Electrical Hazard Safety Guidelines

Inspect Portable Tools and Extension Cords

Workers need to inspect extension cords prior to their use for any cuts or abrasion. Extension cords may have damaged insulation. Sometimes the insulation inside an electrical tool or appliance is damaged.

When the insulation is damaged, exposed metal parts may become energized if a live wire inside touches them. Electric hand tools that are old, damaged, or misused may have damaged insulation inside.

Flexible cords used with temporary and portable lights shall be designed for hard or extra-hard usage. They shall be marked with usage type designation size and number of conductors. The cord could be marked with a 14/3, meaning the conductor size (AWG) is 14 and the number of conductors is 3.

Use Power Tools and Equipment as Designed

Workers using power tools and equipment should follow tool safety tips to avoid misusing equipment:

Never carry a tool by the cord.
Never yank the cord to disconnect it.
Keep cords away from heat, oil, and sharp edges.
Disconnect when not in use and when changing accessories such as blades and bits.
Avoid accidental starting. Do not hold fingers on the switch button while carrying a plugged-in tool.
Use gloves and appropriate footwear.
Store in a dry place when not using.
Do not use in wet or damp environments.
Keep working areas well lit.
Ensure that cords do not cause a tripping hazard.
Remove damaged tools from use.
Use double-insulated tools.

Common Examples of Misused Equipment

Using multi-receptacle boxes designed to be mounted by fitting them with a power cord and placing them on the floor
Fabricating extension cords with ROMEX wire
Using equipment outdoors that is labeled for use only in dry, indoor locations
Attaching ungrounded, two-prong adapter plugs to three-prong cords and tools
Using circuit breakers or fuses with the wrong rating for over-current protection: for example, using a 30-amp breaker in a system with 15- or 20-amp receptacles. Protection is lost because it will not trip when the system's load has been exceeded.
Using modified cords or tools (such as ground prongs removed, face plates, insulation)
Using cords or tools with worn insulation or exposed wires

Workers need to know that even when the power system is properly grounded, electrical equipment can instantly change from safe to hazardous because of extreme conditions and rough treatment.

Follow Lockout/Tagout Procedures

Lockout/tagout is an essential safety procedure that protects workers from injury while working on or near electrical circuits and equipment. In addition, lockout/tagout prevents contact with operating equipment parts such as blades, gears, and shafts. Also, lockout/tagout prevents the unexpected release of hazardous gases, fluids, or solid matter in areas where workers are present.

To protect against being electrocuted, workers need to follow lockout/tagout procedures. When performing lockout/tagout on circuits and equipment, the following checklist can be used:

Identify all sources of electrical energy for the equipment or circuits in question.
Disable backup energy sources such as generators and batteries.
Identify all shut-offs for each energy source.
Notify all personnel that equipment and circuitry must be shut off, locked out, and tagged out. (Simply turning a switch off is not enough.)
Shut off energy sources and lock switch gear in the OFF position. Each worker should apply his/her individual lock and keys kept with the worker.
Test equipment and circuitry to ensure they are de-energized. This must be done by a qualified person.
Deplete stored energy (for example, in capacitors) by bleeding, blocking, grounding, etc.
Apply a lock or tag to alert other workers that an energy source or piece of equipment has been locked or tagged out.
Make sure all workers are safe and accounted for before equipment and circuits are unlocked and turned back on. Only a qualified person may determine when it is safe to re-energize circuits.

Only qualified persons may work on electric circuit parts or equipment that has not been deenergized. Such persons must be capable of working safely on energized circuits and must be familiar with the proper use of special precautionary techniques, PPE, insulating and shielding materials, and insulated tools.