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615 Electrical Safety - Hazards and Controls
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Electrical Protective Equipment

Employees who work directly with electricity should use the personal protective equipment required for the jobs they perform.

Electrician on ladder working with PPE and electricity in ceiling opening
This electrician is using insulated gloves.

This equipment may include rubber insulating gloves, hoods, sleeves, matting, blankets, line hose, and industrial protective helmets designed to reduce electric shock hazard. All help reduce the risk of electrical accidents. General safe practices include:

  • Electrical protective equipment must be periodically tested in accord with the test tables found in the standard(s).
  • Insulating equipment must be inspected for damage before each day's use. Equipment found defective must be taken out of service until repaired and retested.
  • The arc-rated protective clothing and other protective equipment generally must cover the worker's entire body, except for hands, feet, head and face, which may be protected by other PPE.

Tools

Appropriate and properly maintained tools help protect workers against electric hazards.

Worker using insulated crimping tool
This electrician is using an insulated crimping tool.

It's important to maintain tools regularly because it prevents them from deteriorating and becoming dangerous. Check each tool before using it. If you find a defect, immediately remove it from service and tag it so no one will use it until it has been repaired or replaced.

When using a tool to handle energized conductors, check to make sure it is designed and constructed to withstand the voltages and stresses to which it has been exposed.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

3-9. Insulating equipment, such as electrical protective gloves, found defective must be _____.