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Electrical Safety

Electricity is everywhere, so reliable and useful these days that it is often taken for granted. Electricity is something that you can’t see, hear, or smell–so it is critical to have a basic understanding of what it is and how it works in order to use it safely on campus.

Things to Consider

Supervisors and employees must take measures in their workplaces to be thoroughly familiar with the safety procedures for their particular jobs when dealing with electrical energy. Moreover, good judgment and common sense are integral to preventing electrical accidents.

Electrical safety is a system of organizational measures and technical means to prevent harmful and dangerous effects on workers from electric current, arcing, electromagnetic fields and static electricity. To prevent employees from being injured:

  • Don’t work with exposed conductors carrying 50 volts or more.
  • Make sure electrical equipment is properly connected, grounded and in good working order.
  • Extension cords may not be used as permanent wiring and should be removed after temporary use for an activity or event.
  • Surge suppressors with built-in circuit breakers may be used long-term and are available with multiple lengths to accommodate needs. The suppressors must be plugged directly into an electrical outlet and should be securely mounted.
  • High amperage equipment such as space heaters, portable air conditioners and other equipment must be plugged directly into permanent wall receptacles. Do not access, use, or alter any building’s electrical service, including circuit breaker panels, unless you are specifically qualified and authorized to do so.
  • Wet environments can increase the risk of an electrical shock and therefore require the use of Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GCFI) outlets.

Any task that includes potential electrically-related exposures must be evaluated for hazards and proper controls must be put in place before work can begin.  Controls may include such things as proper lockout/tagout of systems prior to work.  Consult standard operating procedures related to the work you will be doing

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