Duraclean Journal of Marketing, Management and Technical Topics

Don't Short Circuit Electrical Safety Training



Over half of workplace deaths resulting from electrocution are caused by defective electrical equipment and failure on the part of employees to follow safe work procedures. Electrical safety training can prevent both types of accidents. This article is from BLR's "Safety Daily Advisor" series (www.safety.blr.com).


Two Types of Employees

OSHA's electrical safety standard recognizes two types of employees—qualified and unqualified (Safety-Related Work Practices, 29 CFR 1910.331-335).


Qualified employees are those trained to identify live electrical parts, know their voltages, and work with and around them safely. Only qualified workers are allowed to work with exposed, energized electrical equipment.

Training requirements for qualified workers are specified in Section 1910.332 of the standard. Everyone else in your facility is designated as an "unqualified" employee under the standard and is not allowed to perform electrical work.

But because many unqualified workers work with or around electrical equipment, they still need some training in electrical safety. Training for unqualified workers should cover the basics. For example:

• Electrical hazards
• Restricted activities/areas
• Personal protective equipment
  Safe work practices if working with or near electrical equipment
• An overview of lockout/tagout procedures
• Care/use of electrical power tools
• How to report electrical problems or defective or malfunctioning electrical equipment
• First-aid and emergency procedures for electrical accidents

Electrical Safety Do's and Don'ts
All workers should also be trained to follow safe work practices. We've distilled the key issues here into terms of safety do's and don'ts.

Do:

• Use only plugs that fit the outlet.
• Make sure electrical connections are tight.
• Check insulation on cords and wires.
• Use extension cords only when necessary.
• Use waterproof cords outdoors and in damp areas.
• Use only approved extension lamps.
• Keep machines and tools well lubricated.
• Keep the work area clean.
• Leave at least 3 feet of workspace around electrical equipment.
• Follow manufacturer's instructions for use and maintenance.
• Leave electrical repairs to qualified and licensed electricians.
  

Don't:

• Overload outlets or motors.
• Use defective equipment (shut it down, tag it out, and report it).
• Let grease, dirt, or dust build up on machinery.
• Run cords near heat or water.
• Touch anything electric with wet hands.
• Put anything but a plug into an electric outlet.
• Use temporary wiring in place of permanent wiring.
• Use cords or equipment that aren't grounded.
• Wear metal jewelry when handling electrical equipment.

Labels: employees, Safety Compliance, Safety Management, Training