Electrical Safety

29 CFR 1910.332
 Objectives:
• Interpret OSHA’s role and standards regarding
electrical safety / hazards
• Define the basic fundamentals of electricity
• Identify and recognize safety hazards
• Describe protection methods against electrical
hazards
• Analyze and discuss case studies
 Introduction
• An average of one worker is electrocuted on the
job every day
• There are four main types of electrical injuries:
– Electrocution (death due to electrical shock)
– Electrical shock
– Burns
– Fires and explosions
 OSHA Standards

• Electrical safety-related work practice requirements for

general industry are detailed in Subpart S of 29 CFR
• Part 1910, in Sections 1910.331–1910.335. For
construction applications, electrical safety-related
work practice requirements are detailed in
Subpart K of 29 CFR Part 1926.416 to 1926.417.
 Electric Basics

Electrical Flow:
•Conductors – substances, such as metals- little resistance to
electricity
•Insulators – substances, such as wood, rubber, glass, and bakelite-
high resistance to electricity
•Current – the movement of electrical charge
•Resistance – opposition to current flow
•Voltage – a measure of electrical force
•Grounding – a conductive connection to the earth which acts as a
protective measure
 Electricity Basics

• Water and electricity

– Pure water is a poor conductor
– Impurities can make water an insulator
• Salts
• Acid
• Solvents
– Working in a damp environment requires
preventive measures against electrical hazards
 Electric Basics
What causes shocks?
•Electricity travels in closed circuits, usually
through a conductor
•Your body can be a conductor which may mean
an electrical shock!
 Electrical Shock
• Current passes through the body
• Severity of the shock depends on:
– Path of current through the
body
– Amount of current flowing
through the body
– Length of time the body is in
the circuit
• Low voltage does not mean low
hazard
 Types of Electrical Shock Injuries
• Electrical burns
• Thermal contact burns
• Related hazards:
– Fire
– Equipment damage
– Fragmented metal
– Flammable gases, vapors or combustible dusts
– Arc or flash burns
 “Freeze”
• Electrical shock may cause the muscles to
contract
• This “freezing: effect” is dangerous
– Increases the length of exposure
• If you witness a “freeze”
– Shut off the power
– Use a non-conductive object to knock the person
free of the contact
 Severe Shock
• A severe shock requires medical help
immediately
• Unseen medical issues may be present, such as:
– Internal Hemorrhages
– Destruction of tissues, nerves
or muscles
 Static Electricity
• Created when materials rub together
• Can cause shocks or even minor skin burns
• Reduced or prevented by:
– Proper grounding
– Rubber matting
– Grounding wires, gloves, or shoes
Protection Against Electrical Hazards

• Insulation

• Guarding
 Grounding
• Most electrical equipment is designed with a
grounding system
• Do not use equipment with damaged
grounding connectors
• Do not use adapters that interrupt the
grounding connection
Grounding Fault Circuit Interrupters

• GFCIs reduce the likelihood

of fatal shocks
• Detect small amount of
earth current and
automatically switch off the
power
• Used with extension cords
and portable tools
• Fuses and circuit breakers
protect equipment, not
people
 Circuit Protection
• Energize or de-energize with appropriate
switches, breakers, etc.
• Do not energize or de-energize with fuses,
terminal lugs, or cable splice connections
• If circuit protection device is tripped—inspect
 Protection from Power Lines
• Maintain a safe distance to the lines High-voltage lines
• Ground any equipment such as cranes that can become
energized
• Lines must be de-energized and grounded by the owner or
operator of the lines
• Guarding or insulating the lines help prevent accidental
contact
• OSHA E-Tool:
– http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/construction/electrical_incidents/p
owerlines.html
 Protection for Machine Operators
• Never tamper with electrical interlocks

• Do not repair electrical components of your machine

• Properly shut off machinery before working in the point

of operation

• Obey warning signs and follow safe procedures

 Protection Against Energized Metal
Parts
• A break in an electric tool’s or machine’s insulation
can cause its metal parts to become “hot”
– Use “double insulated” tools
– Equipment grounding conductor such as a three prong plug
 Unexpected Equipment Startup
• Proper lockout/tagout procedures protect
from dangers of accidental startup of
electrical equipment
– 29 CFR1926.417, Lockout and Tagging of Circuits
 Portable Power Tools Safety
• Inspect portable power tools
• Never use damaged equipment
– Tag it out of service
– Have it repaired or replaced
• Never use portable power equipment in wet
or damp areas
• Stop using power tools if they become hot or
start sparking
 Extension Cords

• Inspect and check

for capacity
• For temporary work only
• Do not use as a rope
to pull or lift objects
• Should not be fastened with
staples or hung over hooks
 Electrical Cord Inspection
• Deformed or mission pins
• Damaged outer jacket or
insulation
• Evidence of internal damage
• If damaged, take out of service
until repaired
 Other Electrical Hazards and
Protective Measures
• Damaged insulation on wires
• Digging or trenching near buried lines
• Overloaded/exposed circuits
• Overheated appliances or tools
• Flammable materials
 Safe Work Practices

• De-energize electric equipment before

inspection or repair (Lock out Tag out)
• keeping electric tools properly maintained,
• Exercise caution when working near energized
lines
• Use the correct protective equipment
 Guarding of Live Parts

• Must guard live parts of electric equipment operating at 50

volts or more against accidental contact by:
– Approved cabinets/enclosures, or
– Location or permanent partitions making them accessible
only to qualified persons, or
– Elevation of 8 ft. or more above the floor or working
surface
• Mark entrances to guarded locations with conspicuous
warning signs
 Training
• Qualified workers
– How to identify exposed energized parts
– How to safeguard or work on energized parts
• Unqualified workers
– How electricity works
– Risks of working with energized equipment
– Tasks to be performed only by qualified workers
 OSHA Resources
• OSHA has many helpful programs, including assistance
about safety and health programs, state plans,
workplace consultations, voluntary protection
programs, strategic partnerships, training and
education, and more
 Summary
• Electricity will try to reach ground even if it means
going through a person
• Even the “small” voltage from your home can cause
serious injury
• Always inspect power tools and cords and do not use
them if damaged
• Do not attempt to repair electrical equipment unless
trained and qualified
 OSHA Contact Numbers
To report Unsafe Working Conditions, Safety and
Health Violations Contact OSHA @:
1-800-321-OSHA (6742) / TTY1-877-889-5627
To File a Complaint Form:
To file an OSHA-7 report online, see how to file a
complaint with OSHA (www.osha.gov)
For more information regarding your rights, see
Worker Rights
 References
• OSHA Publication 3075: Controlling Electrical Hazards
• 29 CFR1926.417, Lockout and Tagging of Circuits
• OSHA E-Tool:
– http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/construction/electrical_incidents/powerlin
es.html
• LOTO Plus Expert Advisor
– http://www.osha-slc.gov/dts/osta/oshasoft/lotoplus.html
• Self-Inspection Checklists
– http://www.osha-slc.gov/SLTC/smallbusiness/chklist.html#Electrical
• Self-Inspection Checklists – Lockout/Tagout Procedures
– http://www.osha-slc.gov/SLTC/smallbusiness/chklist.html#Lockout
Institute of Occupational Safety and Health

Thank You

Let’s not meet again . . . by accident!