Electrical Safety
Electricity is nature’s most versatile form of energy. Electrical power lights our homes, streets, offices and factories. The power of electricity can be dangerous if it is not used correctly. Electrical energy can damage property and ignite fires. It can also hurt and even kill.
Sound safety practices can help minimize electrical hazards and cut down the risk of accidents. The hazard of electricity cannot be eliminated, but it can be controlled through education and engineering. The more you understand about electrical energy, the safer you will be at work and home.
What causes electric shock?
You can get an electric shock if you touch a grounded surface and hazardous electrical equipment at the same time. The shock happens when the flow of electric current (amperage) from the electrical equipment goes through your body to the ground. How serious the injury depends on what part of your body receives the current. It also depends on how long the electric current flows. Just a small amount of amperage can hurt or be fatal.
Protecting yourself at work
• Are you aware only trained, qualified and authorized employees are permitted to work on electrical equipment?
• Has an electrician inspected the equipment, tools, machines and lights to make sure they operate according to electrical code requirements?
• Are extension cords and appliance cords in good repair and are properly rated for the way they are intended to be used?
• Are you using 3-prong receptacles for 3-prong plugs?
• Are you protecting yourself with Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) in wet/damp areas like kitchens, bathrooms and outdoors?
• Are you protecting your equipment and home with circuit breakers?
• Are you closing electrical control panels and covering receptacle boxes?
• Do you avoid touching water, damp surfaces, ungrounded metal and bare wire if you are not protected?
• Do you avoid working in and around wet or damp conditions, equipment and electrical current that are not grounded, and wires that are not insulated?
• Do you use equipment and tools the way they are designed to be used?
• Do you report immediately any damage or defective equipment, power hand tools or machinery?
• Are you looking for posted signs that identify electrical hazards? Are you following lockout/tag out procedures?
Wearing the right protection
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Don’t wear metal jewelry that might make contact with electric current.
• Wear eye protection where required.
• Wear rubber soled shoes or boots on damp or wet surfaces.
• Wear safety approved rubber and leather gloves when you work with electricity.
Hazard observation checklist
• Check the surrounding area for spills, dampness or water.
• Check connections and ground wires to be tight and free from breaks.
• Check circuits and wiring are in good repair and not overloaded.
• Check insulation for worn spots or breaks that could cause a shock.
• Check the condition of cords and extension cords.
• Check and maintain equipment to make sure it is working right and free of defects or damage.
• Check equipment belts and gears to detect excess tension or binding that can cause a power overload.
• Check that person protective hand and food protectors are kept in good repair and readily available.
• Immediately report any hazards, damage and defective equipment, tools and machinery to a supervisor or manager.
Electrical emergencies
Outdoor (high voltage) electricity
• Contact the police and emergency medical services.
• Notify your supervisor or follow the emergency instructions spelled out in your company policy.
• Do NOT touch the person.
• Do NOT try to use a tool to free the person.
Indoor (low volatage/100 volts) electricity
• Contact emergency medical services.
• Do not touch anyone who has become grounded.
• Switch off power at the fuse of circuit breaker box, or pull the plug.
• Call the electric company if you cannot get the power shut off.
For more information on reducing risk or any of our other services, please contact Jeff Harrison at jeff.harrison@cbservices.org or 800.807.0300 ext 2543.
Information and recommendations are compiled from sources believed to be reliable. The National Safety Council makes no guarantee as to and assumes no responsibility for the correctness, sufficiency or completeness of such information or recommendations. Other or additional safety measures may be required under particular circumstances. Last Revised: 04/09