ELECTRICAL SAFETY:
A SHOCKING HAZARD
Electricity has become essential to modern life. However,
because it is such a familiar part of our surroundings,
electricity often times is not treated with the respect it
deserves. Electricity has long been recognized as a serious
workplace hazard. Exposed junction box wiring, damaged
extension cords, and temporary set-ups are some of the
electrical hazards construction workers face daily. And,
electricity can be deadly, exposing you to such dangers as
shock, electrocution, fires, and explosions.
Electrical hazard examples
Electrical hazards include, but are not limited to, contact with
power lines, lack of ground fault protection, path to ground
missing or discontinuous, equipment not used in manner
prescribed, and improper use of extension and flexible cords.
OSHA says
OSHA requires your employer to not only
provide hazard-free equipment and work
situations, but also training in safe electrical
work practices. The requirements that are Authorized
Personnel
necessary for the practical safeguarding of
employees involved in construction work
can be found under OSHA electrical
regulations in Subpart K of 29 CFR 1926.
They are divided into four major areas:
safety requirements for installing and using equipment,
safety-related work practices, safety-related maintenance and
environmental issues, and safety requirements for special
equipment.
ELECTRICAL SAFETY 39
How does electricity work?
To handle electricity safely, you need to understand how it
acts, how it can be directed, the hazards it presents, and how
those hazards can be controlled. When you turn on your
circular saw or energize a circuit breaker, you allow current to
flow from the generating source, through conductors (wiring),
to the area of demand or load (equipment or lighting).
A complete circuit is necessary for the flow of electricity
through a conductor. A complete circuit is made up of a
source of electricity, a conductor, and a consuming device
(load) such as a portable drill.
Volts = Current X Resistance (or V=IR) is an equation
known as Ohm's Law. The equation shows the relationship
between three factors. This relationship makes it possible to
change the qualities of an electrical current but keep an
equivalent amount of power.
A force or pressure must be present before water will flow
through a pipeline. Similarly, electrons flow through a
conductor because an electromotive force (EMF) is exerted.
The unit of measure for EMF is the volt.
For electrons to move in a particular direction, a potential
difference must exist between two points of the EMF source.
The continuous movement of electrons past a given point is
known as current. It is measured in amperes.
The movement of electrons along a conductor meets with
some opposition. This opposition is known as resistance.
Resistance to the flow of electricity is measured in ohms. The
amount of resistance provided by different materials varies.
For example, most metals offer little resistance to the
passage of electric current. However, glass, mica, rubber,
plastic, or wood have a very high resistance to the flow of
electricity.
What are the hazards of electricity?
Electricity's primary hazards are shock and possible
electrocution, burns, arc-blast, explosions, and fires.
40 ELECTRICAL SAFETY
Shock
Electric currents travel in closed circuits. You get a shock
when some part of your body becomes part of an electric
circuit. An electric current enters the body at one point and
exits the body at another. You will get a shock if you touch:
• Both wires of an electric circuit.
• One wire of an energized circuit and the ground.
• A metallic part that is "hot" because it is contacting an
energized wire and you are in contact with the ground.
A shock's severity depends on several factors:
• How much electric current flows through your body
(measured in amperes).
• What path the electric current takes through the body.
• How long the body is part of the electric circuit.
The effects of an electric shock on the body can range from
a tingle to immediate cardiac arrest. Low voltages can be just
as deadly as high voltages, if the body is a part of the circuit
longer.
LOW VOLTAGE DOES NOT IMPLY LOW HAZARD!
Water and Electric Shock
Water presents an interesting and potentially dangerous
situation. In its pure state, water is a poor conductor of
electricity. However, if even small amounts of impurities are
present in the water (salt and acid in perspiration, for
example), it becomes a ready electrical conductor.
Therefore, if water is present at your worksite or on your skin,
be extra careful around any source of electricity.
Carelessness with the combination of water and electricity
could cost you your life.
Burns and other injuries
Electric burns are one of the most serious injuries you can
receive and should be given immediate attention. A severe
shock can also cause considerably more damage to the body
than is visible. For example, a person can suffer internal
ELECTRICAL SAFETY 41
bleeding and severe destruction of tissues, muscles, nerves,
and internal organs. This is the result of current flowing
through tissue or bone, generating heat, and causing injury.
In addition, shock is often only the beginning in a chain of
events. The final injury may well be from a fall, cuts, burns,
or broken bones.
