Electrical Safety Tips
Here is a list of safety tips for working electricians. The wide variety of
electrical work performed by electricians means that many tips may not be
applicable to your job.
Select from the list any tips pertinent to you. This is not as comprehensive
list. Please send suggestions for additions to dularson@bellsouth.net
Replace defective extension cords promptly.
Don't even think about bypassing GFCI protection.
Handle metal studs carefully. Move slowly around metal framing members.
Do not use a trigger hold button on a power tool, ever.
Don't use borrowed tools.
Keep your back straight when lifting. Ask for help if needed.
If a fluorescent fixture is falling, do not try to catch it.
Use eye protection when ever chipping or drilling.
Don't notch ladders to cut conduit.
Make sure your work boots are non conducting type.
Keep a hand full of change handy for emergency phone calls.
Wear a long sleeved shirt when drilling metal overhead.
Follow safety rules of your company.
Keep volume on job radio down.
Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
Don't wear a walkman while working.
Learn how to swim if you work near water.
Keep your tetanus shot up to date.
Learn CPR if you can not do it.
Make sure your job car is locked when unattended.
Don't use PVC glue on fire for heat to bend PVC conduit.
Participate in some racquet sport to improve grip.
When working on live circuits, remain insulated and use only one hand.
Don't siphon gas. Don't smoke near gas.
Wear eye protection when working with PVC glue overhead.
Wear a respirator in dusty environments.
Don't leave short pieces of conduit on the floor.
Limit time spent in attics when hot. Don't enter when ever over 100 degrees.
Only use front half of hacksaw blade at end of a conduit cut.
Carry beach umbrella in truck if you work in sun.
Use reverse on drill when starting a hole saw.
Try not to stand on the top of a ladder.
Change blades often on hacksaw.
Apply sun screen when working in the sun for long periods. Wear a hat.
Post someone at the feet of an extension ladder so it won't walk.
Secure ladders during transport.
On decks watch out fort oil slip hazard.
Carry a rill of toilet paper for obvious reasons.
Learn what over-the-counter pain reliever medication works for you.
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Workplace Safety
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Workplace Electrical Safety Tips
Adapt this list of reminders to your working environment. Be sure to
consider company policies and local, state, and Federal codes before
establishing a written electrical safety program.
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Plan every job and think about what could go wrong.
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Use the right tools for the job.
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Use procedures, drawings, and other documents to do the job.
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Isolate equipment from energy sources.
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Identify the electric shock and arc flash, as well as other
hazards that may be present.
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Minimize hazards by guarding or establishing approach
limitations.
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Test every circuit and every conductor every time before you
touch it.
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Use personal protective equipment (PPE) as a last line of
defense in case something goes wrong.
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Be sure you are properly trained and qualified for the job.
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Work on electrical equipment and conductors only when
deenergized, unless procedures and safeguards have been established
to ensure zero exposure for the worker and other people in the area.
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Lockout/tagout and ground (where appropriate) before working on
equipment.
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Treat deenergized electrical equipment and conductors as
energized until lockout/tagout, test, and ground procedures (where
appropriate) are implemented.
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Wear protective clothing and equipment and use insulated tools
in areas where there are possible electrical hazards.
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Deenergize and visibly guard (where possible) whenever contact
with uninsulated overhead power lines is possible.
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Check and double check safety regulations when a ladder or parts
of any vehicle or mechanical equipment structure will be elevated
near energized overhead power lines. Call your local electric
utility for assistance. People standing on the ground may be
particularly vulnerable to possible injury.
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Cords, Equipment, and Tool Grounding
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Make sure all equipment and extension cords bear the mark of an
independent testing laboratory such as UL, CSA, ETL or MET Labs.
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Protect flexible cords and cables from physical damage. Check
cords for cut, broken, or cracked insulation.
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Keep slack in flexible cords to prevent tension on electrical
terminals.
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Make sure the insulating qualities of a splice are equal to or
greater than the original cord.
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Extension cords are for temporary use. Install permanent wiring
when use is no longer temporary.
