Electrical Safety Tips
The following information can be used to check areas of your home to improve the electrical safety. Not following these guidelines increases the possibility of:
- an electrical shock
- overheating or
- a fire
Water and Electricity Do Not Mix
Don’t leave electrical appliances plugged in areas where it may come in contact with water. If a plugged appliance falls into water, NEVER reach in to pull it out – even if it’s turned off. First turn off the power source at the panel board and then unplug the appliance. If you have an appliance that has gotten wet, don’t use it until it has been checked by a qualified technician.
Make sure cords are out of traffic areas and that furniture is not resting on them. In addition, make sure cords are:
- In good condition
- Not frayed or cracked
- Never nailed or stapled to the wall baseboard or other objects
- Fit securely
- Never be forced into an outlet
- Are the proper type
- Never cut off the ground pin (the third prong) from a plug.
- Use a two-prong adapter instead.
- Loose-fitting plugs
- Broken wall plates
- Overloaded situations
NB Make sure there are safety covers on all unused outlets that are accessible to children.
- Screwed in securely
- The correct wattage for the fixture. Bulbs of a higher wattage than recommended should be replaced.
- Circuit breakers and fuses should always be the correct size for the circuit.
- If you don’t know the correct size fuse, have an electrician identify and label the sizes to be used.
- GFCIs can help prevent electrocution. They should be used in any area where water and electricity may come into contact. When a GFCI senses current leakage in an electrical circuit, it assumes a ground fault has occurred. It then interrupts power fast enough to help prevent serious injury from electrical shock. Test GFCIs regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions to make sure they are working properly.
- GFCIs (or GFIs) should be used in any area where water and electricity may come into contact.
- Test GFCIs regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Water and electricity don’t mix.
- Don’t place any electrical appliance near water, such as a sink or bathtub.
- Appliances that are used near water should be unplugged when not in use.
- If you have an appliance that has gotten wet, unplug it and don’t use it until it has been checked by a qualified repairperson.
- Check to see that the equipment is in good condition and working properly. Look for cracks or damage in wiring, plugs, cords and connectors
Workplace Safety Reminders
“Workplace” covers a broad spectrum of working environments. While the working environments differ, they all depend on electricity and electrical systems for energy, control, communications and data for virtually every aspect of operations. Electrical accidents can and do happen in all workplace environments, although the frequency or severity may vary.
- Plan every job
- Think about what could go wrong
- Use the right tools for the job
- Use procedures, drawings and other documents as tools to do the job
- Isolate the equipment from energy sources
- Identify the electrical shock and arc flash, as well as other hazards that may be present
- Minimize the hazard by guarding or establishing approach limitations
- Test every circuit and every conductor, every time before you touch
- Use personal protective equipment (PPE) as a last line of defense in case something goes wrong
- Be sure you are properly trained and qualified for the job
- Treat de-energized electrical equipment and conductors as energized until lockout/tagout, test and ground (where appropriate) procedures are implemented.
- Work electrical equipment and conductors de-energized unless your employer can demonstrate that de-energizing introduces additional or increased hazards or is unfeasible due to equipment design or operational limitations.
- Lockout/tagout and ground (where appropriate) before working on equipment.
- Wear protective clothing and equipment and use insulated tools in areas where there are possible electrical hazards.
- De-energize and visibly guard (where possible) whenever contact with un-insulated overhead power lines is possible.
- Check and double check the safety regulations when a ladder or parts of any vehicle or mechanical equipment structure will be elevated near energized overhead power lines. Call your local electric utility for assistance. People standing on the ground may be particularly vulnerable to possible injury.
- Protect flexible cords and cables from physical damage.
- Keep slack in flexible cords to prevent tension on electrical terminals.
- Check cords for cut, broken or cracked insulation.
- Make sure the insulating qualities of a splice are equal to or greater than the original cord.
- Extension cords are for temporary use. Install permanent wiring when use is not temporary.
- Verify that all three wire tools and equipment are grounded.
- Water, electrical equipment and power cords do not mix! Use GFCI protection in wet or damp environments.
- Ground exposed parts of fixed equipment that could become energized.
- Verify location of all buried or embedded electrical circuits before digging or cutting.
- Determine the reason that a fuse operated or circuit breaker tripped before replacing or resetting.
- Know where your over current devices are (i.e. circuit breakers and fuses) so they can be easily and quickly reached in case of emergency.
- When replacing lamps and bulbs, verify replacement matches fixture requirements.
- Adapt this list of reminders to fit your working environment!
Establish a written electrical safety program for implementing the above.