715 Electrical Safety for Technicians and Supervisors

Plan Your Work and Plan for Safety

It takes effort to recognize, evaluate, and control hazards. If you are thinking about your work tasks or about what others think of you, it is hard to take the time to plan for safety. But, YOU MUST PLAN.

Planning with others is especially helpful. It allows you to coordinate your work and take advantage of what others know about identifying and controlling hazards. The following is a list of some things to think about as you plan.

• Work with a buddy-Do not work alone. Both of you should be trained in CPR. Both of you must know what to do in an emergency.

• Plan to lock out and tag out circuits and equipment. Make certain all energy sources are locked out and tagged before performing any work on an electrical circuit or electrical device. Working on energized ("hot") circuits is one of the most dangerous things any worker could do. If someone turns on a circuit without warning, you can be shocked, burned, or electrocuted. The unexpected starting of electrical equipment can cause severe injury or death.
• Before ANY work is done on a circuit, shut off the circuit, lock out and tag out the circuit at the distribution panel, then test the circuit to make sure it is de-energized.
• Before ANY equipment inspections or repairs-even on so-called low-voltage circuits-the current must be turned off at the switch box, and the switch must be padlocked in the OFF position. At the same time, the equipment must be securely tagged to warn everyone that work is being performed. Again, test circuits and equipment to ensure they are de-energized.
• No two locks should be alike. Each key should fit only one lock, and only one key should be issued to each worker. If more than one worker is working on a circuit or repairing a piece of equipment, each worker should lock out the switch with his or her own lock and never permit anyone else to remove it. At all times, you must be certain that you are not exposing other workers to danger. Workers who perform lock-out/tag-out must be trained and authorized to repair and maintain electrical equipment. A locked-out switch or feeder panel prevents others from turning on a circuit. The tag informs other workers of your action.
• Remove jewelry and metal objects. Remove jewelry and other metal objects or apparel from your body before beginning work. These things can cause burns if worn near high currents and can get caught as you work.
• Plan to avoid falls. Injuries can result from falling off scaffolding or ladders. Other workers may also be injured from equipment and debris falling from scaffolding and ladders.
• Do not do any tasks that you are not trained to do or that you do not feel comfortable doing!

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