Working with electricity has long been recognized as a serious workplace hazard. Electric shock, electrocution, fires, or even explosions are all very possible outcomes if you are not being careful. Electric safety is an ongoing practice that involves identifying electrical hazards, assessing the risks, and implementing controls to prevent injury. The severity of an injury that arises from an electrical current is dependent on the following : amount of current flowing through the body, the shortest current path, the duration of contact, and the frequency of the current.
To gain a better understanding of what the shortest path Is referring to, it is essentially saying that when the human body comes in direct contact with exposed live conductors, the electric current forms the shortest path and travels through the body to the ground. There are many things you should not do when working with electricity, and there are several things you must be doing when working with electricity.
DO :
- Treat every electric device like it’s energized, even if it does not appear to be in operation or use
- Make sure to always unplug appliances before performing any service repairs on them
- Wear electrically resistant gloves and equipment
- Install safety signs to make sure all workers/people nearby are aware
- Avoid water at all times when working with electricity and make sure to never touch the electrical equipment with damp or wet hands. Doing so could increase the conductivity of the electric current
- Use rubber mats for high voltage gear operations
- Make sure to know where the nearest panel and circuit breakers are which helps in case of emergency
- Keep power cords away from tools during use
- Qualified electricians should inspect equipment regularly
- Maintain a minimum distance of 10 ft away from overhead power lines
Now, here are some things that you absolutely should not do when working with electrical equipment :
DON’T :
- Use cords with frayed cords, damaged insulation, or broken plugs
- Don’t block access to panels and circuit breakers
- Don’t store liquids of any sort by the electrical equipment
- Do not wear metal of any sort when working with electrical equipment
- If someone does come into contact with an energized electrical conductor, do not touch that person or any of the equipment/cords because the charge can pass to you – you should shut down the main power source with the circuit breaker instead.
- Don’t attempt to repair electrical equipment unless you are qualified to do so
- Don’t use metal ladders when working with power lines
- Don’t connect multiple extensions together
- Don’t remove the ground connections until the circuit is dead
- Don’t assume the power is disconnected
At Frontier Industrial Corp., we believe that Safety is the Greatest Tool on the Job. Always remember to be alert and take preventative measures to stop hazards from occurring to you while on the job.
Article Adapted from :
https://www.safeworldhse.com/2020/09/electrical-safety-dos-and-donts.html