What are some general safety tips for working
with or near electricity?
Inspect
portable cord-and-plug connected equipment, extension cords, power bars, and
electrical fittings for damage or wear before each use. Repair or replace
damaged equipment immediately.
Always
tape extension cords to walls or floors when necessary. Nails and staples can
damage extension cords causing fire and shock hazards.
Use
extension cords or equipment that is rated for the level of amperage or wattage
that you are using.
Always
use the correct size fuse. Replacing a fuse with one of a larger size can cause
excessive currents in the wiring and possibly start a fire.
Be
aware that unusually warm or hot outlets may be a sign that unsafe wiring
conditions exists. Unplug any cords or extension cords to these outlets and do
not use until a qualified electrician has checked the wiring.
Always
use ladders made with non-conductive side rails (e.g., fiberglass) when working
with or near electricity or power lines.
Place
halogen lights away from combustible materials such as cloths or curtains.
Halogen lamps can become very hot and may be a fire hazard.
Risk
of electric shock is greater in areas that are wet or damp. Install Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs)
as they will interrupt the electrical circuit before a current sufficient to
cause death or serious injury occurs.
Use
a portable in-line Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) if you are not
certain that the receptacle you are plugging your extension cord into is GFCI
protected.
Make
sure that exposed receptacle boxes are made of non-conductive materials.
Know
where the panel and circuit breakers are located in case of an emergency.
Label
all circuit breakers and fuse boxes clearly. Each switch should be positively
identified as to which outlet or appliance it is for.
Do
not use outlets or cords that have exposed wiring.
Do
not use portable cord-and-plug connected power tools with the guards removed.
Do
not block access to panels and circuit breakers or fuse boxes.
Do not touch a person or electrical apparatus
in the event of an electrical accident. Always disconnect the power source
first.
What kinds of injuries result from electrical
currents?
People
are injured when they become part of the electrical circuit. Humans are more
conductive than the earth (the ground we stand on) which means if there is no
other easy path, electricity will try to flow through our bodies.
There
are four main types of injuries:
Electrocution
(Fatal), Electric shock, burns, and falls. These injuries can happen in various
ways:
Direct
contact with exposed energized conductors or circuit parts. When electrical
current travels through our bodies, it can interfere with the normal electrical
signals between the brain and our muscles (e.g., heart may stop beating
properly, breathing may stop, or muscles may spasm).
When
the electricity arcs (jumps, or "arcs") from an exposed energized
conductor or circuit part (e.g., overhead power lines) through a gas (such as
air) to a person who is grounded (that would provide an alternative route to
the ground for the electrical current).
Thermal burns including burns from heat
generated by an electric arc, and flame burns from materials that catch on fire
from heating or ignition by electrical currents or an electric arc flash.
Contact burns from being shocked can burn internal tissues while leaving only
very small injuries on the outside of the skin.
Thermal burns from the heat radiated from an
electric arc flash. Ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) light emitted from the
arc flash can also cause damage to the eyes.
An arc blast can include a potential pressure
wave released from an arc flash. This wave can cause physical injuries,
collapse your lungs, or create noise that can damage hearing.
Muscle contractions, or a startle reaction,
can cause a person to fall from a ladder, scaffold or aerial bucket. The fall
can cause serious injuries.
What
are some tips for working with power tools?
Switch all tools OFF before connecting them to a power supply.
Disconnect and lockout the power supply before completing any
maintenance work tasks or making adjustments.
Ensure tools are properly grounded or double-insulated. The
grounded equipment must have an approved 3-wire cord with a 3-prong plug. This
plug should be plugged in a properly grounded 3-pole outlet.
Test all tools for effective grounding with a continuity tester
or a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) before use.
Do not bypass the on/off switch and operate the tools by
connecting and disconnecting the power cord.
Do not use electrical equipment in wet conditions or damp
locations unless the equipment is connected to a GFCI.
Do not clean tools with flammable or toxic solvents.
Do not operate tools in an area containing explosive vapors or
gases, unless they are intrinsically safe and only if you follow the
manufacturer's guidelines.
What are some tips for working
with power cords?
What is a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)?
When and how do I test the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)?
What is a sample checklist for basic electrical safety?
Inspect Cords and Plugs
Eliminate Octopus Connections
Never Break OFF the Third Prong on a Plug
Never Use Extension Cords as Permanent Wiring
What is a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)?
When and how do I test the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)?
What is a sample checklist for basic electrical safety?
Inspect Cords and Plugs
Eliminate Octopus Connections
Never Break OFF the Third Prong on a Plug
Never Use Extension Cords as Permanent Wiring
Keep power cords clear of tools
during use.
Suspend extension cords
temporarily during use over aisles or work areas to eliminate stumbling or
tripping hazards.
Replace open front plugs with
dead front plugs. Dead front plugs are sealed and present less danger of shock
or short circuit.
Do not use light duty extension
cords in a non-residential situation.
Do not carry or lift up
electrical equipment by the power cord.
Do not tie cords in tight
knots. Knots can cause short circuits and shocks. Loop the cords or use a twist
lock plug.
A Class A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) works by
detecting any loss of electrical current in a circuit (e.g., it will trip at a
maximum of 6mA). When a loss is detected, the GFCI turns the electricity off
before severe injuries or electrocution can occur.
A painful non-fatal shock may occur during the time that it
takes for the GFCI to cut off the electricity so it is important to use the
GFCI as an extra protective measure rather than a replacement for safe work
practices.
GFCI wall outlets can be installed in place of standard outlets
to protect against electrocution for just that outlet, or a series of outlets
in the same branch circuit. A GFCI Circuit Breaker can be installed on some
circuit breaker electrical panels to protect an entire branch circuit. Portable
in-line plug-in GFCIs can be plugged into wall outlets where appliances will be
used.
It is important that you follow the manufacturer's instructions
with respect to the use of a GFCI. Test permanently wired GFCIs monthly
and portable devices before each use. Press the "test" and
"reset" buttons.
Plug a "night light" or lamp into the GFCI-protected
wall outlet (the light should turn on), then press the "TEST" button
on the GFCI. If the GFCI is working properly, the light should go out. If not,
have the GFCI repaired or replaced. Press the "RESET" button on the
GFCI to restore power.
If the "RESET" button pops out but the "night
light" or lamp does not go out, the GFCI has been improperly wired and
does not offer shock protection at that wall outlet. Contact a qualified
electrician to correct any wiring errors.
Check extension cords and plugs
daily. Do not use, and discard if worn or damaged. Have any extension cord that
feels more than comfortably warm checked by an electrician.
Do not plug several items into
one outlet.
Pull the plug, not the cord.
Do not disconnect power supply
by pulling or jerking the cord from the outlet.
Pulling the cord causes wear
and may cause a shock.
Replace broken 3-prong plugs
and make sure the third prong is properly grounded.
Use extension cords only to
temporarily supply power to an area that does not have a power outlet.
Keep extension cords away from
heat, water and oil. They can damage the insulation and cause a shock.
Do not allow vehicles to pass
over unprotected extension cords.
Extension cords should be put in protective wire
way, conduit, pipe or protected by placing planks alongside them.