Electrical Safety Tips

by | Aug 13, 2014 | Craig Safety News, Health and Safety Training | 0 comments

Top Tips for Preventing Electrical Accidents.

Did you know that if you hit power lines while driving, your best move is to stay inside the car? Or what to do after you hit the power lines? The fact is, every year, workplace electrical incidents result in more than 300 deaths and 3,500 injuries. On the bright side, some of these are easily preventable!

Alright, so you hit the power lines and stay in your car.  Now, what do you do if the car catches fire and you have to evacuate?

  1. Open the door and, touching nothing else, HOP to the ground, landing on both feet.
  2. Do not pick your feet up but use the method shown in the video below, shuffling your feet, to get clear of the danger zone which can be as much as a 50 foot radius.

Watch this short video that shows you how to move out of the danger zone.

Here are also some more Electrical Safety Tips from the National Safety Council:

Sound safety practices can help minimize electrical hazards and cut down the risk of accidents. The hazard of electricity cannot be eliminated, but it can be controlled through education and engineering. The more you understand about electrical energy, the safer you will be at work and home.

Protecting Yourself at Work

  • Are you aware only trained, qualified and authorized employees are permitted to work on electrical equipment?
  • Are extension cords and appliance cords in good repair and properly rated for the way they are intended to be used?
  • Are you using 3-prong receptacles for 3-prong plugs?
  • Are you protecting yourself with Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) in wet/damp areas like kitchens, bathrooms and outdoors?
  • Are you protecting your equipment and home with circuit breakers?
  • Are you closing electrical control panels and covering receptacle boxes?
  • Do you avoid touching water, damp surfaces, ungrounded metal and bare wire if you are not protected?
  • Do you avoid working in and around wet or damp conditions, equipment and electrical current that are not grounded, and wires that are not insulated?
  • Are you looking for posted signs that identify electrical hazards? Are you following lockout/tag out procedures?
  • Do you use equipment and tools the way they are designed to be used?
  • Do you report immediately any damage or defective equipment, power hand tools or machinery?
Wearing the Right Protection
  • Don’t wear metal jewelry that might make contact with electric current.
  • Wear eye protection where required.
  • Wear rubber-soled shoes or boots on damp or wet surfaces.
  • Wear safety-approved rubber and leather gloves when you work with electricity.
  • Hazard observation checklist
  • Check the surrounding area for spills, dampness or water.
  • Check connections and ground wires are tight and free from breaks.
  • Check circuits and wiring are in good repair and not overloaded.
  • Check insulation for worn spots or breaks that could cause a shock.
  • Check the condition of cords and extension cords.
  • Check and maintain equipment to make sure it is working right and free of defects or damage.
  • Check equipment belts and gears to detect excess tension or binding that can cause a power overload.
  • Check that personal hand and foot protectors are kept in good repair and readily available.
  • Immediately report any hazards, damage and defective equipment, tools and machinery to a supervisor or manager.
  • Electrical Emergencies
Outdoor (High Voltage) Electricity
  • Contact the police and emergency medical services.
  • Notify your supervisor or follow the emergency instructions spelled out in your company policy.
  • Do NOT touch the person.
  • Do NOT try to use a tool to free the person.
Indoor (Low Voltage/100 Volts) Electricity
  • Contact emergency medical services.
  • Do not touch anyone who has become grounded.
  • Switch off power at the fuse of circuit-breaker box, or pull the plug.
  • Call the electric company if you cannot get the power shut off.