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Tripping the Circuit: Electrical Safety Tips

Key Points

• Misuse or neglect of electrical equipment can result in severe injury or even death.
• With planning, testing, and training, you can reduce the risk of workplace electrical accidents.
• OSHA regulations and NFPA standards address electrical safety in the workplace.

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While essential in the workplace, electricity can pose a serious hazard. A 12-year study by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) identified 244 workplace deaths that were the direct result of an electrical accident. Misuse or neglect of electrical equipment puts employees at risk of electrical shock, electrocution, fires, and explosions. Making your employees aware of the risks and following basic safety principles, will help reduce the chance of electricity-related accidents in your facility.

Basic Electrical Safety Principles

It is important for employers to be aware of the risks associated with electrical equipment. When planning or performing work on (or near) electrical equipment or machinery, the following safety tips will reduce the risk of an accident:

• Plan ahead—consider possible problems that may occur and how to prevent them.
• Use the right tools for the job—procedures, drawings, and other documents.
• Identify electrical shock and arc flash hazards, as well as other potential hazards that might be in the area.
• Test every circuit, every conductor, every time—before you touch it.
• Properly train workers and make sure they have the skills and experience required to safely perform work around electrical equipment.
• De-energize all electrical equipment and conductors before beginning work.
• Treat electrical equipment and conductors as energized until lockout/tagout, test, and ground procedures have been implemented.
• Wear protective clothing, including hard hats and insulated clothing and gloves.
• Use only insulated tools.
• Determine approach boundaries and comply with suggested minimum clearances for power lines or exposed conductors.

Electrical Safety Regulations and Standards

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has a number of regulations relating to workplace electrical safety. Some important regulations include 29 CFR 1910: Subpart Electrical:

• 1910.137 Electrical Protective Devices
• 1910.302-308 Design Safety Standards for Electrical Systems
• 1910.331-335 Electrical Safety Related Work Practices

The following National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards cover electrical safety:

• NFPA 70 National Electrical Code—addresses electrical systems and equipment installed and used within the workplace.
• NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety Requirements for Employee Workplaces—discusses protection from electrical hazards such as shock, arc blasts, and explosions initiated by electricity.
• NFPA 79 Electrical Standard for Industry Machinery—covers fire safety and electrical specifications for industry machinery and manufacturing systems.