Free checklist · 29 CFR 1910.301-399
Electrical Safety Inspection Checklist: Panels, Cords, and Tools
An electrical safety inspection checklist organizes a visual review of panels, wiring, receptacles, cords, tools, and protective devices. Supervisors can use this checklist to spot accessible defects and send electrical work to qualified personnel. It includes panel identification, enclosure covers, overheating signs, grounding, GFCIs, and administrative checks without turning a walkthrough into energized troubleshooting.
The full electrical safety inspection checklist
Electrical Safety Inspection Checklist. Blanks in [brackets] are for your own details.
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Inspection checklist for electrical equipment, wiring, GFCIs, panels, and cord management.
Panels
- 1All electrical panels are accessible with 36" clearance on all sides
- 2Panel directories are accurate and up to date (all breakers labeled)
- 3No open knockouts or missing breaker covers in panels
Wiring
- 4All receptacle outlets have proper covers (no exposed wiring)
- 5Junction boxes have covers in place
Cords
- 6No damaged, frayed, or spliced extension cords in use
- 7Extension cords are used temporarily only (not as permanent wiring)
- 8All cords are 3-wire grounded type (ground prong intact)
GFCIs
- 9GFCIs are installed and functional in wet/damp locations (kitchens, bathrooms, outdoors)
- 10GFCIs are tested monthly (test/reset buttons functional)
Equipment
- 11Electrical equipment is properly grounded
- 12No signs of overheating (burn marks, discoloration, unusual odors)
- 13Portable tools and equipment inspected before use (cord, housing, guards)
Administrative
- 14Qualified persons only perform electrical work (per company electrical safety program)
Labels
- 15Arc flash labels present on panels and equipment (incident energy, PPE required)
The printable copy adds Pass, Fail and N/A columns with Inspector, Supervisor review and Date lines.
A starting point, not legal advice. Have a qualified person check it against your site, your state's rules and the standard before you rely on it.
Electrical safety inspection checklist: when it’s needed
Use this walkthrough when inspecting facilities, changing equipment layouts, or following reports of damaged cords or overheating. Under 29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1), required working space around electrical equipment must remain clear. Section 1910.305(b)(1) addresses closing unused enclosure openings, and 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(A) prohibits using flexible cords instead of fixed wiring. Portable cord-and-plug equipment needs a visual inspection before use on any shift under 1910.334(a)(2), subject to the rule’s stated exception. A periodic facility checklist does not replace that equipment examination.
How to use this electrical safety inspection checklist
- Walk the facility without opening energized enclosures, and note damaged covers, exposed conductors, blocked panels, or burning odors.
- Ask a qualified person to confirm equipment working clearances instead of applying one distance to every side.
- Trace extension cord use to identify permanent installations, damaged insulation, missing grounding pins, and unsuitable routing.
- Compare GFCI testing and grounding checks with equipment instructions and applicable rules for the actual installation.
- Remove unsafe portable equipment from use and route panel defects, labeling issues, and repairs to authorized electrical personnel.
Before you use this electrical safety inspection checklist: what to fill in and check
- Panel voltage, equipment arrangement, and required working space dimensions for each installation.
- Disconnect labels, circuit directory accuracy, and locations of equipment supplied from multiple sources.
- GFCI types, manufacturer testing intervals, and grounding or double-insulation provisions for portable tools.
- Electrical contractor contacts and site procedures for isolating defective equipment safely.
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Electrical safety inspection checklist questions
Does every electrical panel need 36 inches of clearance on all sides?
No. The checklist’s shorthand needs review before use. Working space under 29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1) depends on voltage and the conditions around the equipment; it is not a universal 36-inch boundary on all sides. Have a qualified person determine the required depth, width, access, and headroom for each installation, then mark or otherwise protect that space from storage.
Can extension cords replace additional permanent outlets?
Flexible cords cannot substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure under 29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(A). A cord in good condition can still be unsuitable if its installation serves that purpose. Have the electrical system evaluated when equipment routinely relies on extension cords, and check the cord rating, environment, routing, and grounding provisions for any permitted temporary use.
Who should inspect electrical panels during a safety walkthrough?
A supervisor can check external conditions such as access, visible damage, missing labels, and signs of heat without exposing energized parts. Examination that could expose someone to electrical hazards belongs with personnel qualified for that work. Disconnecting means must be legibly marked under 29 CFR 1910.303(f). Do not remove covers or probe wiring just to finish a checklist.