I am an electrical contractor in Southern California. I have 53 projects all over from Northridge to PalmSprings. I want a list of toolbox topics that I can make available for my foremen in the field to follow every week

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# Using proper personal protective equipment (PPE) (cont.) ## Maintain clearance from overhead lines (cont.) What precautions can you take to avoid this kind of accident? Cal/OSHA regulation 2946(b)(4) prohibits the storage of irrigation pipe or any other materials or equipment near high voltage overhead lines if they are long enough to reach the lines. With some exceptions, work done over "live" overhead lines is a violation of the California Title 8 regulations. Workers should never get themselves or any tools or equipment within 10 feet of lines carrying between 600 - 50,000 volts. Do not store tools, machinery, or equipment near "live" high voltage overhead lines if it is possible for them to come within the minimum clearance distance when they are being moved or used. When an employee is using boom-type lifting or hoisting equipment, the minimum clearance is 10 feet from overhead lines carrying between 600 - 50,000 volts. An exception for this requirement exists when the equipment is in transit, with the boom lowered and no load attached. When these conditions exist, the minimum clearance must be 6 feet. Post a warning sign on the equipment in clear view of the operator which says: UNLAWFUL TO OPERATE THIS EQUIPMENT WITHIN 10 FEET OF HIGH VOLTAGE LINES OF 50,000 VOLTS OR LESS If you don't know if a line is "live", assume that it is until whoever owns or operates the line verifies that the power is not on. If you are working near a "dead" line, make sure that it is clearly grounded at the work site. ## Note: A grounded line has a grounding wire clamped to it with the other end clamped to the structure or to a grounding rod. Following proper procedures for confined space/enclosed space/ underground electrical work Performing electrical work in confined spaces and enclosed areas including underground electrical vaults, manholes and similar structures can be dangerous and fatal if the work is not done properly. Workers need to have the required train…

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# Electrical Safety (cont.) ## Common electrical hazards (cont.) ➤ Exposed wires and energized parts - Faulty/broken wiring or equipment - Damaged outlets and missing covers - Worn/damaged electrical cords 2 - Improperly used extension cords - Overloaded outlets - No warning signs - Working under wet conditions ELECTRICITY & WATER DO NOT MIX - Lack of or insufficient protective devices ➤ Unrestricted access to live exposed parts ➤ Lack of or insufficient personal protective equipment (PPE) ➤ Insufficient clearances around panels - Lack of/improper lockout/tagout procedures - Failure to maintain proper clearance from overhead lines # Where can I find the Cal/OSHA regulations for electrical safety? Cal/OSHA regulations on electrical safety require California employers to provide workers with a safe and healthful workplace. These regulations are contained in Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations (T8CCR). Most of the electrical health and safety regulations can be found in T8CCR, Chapter 4, Subchapter 5 in the Electrical Safety Orders, Sections 2299 through 2989 (http://www.dir.ca.gov/Title8/sub5.html). Cal/OSHA regulations on electrical safety are grouped by electrical voltage. Regulations for low voltage (0-600V) are given in Sections 2299-2599 and the regulations for high voltage (above 600V) are given in Sections 2700-2989. Section 1518 addresses the safety requirements for the protection of yourself and others from electric shock in construction. Section 1541 addresses electrical safety requirements for excavation works including subsurface installations. ## What can you do to protect yourself and others from electrical hazards? Employees can prevent shocks and injuries/electrocution from electrical hazards by: - Understanding electric shock and electrocution - Recognizing potential hazards around work involving electricity - Following Cal/OSHA requirements - Maintaining clearances around panels - Using …

