In the transmission and distribution (T&D) sector, safety isn’t just a compliance issue—it’s a frontline strategy that directly impacts workforce readiness, system reliability, and operational credibility. As utilities modernize infrastructure and expand capital programs, the risks to field crews working in energized environments are intensifying. Yet, in too many organizations, safety training remains informal, inconsistent, or misaligned with real-world field conditions.
This gap between policy and practice is not just a theoretical liability—it’s a daily operational risk. It’s also one that forward-looking utilities are beginning to close, not just with safety manuals and toolbox talks, but with robust, certifiable, hands-on training. Here’s why the industry must reframe high voltage safety certification from a checkbox to a strategic enabler—and how leading utilities are doing exactly that.
The Hidden Risk: When Safety “Knowledge” Isn’t Field-Proven
OSHA 1910.269 lays out clear standards for electric power generation, transmission, and distribution safety. It requires that personnel working near energized conductors be properly trained and equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including insulating gloves and tools. But here’s the industry reality: many crew members on job sites have never been formally certified in rubber glove work, let alone assessed on actual padmount procedures, transformer safety, or MAD (minimum approach distance) protocol.
This isn’t a reflection of negligence—it’s often the result of organic workforce growth, regional training disparities, or legacy expectations where “on-the-job” learning was the norm. But as utilities increase capital work, backfill a retiring workforce, and scale wildfire mitigation and grid-hardening projects, the risks of unverified field competency grow exponentially.
The Stakes Are Higher Than Ever
When a crew misjudges a padmount transformer’s condition or improperly handles energized components, the consequences ripple far beyond a single worksite. Field incidents drive outage minutes, damage public trust, trigger regulatory scrutiny, and in the worst cases, cause irreversible injury or loss of life.
Safety is no longer just about protecting workers—it’s about protecting program timelines, regulatory standing, and the financial performance of capital portfolios. In today’s environment, utilities can’t afford to treat certification as optional or back-of-the-binder documentation.
What’s needed now is a structured, certifiable approach to high-voltage safety—one that aligns with OSHA standards, reflects real-world equipment and conditions, and creates a repeatable system of assurance across crews, regions, and projects.
Case Study: How Duke Energy Closed Its Compliance Gap with Think Power Solutions
Duke Energy, one of the largest electric power holding companies in the U.S., recently faced a stark realization. During an internal audit following a Cardinal Electric Safety Rule (CESR) violation, it became clear that many of its field workers operating in the Carolinas were not formally certified under OSHA 1910.269 for energized work with rubber gloves. This wasn’t a reflection of their technical skill—but a lack of formalized, certified training and assessment.
To address this gap, Duke Energy partnered with Think Power Solutions to design and deploy a full-scale Electrical Safety Gloves Certification Program—customized to their operational needs and aligned with OSHA standards.
The program included:
- Virtual Instruction: A comprehensive four-hour LMS-based course covering power system theory, transformer functionality, and jobsite hazard awareness.
- Field Evaluation: Practical assessments where workers demonstrated pre-job planning, PPE inspection, padmount safety checks, and energized transformer procedures.
- Certification Testing: A 25-question exam reinforcing critical OSHA compliance topics and scenario-based safety responses.
- Annual Recertification: To maintain continuity and workforce readiness over time.
Impact:
Duke Energy not only closed a compliance vulnerability but also raised the bar for safety culture across its T&D footprint. The program is now repeatable, scalable, and instructor-led—allowing Think Power to deploy it across other utility clients with similar high-voltage exposure risks.
Read the full case study here ›
Why This Approach Works: Bridging Policy and Field Reality
Traditional safety training often focuses on classroom instruction and general principles—but falls short of field validation. In contrast, Duke’s certification model embedded OSHA-aligned safety training into practical, repeatable field scenarios. Workers weren’t just told how to inspect rubber gloves—they physically demonstrated it. They didn’t just study transformer components—they opened energized padmounts and verified them under observation.
That kind of muscle memory is what prevents accidents.
Moreover, by implementing a centralized LMS and documentation process, Duke ensured audit-readiness. Any crew’s certification status can be instantly verified, and retraining requirements can be proactively tracked.
What This Means for U.S. Utilities
If you’re a utility safety manager, regional director, or capital program leader, this case study offers a replicable blueprint. Here’s how to move forward:
1. Audit Your Current Safety Certifications
Evaluate whether your crews are formally certified for high-voltage rubber glove work—especially in areas where capital intensity is increasing.
2. Align with OSHA 1910.269—Practically
Ensure your training program includes real-world demonstrations, PPE validation, and MAD adherence—not just documentation.
3. Prioritize Repeatability
Choose a training and certification model that can be scaled across service territories, crews, and contractor teams without compromising consistency.
4. Integrate with Capital Program Planning
Make high-voltage certification a gate-check requirement before releasing crews onto energized sites, especially in wildfire mitigation, grid-hardening, or storm response programs.
Final Word: Certification Isn’t Overhead. It’s Insurance
Utilities across the U.S. are under more pressure than ever to deliver resilient, reliable infrastructure while protecting a workforce that’s aging, distributed, and increasingly exposed to complex risks. In this environment, certifying high-voltage safety is not a box to check—it’s a strategic imperative.
The Duke Energy-Think Power Solutions partnership illustrates that with the right program design, utilities can move beyond policy and into performance—building a safety-first culture that protects people, projects, and the bottom line. Interested in implementing a scalable Electrical Safety Certification Program?
Contact us to learn how this model can be customized for your utility’s operational and safety priorities.
Linkedin
