When
normally enclosed live parts are exposed for maintenance or repair, they
shall be guarded to protect unqualified persons from contact with live
parts. Barricades may be used if necessary. If barricades are not sufficient,
then attendants must be used.
Safety
signs and tags must be used to warn employees of electrical hazards which
may endanger them.
Qualified
employees may not approach, or take any conductive object without a approved
insulating handle, closer than 4 feet to any exposed energized parts.
Approved electrical gloves, sleeves and/or tools must be utilized if approaching
closer than 4 feet.
Conductive
items, such as jewelry, watch bands, bracelets, rings, key chains, necklaces,
may not be worn if they might contact exposed energized parts.
Always
use ladders with non-conducting side rails when working around electricity.
If you are using wooden ladder, make sure it is free from oil and grease
which could conduct electricity. Metal ladders should never be used when
working around electrical installations.
Ground
Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI's). GFCI's are electrical devices that
are designed to detect ground faults. Ground faults occur when electrical
current is "leaking" somewhere outside it's intended pathway. If your
body provides the path to ground for the leaking current, you could receive
a shock, or be electrocuted. GFCI's should be used in all wet locations
and on outside outlets.
Make
sure equipment cords are in good condition. Equipment cords should be
free of cracks and should not be frayed, or have exposed copper wire.
Electrical extension cords are an acceptable means of providing temporary
electrical power, however they cannot be used to substitute for permanent
electrical installations. When using extension cords, observe the following
guidelines: 1. Make sure extension cords are UL or Factory Mutual listed
and are of the three prong type; 2. Use only power bars that have a fuse
or breaker incorporated into the bar itself; 3. Do not use two prong,
ungrounded cords in a laboratory setting; 4. Make sure the extension cord
is protected from damage - periodically inspect the cord for damage and
wear; 5. Do not run cords through walls, doors, under rugs, or across
aisles; 6. Do not wrap extensions cords around electrical fixtures or
ventilation pipes; 7. Do not attempt to repair extension cords with electrical
tape, or wire nuts - purchase a new cord; 8. Make sure the total number
of watts connected to the extension cord does not exceed the rating of
the cord. An extension cord can be overloaded if you attach too much equipment
to the cord. Heavy duty extension cords may be needed for high-wattage
appliances and equipment.
Make
sure plugs fit your outlets. Never remove the third prong (ground pin)
to make a three prong plug fit a two prong outlet. Never force a plug
into an outlet that it does not fit. Plugs should fit securely into outlets.
Avoid overloading outlets with too many appliances.
Do
not leave plugged-in appliances/tools where they might come into contact
with water. If a plugged-in tool falls into water, NEVER reach in to pull
it out, even if it is turned off. ALWAYS unplug the tool first.
Poor
housekeeping is a major factor in many electrical accidents and fires.
A cluttered area is both unsafe and inefficient. Electrical boxes should
remain accessible at all times and should never have equipment, etc. placed
in front of them. Flammable materials should not be stored in electrical
equipment rooms at any time. Use instructions, signs, or barriers to protect
people from electrical hazards.
Always
consider electrical equipment energized unless proven otherwise. Electrical
devices should not be modified beyond the intent of their design. Some
examples of misuse include: Pulling out a plug by the cord rather than
the plug, inserting wires or objects other than a standard plug into a
receptacle, constructing homemade extension cords from standard junction
boxes and receptacles, modifying a plug to enable it to fit a receptacle
for which it was not intended.
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