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# Using proper personal protective equipment (PPE) (cont.) ## Note: (cont.) tested for oxygen and flammable gases or vapors. Employees who are working in a manhole, vault or other similar type locations must comply with the confined space requirements in Article 108 and the requirements for working in underground installations in Section 2943. All cables to be worked on in the above mentioned spaces need to be identified by electrical means unless their identity is obvious. Any energized cable that needs to be moved should be inspected for defects. ## Following the manufacturer's instructions Miter Saw Users Guide Electrically powered equipment is used daily by most workers. Power tools, metal and woodworking machines, restaurant equipment, computers and many other types of electrical equipment are found in the workplace. Failure to use the equipment correctly can create hazards to employees. Generally, there are instructions from the manufacturers on the use and maintenance of each piece of equipment. Workers need to follow the instructions while using and maintaining the equipment in order to work safely. Manufacturers typically refer to industrial standards such as ANSI, etc. Electrical workers need to have an understanding of their job related standards and follow these standards closely. ## Following safe work practices Workers also need to follow industry safe practices on how to work safely in jobs involving electrical works. The following list includes some of the common safe practices: ➤ Use a checklist to make sure that everything is OK and safe before starting work. ➤ Inspect tools, equipment and electrical fittings for damage or wear prior to each use. Repair or replace damaged equipment immediately. - Use cords or equipment that are rated for the level of amperage or wattage that you are using. ➤ Do not use outlets or cords that have exposed wiring. - Do not use power tools with the guards removed. ➤ Remember that the risk of electri…

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# Maintaining clearances around electric panels (cont.) ## ➤ Grounding (cont.) In addition, portable multiple outlet GFCI's are available for use on construction sites and industrial sites where heavy duty, multiple outlet GFCI's are required. 0000 Heavy Duty GFCI ## Eliminating access to exposed energized parts Covers on openings and approved electrical boxes restrict access to the exposed energized parts inside the openings and boxes. All openings in boxes, enclosures or fittings shall be effectively guarded or closed as per 2340.23. Missing covers and free access to exposed energized electrical parts are very common safety hazards in works involving electricity. However, these are easy to eliminate. Replacing missing covers in electrical panels and boxes, and covering the openings that have unrestricted access to exposed energized electrical parts save workers from the danger of shock and electrocution. # Using proper personal protective equipment (PPE) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) provides protection to workers from hazards. Depending on the job task to be performed, PPE for electrical workers generally includes safety glasses, flame-resistant (FR) face shields, hard hats, safety shoes, insulating (rubber) gloves with leather protectors, insulating sleeves, and FR clothing. Additional PPE, such as fall protection equipment, respirators, chemical-resistant or cut-resistant gloves, and chaps, may be needed, depending on the potential hazard in the job. Using proper lockout/tagout procedures ANGER DO NOT OPERATE 7

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# Where can I find the Cal/OSHA regulations for electrical safety? (cont.) ## What can you do to protect yourself and others from electrical hazards? (cont.) - Using proper PPE ➤ Using proper lockout/tagout procedures ➤ Maintaining proper clearance from overhead lines ➤ Following proper procedures for confined space/enclosed space /underground electrical work ➤ Following manufacturer's instructions ➤ Following safe work practices ## Understanding electric shock and electrocution It is important to understand that shock can occur even without physically contacting live electrical parts when there is enough voltage. It is the rate of current flowing through the body, more than anything else, which determines how severe the shock will be. Effects on the body could range from a minor shock to paralysis of vital organs such as the lungs and heart. How severely the body is affected by electric shock depends on: ## 1. The rate of flow of the current through your body The rate of current flow (measured in amperes) depends on how good of a conductor of electricity the human body can be. If you have dry hands and are standing on a nonconductive surface such as a rubber mat, your body will not be a good conductor and you may not even feel the shock. However, if you have wet hands, are perspiring or standing in water, your body will become a good conductor and you may get a severe shock or be killed. ## 2. The length of time the current flows through your body If the shock causes you to stay attached to the electrical equipment, you could receive severe internal injury. The longer the employee stays in contact, the longer the exposure to the current flow, and hence the more severe the shock. ## 3. The path the current takes through your body The most dangerous paths through the body are those where the current goes through vital organs. For example, current which runs from hand to hand, hand to head, or foot to hand (or head) and passes through vital organs ca…

