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WORKING
SAFELY WITH AND AROUND ELECTRICITY
The following safety module is intended to be used as a refresher safety
awareness session and is in no way to be used as a substitute for job training or proper
equipment use.
 RESPECT THE
POWER OF ELECTRICITY
Electricity is a strong invisible force that gives power to machinery, lights, heaters,
air conditioners, and many other forms of equipment that we have come to depend upon.
However, electricity can be very dangerous, too. Accidental contact with electrical
currents can cause injury, fire, extensive damage and even death. It is very important to
remember that working with and around electricity requires your full attention and
respect.
INFORM YOUR
SUPERVISOR OF FAULTY EQUIPMENT
Contact with electricity does not have to happen if you follow a few simple guidelines. It
is very important that you immediately inform your supervisor of any faulty equipment so
it can get repaired or replaced. Don't attempt to repair the tool yourself. Lockout the
equipment, or at the very least, tag it so others are aware that the equipment is damaged.
WEAR PROTECTIVE
CLOTHING
You should make it part of your routine to wear rubber gloves and rubber-soled shoes or
boots, especially if you are working around electricity in a damp environment. Of course,
you know that water and electricity do not mix, but how often do you think about other
liquids, such as grease, oil or solvents? Operating a drill with sweaty hands can also be
a potential for electrical shock. However, do not make the mistake of believing that
protective articles alone will protect you regardless of your action. Remember to do your
best to avoid making any contact with electricity.
REGULARLY
INSPECT YOUR ELECTRICAL TOOLS
Inspect your electrical tools on a regular basis, including the large tools such as table
saws, drill presses and bench grinders. Test your equipment first before starting to work.
If any tool gives you a slight shock or smokes and sparks when the power is turned on,
don't use it, but notify your super-visor immediately.
INSPECT THE
POWER CORD
Check the insulation around the power cord to make sure it is in good condition. You
should not see any exposed wires or frayed ends. Power cords in poor condition should be
replaced, never taped or spliced. Check the plug at the end of the cord to make sure the
prongs are secure in the plug and none are missing. If one of the prongs is missing, do
not use the tool. If you notice one of the tongs on the plug is slightly larger than the
other, do not attempt to trim the tong down to match the smaller one. These tongs are
polarized to prevent you from shock. When you unplug cords from the outlet, remember to
pull on the plug and not by the cord.
MAKE SURE
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT IS PROPERLY GROUNDED
Properly grounded electrical equipment can offer you protection if the equipment should
malfunction electrically. If your electric tool states that it's doubly insulated on the
manufacturer's tag, this means there is insulation on the inside of the tool to protect
your from shock. This type of tool will only have a two prong plug. If the tool doesn't
state it is doubly insulated, then you must have a third prong on the plug. This third
prong, or ground prong, plugs your tool into ground or earth so in the event of a
malfunction, the electricity will go through this ground prong to earth and bypass your
body. If the prong is broken off, you have no protection and all the electricity will go
through your body. A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter should be used where there is a
chance you could make contact with the moisture on the ground, such as working outside.
WATCH OUT FOR
OVERHEAD POWER LINES
It is very important to keep your distance from overhead power lines. Each year,
construction and farm workers are injured or killed because they have accidentally made
contact with the high voltage lines that pass overhead. To prevent this from happening to
you, preplan your job. Go out to the area you plan to move large equipment into, stack
bales within, or where irrigation pipe will be laid and look around for overhead wires and
electric poles. Then plan your job around them. Remember, high voltage power lines are not
insulated. Also, be aware that there are laws that prohibit any work within six feet of
lines that carry between 600 and 50,000 volts, and a minimum distance of 10 feet from
these lines when operating boom-type lifting equipment.
DO NOT MISUSE
EXTENSION CORDS
Extension cords appear harmless, but they can be do quite a bit of damage if they are
misused. No extension cord can be kinked, tied in a knot, crushed, cut, or bent and still
insulate the electrical current safely. An extension cord that is misused in this manner
may cause a short circuit, fire or even electrical shock. Don't use extension cords in
areas that receive a lot of traffic because not only will it cause someone to trip, but
constant traffic will wear out the insulating rubber cover. If you have no choice and must
use cords in high traffic areas, make sure the cords are taped securely to the flooring or
are hanging high overhead. Extension cords are to be used temporarily and never as a
perma-nent source of power to equipment.
NEVER THROW
WATER ON AN ELECTRICAL FIRE
As mentioned, water and electricity do not mix. In fact, water is an excellent conductor
of electricity, and if water is thrown on an electrical fire, it will only spread the
fire. Instead, use a chemical fire extinguisher. Make sure you know how to operate a
chemical fire extinguisher and where the nearest one is in case of emergency. If you have
questions or have difficulty locating an extinguisher, ask your supervisor for help.
PRACTICE GOOD
HOUSEKEEPING
Electrical safety involves more than just ensuring that electrical equipment is in good
working order, it also involves ensuring that you can get to the main power source as
quickly as possible without climbing over obstructions in the event of an emergency. Keep
the isles and walkways clean and clear of garbage, and make sure all flammable liquid,
such as gases or chemicals, is stored away from the area where any electric tool will be
operated. Many electric tools produce sparks, which could ignite the flammable liquid's
fumes and cause extensive damage. |
