| Most electric-related accidents and injuries | | | | Ensure all wiring, lines, extension cords, |
| occur as a result of water existing in and | | | | outlets, plus, and power pickups contain a |
| around the construction site where electrical | | | | Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. |
| equipment and lines are being used and worked | | | | |
| on. One of the biggest things you can do to | | | | A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, or GFCI, |
| reduce electric shock and electrical injury | | | | are outlets containing a "test" and "reset" |
| is to work to prevent water from coming into | | | | buttons that prevent electric shock and |
| contact with electrical equipment and lines. | | | | electrocution by monitoring the flow of |
| | | | electricity, or current, through the circuit |
| Constructions workers should, in general, | | | | of the outlet. If the electric current |
| exercise extreme caution at all times when | | | | changes in any way (for example, if a cord |
| working with any and all types of electrical | | | | comes into contact with water), the GFCI |
| equipment, such as panels, light fixtures, | | | | immediately shuts off the flow of |
| alarm systems, computers, transformers, | | | | electricity. GFCIs should be used any time |
| conduit, and junction boxes, among | | | | there is a source of electricity or electric |
| others-particularly when near sources of | | | | outlet near a source of water, both on |
| water. Construction workers should also take | | | | construction sites and in and around the |
| the time to familiarize themselves with the | | | | home. |
| construction site and all pieces of | | | | |
| electrical equipment and spot any potential | | | | There are also a number of things you should |
| electric hazards in the site before they get | | | | avoid in order to increase electric-related |
| to work, as well as to identify any | | | | safety around the construction site. First, |
| electrical equipment that could become | | | | don't let water collect on the floor while |
| damaged through the use of various wet | | | | you're working with electric equipment and |
| methods of removal. | | | | lines. Remove water before it can accumulate. |
| | | | Water and electricity do not mix! Next, avoid |
| It's also important to "de-energize" all | | | | stringing along electrical wires and lines |
| electrical equipment as much as it can be | | | | over floors. This is a safety hazard and must |
| feasibly done. Use non-electrical | | | | be avoided. Finally, be careful not to damage |
| alternatives wherever you can. For example, | | | | insulated covers and protectors. |
| use portable floodlight systems for lighting, | | | | |
| and use vacuum attachments and scrapers made | | | | Finally, in order to increase construction |
| out of plastic, rubber, or wood instead of | | | | safety around electricity, construction |
| metal or other conductive materials. When | | | | workers and team members should always assume |
| working with electricity, maintain | | | | that any piece of electrical equipment or any |
| construction safety by wearing protective | | | | lines (wiring, etc.) in and around the site |
| gear, which in this case includes insulated | | | | are "live," or energized, unless otherwise |
| rubber boots and insulated rubber gloves. | | | | tested and publicly noted. |
| | | | |
| There are a few more precautions that | | | | If any of your electrical equipment that you |
| construction teams should implement with | | | | regularly use on construction sites comes |
| respect to electrical construction safety. | | | | with any safety manuals, be sure to read them |
| All live power line and cables should be | | | | through thoroughly before operating them. |
| covered with hot line covers, and all | | | | General electrical safety may also be |
| electrical outlets must be sealed tightly. | | | | explained in safety manuals. |