Thousands of workers are injured every year by electrical hazards. These on-the-job injuries can happen to anyone, in any line of work. That includes you! Approaching electrical work with a healthy respect for electricity and its sources is a good attitude to have, and could go a long way toward keeping you safe at work.
Protect Yourself — Stay Grounded
• Ground all electric tools, machinery, equipment, and appliances according to the manufacturer’s instructions (unless tools are double-insulated).
• Be sure Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) are installed in outdoor outlets, and any environment where electrical equipment may come in contact with water: bathrooms, kitchens, garages, etc.
Protect Yourself — Unplug
Before working on electrically powered machinery, equipment, or the electrical system itself, assess the hazards and define the tasks each job will entail.
- De-energize. Never work on energized equipment; turn off power whenever possible.
- After turning off the power, test to verify it’s truly off before you start to work.
- Avoid overloading circuits. Too many devices plugged into a circuit could cause the current to overheat the wires, which can cause an arc or fire.
Protect Yourself – Put Your Guard Up
- Guard live electrical equipment from accidental contact. Be sure all tools, equipment, and appliances are in good working condition. Repair or replace damaged items before using.
- Enclose or guard electric equipment wherever it would be exposed to physical damage.
- Provide covers on junction boxes, pull boxes, and other fittings.
- Keep unused openings in cabinets, boxes, and fittings closed.
Protect Yourself – Act Accordingly
Extension cords should be used properly and safely:
- Be sure they’re rated for the products you plan to plug into them.
- When working outdoors, use only cords marked by the manufacturer as suitable for outdoor service.
- Use cords with polarized and/or three-pronged plugs; never cut off the ground pin.
- Never bind, kink, knot, or use a damaged cord.
Whenever you work around or with electricity and electrical components, there is no such thing as being too cautious.
Safe@Work is brought to you by Federated Insurance. This is for general information and risk prevention purposes only. The recommendations herein may help reduce the risk of loss but are not a guarantee of the elimination of any risk of loss. It is not provided as a substitute for any regulatory standards that may apply. The information is accurate as of publication and is subject to change. The contents of this presentation should not be considered legal or expert advice. Qualified counsel should be sought regarding questions specific to your circumstances.
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