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# Using proper personal protective equipment (PPE) (cont.) ## Following safe work practices (cont.) ➤ Replace broken 3-prong plugs and make sure the third prong is properly grounded. ➤ Never use extension cords as permanent wiring. ➤ Do not plug several power cords into one outlet. ➤ Do not disconnect power supplies by pulling or jerking the cords from the outlets. ➤ Always use the correct size fuse or breaker. - Be aware that unusually warm or hot outlets may be a sign that unsafe wiring conditions exists. ➤ Use proper PPE for the electrical job. ➤ Always use ladders made of wood or other non-conductive materials when working with or near electricity or power lines. ➤ Keep equipment such as ladders, cranes, man-lifts, and scaffolds away from power lines and live electrical wires. Danger! Electrocution Hazard. Keep ladder away from power lines and live electrical wires. ➤ Know where the breakers and boxes are located in case of an emergency. ➤ Label all circuit breakers and fuse boxes clearly. < Do not block access to circuit breakers or fuse boxes. ➤ Assume that all overhead wires are energized and have high voltage. - Never touch a fallen overhead power line. - Before working at heights or carrying long objects, check the area for overhead power lines. ➤ Don't operate electrical equipment while you are standing in water. ➤ Don't repair electrical cords or equipment unless qualified and authorized. ➤ Have a qualified electrician inspect electrical equipment that has gotten wet before energizing it. ➤ Lockout and tagout when electrical equipment or lines are to be serviced, maintained or adjusted. ➤ Post enough warning signs to make people aware of the safety hazard. DANGER HAZARDOUS VOLTAGE DO NOT REMOVE ELECTRICIANS AUTHORIZED CONTACT FOREMAN TEL: [redacted phone] ➤ Use only grounded or double insulated power tools. ➤ Determine location of electrical power lines and cables before digging, drilling or similar works. 11

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# Maintaining clearances around electric panels (cont.) ## ➤ Grounding (cont.) If the ground conductor connectivity has been lost (such as a missing or broken ground prong on an electric cord), the worker's body might become the best path to the ground and the fault current would pass through the worker causing shock or electrocution. Should the ungrounded frame of a hand tool becomes energized, the quickest and easiest path for the current to take to ground is through the worker. Depending on the conditions, the severity of the shock will range from slight to fatal. However, if the frame of the tool is grounded, the connection to ground provides an easy pathway for the current to follow. This does not mean that the worker will not receive a shock. A certain amount of current will flow through the worker. But the chances of serious injury or death are reduced because most of the current will follow the grounding wire. ➤ Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) - The GFCI is an inexpensive device which measures the difference in current levels going to and returning from a piece of electrical equipment. How does this device protect against shock? - When there is a ground fault in the equipment a certain amount of current may flow through the operator to the ground. The GFCI senses this leakage, trips, and breaks the circuit within 1/40th of a second. Instead of possible electrocution, the worst effect on the operator will be a shock before the circuit is broken. Workers who operate electrical equipment should be protected by GFCI's against the disabling and often fatal effects of ground faults. CAL/OSHA regulations require the use of GFCI's on all 120 volt, AC, single phase, 15-20 ampere receptacles on construction sites when: • the receptacles are used by workers • the receptacles are not part of the permanent wiring of the structure While GFCI's provide workers with the best protection from electric shock, employers may institute an Assured Equip…

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# Where can I find the Cal/OSHA regulations for electrical safety? (cont.) ## Following Cal/OSHA requirements (cont.) Safety Orders and Construction Safety Orders helps you in keeping the workplace safe and accident/injuriy free. Because of the danger of electric shock, Cal/OSHA regulations specify that only qualified employees can work on electrical equipment or systems. A few of the most common Cal/OSHA requirements are briefly summarized below: • No work is to be done on exposed, energized parts of equipment or systems until: ➤ A responsible and qualified supervisor has determined that the work is to be done while the part or system is energized ➤ Workers have been trained in the hazards involved and the specific techniques in their job ➤ Personal protective equipment (including insulating gloves and eye protection) has been issued ➤ Necessary barriers, barricades, tags or warning signs are in place - You also need to always assume that circuits are energized unless you have locked them out and tested them to ensure they are de-energized. 2320.3 - When the work has been completed, the supervisor is responsible for ensuring that all permanent barriers and covers are reinstalled. • Before beginning construction work, the employer needs to know whether any part of an energized electric power circuit could make contact with employees or equipment. Employers must put legible markings and post warning signs as required to identify these circuits. 1518 - Before beginning excavation work the approximate location of subsurface installations shall be determined. Excavation shall not commence until all of the requirements of 1541(b) are met. # Maintaining clearances around electric panels AREA IN FRONT OF ELECTRICAL PANEL MUST BE KEPT CLEAR FOR 36 inches Make sure there is sufficient clearance to operate and service electrical equipment safely. The chance that a worker may be shocked increases when he or she works on equipment with energized and expose…