Tips for electrical safety talk
Electricity plays a role in our daily activities, and it can pose a significant safety hazard if proper procedures
are not followed. Electrical-related accidents occur when workers become part of the electrical circuit
through direct or indirect contact with an open circuit.
Below are a few tips that will help avoid common electrical accidents in the workplace:
- Before using electrical outlets and electrical or extension cords, make a safety check for loose cable
connections, bare wires, cracked outlets and missing or damaged face plates. - Electrical and extension cords or cables are not to be laid on floors, in walkways, etc. unless it is
impractical to do otherwise. They should be suspended or secured in such a way as not to block or hang
in walkways, doorways or work areas. - Panel boxes must always have a cover on them, except when being serviced and when a temporary
cover is in place it should be marked “HOT” to denote live current. - Equipment or circuits that are de-energized must be rendered inoperative and have tags attached at all
points where such equipment or circuits can be energized.- Tags must be placed to identify plainly the equipment or circuits being worked on.
- In addition to the tag, the circuit at the switch box should be padlocked in the “OFF” position.
- Sufficient space must be provided and maintained in the area of the electrical equipment to permit ready
and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment.- There must be a clearance sufficient to permit at least a 90-degree opening of all doors or hinged panels.