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Verify that all three-wire tools and equipment are grounded.
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Water, electrical equipment, and power cords do not mix! Use
GFCI protection in wet or damp environments.
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Ground exposed parts of fixed equipment that could be energized.
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Use non-conductive tools whenever possible.
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Always double check the operation of your voltage testers by
testing a live circuit.
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Other Considerations
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Verify location of all buried or embedded electrical circuits
before digging or cutting.
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Determine the reason that a fuse operated or circuit breaker
tripped before replacing or resetting.
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Know where your overcurrent devices are (i.e. circuit breakers
and fuses) so they can be easily and quickly reached in case of
emergency.
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When replacing lamps and bulbs, verify that the replacement
matches fixture requirements.
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Electrical Safety Documents
Many organizations are committed to developing standards,
regulations and guidelines that include electrical safety requirements.
Employees in the workplace should familiarize themselves with these
documents and the organizations responsible for their development. Some
of these standards, guidelines and regulations are:
OHSA Regulations
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Subpart - Electrical Standard
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Subpart R - Utility Industry
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1910.268 Telecommunications
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1910.269 Power Generation, Transmissions and
Distribution Standard
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Subpart J, 1910.147 - Lockout/Tagout
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Subpart K - Electrical Standard
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Subpart V - Power Transmission and Distribution
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OSHA 29 CFR 1926, Construction Industry
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National Consensus Standards for Design and Installation
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Standards on electrical products and systems, such as the
National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)
and ASTM
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Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)
"Color Book Series" - design of electrical power
systems for industrial and commercial facilities
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National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70, National
Electrical Code (NEC)® - provides electrical safety
requirements for wiring methods used in the workplace
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National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), National
Electrical Safety Code (NESC)- address safety criteria for live
electric supply and communication lines and equiptment for
employees in the workplace.
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National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 79, Electrical
Standard for Industrial Machinery - addresses fire safety and
important electrical considerations specific to industry
machinery and manufacturing systems not covered in the NEC®.
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ANSI Z 244 - Lockout/Tagout, Standard address the minimum
requirements for lockout/target procedures of energy control
sources that could cause injury or harm to employee.
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National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), National
Electrical Installation Standards (NEIS™)
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Safe Work Practices
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National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70E, Electrical
Safety Requirements for Employee Workplaces
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National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 101, Life Safety
Code - for protecting lives and property from fire.
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Guidelines
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Department of Energy (DOE) - Electrical Safety Guidelines
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Department of Energy (DOE) - Model Electrical Safety Program
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Electrical Safety Principles
When planning and performing work on electrical systems and
equipment, keep these principles in mind:
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Plan every job
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Think about what could go wrong
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Use the right tools for the job
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Use procedures, drawings and other documents as tools to do the
job
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Isolate the equipment from energy sources
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Identify the electric shock and arc flash, as well as other
hazards that may be present
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Minimize the hazard by guarding or approach limitations
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Test every circuit, every conductor, every time before you touch
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Use personal protective equipment as a last line of defense in
case something goes wrong
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Ask yourself, "Do I have the skills, knowledge, tools and
experience to do this work safely?"
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Electrical Shock Dynamics (3 important considerations)
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Path - entering the body and exiting the body
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Amount of current or energy flowing in the body
60 Hz AC Current
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Response
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0.5 - 3 mA
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start to feel the energy, tingling sensation
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3 - 10 mA
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experience pain, muscle contraction
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10 - 40 mA
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grip paralysis threshold (brain says let go; but
physically cannot do so)
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30 - 75 mA
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respiratory systems shuts down
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100 - 200 mA
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experience heart fibrillation
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200 - 500mA
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heart clamps tight
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Over 1,500 mA
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tissue and organs burn
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Duration of exposure - degree of injury also depends on the
duration and frequency of the current. Note: "Shock"
injuries can resemble an "Iceberg" where most of the
injuries are internal, with only an entry and exit wound visible.
Prompt attention is required by individuals specifically trained to
treat electrical injuries.
