Guide to Electrical Safety According to Construction Safety Regulations

A construction site is prone to disasters caused6. Catenary wire that are used as aerial wiring
by electricity. It is, therefore, paramount thatmust use a double layer of insulation. If avoidable,
those that work in construction pay a good dealaerial wirings must not cross vehicle pathways. If
of attention to the prevention of such disasters.this is unavoidable though, then a minimum aerial
Regulation 64 of the Construction Safetyconductor clearance of 4 meters must be
Regulations was drafted for this purpose. Belowapplied.5 meters must be maintained and catenary
you will find the general requirements for thisplaced at a clearance of about 3.9 meters and at
safety regulation.6 meters at either side of the aerial conductors.
1. If you don't intend to use a generator, make7. Having safety switches for transportable huts,
sure that the mains power is up before startingwelding equipment and lighting circuits is a must.
construction work. Never rely on a power supply8. Flexible cords must not have its sheath be in
from adjacent properties since this poses manythe color green and must be placed in areas
more problems than it does benefits.where they would not be subject to any type of
2. One main switchboard must be present in thedamage. They should also be made supported off
site. This main switchboard must be wellthe ground if they are more than 10 meters in
protected and easily accessible. Furthermore, thisdistance from the appliance they are connected
switchboard must be placed as close as possibleto and if the cross access ways.
to road level and must be built of high-strength9. Inspection and testing must be done on each
material.electrical equipment to be used in the construction
3. Distribution boards must be made easilywork. This procedure could be considered
accessible. If the construction work is done on asomewhat complicated and and may need to be
multi-leveled structure, each level must have astudied. Also, just when a construction worker is
distribution board for easy access. Make it a pointabout to use an electrical equipment, this worker
not to have flexible cords sprawled across levelsmust make an ocular inspection of the electrical
unless this is required when working in elevatorequipment as another safety measure towards
shafts, stair-wells and for other work that areaversion of injuries caused by electrical shocks.
done simultaneously on multiple levels.These are general requirements to strictly follow
4. For mains cables that are made to runduring construction work. Studying these is highly
horizontally across the site, these should berecommended to ensure that these would be
supported at intervals of 3 meters and at aproperly implemented. Making sure that one has
height of not less than 2 meters.taken all the steps to avert electrical disasters is
5. For mains cables that are made to runone more step towards making the construction
vertically, they must be supported every 6site a safe place for one's workers. This is why
meters and made a special support for theabiding with Construction Safety Regulations is
topmost point.critical.