Electrical Safety Practices in the Workplace Part 2

Shocks, burns and fires are some commonPersonal protective equipment like insulated hard
results of poor electrical safety. When this trifectahats or gloves can help protect you and should be
occurs it can result in the destruction of property,used whenever possible.
serious injury or even death. Here are someConfined spaces can be especially dangerous
common guidelines for working with electricity atplaces to work and require a great deal of
work.vigilance. These much smaller places will leave you
Some machines have safety devices like electricalin closer contact with energized machine parts
interlocks. They are designed to preventthan you are used to.
accidental start-up and are imperative to safetyNever work with high voltage power lines until
work environment. Overriding these devices canyou have had extensive training and qre qualified
cause serious injuryfor the work. These lines are extremely
Make sure that your workspace has properdangerous. Unqualified workers must remain a
lighting. If you can't see what you are doing whileminimum of 10 feet away from a 50,000 volt line.
working with sensitive electrical devices then yourNever use metal ladders when you are working
chance of injury increase exponentially. Make surenear power lines or other energize wiring. Always
you take a flashlight with you when doing a repairuse fiberglass or wooden ladders with
in a area of low light.non-conductive side rails. Metal ladders could
You must remove all conductive articles beforeconduct the electricity right to you.
working with electricity. This means all metal likeRemember that water conducts electricity and is
jewelry, watches and key chains. They can comeespecially dangerous when working around
in contact with equipment or wiring and conductenergized machines. Shocks or electrical burns can
electricity to you.result.
Always provide regular maintenance on yourThere are many important guidelines when
equipment. This can go along way in preventingworking with electricity. The guidelines we have
accidents. Keep machines free of debris andoutlined in this article are just a start and proper
excess grease to prevent fire. When cleaningtraining on all aspects of electricity is needed.
machines, make sure that liquids, steel wool andMake sure that you are completely trained on all
other conductive materials are kept far awayaspects of electrical safety before you attempt
from energized parts.to use a machine.