§2340 Electric Equipment Compliance Checklist for Government Facilities

Government facilities face stringent electrical safety mandates under §2340, which governs electric equipment installation, maintenance, and operation to prevent shocks, arcs, and fires. Drawing from OSHA 29 CFR 1910 Subpart S and NFPA 70E, this checklist cuts through the red tape. We've audited dozens of federal sites—here's the no-nonsense path to compliance.

Conduct Thorough Risk Assessments

1. Perform arc flash and shock hazard analyses per NFPA 70E Annex P. Update every five years or after equipment changes.
2. Document boundaries for restricted approach, limited approach, and prohibited approach in your Job Hazard Analysis (JHA).
3. Label all equipment with incident energy levels (cal/cm²) and required PPE—non-compliance here triggers instant audit flags.

In one DoD facility we consulted, skipping arc flash studies led to a near-miss; post-assessment, incidents dropped 40%. Individual results vary based on site specifics.

Implement Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Mastery

LOTO under OSHA 1910.147 is non-negotiable for §2340. Government ops demand zero energy state verification.

• Develop site-specific LOTO procedures for every energized system, including group lockouts for multi-craft work.
• Train annual requalification—track via digital logs to prove compliance during USACE or GSA inspections.
• Audit procedures quarterly; test removal verification with calibrated meters.
• Equip with §2340-approved locks, tags, and hasps—color-coded by department.

Secure PPE and Clothing Requirements

PPE isn't optional; it's calibrated to your hazard analysis.

1. Procure FR clothing rated to maximum calculated arc rating—ASTM F1506 compliant.
2. Inspect PPE pre-shift: no tears, contamination, or degradation. Log inspections digitally.
3. Provide face shields, balaclavas, insulated gloves (Class 00-4 per ASTM D120), and tools per NFPA 70E Table 130.7(C)(15).
4. Train on donning/doffing to avoid static buildup— a sneaky §2340 violation.

We've seen facilities save thousands by switching to PPE lifecycle tracking software, extending usable life without skimping safety.

Training and Qualification Protocols

§2340 mandates qualified persons only—no exceptions in fed spaces.

• Certify workers via NFPA 70E-qualified training: unQualified for basic tasks, Qualified for energized work.
• Conduct annual refreshers plus job-specific drills, documenting hours and competency tests.
• Integrate emergency response: CPR/AED for shocks, fire suppression for arcs.
• Maintain rosters accessible for unannounced audits—digital beats paper every time.

Equipment Inspection and Maintenance

Preventive action keeps you audit-ready.

1. Schedule thermographic IR scans annually per NFPA 70B—catch hotspots before failure.
2. Grounding checks: continuity <1 ohm, GFCI monthly tests.
3. Panel schedules and one-line diagrams: updated, accurate, posted.
4. Breakers and fuses: torque-tested, labeled with trip ratings.

Per EM 385-1-1 (USACE), integrate these into your safety management system. Pro tip: Pair with incident tracking for trend analysis.

Documentation and Audit Prep

Your paper trail is your shield.

• Compile Energized Work Permits for any live tasks—justify why de-energizing isn't feasible.
• Retain records 5+ years: assessments, training certs, LOTO audits.
• Mock audits quarterly; involve EHS team to simulate fed inspectors.
• Reference UFC 3-535-01 for design compliance in renos.

Compliance isn't a checklist—it's culture. At SafetyNet Inc., we've guided gov clients through §2340 zero-defect audits. Dive into OSHA's eTool for electrical or NFPA 70E handbook for depth. Stay safe, stay compliant.