Arcing and sparking
Arcing or sparking occurs when high-amperage current jumps
from one conductor to another through air, generally during
opening or closing circuits, or when static electricity is
discharged. Fire may occur if the arcing takes place in an
atmosphere that contains an explosive mixture of combustible
gases. Also, the arc could start other flammable material on
fire.
Explosions
Explosions occur when electricity provides a source of
ignition for an explosive mixture in the atmosphere. Ignition
can be due to overheated conductors or equipment, or
normal arcing at switch contacts. OSHA standards, the
National Electrical Code, and related safety standards have
precise requirements for electrical systems and equipment
when applied in such areas. Your employer is required to
make a hazard assessment and give you instructions in
these cases.
Fires
Electricity is one of the most common causes of fire. High
resistance connections, a primary source of ignition, occur
where wires are improperly spliced or connected to other
components such as receptacle outlets and switches.
Heat develops in a conductor from current flow. If you put
more current through a conductor than it can handle, it may
get hot enough to start a fire.
42 ELECTRICAL SAFETY
Causes of electrical accidents
When working with electricity, accidents and injuries are
caused by one or a combination of the following factors:
• Unsafe equipment and/or installation.
• Unsafe workplaces caused by environmental factors.
• Unsafe work practices.
Report instances of unsafe equipment, equipment
installations, and unsafe worksites to your employer. Practice
safe work habits.
Preventing electrical accidents
Protection from electrical hazards is one way to prevent
accidents caused by electric current. Protective methods to
control electrical hazards include insulation, electrical
protective devices, guarding, grounding, personal protective
equipment (PPE), and safe work practices.
Insulation
Insulation keeps conductors from being exposed. While
OSHA requires that insulation be suitable for the voltage and
conditions under which the item will be used — such as
temperature, moisture level, and fumes — it is in your best
interest to check your equipment for insulation breakdown.
Check for exposed wires, scuffed insulation on extension
cords, wires wearing through, and broken wiring. Non-
conducting coatings on tool handles also aid in insulating
from electrical shock.
Circuit protective devices
Circuit protective devices including fuses, circuit breakers,
and ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs), are critically
important to electrical safety. These devices are designed to
automatically limit or shut off the flow of electricity in the
event of a ground fault, overload, or short circuit in a wiring
system.
Fuses and circuit breakers are overcurrent devices that are
placed in circuits to monitor the amount of current the circuit
is carrying. They automatically open or break the circuit when
current flow becomes excessive and therefore unsafe.
ELECTRICAL SAFETY 43
Fuses and circuit breakers are used to protect conductors
and equipment. They prevent overheating of wires and
components that might create hazards for workers. They also
open the circuit under certain hazardous ground fault
conditions.
However, the only electrical protective device whose sole
purpose is to protect people is the ground fault circuit
interrupter. The GFCI is not an overcurrent device. It senses
an imbalance in current flow over the normal path and opens
the circuit in a fraction of a second.
Although the GFCI does not protect you from line-to-line
hazards (holding two hot or one hot and one neutral wire), it
does provide protection against the most common form of
electrical hazard for construction workers — the ground fault.
While most portable electric tools have an equipment
grounding conductor and many are double insulated, these
methods are not 100 percent safe. A grounding wire could
break or a cord could become defective. Using a GFCI
protects against these insulation problems.
Guarding
Any "live" parts of
electrical
equipment
operating at 50
volts or more must
be guarded to
avoid accidental
contact. This
protection can be
accomplished by
installing
equipment:
• In a room, enclosure, or vault;
• Behind substantial screens, cages, or partitions;
• On a balcony, platform, or elevated gallery area; or
• At least 8 feet above the floor of a work area.
44 ELECTRICAL SAFETY
Any entrance to an area containing "live" parts of electrical
equipment must be marked with warning signs. These signs
should forbid entrance except by qualified persons.
Grounding
Grounding is required to protect you from electrical shock,
safeguard against fire, and protect against damage to
electrical equipment. There are two kinds of grounding:
• Electrical circuit or system grounding, accomplished
when one conductor of the circuit is intentionally
connected to earth. This protects the circuit if lightning
strikes or other high voltage contact occurs. Grounding a
system also stabilizes the voltage in the system so
"expected voltage levels" are not exceeded under
normal conditions.
• Electrical equipment grounding occurs when the
equipment grounding conductor provides a path for
dangerous fault current to return to the system ground at
the supply source of the circuit should the insulation fail.