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Accident victims can also incur the following injuries from
electrical shock:
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Low-voltage contact wounds
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High-voltage contact wounds frrom entry and exit of electrical
current
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Burns
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Respiratory difficulties (the tongue may swell and obstruct the
airway; or vaporized metal or heated air may have been inhaled)
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Infectious complications
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Injury to bone through falls, heat necrosis (death of tissue)
and muscle contraction (shoulder joint injuries and fracture of
bones in the neck are common injuries caused by muscle contraction).
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Injury to the heart such as ventricular fibrillation, cardiac
arrest or stoppage
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Internal and organ injuries
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Neurological (nerve) injury
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Injury to the eyes (cataracts from electrical injury have
occurred up to three years after the accident)
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Hazard Identification and Analysis
Every electrical safety program should include a procedure for
analyzing the risks and hazards associated with each job. Employees
should always consider the following:
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Environment
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wet or dry
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indoors or outdoors
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open or cramped
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well lit or dim
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metal ladders in area where overhead wires or exposed
conductors are present
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electrical cords over a heat source
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overloaded electrical outlets
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Condition of Equipment
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age of equipment
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integrity of grounding system
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internal safety mechanisms
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operating voltage
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electrical wiring and loads incurred
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fault current available to produce arc flash
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Electrical Safety Work Practices
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ensure that operating procedures are up to date and
appropriate for conditions
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evaluate circuit information drawings
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determine degree and extent of hazards
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comply with minimum clearances when working around
electrical power lines or other exposed conductors
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determine approach boundaries:
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flash protection boundary - linear distance to prevent
injury from a potential arc-flash
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limited approach boundary - restricted distance for
"unqualified" persons
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restricted approach boundary - restricted distance for
"qualified" persons
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prohibited approach boundary - PPE for direct contact
with live parts - flashover distance
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determine "flash protection boundary" requirements
from approach boundaries table (NFPA 70E)
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determine appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
based on potential hazards present
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always wear safety glasses and a hard hat when working
on live circuits
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use electrically insulated tools
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use electrically insulated gloves
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test dates for integrity of equipment and protective
clothing - independent safety lab
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wear required personal protective clothing (i.e., long
sleeve shirt and long pants)- flame resistant materials for
clothing (different weights for protection dependent on
fault levels and clearing times)
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your hands are your most valuable tools. Protect them by
wearing appropriate safety gloves. Before using, inspect the
gloves for signs of wear and tear and other damage.
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evaluate personnel qualifications
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use ladders with nonconductive siderails if there is any
possibility the ladder could contact exposed energized parts
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follow lock-out/tag-out procedures
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use power tools that are double-insulated or that have
ground-fault circuit interrupters protecting the circuit
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inspect all extension cords for wear and tear and make sure
they are listed by a third-party testing laboratory
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never drape electrical cords over heat sources
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never store flammable liquids near electrical equipment,
even temporarily
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be aware of special training requirements
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motors with thermal protection can restart without warning,
always lockout the motor before working on it.
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only qualified personnel should perform maintenance,
inspection and repairs on any electrical equipment.
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do not use tin stranded wire with solder - this promotes
corrosion and limits contact area.
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if measuring voltage with respect to ground, make the ground
connection first and remove it last.
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plugs and connectors should be wired with additional slack.
In the event of undue strain on the cord, the grounding will be
the last broken.
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grounding continuity should be checked on new tools and
equipment before being put into service.
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remove paint from mating surfaces or use a locknut or set
screw to penetrate the paint and make a metal-to-metal contact.
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don't overbend cables when pulling them through a bend in a
raceway, often a pressure or squeezing develops causing
insulation damage.
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Electrical Hazard Mitigation - Prevention
Reducing and eliminating exposure to electrical hazards requires
constant attention. Safety is everyone's responsibility - employers and
employees. A safe electrical environment makes good personal as well as
business sense.
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Physical barriers (around energy source) such as fences and
insulators on conductors
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Keep work areas clean and dry. Cluttered work areas and
benches invite accidents and injuries.
