Staying Safe: Electrical Safety Tips for Everyone
May is an important month for electrical safety. It’s a time when we focus on the critical rules and procedures necessary to keep ourselves and others safe when working with electricity. Understanding and practicing electrical safety isn’t just a good idea—it’s a matter of life and death.
The Facts About Electrical Safety
According to the Electrical Safety Foundation, between 2011 and 2022, there were a staggering 1,322 workplace fatalities involving electricity. While there’s been a slight decrease in these fatalities over the years, even one death is one too many. Surprisingly, 70 percent of workplace electrical fatalities occurred in non-electrical occupations, like construction laborers. Shockingly, electricians and construction laborers accounted for 195 and 119 electrical-related fatalities, respectively.
Your Role in Electrical Safety
We all have a role to play in ensuring electrical safety in the workplace. By following proper procedures and staying vigilant, we can protect ourselves and our colleagues from harm.
Practical Tips for Electrical Safety
Here are some practical tips to help you stay safe when working with electricity:
Follow Lockout/Tagout Procedures: Always follow lockout/tagout procedures to ensure equipment is properly de-energized before working on it.
Test Before You Touch: Treat all circuits as if they’re live until they’ve been tested. Adhere to “Test Before You Touch” protocols to avoid accidental shocks.
Use Proper PPE: Always wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for the job. This may include rubber insulating gloves, sleeves, matting, blankets, and industrial protective helmets designed to reduce electric shock hazard.
Special Tips for T&D Crews
If you’re part of a Transmission & Distribution (T&D) crew, here are some additional safety tips:
Maintain Safe Distance: Before working near overhead power lines, ensure a safe distance is maintained. Ground any equipment that could become energized and barricade equipment to prevent hazardous step and touch potential.
Operate Equipment Safely: When operating mechanical equipment near overhead lines, be cautious. Avoid proximity to equipment and anything connected to it unless a proper Equipotential zone (EPZ) is established.
Keep Clearances: Employees unqualified to work with energized electricity should stay at least 10 feet away from overhead power lines. If the voltage exceeds 50,000 volts, increase the clearance by 4 inches for every additional 10,000 volts.
Conclusion
Electrical safety is everyone’s responsibility. By following these simple guidelines and staying informed, we can create safer workplaces for everyone. Remember, when it comes to electricity, safety always comes first.
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