# Job Hazard Analysis: Temporary power setup URL: https://hardhatbinder.com/en/jha/electrical/temporary-power Last updated: 2026-10-23 Set a temporary power pole or pedestal, mount the meter base and temp panel, drive the ground rod, wire GFCI-protected outlets, wait for the utility to energize, then run cords and temp lighting for the crews. Work is outdoors on an active jobsite with possible overhead lines, buried utilities, rain, and equipment traffic. > A general example for this task. Your JHA should reflect your crew, equipment and site — review it with a competent person before work starts. ## Steps, hazards and controls ### 1. Plan the layout: pick the pole location and walk the route for feeders and cords. - **Contact with overhead power lines while carrying or raising the pole** (High): Place the pole where it cannot reach any overhead line, even if it falls.; Keep the pole, ladders, and tools at least 10 ft from overhead lines up to 50 kV.; Assign a spotter whose only job is to watch the lines while the pole is moved. - **Struck by trucks or equipment while walking the site** (Medium): Route the pole and cords away from haul roads and equipment swing areas.; Tell equipment operators where you will be working.; Wear a hi-vis vest. ### 2. Dig the hole and set the temporary power pole or pedestal. - **Hitting a buried gas, electric, or water line while digging** (High): Call 811 and wait for the utility marks before digging.; Hand dig near any marked line; do not use the power auger there.; If you hit a line, stop, clear everyone out, and call the utility. - **Back strain or crushed hands and feet when lifting and setting the pole** (Medium): Use a machine or at least two workers to raise the pole.; Brace the pole and backfill and tamp it before anyone climbs or mounts gear.; Wear leather gloves and safety-toe boots. - **Power auger kickback twisting your arms or body** (Medium): Use a two-person auger or one with a torque bar; never run it alone.; Keep loose clothing and hands away from the turning bit. ### 3. Mount the meter base and temp panel, and drive the ground rod. - **Fall from a 6-ft fiberglass stepladder while mounting the meter base** (Medium): Set the stepladder fully open and locked on firm, level ground.; Do not stand on the top cap or top step; keep three points of contact.; Use only fiberglass ladders around electrical work. - **Flying chips or a missed hammer strike when driving the 8-ft ground rod** (Medium): Drive the rod with a rotary hammer and ground rod driver bit instead of a sledge.; Keep other workers clear while driving.; Wear safety glasses and leather gloves. ### 4. Wire the temp panel, GFCI breakers, and outlets with the panel de-energized. - **Shock from a circuit that gets energized while you are working** (High): Do this wiring before the utility sets the meter, or lock out and tag the main disconnect.; Test before you touch with a meter you checked on a known live source.; Only a qualified electrician removes locks and tags. - **Wiring errors that leave outlets ungrounded or without GFCI protection** (High): Put every 120V 15/20/30A receptacle used by workers on GFCI protection.; Bond the panel to the ground rod and check torque on all lugs.; Have a second qualified person check the panel before energizing. ### 5. Energize the system after the utility connects, then test every outlet. - **Arc flash when closing the main breaker on the energized 240V panel** (High): Install all covers and dead fronts before energizing.; Turn all branch breakers off, then close the main and stand to the side of the panel.; Keep everyone else at least 10 ft back.; Wear arc-rated clothing, a face shield, and voltage-rated gloves. - **Shock while testing live receptacles** (Medium): Use a plug-in GFCI tester instead of probing with meter leads.; Push the TEST button on each GFCI and confirm it trips. ### 6. Run extension cords and temporary string lights for the crews. - **Shock from damaged cords, missing ground pins, or cords in water** (High): Use only hard-usage or extra-hard-usage cords (SJOW/SOOW); no flat household cords.; Inspect each cord before use and tag out any with cuts, tape repairs, or missing ground pins.; Keep cords and connections out of water and off sharp edges. - **Trips and falls over cords in walkways and stairs** (Medium): Hang cords overhead on insulated hooks or run them along walls.; Use cord ramps where cords must cross walkways or drive paths. - **Broken bulbs or contact with hot lamps on string lights** (Low): Use string lights with guards on every lamp.; Hang lights at least 7 ft high and do not hang them by the cord unless rated for it. ### 7. Secure the setup, clean up, and inspect it daily. - **Untrained workers opening the panel or resetting breakers on a fault** (Medium): Keep the panel cover closed and locked; post a warning sign.; Tell the crew to report a tripping GFCI instead of resetting it over and over. - **Rain getting into outlets and connections** (Medium): Use weatherproof in-use covers on all outdoor outlets.; Inspect the pole, panel, and cords at the start of each shift and after storms. - **Trips and cuts from wire scraps, knockouts, and packaging** (Low): Pick up scraps and knockouts as you go and put them in a bucket or dumpster. ## Required PPE - Hard hat, Class E — At all times on site; Class E is rated for electrical work. - ANSI Z87.1 safety glasses — At all times, especially when driving the ground rod and stripping wire. - Voltage-rated rubber gloves with leather protectors — When energizing or testing live parts; air-test before each use. - Arc-rated shirt and face shield — When closing the main breaker or working near energized parts. - Leather work gloves — For setting the pole, handling conduit, and pulling cords. - EH-rated safety-toe boots — At all times on site. - Hi-vis vest — When working near equipment or traffic. ## Training - Qualified electrical worker training for anyone wiring, testing, or energizing the panel. - Lockout/tagout procedures for electrical circuits. - GFCI use, cord inspection, and the company assured grounding or GFCI program. - Ladder safety training. - Overhead power line clearance and 811 dig-safe awareness. - First aid and CPR for at least one person on site. ## Emergency If someone is shocked: do not touch them. Shut off power at the main breaker or disconnect first. Call 911 and give the site address. Once power is off, start CPR and use an AED if they are not breathing. Do not reset the power until the supervisor clears it. ## Official sources - [29 CFR 1926.404](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.404) — Wiring design and protection - [29 CFR 1926.405](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.405) — Wiring methods, components, and equipment - [29 CFR 1926.416](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.416) — Electrical — general requirements - [29 CFR 1926.417](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.417) — Lockout and tagging of circuits - [29 CFR 1926.1053](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.1053) — Ladders - [29 CFR 1926.21](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.21) — Safety training and education - [29 CFR 1926.95](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.95) — Criteria for personal protective equipment - [29 CFR 1926.25](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.25) — Housekeeping --- Source: HardHat Binder, operated by Leadspire LLC. Templates to be reviewed by a competent person before use; not legal advice; not affiliated with OSHA.