Workplace Electrical Safety Procedures
Workplace electrical safety procedures involve labelling equipment, maintaining clear access to panels, inspecting tools, ensuring proper grounding, and working on de-energized systems. Following OSHA and NFPA 70E standards helps prevent arc flash incidents, electrical fires, and shock hazards.
Establishing strict Electrical Safety Procedures must include properly labelling electrical equipment. This means that disconnect switches and electrical panels are clearly labelled and in clear view, showing which equipment or power source the electrical equipment controls. At least three feet must be clear of obstructions at all times to ensure that electrical panels can be safely operated and maintained.
Electrical fires and electrical shock claim the lives of electrical workers every year, making it essential to establish and adhere to established electrical safety procedures.
Electrical accidents can occur when circuits or wires are overloaded. Sparks coming from electrical equipment can also ignite flammable vapours or other combustible materials. Unfortunately, most electrical incidents occur due to the misuse of electrical equipment or the use of faulty equipment. The following OSHA electrical safety procedures, established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), can significantly reduce the risk of an electrical incident.
Electrical Safety Procedures must include a method to prevent overloads by identifying and correcting overloaded wiring and circuits. This is to avoid arcs and overheating wires that can cause shock injuries and electrical fires.
Electrical Safety Procedures must include the Inspection of Electrical Equipment and ensure all electrical equipment (power tools, extension cords, appliances, among others) are inspected before anyone uses them. Plugs and cords should not be twisted, abraded, frayed, worn, or corroded; exposed wires also shouldn’t be missing any ground pins. Live electrical parts have to be physically guarded or properly insulated. Damaged equipment with defective plugs or cords must not be used until a qualified electrician has repaired it.
Comprehensive Electrical Safety Procedures include Checking Grounding Connections. Check all electrical outlets and be sure that they have a good grounding connection (plugs should be three-pronged plug and wires should be double-insulated).
Electrical Safety Procedures refer to the use of highly qualified electrical personnel to ensure that wiring, electrical outlets, and all the building’s electrical equipment are inspected, maintained, and repaired by highly qualified personnel, including electricians.
Electrical Safety Procedures also include working on de-energized equipment. This involves verifying that all electrical equipment is de-energized during work. Many electrical incidents occur because personnel attempt to work on live electrical equipment. Ensure that plugs and cords are disconnected from all equipment and that no one else can reactivate this equipment until all work is done. When servicing is performed on hard-wired equipment, the circuit breaker must be turned off, locked, and tagged with a tag and a special padlock. Work on live equipment can only be performed by electricians who have received Lockout/Tagout training.
Most Electrical Safety Procedures include a way to isolate Flammables, Solvents and Chemicals from a point of ignition. This means a way to Isolate all organic solvents and corrosive chemicals from electrical cords because they can easily erode wires and the insulation. With that in mind, also isolate materials that can easily catch on fire away from electrical equipment.
Electrical Safety Procedures also involve keeping Electrical Equipment Dry to ensure that all electrical equipment is kept away from damp or wet locations (unless the equipment is specifically rated for these conditions). Additionally, Electrical Safety Procedures include maintaining a dry electrical workplace. By doing this, you reduce the risk of an electrical incident by ensuring that your feet, hands and body are free from perspiration or dampness when operating electrical equipment. Also, never operate electrical equipment when you’re standing on a wet floor.
Electrical Safety Procedures include calling 911 in case of an Electrical Fire. Abandon your work area and call 911 if an electrical fire occurs. Also, trigger the fire alarm and do not attempt to extinguish the electrical fire with water. The proper fire extinguisher to use is “ABC” or “C.” Only shut down the main power source if it’s safe and possible to do so.
Electrical Safety Procedures also include avoiding Contact With Shock Victims. Avoid touching anyone (or any electrical equipment) that falls victim to electrical shock. Call 911 immediately so that the person can receive treatment from a trained medical professional, such as a firefighter or paramedic. Only shut down the main power source if it’s safe and possible to do so.
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