More Safety-Related Work Practices for Construction

Employer's Inspection of Equipment

An employer must make sure that electrical equipment is free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees (29 CFR §1926.403). Equipment safety must be based on the following considerations:

• Suitability of equipment for an identified purpose (evidenced by listing, labeling, or certification for that identified purpose)
• Mechanical strength and durability, including the adequacy of protection provided by parts designed to enclose and protect other equipment
• Electrical insulation
• Heating effects under conditions of use
• Arcing effects
• Classification by type, size, voltage, current capacity, and specific use
• Other factors that contribute to the practical safeguarding of employees using or likely to make contact with the equipment.

29 CFR §1926.416 - §1926.417 cover the hazards arising from the use of electricity at jobsites as well as hazards arising from the accidental contact, direct or indirect, by employees with all energized lines, above or below ground, passing through or near a jobsite.

Protection of Employees

When working near any part of an electric power circuit, employees must keep enough distance that they are in no danger of making contact with the electric power circuit. The only exception to this is when the circuit is de-energized and grounded or effectively guarded by insulation or other means.

In work areas where the exact location of underground electric powerlines is unknown, employees using jack-hammers, bars, or other hand tools that may contact a line must be provided with insulated, protective gloves.

Before work begins, an employer must learn where any part of an energized electric power circuit, exposed or concealed, is located on the work site. The employer must post and maintain proper warning signs where such a circuit exists. The employer must tell employees of the location of such lines, the hazards involved, and the protective measures to be taken.

Passageways and Open Spaces

Barriers or guarding must be erected to prevent employees from using workspace for electrical equipment as a passageway when the energized parts of electrical equipment are exposed.

In addition, work spaces, walkways, and similar locations must be kept clear of cords so as not to endanger employees.

Load Ratings

In existing installations, personnel are prohibited from making any changes in circuit protection that would increase the load in excess of the load rating of the circuit wiring.

Fuses

When fuses are installed or removed with one or both terminals energized, employees must use special tools insulated for the voltage.

Cords and Cables

Use of worn or frayed electric cords or cables is prohibited. Extension cords must not be fastened with staples, hung from nails, or suspended by wire.

Lockout and Tagging of Circuits

Controls that are to be deactivated during work on energized or de-energized equipment or circuits must be tagged.

Equipment or circuits that are de-energized must be rendered inoperative and must have tags attached at all points where such equipment or circuits can be energized.

Tags must be placed to identify the equipment or circuits being worked on.

Operation of Construction Equipment

No employee is permitted to perform maintenance or repair activity on construction equipment where the inadvertent operation of the equipment could occur and cause injury, unless all potentially hazardous energy sources have been locked out and tagged. Examples includes compressors, mixers, screens, or pumps used for concrete and masonry construction activities. Tags must read Do Not Start or similar language to indicate that the equipment is not to be operated (1926.702(j)).

To learn more about Construction Lockout/Tagout visit our Construction Lockout/Tagout Online Training web page.