Electrical Safety Overview

1. There are many ways electricity can impact our lives in the workplace. Power tools, breaker panels, extension cords, power lines, and equipment can all cause electrical shock.

2. Electrical panels and live electrical parts must be guarded, and there must be three feet of clearance in front of guarded panels. Guarding is important when preventing potential electrical exposures.

3. There are three factors that cause electrical accidents: unsafe equipment and/or installations, unsafe environments in the workplace, and unsafe work practices.

4. Unsafe equipment can include missing guards, corded equipment missing pins, loose connections, and defective parts.

5. A quick fix to preventing injuries is to inspect equipment before use for electrical hazards. Inspect safety features including guards, wiring, and grounding pins.

6. Unsafe environments or conditions can include damp or wet locations, flammable vapors, or improper guarding or insulation.

7. Workplace audits and inspections should be conducted frequently to ensure that it's a safe place to work. Electrical hazards can happen unexpectedly and hazards should be reported immediately.

8. Unsafe work practices can include improper LOTO, working too close to power lines, and lack of inspection of electrical equipment.

9. Being unaware of your surroundings is an unsafe work practice. Before you set up your work area, inspect for power lines or other utility proximity. Also, inspect your equipment for any electrical hazards and follow proper LOTO procedures.

10. In what other ways can you prevent exposures to electrical hazards in the workplace?

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