for low-voltage electrical installations.

It is therefore an important reference for assessing installation safety within its scope of application.

5.3. NF C 15-100 — Low-Voltage Electrical Installations

NF C 15-100 is a French standard covering low-voltage electrical installations. A new series of French standards was published in August 2024.

It may be used as a supplementary technical reference where appropriate, but its applicability in Morocco must be established in accordance with the relevant legislation, contractual specifications and project requirements.

It should not be described as automatically mandatory for all Moroccan installations.

5.4. NF C 18-510 — Electrical Operations

NF C 18-510 is a French standard addressing electrical risk prevention during operations on electrical installations and in their vicinity.

It defines principles concerning training and electrical authorisation within the French framework.

In Morocco, the national standard NM 06.1.225 must also be considered. The two standards should not be presented as legally interchangeable without verifying their respective texts and scopes.

6. Regulatory Framework Applicable in Morocco

Electrical risk prevention in Moroccan workplaces relies on several categories of legal texts and technical references.

6.1. Labour Code — Law No. 65-99

Title IV of the Moroccan Labour Code, particularly Articles 281 to 293, establishes general obligations concerning occupational hygiene and employee safety.

These provisions must be considered alongside the implementing regulations relevant to the risks and equipment concerned.

6.2. Decree No. 2-12-236 of 25 November 2013

This decree establishes conditions for the use of certain equipment and machinery that may endanger workers' health or compromise their safety.

It includes provisions relating to electrically powered equipment and machinery, protective measures, inspections, employee information and training.

Its scope must be verified before determining the precise obligations applicable to a particular organisation.

6.3. Order No. 1281-18 of 15 March 2018

This order identifies certain equipment, machinery and categories of equipment subject to periodic general inspections, together with the frequency, nature and content of those inspections.

It should not be interpreted as automatically imposing the same inspection frequency on every electrical installation. The equipment falling within its scope must first be identified.

6.4. Moroccan Standards and Technical Requirements

Standards published by IMANOR, applicable installation specifications and, where relevant, the technical connection requirements of the electricity network operator should be considered.

Their applicability depends on factors such as installation type, building use, applicable regulations and project specifications.

Measures to Implement in the Workplace

A structured prevention programme should include:

• Identification and assessment of electrical hazards.
• Maintenance of installations and equipment.
• Verification of appropriate circuit protection.
• Control of electrical work and access to hazardous areas.
• Training of relevant workers.
• Implementation of isolation procedures.
• Monitoring of inspections and reported defects.
• Updating safety instructions after significant changes.

Inspection intervals, training requirements and authorisation procedures must be determined according to the regulations applicable to the establishment.

7. What to Do in the Event of an Electrical Accident

When an electrical accident occurs, the priority is to protect the casualty without exposing another person to danger.

1. Do not touch the casualty directly while contact with a dangerous electrical source may still exist.
2. Disconnect the power using a safe isolation device if this can be done without risk.
3. Contact the emergency services immediately.
4. Once the area is safe, check the casualty's responsiveness and breathing.
5. If the casualty is not breathing normally, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use an automated external defibrillator (AED), if available, following the device instructions and emergency dispatcher guidance.
6. Anyone who has experienced an electrical shock should receive an appropriate medical assessment, even if symptoms appear minor.

In the presence of high voltage or an electrical arc hazard, do not approach the casualty until competent emergency personnel have confirmed that the area is safe.

Conclusion

Electrical risk requires rigorous prevention combining compliant installations, appropriate protective devices, safe working procedures and properly trained workers.

In Morocco, standards NM 06.1.225 and NM 06.1.100, together with applicable regulatory texts, are essential references to consider according to the type of installation and electrical operation.

Priority must always be given to eliminating the hazard, de-energising equipment where possible, implementing appropriate isolation procedures and controlling risks before any intervention begins.

Sources and References

https://www.imanor.gov.ma/normes/page/62/ https://www.sgg.gov.ma/Legislation.aspx https://www.inrs.fr/risques/electriques.html