Electrical

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# Electrical Safety Checklist <table><tr><th>Electrical Safety Checklist</th><th>Yes</th><th>No</th><th>N/A</th><th>Comments</th></tr><tr><td>1. Do you require compliance with OSHA standards for all in-house and contract electrical work?</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2. Are all employees required to report any obvious hazards in connection with electrical equipment as soon as possible?</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>3. Are employees instructed to make initial inspections to determine conditions before starting work on electrical equipment?</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>4. When electrical equipment or lines are to be serviced, maintained, or adjusted, are necessary switches opened and locked out/tagged out?</td><td></td><td></td><td>ப</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>5. Are portable electrical tools and equipment grounded or of the double insulated type?</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>6. Are electrical appliances such as vacuum cleaners, polishers, vending machines, etc., grounded?</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>7. Do extension cords have a grounding conductor?</td><td> </td><td> </td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>8. Are multiple plug adaptors prohibited?</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>9. Are GFCIs installed on each temporary 15 or 20 ampere, 120 volt alternating current (AC) circuit at locations where construction is being performed?</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>10. Do you have electrical installations in hazardous dust or vapor areas? If so, do they meet the National Electrical Code (NEC) for hazardous locations?</td><td></td><td></td><td>ப</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>11. Are exposed wiring and cords with frayed or deteriorated insulation repaired or replaced promptly?</td><td></td><td></td><td>ப</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>12. Are flexible cords and cables free of splices or taps?</td><td></td><td></td><td>ப</td><td><…

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# 2-EVALUATING HAZARDS (cont.) ## Summary of Section 6 (cont.) SAFETY MODEL STAGE 3-CONTROLLING ■ Guard against contact with electrical voltages and control electrical currents to create a safe work environment. # Section 7 Safety Model Stage 3— Controlling Hazards: Safe Work Environment ## How Do You Control Hazards? In order to control hazards, you must first create a safe work envi- ronment, then work in a safe manner. Generally, it is best to remove the hazards altogether and create an environment that is truly safe. When OSHA regulations and the NEC are followed, safe work envi- ronments are created. But, you never know when materials or equipment might fail. Prepare yourself for the unexpected by using safe work practices. Use as many safeguards as possible. If one fails, another may pro- tect you from injury or death. ## How Do You Create a Safe Work Environment? A safe work environment is created by controlling contact with elec- trical voltages and the currents they can cause. Electrical currents need to be controlled so they do not pass through the body. In addi- tion to preventing shocks, a safe work environment reduces the chance of fires, burns, and falls. You need to guard against contact with electrical voltages and con- trol electrical currents in order to create a safe work environment. Make your environment safer by doing the following: - Treat all conductors—even "de-energized” ones—as if they are energized until they are locked out and tagged. - Lock out and tag out circuits and machines. □ Prevent overloaded wiring by using the right size and type of wire. - Prevent exposure to live electrical parts by isolating them. - Prevent exposure to live wires and parts by using insulation. - Prevent shocking currents from electrical systems and tools by grounding them. - Prevent shocking currents by using GFCI's. - Prevent too much current in circuits by using overcurrent protection devices. Page 36 Section 7

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# Section 1 (cont.) ## How Is an Electrical Shock Received? (cont.) ELECTRICITY You can even receive a shock when you are not in contact with an electrical ground. Contact with both live wires of a 240-volt cable will deliver a shock. (This type of shock can occur because one live wire may be at +120 volts while the other is at -120 volts during an alternating current cycle-a difference of 240 volts.). You can also receive a shock from electrical components that are not grounded properly. Even contact with another person who is receiving an elec- trical shock may cause you to be shocked. 30-year-old male electrical technician was helping a company service representative test the volt- A age-regulating unit on a new rolling mill. While the electrical technician went to get the equipment trol cabinet in preparation to trace the low-voltage wiring in question (the wiring was not color-coded). The service representative climbed onto a nearby cabinet in order to view the wires. The technician returned and began working inside the control cabinet, near exposed energized electrical conductors. The techni- cian tugged at the low-voltage wires while the service representative tried to identify them from above. Suddenly, the representative heard the victim making a gurgling sound and looked down to see the victim shaking as though he were being shocked. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was administered to the victim about 10 minutes later. He was pronounced dead almost 2 hours later as a result of his contact with an energized electrical conductor. To prevent an incident like this, employers should take the following steps: • Establish proper rules and procedures on how to access electrical control cabinets without getting hurt. • Make sure all employees know the importance of de-energizing (shutting off) electrical systems before performing repairs. - Equip voltage-regulating equipment with color-coded wiring. • Train workers in CPR. A maintenance man rode 12 …

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# Section 3 (cont.) ## Electrical Fires (cont.) BY ELECTRICITY Thermal burns may result if an explosion occurs when electricity ignites an explosive mixture of material in the air. This ignition can result from the buildup of combustible vapors, gasses, or dusts. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, the NEC, and other safety standards give precise safety requirements for the operation of electrical systems and equipment in such dan- gerous areas. Ignition can also be caused by overheated conductors or equipment, or by normal arcing at switch contacts or in circuit breakers. ■ OSHA-Occupational Safety and Health Administration-the Federal agency in the U.S. Department of Labor that establishes and enforces workplace safety and health regulations ## Summary of Section 3 Burns are the most common injury caused by electricity. The three types of burns are . . . electrical burns, arc burns, and thermal contact burns. Section 3 Page 15