Electrical

Tool Box Talk Safety

Why is it so important to work safely with or near electricity? General safety tips for working with
The electrical current in a regular business or home has enough power to cause death by electrocution. or near electricity:
Even changing a light bulb without unplugging a lamp can be hazardous because coming in contact with the •Inspect tools, power cords, and electrical
"hot" or live part of the socket could cause death. People are injured when they become part of the electrical fittings for damage or wear prior to each use.
circuit. Humans are more conductive than the earth which means if there is no other easy path, electricity Repair or replace damaged equipment
will try to flow through the body. immediately.
How do electrical injuries occur? •Always tape cords to walls or floors when
necessary. Nails and staples can damage
The four most common injuries that occur include electrocution, electric shock, burns and falls. These cords causing fire and shock hazards.
injuries can happen in various ways:
•Use cords or equipment that is rated for the
•Direct contact with the electrical energy. When electricity travels through our bodies, it can interfere with the level of amperage or wattage that you are
normal electrical signals between the brain and our muscles (e.g., heart may stop beating properly, using.
breathing may stop, or muscles may spasm). •Always use the correct size fuse. Replacing
a fuse with one of a larger size can cause
•Indirect contact with the electrical energy. When electricity arcs through a gas, such as air, to a person excessive currents in the wiring and possibly
who is grounded. start a fire.
◦Arc flashes result in intense heat causing burns, intense light which can cause blindness, or ignition of other •Be aware that unusually warm or hot outlets
materials. may be a sign that unsafe wiring conditions
exists. Unplug any cords to these outlets and
◦Arc blasts cause the same conditions as an arc flash, but are more intense and can include a strong pressure do not use until a qualified electrician has
wave. These pressure waves can damage machinery, throw a person, collapse a lung or rupture ear drums. checked the wiring.
•Thermal burns include flash burns from heat generated by an electric arc and flame burns from materials •Always use ladders made of wood or other
that catch on fire from heating or ignition by electrical currents. High voltage contact burns can burn internal non-conductive materials when working with
tissues while leaving only very small injuries on the outside of the skin. or near electricity or power lines.
•Place halogen lights away from combustible
•Muscle contractions, or a startle reaction can cause a person to fall from a ladder, scaffold or aerial bucket. materials such as cloths or curtains. Halogen
The fall can cause serious injuries or even death. lamps can become very hot and may be a
fire hazard.
What is a sample checklist for basic electrical safety?
•Risk of electric shock is greater in areas that
Inspect Cords and Plugs are wet or damp. Install Ground Fault Circuit
Interrupters (GFCIs) as they will interrupt the
•Check power cords and plugs daily. Discard if worn or damaged. electrical circuit before a current sufficient to
Have any cord that feels more than comfortably warm checked by cause death or serious injury occurs.
an electrician.
•Make sure that exposed receptacle boxes
Eliminate Octopus Connections are made of non-conductive materials.

•Do not plug several power cords into one outlet. •Know where the breakers and boxes are
located in case of an emergency.
•Pull the plug, not the cord.
•Label all circuit breakers and fuse boxes
•Do not disconnect power supply by pulling or jerking the cord from clearly.
the outlet. Pulling the cord causes wear and may cause a shock. •Do not use outlets or cords that have
exposed wiring.
Never Break Off the Third Prong on a Plug
•Do not use power tools with the guards
•Replace broken three prong plugs and make sure the third prong removed.
is properly grounded.
•Do not block access to circuit breakers or
Never Use Extension Cords as Permanent Wiring fuse boxes.
•Use extension cords only to temporarily supply power to an area that does not have a power outlet. •Do not touch a person or electrical
apparatus in the event of an electrical
•Keep power cords away from heat, water and oil. They can damage the insulation and cause a shock. accident. Always disconnect the current first.