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Electrical Safety for Home and Work Place

Safety Can Safe Yor Live

Many injuries, deaths and property damage caused by electrical hazards can be avoided. If you are not experienced in working directly with electricity and trained to recognize and avoid electrical hazards, consider hiring a certified electrician for your electrical work. For those experienced in working with electricity, these points can help remind you of basic electrical safety practices. The first step in avoiding these hazards begins with safety. Before undertaking any type of electrical work, plan your job and include all necessary steps to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you. And always TEST BEFORE YOU TOUCH.

AROUND THE HOUSE

Understand your electrical system. Make a map showing which fuse or circuit breaker controls each switch, light or outlet.
Wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
Ensure the right circuits are turned off before starting to work.
Make sure the circuits cannot be accidentally turned back on while you are working.
Use a circuit tester, and make sure it is working properly by testing it before and after you test the circuit where you will be working.

ON THE JOB

Electrical hazards on the job can be avoided by following approved NFPA 70E and OSHA guidelines. Attention to safety is the important first step to an effective safety program. Skilled employees, trained in electrical safety procedures, should make sure they understand and follow safety precautions.

Those not trained to recognize and avoid electrical hazards, or not under the supervision of those qualified in electrical safety procedures, should avoid contact with electrical equipment and systems.

Understand the construction and operation of the electrical equipment and the hazards involved.
Identify all possible energy sources that could pose on-the-job hazards.
Know safety requirements and follow them.
Calculate the energy potential.
Select the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Remember, PPE must be worn until the electrical system is in a safe condition.
Complete a detailed job plan and communicate it to all coworkers.
Before working on or around electrical systems or equipment, identify the load circuits and disconnect. Remember, in some cases, turning power off may cause other hazards. Such hazards and additional guidance should be addressed in your work plan.
Use lock-out/tag-out procedures.
Verify that the equipment or system has been de-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 hazardous than anticipated, stop and revise the plans.

Above all, never assume that the equipment or system is de-energized. Remember to always TEST BEFORE YOU TOUCH.