Electrical Safety For The Home and Workplace

Turning Off the Power at the Cicuit Breaker Means it's Safe to Work, Right? WRONG

Every year, people are injured or killed bycircuits they thought were safely turned off.Simply shutting off the power is not enough.Hazardous conditions can still exist.Working with electricity requires thoroughplanning and extreme care. Whether you area do-it-yourselfer tackling a weekend projector an experienced contractor, learning andpracticing safe work habits can significantlyreduce your risk.That’s why you must always TEST BEFOREYOU TOUCH. You may not get a secondchance to learn this important lesson.


Understanding the Risks

Electrical hazards, while a fraction of totalworkplace injuries, are more likely to resultin death than injuries from other causes.

• Electrical accidents on the job causean average of 13 days away from workand nearly one fatality every day.
• Approximately 62 percent of anestimated 32,807 nonfatal electricalinjuries occurring between 1992 and1998 were classified as electric shockand 38 percent as electric burns.
• The nonfatal workplace incidents thatcause the highest number of days awayfrom work include contact with anelectrical current or a machine, tool,appliance or light fixture (38 percent),and contact with wiring, transformers orother electrical components (33 percent).
• Nonfatal electrical injury occurs mostoften to those who work with machinesor tools and around electrical wiringother than power lines.

Safe Can Safe Your Life

Many injuries, deaths and property damage causedby electrical hazards can be avoided. If you are notexperienced in working directly with electricity andtrained to recognize and avoid electrical hazards,consider hiring a certified electrician for yourelectrical work. For those experienced in workingwith electricity, these points can help remind youof basic electrical safety practices. The first step inavoiding these hazards begins with safety.

Before undertaking any type of electrical work, plan yourjob and include all necessary steps to ensure yoursafety and the safety of those around you. Andalways TEST BEFORE YOU TOUCH.

Around the House

Understand yourelectrical system. Makea map showing which fuseor circuit breaker controlseach switch, light or outlet.> Wear the appropriate personalprotective equipment (PPE).

• Ensure the right circuits areturned off before startingto work.
• Make sure the circuits cannotbe accidentally turned backon while you are working.
• Use a circuit tester, and make sure it is workingproperly by testing it before and after you testthe circuit where you will be working.

On the JOB

Electrical hazards on the job can be avoidedby following approved NFPA 70E and OSHAguidelines. Attention to safety is the importantfirst step to an effective safety program. Skilledemployees, trained in electrical safety procedures,should make sure they understand and followsafety precautions.

Those not trained to recognizeand avoid electrical hazards, or not under thesupervision of those qualified in electrical safetyprocedures, should avoid contact with electricalequipment and systems.

• Understand the construction and operationof the electrical equipment and the hazardsinvolved.
• Identify all possible energy sources that couldpose on-the-job hazards.
• Know safety requirements and follow them.> Calculate the energy potential.
• Select the appropriate personal protectiveequipment (PPE). Remember, PPE must beworn until the electrical system is in a safecondition.
• Complete a detailed job plan and communicateit to all coworkers.
• Before working on or around electrical systemsor equipment, identify the load circuits anddisconnect. Remember, in some cases, turningpower off may cause other hazards. Suchhazards and additional guidance should beaddressed in your work plan.
• Use lock-out/tag-out procedures.
• Verify that the equipment or system has beende-energized by testing.
• Make sure your test equipment is working,both before and after you use it.
• If at any time the job becomes more hazardousthan anticipated, stop and revise the plans.Above all, never assume that the equipment orsystem is de-energized. Remember to always TESTBEFORE YOU TOUCH.