Train Employees to Avoid Electrical Accidents

Today, we review some training points for preventing electrical accidents. These points should be covered in electrical safety meetings with all employees.

Shock Prevention

• Inspect electrical equipment before use to be sure insulation is in good condition.
• Check that plugs have a good, tight connection.
• Use only wiring that is approved for use outdoors or in wet areas, and plug into ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
• Don’t touch anything electrical with wet hands or while in a wet area. Wear rubber gloves and rubber boots as protection.
• Don’t contact anything electrical with anything metal, and don’t wear metal jewelry or a metal hard hat around electricity.
• Don’t use metal tools, including ladders, around electricity. Use insulated, nonconductive tools around power sources. 

Electrical Fire Prevention

• In areas with flammable liquids, vapors, or combustible dust, use only electrical equipment identified as safe for that use. Be sure equipment doesn’t spark or get hot enough to ignite the flammables.
• Don’t overload outlets, circuits, or motors.
• Don’t let grease, dust, or dirt build up on machinery.
• Dispose promptly of oily rags, paper, sawdust, etc. Don’t let them contact electric lights or equipment.

Get your employees trained effectively—and stay in compliance with Cal/OSHA. Learn more.

Electrical Equipment Accident Prevention

• Don’t use cords to raise or lower equipment.
• Don’t fasten cords with staples, nails, or anything that could damage insulation.
• Prevent damage by untangling cords and not running them along the floor or in aisles.
• Use extension cords only if necessary and when rated high enough for the job, and use only waterproof cords outdoors.
• Keep machines and power tools properly lubricated.
• Don’t reach blindly into a space that may contain energized equipment.
• Work on energized electrical equipment only if trained and qualified. Federal OSHA defines qualified workers as those trained to identify exposed live parts and their voltage and know the safety procedures to use with them.
• Lock and tag out electrical equipment before repairing or servicing it. Only qualified workers can perform lockout/tagout procedures.
• Obey restrictions on electrical circuit access. Keep out of electrical control panels and circuit breaker/fuse boxes unless authorized.

Tomorrow, we’ll look at electrical safety rules for extension cords.

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