Electrical Safety

By Michael C Marlin
 Motlow Buzz Reporter

            A friend and coworker of mine lay fighting for his life after suffering a shock injury because he took an unnecessary shortcut when an injury could have been prevented.  He lived, but he has permanent shoulder damage because he did not take a minute or two to put on his protective rubber gloves when inserting a power meter into a meter base.

As a person who does electrical work for a large corporation and a certified electrician from tech school, I can certify that both companies and schools have a huge focus on safety.  Safety is the one most important thing to consider when dealing with electrical work and/or electronics.  Electrical voltages and electronics can be very dangerous, even deadly, when improperly used or when an individual is improperly protected.

            There are times to avoid working near live electricity for obvious safety reasons.  Never work in or around water when dealing with live electricity or electronics, as this could cause a deadly electrocution.  This includes trying to keep your hands as dry as possible from moisture caused by sweat.  Never use a piece of electrical equipment that looks like it has been altered from its original form, as it can cause serious injury or death.  Never approach a fallen electrical line after a storm, and treat it as energized until you can verify otherwise.  Always make sure a piece of insulating equipment is rated high enough for the amount of voltage that is being worked on.  If the insulator is rated for less voltage than the amount of voltage in use, this can cause electrocution and injury. 

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, is a federal government agency that provides an excellent source of electrical working hazards at https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9910.  It is not only a good idea to abide by OSHA’s standards, but it is also a rule.

Personal protective equipment, or PPE, is the most important thing to use when you are performing electric work.  OSHA sets the standards for all working fields including electrical and PPE.  OSHA, who makes all of the electrical PPE standards, can be viewed at https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/electric_power/personal_protective_equipment.html.  Safety glasses, insulated rubber gloves, hard hats, and flame-resistant clothing are all examples of the most common types of electrical PPE needed to safely perform various electrical types of work.                                                             

When it comes to dealing with electrical work, I can certify that safety glasses are the most frequently used types of PPE.  As someone who once had a devastating eye injury, I can say that safety glasses are, personally, the most important type of PPE that can be worn with dealing with any kind of work, especially electrical.  My injury came from a firework, but cut copper wire inures many because it is nearly impossible to read its trajectory when cut.  I have personally had to take two people to the hospital for eye injuries on the job that could have been prevented if proper safety glasses were worn. 

Hard hats are also very common with electrical workers, and they are required at almost every job site.  Hard hats are used as insulators for accidental contact with live wires, and they are also used to protect the head from falling debris from someone working above you.  Generally, electricians, should always have safety glasses and a hard hat on at all times while working.

            Insulated rubber gloves are also important forms of PPE when performing electrical work.  The rubber gloves are used when an individual has to physically touch live wires or insert a power meter or breaker.  They prevent electrocution by making it impossible for live voltage to make contact with the worker.

 Flame-resistant clothing protects from fire accidents or arc flashes when working around electricity.  Essentially, the clothing can prevent a burn or decrease the severity of a burn.  Grainger is an industry leader in flame-resistant clothing, and their products can be viewed at https://www.grainger.com/category/flame-resistant-and-arc-flash-clothing/safety/ecatalog/N-h5t.

Misuse of extension cords or overloading electrical outlets are common causes of electrical fires.  Extension cords are intended to be used temporarily and are not long-term solutions.  They should never, under any circumstance, be run through standing water.  The insulation on the outside should be intact, and the cords should not have any damage, cuts or peeling.  If the inside wiring is exposed in anyway, the extension cord should be thrown away to prevent contact with the wiring causing electrocution or a fire. 

The Electrical Safety Foundation International, or ESFI, is a good source for electrical safety, and its extension cord tips can be found at http://www.esfi.org/resource/extension-cord-safety-tips-478.

Electrical outlets should not be overloaded, and they should be used as intended.  The breaker is supposed to protect from problems caused from overloading an outlet, but if the amperage is not strong enough, the protection could still fail and cause a fire or damage to electronics.  A proper surge protector and turning off electrical equipment are two safe ways to ensure that an outlet is being used properly which will prevent fires and protect the electronic equipment that is plugged into it.

                               

            In the event of an electrical fire, a proper fire extinguisher should be used to extinguish the fire and prevent more damage.  There are three types of fire extinguishers, and they all have different uses and are called “type A,” “type B,” and “type C.”  The “type C” is for electrical fires, and the “type A” and “type B” are ineffective against them.  There is also a universal fire extinguisher called “type ABC.”  They are effective against all types of fires, including electrical fires, but they are the most expensive.  Even with the added expense, I would recommend this type, because you would not have to check the type and are able to grab and go in an emergency situation.  I have never had to use one, but stressful situations make this the logical choice. 

BRK Brands, INC makes popular home safety products, and their information comparing the fire extinguisher types can be found at http://www.brkelectronics.com/faqs/oem/what-do-the-abc-ratings-mean-on-fire-extinguishers.

                             

            Working around electricity and electronics can be hazardous and even deadly.  Safety, without question, should be the main focus when working around them to prevent injury, fires, electrocution, and even death.