When electrical equipment is grounded, a low-resistance path
is intentionally created to earth. This path has enough
current-carrying capacity to prevent any build-up of voltages
in the equipment.
Grounding does not guarantee that you will never receive a
shock. Be sure any equipment you work on is properly
grounded and that you do not defeat grounding devices (such
as the grounded plugs of portable power equipment).
Assured equipment grounding conductor program
The assured equipment grounding conductor program is an
inspection program covering:
• All cord sets (extension cords).
• Receptacles that are not a part of the permanent wiring
of the structure.
• Equipment connected by cord and plug.
ELECTRICAL SAFETY 45
This inspection program includes electrical equipment that
must be visually inspected for damage or defects before each
day's use. Any damaged or defective equipment must not be
used until repaired.
Under this program, OSHA requires the following two tests to
be performed before the first use of new equipment, after
suspected damage to equipment, and at three month
intervals:
• A continuity test to ensure that the equipment grounding
conductor is electrically continuous. This test must be
performed on receptacles that are not part of the
permanent wiring of the building or structure, on all cord
sets, and on cord- and plug-connected equipment that is
required to be grounded.
• A test to ensure that the equipment grounding conductor
is connected to its proper terminal. This test must be
performed on receptacles and plugs.
Personal protective equipment
If you work in an area where there are potential electrical
hazards, your employer must provide you with protective
equipment. You must use electrical protective equipment (see
29 CFR 1926 Subpart E) appropriate for the body parts that
need protection, and for the work to be done. An example of
this would be the OSHA requirement to wear insulated,
nonconductive gloves when using a jackhammer if striking
underground power lines is a possibility.
Safe work practices for working with electricity
If your job requires you to work with electrical equipment, you
need to have a healthy respect for its power. In general, you
should be sure that any tools you use are in good repair, that
you use good judgment when working near electrical lines,
and that you use appropriate protective equipment.
46 ELECTRICAL SAFETY
Lockout/Tagout
Having electrical
current
unexpectedly
present when you
are working on a
piece of equipment
is no joke! Before
an authorized
person begins any
repair work or
inspection of
electrical
equipment, the
current should be
turned off at the
switch box, and the
switch padlocked
in the OFF
position. You must also tag the switch or controls. The tag
should indicate which circuits or pieces of equipment are out
of service.
General precautions
The following general rules apply to all work at your jobsite:
• Maintain your electrical equipment according to
manufacturer and company standards.
• Respect warning signs, fences, cages or other barriers
for special electrical hazards.
• Regularly inspect tools, cords, grounds, and accessories
before starting work every day.
• Repair only those items that you are authorized to
repair. If you are not qualified, arrange to have
equipment repaired or replaced immediately.
• Use safety features like three-prong plugs, double-
insulated tools, and safety switches. Keep machine
guards in place and follow proper procedures.
ELECTRICAL SAFETY 47
• Install or repair equipment only if you're qualified and
authorized to do so. A faulty job may cause a fire or
seriously injure you or other workers.
• Keep electric cables and cords clean and free from
kinks. Never carry equipment by the cords.
• Extension cords are more vulnerable to damage; use
and maintain them properly. Never:
Use worn or frayed cords.
Fasten with staples, hang from nails, suspend by
wire, or use any other method that could damage
the insulation.
Run them through holes in walls, ceilings, floors,
doorways, or windows without protection.
• Don't touch water, damp surfaces, ungrounded metal, or
any bare wires if you are not protected. Wear approved
rubber gloves when working with live wires or
ungrounded surfaces, and rubber-soled shoes or boots
when working on damp or wet surfaces.
• Don't wear metal objects (rings, watches, etc.) when
working with electricity. They might make you more
accessible as a ground and could cause injury.
• If you are working near overhead power lines of 50
kiloVolts (kV) or less, you or any equipment you are
using must not come any closer than 10 feet from the
lines. Add 4 inches of distance for every 10 kV over 50
kV.
48 ELECTRICAL SAFETY
Work at working safely
Safety should be
foremost in your
mind when
working with
electrical
equipment.
Because you
face hazards
from jobsite
conditions, your
tools, and the
electricity that
powers them,
wear protective equipment whenever it's specified, use all
safety procedures, and work with tools correctly. Never let
overconfidence lead to taking unnecessary risks. If you're not
sure — don't touch!
ELECTRICAL SAFETY 49
NOTES
50 ELECTRICAL SAFETY
