Updated 4/14/2012

ETE has added  "Toolbox Talk". This will be a collection of safety topics that can be discussed in you routine safety meetings. If you have a topic you would like to post in our area please don't hesitate and fill out the submission form.

The topics cover a variety of safety guidelines and precautions. Working with electricity can be a dangerous business and unfortunately accidents can happen. Learning OSHA guidelines and all safety regulations will help avoid an incident which would require the services of a San Diego wrongful death lawyer or some other kind of attorney.
 

GENERAL:

OSHA and state safety laws have helped to provide safe working areas for electricians. Individuals can work safely on electrical equipment with today's safeguards and recommended work practices. In addition, an understanding of the principles of electricity is gained. Ask supervisors when in doubt about a procedure. Report any unsafe conditions, equipment, or work practices as soon as possible.

FUSES:

Before removing any fuse from a circuit, be sure the switch for the circuit is open or disconnected. When removing fuses, use an approved fuse puller and break contact on the hot side of the circuit first. When replacing fuses, install the fuse first into the load side of the fuse clip, then into the line side.

GFCIs:

A groundfault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is an electrical device which protects personnel by detecting potentially hazardous ground faults and quickly disconnecting power from the circuit. A potentially dangerous ground fault is any amount of current above the level that may deliver a dangerous shock. Any current over 8 mA is considered potentially dangerous depending on the path the current takes, the amount of time exposed to the shock, and the physical condition of the person receiving the shock.
    Therefore, GFCls are required in such places as dwellings, hotels, motels, construction sites, marinas, receptacles near swimming pools and hot tubs, underwater lighting, fountains, and other areas in which a person may experience a ground fault.
    A GFCI compares the amount of current in the ungrounded (hot) conductor with the amount of current in the neutral conductor. If the current in the neutral conductor becomes less than the current in the hot conductor, a ground fault condition exists. The amount of current that is missing is returned to the source by some path other than the intended path (fault current). A fault current as low as 4 mA to 6 mA activates the GFCI and interrupts the circuit. Once activated, the fault condition is cleared and the GFCI manually resets before power may be restored to the circuit. See Figure 1-22.

    GFCI protection may be installed at different locations within a circuit. Direct-wired GFCI receptacles provide a ground fault protection at the point of installation. GFCI receptacles may also be connected to provide GFCI protection at all other receptacles installed downstream on the same circuit. GFCI CBs, when installed in a load center or panelboard, provide GFCI protection and conventional circuit overcurrent protection for all branch-circuit components connected to the CB.
    Plug-in GFCls provide ground fault protection for devices plugged into them. These plug-in devices are often used by personnel working with power tools in an area that does not include GFCI receptacles.

Electrical Shock:

Strange as it may seem, most fatal electrical shocks happen to people who should know better. Here are some electromedical
facts that should make you think twice before taking chances.
    It's not the voltage but the current that kills. People have been killed by 100 volts AC in the home and with as little as 42 volts DC. The real measure of a shock's intensity lies in the amount of current (in milliamperes) forced through the body. Any electrical device used on a house wiring circuit can, under certain conditions, transmit a fatal amount of current.
    Currents between 100 and 200 milliamperes (0.1 ampere and 0.2 ampere) are fatal. Anything in the neighborhood of 10 milliamperes (0.01) is capable of producing painful to severe shock. Take a look at Table AI-1.

    As the current rises, the shock becomes more severe. Below 20 milliamperes, breathing becomes labored; it ceases completely even at values below 75 milliamperes. As the current approaches 100 milliamperes ventricular fibrillation occurs. This is an uncoordinated twitching of the walls of the heart's ventricles. Since you don't know how much current went through the body, it is necessary to perform artificial respiration to try to get the person breathing again; or if the heart is not beating, cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is necessary.
    Electrical shock occurs when a person comes in contact with two conductors of a circuit or when the body becomes part of the electrical circuit. In either case, a severe shock can cause the heart and lungs to stop functioning. Also, severe burns may occur where current enters and exits the body.
    Prevention is the best medicine for electrical shock. Respect all voltages, have a knowledge of the principles of electricity, and follow safe work procedures. Do not take chances. All electricians should be encouraged to take a basic course in CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) so they can aid a coworker in emergency situations.
    Always make sure portable electric tools are in safe operating condition. Make sure there is a third wire on the plug for grounding in case of shorts. The fault current should flow through the third wire to ground instead of through the operator's body to ground if electric power tools are grounded and if an insulation breakdown occurs.