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Management barriers - policy documents
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Who is responsible for electrical safety at the site?
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How is electrical safety dealt with at the site?
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How are people trained?
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What are the qualifications for people working on and around
electrical equipment?
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Administrative barriers (driven by management)2Implementation of
policy documents
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site and task specific
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recognizing the hazards
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guidelines on how to deal with electrical hazards.
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Shock Rescue Procedures
In response to an electrical accident, follow these procedures
immediately:
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Call for help (can't be handled by one person) and follow the
emergency response system as set forth in the safety procedures of
each organization.
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Get the approved first-aid supplies (these should be easily
accessible when required).
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Deenergize the circuit.
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Separate the person from the energy source.
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Make sure you and the victim are in a safe zone - not in
contact with any electrical source, away from downed or broken
wires.
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Never grab the person or pull the person off the current
with your hands; you might become part of the circuit and become
injured as well.
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Use a dry wood broom, leather belt, plastic rope or
something similar that is non-conductive such as wood or plastic
cane with hook on the end to free the person from the energy
source
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Administer first aid2apply mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
and/or CPR; know what to do
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Keep the victim lying down, warm and comfortable to maintain
body heat until help arrives. Do not move the person in case of
injury to neck or back.
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If the victim is unconscious, put him/her on side to let
fluids drain.
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Make sure the victim receives professional medical attention
(person shocked could have heart failure hours later)
Burn victim first-aid steps:
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If the person's clothing is on fire, roll the person on
the ground to smother the flames.
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Cool the burn with water or saline for a few minutes or
until the skin returns to normal temperature. Do not attempt
to remove clothing that is stuck to a burn.
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Remove constricting items from the victim, such as
shoes, belts, jewelry and tight collars. They could continue
to burn or cut off circulation if the victim experiences
swelling.
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Check the victim's breathing and heartbeat. Apply
mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and/or CPR if necessary.
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Keep victim warm and comfortable by covering him/her
with clean, dry sheets or blankets.
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Cover wounds with clean sheets and dry blankets.
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Elevate burned areas to reduce swelling.
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Lightning Strikes
In the U.S., it is estimated that 93 people die each year as a
result of being struck by lightning. This represents more deaths than
most other natural disasters, such as hurricanes or tornadoes.
Some statistics to be aware of:
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one lightning strike can injure or kill one or more people
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outdoor workers face a high risk of suffering a fatal lightning
strike
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30% of those struck by lightning will die; 74% who survive will
have permanent disabilities
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death from a lightning strike usually occurs within one hour of
injury
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most lightning strikes occur outdoors between May and September.
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Recommendations from the Center for Disease Control
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monitor weather forecasts during the thunderstorm season
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remind employees that lightning is present in all thunderstorms
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lightning often precedes rain and can strike as far as 10 miles
away from the rain of a thunderstorm
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seek shelter immediately when thunder is heard - avoid trees or
tall objects, high ground, water, open spaces and metal objects such
as tools, fences and umbrellas
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remaining inside a vehicle is safe because rubber tires are
nonconductive
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when indoors, shut off appliances and electronic devices and
avoid using the telephone.
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inspect the grounding electrode system for loose or corroded
connections, which can increase the impedance of a lightning
dissipation path.
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provide surge protection at the main service panelboard to
prevent line surges from traveling to equipment.
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Preventive Electrical Maintenance
An important way to reduce electrical shock accidents is to
institute and follow established procedures for preventive maintenance.
This is the responsibility of the employer, employee and owner -
establishing a close working relationship to reduce and eliminate
electrical accidents.
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Inspect work area for electrical hazards daily, such as:
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flickering lights
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warm switches or receptacles
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burning odors
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loose connections
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frayed, cracked or broken wires
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Never ignore electrical problems.
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Choose proper cords and connectors for the job.
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Make sure any portable cord used to power any type of light
and/or heavy-duty industrial equipment is suitable for the equipment
- not only gauge size but also flexibility, strength and ability to
withstand any chemicals that may be present.
