CPR Training Requirements for Working in an Electrical Substation

Electrical substations are among the most hazardous work environments. Exposure to high voltage and arc flash means that if an incident occurs, survival may depend on immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Both OSHA regulations and NFPA standards require that CPR-trained personnel be available whenever employees are exposed to electrical hazards.

OSHA Requirements

The controlling regulation is 29 CFR 1910.269(b) – Medical services and first aid. This section applies to electric power generation, transmission, and distribution work, including substations.

Key provisions:

• Field work (crews):
  “For field work involving two or more employees at a work location, at least two trained persons shall be available.” (1910.269(b)(1)(i))

• Fixed work locations (e.g., substations):
  “In fixed work locations such as a generating station, the employer shall ensure the ready availability of personnel trained to render first aid. However, where the existing number of employees is insufficient to meet this requirement … each employee at the work location shall be a trained employee.” (1910.269(b)(1)(ii))

• Definition of training:
  “First-aid training … includes the requirements for CPR.” (1910.269(x))

Together, these provisions mean:

• For substation crews, two trained employees are required at the work location.

• For fixed sites, enough trained personnel must be available to reach every worker within 4 minutes, or else all workers must be trained if the site is remote.

NFPA 70E Requirements

While OSHA is the enforceable regulation, NFPA 70E: Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace is the widely adopted industry standard.

• NFPA 70E (2024), Section 110.2(C)(2):
  “Employees exposed to shock hazards or arc flash hazards shall be trained in first aid, emergency response, and resuscitation (including CPR and AED use) … The frequency of training shall be at a minimum once every 3 years, and the demonstration of skills proficiency shall occur annually.”

NFPA 70E is not law, but OSHA frequently references it as a recognized consensus standard. Many utilities and contractors follow NFPA 70E as the baseline for their safety programs.

Who Must Be Trained?

Based on OSHA 1910.269 and NFPA 70E 110.2(C)(2), CPR training must be provided to:

• Qualified employees working directly with energized electrical systems.

• Substation electricians, linemen, and technicians.

• Contractors and supervisors who may be exposed to arc flash or shock hazards.

In practice, every crew working in or around a substation should have multiple CPR-trained members to ensure compliance and redundancy.

Case Study: Why CPR Training Matters

In 2013, a utility worker in North Carolina suffered cardiac arrest after making contact with energized equipment inside a substation. Emergency services were delayed due to the remote location, and no one on site had CPR training. Tragically, the worker did not survive.

The post-incident investigation led the employer to update policy, requiring all substation-access workers to maintain current CPR certification. The company concluded that immediate intervention could have altered the outcome.

This case demonstrates the reality: substations are often remote, and EMS response times may exceed 10–15 minutes. Without CPR-trained personnel on site, survival chances drop sharply.

Conclusion

OSHA and NFPA both make it clear: CPR training is mandatory when working in or around electrical substations.

• OSHA 29 CFR 1910.269(b) requires at least two trained people for crews, and mandates training for all employees if the worksite is remote.

• NFPA 70E 110.2(C)(2) requires CPR, AED, and first-aid training for employees exposed to electrical hazards, with retraining at least every three years.

Employers should go beyond minimum compliance by ensuring all substation workers are trained and certified. Redundancy is not just a best practice—it’s often the difference between life and death.