FIRST AID FOR ELECTRIC SHOCK: 

1. Protect yourself with dry insulating material.

2. Use a dry board, belt, clothing, or other available nonconductive material to free the victim from electrical contact. Do NOT touch the victim until the source of electricity has been removed.

CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION (CPR):

Sometimes victims of electrical shock suffer cardiac arrest or heart stoppage as well as loss of breathing. Artificial ventilation alone is not enough in cases where the heart has stopped. A technique known as CPR has been developed to provide aid to a person who has stopped breathing and suffered a cardiac arrest. Because you are working with electricity, the risk of electrical shock is higher than in other occupations. You should, at the earliest opportunity, take a course to learn the latest techniques used in CPR. The techniques are relatively easy to learn and are taught in courses available through the American Red Cross.

Lockout/Tagout

Electrical power must be removed when electrical equipment is inspected, serviced, or repaired. To ensure the safety of personnel working with the equipment, power is removed and the equipment must be locked out and tagged out.
    Per OSHA standards, equipment is locked out and tagged out before any preventive maintenance or servicing is performed. Lockout is the process of removing the source of electrical power and installing a lock which prevents the power from being turned ON. Tagout is the process of placing a danger tag on the source of electrical power which indicates that the equipment may not be operated until the danger tag is removed. See Figure 1-23.
    A danger tag has the same importance and purpose as a lock and is used alone only when a lock does not fit the disconnect device. The danger tag shall be attached at the disconnect device with a tag tie or equivalent and shall have space for the worker's name, craft, and other required information. A danger tag must withstand the elements and expected atmosphere for as long as the tag remains in place. A lockout/tagout is used when:

Servicing electrical equipment that does not require power to be ON to perform the service

	Removing or bypassing a machine guard or other safety device
	The possibility exists of being injured or caught in moving machinery
	Clearing jammcd equipment
	The danger exists of being injured if equipment power is turned ON

Figure 1-23. Equipment must be locked out and tagged out before preventive maintenance or servicing is performed.

    Lockouts and tagouts do not by themselves re move power from a circuit. An approved procedure is followed when applying a lockout/tagout. Lockouts and tagouts are attached only after the equipment is turned OFF and tested to ensure that power is OFF. The lockout/tagout procedure is required for the safety of workers due to modern equipment hazards. OSHA provides a standard procedure for equipment lockout/tagout. OSHA's procedure is:

1. Prepare for machinery shutdown.

2. Machinery or equipment shutdown.

3. Machinery or equipment isolation.

4. Lockout or tagout application.

5. Release of stored energy.

6. Verification of isolation.

Warning: Personnel should consult OSHA Standard 29CFRI910.147 for industry standards on lockout/tagout.

    A lockout/tagout shall not be removed by any person other than the person that installed it, except in an emergency. In an emergency, the lockout/tagout may be removed only by authorized personnel. The authorized personnel shall follow approved procedures. A list of company rules and procedures are given to any person that may use a lockout/tagout. Always remember:

	Use a lockout and tagout when possible
	Use a tagout when a lockout is impractical. A tagout is used alone only when a lock does not fit the disconnect device
	Use a multiple lockout when individual employee lockout of equipment is impractical
	Notify all employees affected before using a lockout/tagout
	Remove all power sources including primary and secondary
	Measure for voltage using a voltmeter to ensure that power is OFF

Lockout Devices. Lockout devices are lightweight enclosures that allow the lockout of standard control devices. Lockout devices are available in various shapes and sizes that allow for the lockout of ball valves, gate valves, and electrical equipment such as plugs, disconnects, etc.
    Lockout devices resist chemicals, cracking, abrasion, and temperature changes. They are available in colors to match ANSI pipe colors. Lockout devices are sized to fit standard industry control device sizes. See Figure 1-24.

