Electrical Safety Month: 5 Ways to Stay Compliant

1. Use the correct PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) and tools when working with electricity – Electricity is dangerous. Having the proper safety equipment is the best way to prevent electrical injuries and fatalities. Maintaining quality equipment by performing periodic inspections of all electrical tools can save lives. Inspect cords and plugs for damage. Make sure protective gloves are worn (when appropriate) and wear protective eyewear to defend against sparks and flying debris. Consider anti-static floor matting, grounding wires, and other preventive devices. Prepare and protect against inclement weather, standing water or other potentially dangerous situations. Keep wires covered with sidewinder cable protectors to minimize trip hazards and prevent wires from being damaged by vehicles.

2. Always use caution when working near electricity – Never take safety for granted. Turn off breakers before 

working with wiring and use GFCIs when plugging in electrical tools to prevent injuries and fatalities. Before digging, check with Call Before You Dig to make sure there are no buried electrical lines. (Dial “811” from anywhere in the country a few days prior to digging. Your call will be routed to your local call center.)

3. Never approach fallen power lines – If you come across a down power line anywhere, call 911. Allow yourself a 35 foot distance, as the surrounding area can carry a charge and electrocute you. Stay in your car if you hit and knock down a power line, for the same reason. Puget Sound Energy has detailed information on responding to down power lines.

4. Never assume a wire is safe to touch. Test any circuit first. Use a proper circuit tester to check for voltage before you start working.

5. Lockout/Tagout when electrical machinery is undergoing maintenance
Lockout /Tagout should be common practice in any industry doing repairs on electrical equipment. Failure to perform proper lockout/tagout procedures made control of hazardous energy the 5^th leading cause of fatalities in 2015 . According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, take the following steps to perform a Lockout/Tagout:

• a.Notify all employees about the required lockout.
• b.Shut down equipment following typical procedure.
• c.Locate and disconnect equipment from energy sources.
• d.Release any stored energy.
• e.Lockout all switches and controls with assigned locks and tags.
• f.After verifying that no personnel are exposed, test the normal operating controls to ensure the equipment won’t power on. Make sure to return the equipment to the “off” position after testing.
• g.Perform any necessary servicing.
• h.Remove the lockout device.
• i.Once work is completed, notify all employees.

According to OSHA, following proper Lockout / Tagout procedures could prevent an estimated 120 fatalities and 50,000 injuries a year.

Lockout/Tagout OSHA training video: 

According to the  Electrical Safety Foundation International , “Increasing awareness of electrical safety hazards and understanding the importance of following a comprehensive electrical safety program are the critical first for improving the electrical safety of your workplace.“

CP Lab Safety offers Safety Training DVDs and booklets to help teach OSHA General Electrical Safety guidelines for the workplace. “Keeping people healthy and safe” is our Corporate Mission Statement.

For more safety training, visit www.cplabsafety.com/lab-safety-training/.

EHS Today, Electrical Safety Month: http://ehstoday.com/safety/national-electrical-safety-month-address-common-workplace-electrical-hazards

OSHA, Electrical Safety: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/electrical_safety.html

EFSI, Lockout / Tagout: http://www.esfi.org/resource/lockout-tagout-your-life-depends-on-it-544