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All testing equipment should be properly calibrated.
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Make sure the extension cord thickness is at least as big as the
electrical cord for the tool.
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Read and follow all equipment operating instructions for proper
use.
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Leave equipment repairs and adjustment to authorized personnel.
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Sticking switches on electrical saws should be replaced at once.
After the switch is released, always maintain control of the saw
until the blade has stopped.
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Never operate an electric saw while wearing loose clothing such
as an unbuttoned jacket or long, floppy sleeves.
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Follow required lock-out/tag-out procedures.
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Turn off equipment when finished with job.
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Disconnect energy sources.
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Tag out the disconnected power.
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Release stored energy to make sure no power is getting to the
equipment.
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Always clean up spills on the floors.
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When portable cords are made up, take special care to make
certain that the circuit and grounding conductors are not
interchanged.
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Keep work areas clean and dry. Cluttered work areas and benches
invite accidents and injuries.
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Good housekeeping and a well-planned layout of temporary wiring
will reduce the dangers of fire and shock hazard.
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An interesting article SOURCE:
Christopher D. Wyckoff, Glen H. Hetzel
Virginia Cooperative Extension
"Shocking Statistics"
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There are approximately 290 accidental
electrocutions each year.
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An additional 800 people die in fires
caused by faulty electrical systems every
year.
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Thousands are shocked and burned as the
result of accidental contact with
electricity every year.
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An estimated $1.2 billion in property
damage occurs each year due to faulty use of
electricity.
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Electricity, or electric current, is the flow of
electrons from one atom to another in any material.
Materials that allow electricity to flow easily are
called conductors. Most metals, such as copper and
aluminum, make good conductors of electricity.
Insulators are materials that do not allow electricity
to flow through them. Good examples of insulators are
glass, plastic, and rubber. Unfortunately, our bodies
can allow current to pass through them, causing anywhere
from a mild tingling sensation to cardiac arrest and
burning.
There are many ways in which electrical accidents
happen. Hazards result from the degradation of
electrical wire insulation due to rodents, weathering,
or normal wear, improper wiring, improper wire size or
type, and corrosion of electrical connections, for
example. In addition to these normal hazards,
agricultural workers are particularly subject to the
hazards of electricity because tall equipment, such as
grain augers, combines, and raised dump truck beds can
become entangled in overhead power lines. Accidents have
also occurred with overhead power lines when moving
irrigation pipe. Agricultural buildings are subject to
dusty, moist and corrosive environments, making them
especially troublesome when using electricity.
Electricity was the seventh largest cause of deaths on
farms in 1988, and causes unknown amounts of property
and livestock loss every year. Fortunately, there are
several devices and methods that can be employed to
protect yourself, your animals, and your property.
There are four kinds of electrical safety devices and
features that you should be aware of. These are fuses
and circuit breakers, GFCI's, grounding, and
polarization.
The most common form of electrical protection is the
fuse or circuit breaker. These are devices that are
designed to protect the electrical system from too much
current. These devices, when used properly, work well to
protect equipment and prevent electrical fires due to
overloads on the electrical system. They do not,
however, protect an individual from electrical shock.
Fifteen amps, which is typically the smallest size
breaker found in a normal household, is 250 times
greater than is required to cause cardiac arrest in an
individual.
Fuses and circuit breakers have a numbered rating
system which indicates the maximum amount of current
that they will allow through. The fuses and circuit
breakers are matched to the size of the electrical wires
used in the system. Thus, fuses should always be
replaced with a new fuse of the same rating. A higher
rated fuse will not offer any protection if the system
was to draw too much electricity and could result in an
electrical fire or damage to your equipment. A smaller
rated fuse will cause the circuit to blow the fuse more
frequently, leading to your aggravation and the
temptation to bypass the system. If absolutely
necessary, use a smaller rated fuse for temporary power,
but never a larger one.