Figure 1-24. Lockout devices are available in various shapes and sizes that allow for the lockout of standard control devices.

    Locks used to lock out a device may be color coded and individually keyed. The locks are rust-resistant and are available with various size shackles.
    Danger tags provide additional lockout and warning information. Various danger tags are available. Danger tags may include warnings such as "Do Not Start," "Do Not Operate," or may provide space to enter worker, date, and lockout reason information. Tag ties must be strong enough to prevent accidental removal and must be self-locking and nonreusable.
    Lockout/tagout kits are also available. A lockout/tagout kit contains items required to comply with the OSHA lockout/tagout standards. Lockout/tagout kits contain reusable danger tags, tag ties, multiple lockouts, locks, magnetic signs, and information on lockout/tagout procedures. See Figure 1-25. Be sure the source of electricity remains open or discon nected when returning to work whenever leaving a job for any reason or whenever the job cannot be completed the same day.

Clothing and Personal Protective Equipment:

Clothing should fit snugly to avoid danger of becoming entangled in moving machinery or creating a tripping or stumbling hazard. See Figure 1-26.

Figure 1-26. Clothing should fit snugly to avoid danger of becoming entangled in moving machinery or creating a tripping or stumbling hazard.

Recommended safe work clothes include:

	Thick-soled work shoes for protection against sharp objects such as nails. Wear work shoes with safety toes if the job requires. Make sure the soles are oil resistant if the shoes are subject to oils and grease
	Rubber boots for damp locations
	A hat or cap. Wear an approved safety helmet (hard hat) if the job requires

Confine long hair or keep hair trimmed and avoid placing the head in close proximity to rotating machinery. Do not wear jewelry. Gold and silver are excellent conductors of electricity.

FIRE SAFETY:

The chance of fire is greatly decreased by good housekeeping. Keep rags containing oil, gasoline, alcohol, shellac, paint, varnish, or lacquer in a covered metal container. Keep debris in a designated area away from the building. Sound an alarm if a fire occurs. Alert all workers on the job and then call the fire department. After calling the fire department, make a reasonable effort to contain the fire.

Fire Extinguishers:

Always read instructions before using a fire extinguisher. Always use the correct fire extinguisher for the class of fire. See Figure 1-27. Fire extinguishers are normally red. Fire extinguishers may be located on a red background so they can be easily located.

Figure 1-27. Always use the correct fire extinguisher for the class of fire.

    Be ready to direct firefighters to the fire. Inform them of any special problems or conditions that exist, such as downed electrical wires or leaks in gas lines.
    Report any accumulations of rubbish or unsafe conditions that could be fire hazards. Also, if a portable tool bin is used on the job, a good practice is to store a C02 extinguisher in it.

In-Plant Training:

A select group of personnel (if not all personnel) should be acquainted with all extinguisher types and sizes available in a plant or work area. Training should include a tour of the facility indicating special fire hazard operations.
    In addition, it is helpful to periodically practice a dry run, discharging each type of extinguisher. Such practice is essential in learning how to activate each type, knowing the discharge ranges, realizing which types are affected by winds and drafts, familiarizing oneself with discharge duration, and learning of any precautions to take as noted on the nameplate.

Extinguisher Maintenance Tips:

Inspect extinguishers at least once a month. It is common to find units that are missing, damaged, or used. Consider contracting for such a service. Contract for annual maintenance with a qualified service agency. Never attempt to make repairs to extinguishers. This is the chief cause of dangerous shell ruptures.

Hazardous Locations:

The use of electrical equipment in areas where explosion hazards are present can lead to an explosion and fire. This danger exists in the form of escaped flammable gases such as naphtha, benzene, propane, and others. Coal, grain, and other dust suspended in air can also cause an explosion. Article 500 of The Electrical Code National covers hazardous locations. Any hazardous location requires the maximum in safety and adherence to local, state, and federal guidelines and laws, as well as in-plant safety rules. Hazardous locations are indicated by Class, Division,
and Group.

To sum it all up...

Working with electricity can be dangerous. However, electricity can be safe if properly respected.

So be careful out there!

If there is anything you would like to add or if you have any comments please feel free to email E.T.E.

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