Occupational Safety

Electrical

Electricity is extremely dangerous, as it can shock painfully, damage sensitive equipment, ignite combustible materials and even kill as person. An electrical current flows through conductors, which can be anything from metal to concrete to the human body, and in order for an electrical current to flow, it must follow a complete path (circuit) that returns to its source (battery, transformer, etc.). Insulators, such as glass, plastic, rubber, air and wood, resist the flow of electricity and can help protect people from coming into contact with electricity flowing through conductors.

When an electrical current flows through the human body it causes an electric shock, resulting in three kinds of potential injuries:

• Burns
• Physical injury from falls or muscle damage.
• Nervous system alterations, including fibrillation, when the heart twitches, cutting off blood flow to the body.

In order to prevent electrocution in the workplace, a worker must observe the following safe practices:

• Avoid wet working conditions.
• Use Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs), a device designed to detect electrical currents that leak outside of their intended pathway.
• Avoid overhead power lines, keeping a minimum distance of 10 feet.
• Use wiring and connectors appropriate for each job.
• Use extension cord properly and temporarily.
• Use only UL listed extension cords with 3 prongs.
• Power bars must have a fuse or breaker.
• Don't run cords trough walls, under doors or walls or across aisles.
• Don't repair cords, replace them.
• The total number of watts should never exceed the rating of an extension cord.
• Use and maintain tools properly.
• Avoid wearing jewelry or watches that could come in contact with energized parts.
• Wear Class E hard hats and ANSI approved, EH coded footwear.