Another important safety feature is
"grounding." Grounding occurs when a ground
wire is connected from ground potential to the frame of
an electrical device. Grounding is not necessary for a
circuit to work, it is only there for the protection of
individuals from stray current. In a normal circuit,
electricity flows from the "hot" wire (which
is usually black) to the electrical device and back to
ground potential through the neutral wire (which is
usually white or gray). A ground wire (which is usually
bare or green) is provided so there can be an alternate
path for the electricity to flow back to ground
potential if an electrical short occurs. For example, if
the wires inside an electrical device have become worn
or the insulation broken down such that the hot wire
makes contact with the case on the device, then the
current could possibly flow through the individual using
the device back to ground. If a ground wire is present,
however, the current will take the path of least
resistance and flow through the ground wire back to
ground instead of flowing through the individual causing
an electrical shock.
Never destroy or cut off the round grounding prong
on a plug to fit it into a socket or extension cord that
does not accommodate the prong. If the equipment you are
working with does not have a ground wire, then consider
rewiring the device to accommodate the grounding
feature. Another option is to use double insulated
tools. These tools have an air space around the device
to help insulate you from an electrical shock.
Another protective device that can be used is called a
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, commonly referred to
as a GFI or GFCI. This device is meant to protect human
beings from electrical shocks due to faulty electrical
equipment. A GFCI works by monitoring the current flow
to an electrical device and comparing it to the amount
of current flowing back. If there is a difference
between these two values, this means that some
electricity is flowing back to ground through a path
other than the wire. This is called a "ground
fault" and when the GFCI detects this, it stops
current flow altogether in the circuit. Consider the
previous example in which the wires inside an electrical
device have become worn or damaged so that the hot wire
makes contact with the casing. If a person were to use
the tool, then electricity could possibly flow through
the individual back to ground. When a GFCI detects this
situation, it stops current flow before harmful amounts
of electricity flow through the individual. Electricity
will flow through an individual easier if the person is
working in wet or damp conditions, which is why it is
recommended that GFCI's be installed in all bathrooms,
kitchens laundry rooms, garages, and other buildings
where moisture can be a problem. The protection from
grounding and from a GFCI are similar. However, if your
equipment does not have a ground wire, then a GFCI is
your only form of protection from faulty equipment.
GFCI's also offer protection if the grounding mechanisms
are faulty.
There are three different types of GFCI's available.
The most common type is the GFCI breaker. These are used
instead of conventional breakers to protect everything
on the circuit. There are also GFCI outlets that can
easily replace conventional outlets. These will offer
protection for everything plugged into them. There are
also portable types that can be plugged into any outlet.
The device you want to use is then plugged into theGFCI.
All GFCI's are equipped with test buttons which
intentionally cause a ground fault to insure the device
is working properly. It is recommended that all GFCI's
be tested every month.
Polarization refers to the plugs and outlets that have
two different sized prongs or slots. The idea behind
polarization is to ensure that the hot wire travels
through the switch on the device before it encounters
the load or resistance. This helps ensure there are no
"live" wires that are exposed unless the
switch is turned on and current is traveling through the
entire circuit. Consider, for example, a lamp; without
polarization, the hot wire could be traveling through
the socket and then to the switch. If someone was to
then touch the socket, they could be shocked.
Polarization ensures that the hot wire travels through
the switch first, protecting you from accidental contact
with an energized socket.
Even with all of these protective devices in place,
you can still get shocked if you accidentally touch both
the hot and neutral wires of a live circuit. This is
different from a ground fault because during a ground
fault only some of the current in the circuit will flow
through you to ground. If you touch both hot and neutral
wires then all of the current in the system will flow
through you and your body will act as a normal
electrical device. Therefore, there are additional
precautions you need to take to prevent accidental death
and injury.
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Install and use the electrical safety devices
that are available.
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Treat every electrical wire as a"hot"
wire.
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Check the condition of all power cords and
devices and repair or replace as necessary.
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Make sure power is disconnected before working
on any electrical device.
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If a "hot" circuit must be worked on,
call a qualified electrician.
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Use double insulated tools, which put an
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