A person can be at risk of injury during a fault – any abnormal electrical current -- simply by standing near a grounded object that has an electrical charge. According to OSHA, a person on the ground is subjected to risk during an electrical fault by attempting to move toward or away from the grounding point. Step potential is the voltage between the feet of a person standing near an energized grounded object. The objective is to minimize the voltage between the feet while escaping hazardous situations.

Downed wires, energized vehicles or tools, and energized, grounded trees or tree limbs are examples of electrical step potential hazards.