Common Electrical Hazards in the Workplace

According to OSHA, electrocution is one of the most common hazards in construction jobs. Identifying electrical hazards can help raise awareness of the risks, their severity, and how electricity can harm employees. Here are seven of the most common electrical hazards in the workplace and tips on what you can do to mitigate these risks:

1. Overhead Power Lines- Overhead powered and energized electrical lines have high voltages which can cause major burns and electrocution to workers. Remember to maintain a minimum of 10 feet from overhead power lines and nearby equipment. Do site surveys to ensure that nothing is stored under overhead power lines. Also, install safety barriers and signs to warn workers of the hazards present in the area.

2. Damaged Tools and Equipment- Exposure to damaged electrical tools and equipment can be a risk of electrocution. Do not attempt to fix or repair anything unless you are qualified to do so. Thoroughly check for cracks, cuts, and abrasions on cables, wires, and cords. If you find any defects label the equipment as “defective” and take it out of service, notifying your supervisor that it needs to be repaired or replaced. Lockout/Tagout procedures should be performed at all times before commencing electrical maintenance and repairs.

3. Inadequate Wiring and Overloaded Circuits- Using wires with inappropriate size for current can cause overheating and fires in electrical equipment. Use the correct wire suitable for the operation and the electrical load to work on. Use the correct extension cord designed for heavy-duty use. Do not overload an outlet by using outlet adaptors. Perform regular fire risk assessments to identify areas at risk of bad wiring or circuits.

4. Exposed Electrical Parts- Examples of exposed electrical parts include temporary lighting, open power distribution units and detached insulation parts on electrical cords. These hazards can cause potential shock and burns. Secure these items with proper guarding mechanisms and always check for any exposed parts to be immediately repaired.

5. Improper Grounding- The most common OSHA electrical violation is the improper grounding of equipment. Proper grounding can eliminate unwanted voltage and reduce the risk of electrocution. Never remove the metallic ground pin from a plug, as it is responsible for returning unwanted voltage to the ground.

6. Damaged Insulation- Defective or inadequate insulation is not only an electrocution hazard but a fire hazard. Be aware of damaged insulation on wiring and cords and report it immediately. Take the equipment out of service until repaired or replaced. Never attempt to just cover the damaged insulation with electrical tape.

7. Wet Conditions- Never operate electrical equipment in wet locations, unless you have the proper training and personal protective equipment. Water greatly increases the risk of electrocution, especially if the equipment has damaged insulation.

Knowing your limits and applying the best electrical safety practices can help reduce the risk of electrical shock and death. It is safer to work within your scope of expertise and leave electrical work to the people trained specifically for it. If you are not confident to do the job, don’t hesitate to call for help from a qualified authorized person. Use checklists when applying electrical safety practices; don’t rely on your memory (“Did I flip that switch? or Did I unplug that?”). The checklist is a powerful tool to ensure your safety when working on or near electrical equipment hazards.

Basic Electrical Safety

We all rely on electricity, but sometimes underestimate its capability to cause injury. Even common household current (120 volts) can stop your heart. Municipal staff need to be aware of the hazards electricity poses, such as shock, fire, and explosion, and either eliminate or control those hazards in their work environment.

Shock (Electrocution)

Electrical shock happens when current passes through the body. Electricity travels through closed circuits, and people sometimes tragically become part of a circuit. When a person receives a shock, electricity flows between parts of the body or through the body to ground. This can happen if someone touches both wires of an energized circuit, touches one wire of the circuit while standing unprotected, or touches a metal part that has become energized. Electrocution refers to the injury or lethal dose of electrical energy. Electricity can also cause forceful muscle contractions or falls. The severity of the injury depends on the amount of current flowing through the body, the current’s path through the body, the length of time the body remains in the circuit and the current’s frequency.

Fire/Explosion

Electrical fires may be caused by excessive resistance that generates heat from the following:

• Too much current running through wiring where overcurrent protection fails or does not exist

• Faulty electrical outlets resulting in poor contact or arcing

• Poor wiring connections and old wiring that is damaged and cannot support an electrical load

An explosion can occur when electricity ignites a flammable gas or combustible dust mixture in the air. Ignition from a short circuit or static charge is possible.

What you need to know

Electrical Safety Basics

• 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 are not to be used as permanent wiring for an appliance or piece of office equipment. Plug them straight into an outlet. Extension cords should be unplugged and removed when not in use

• Surge suppressors with built-in circuit breakers may be used long-term, but don’t use all of the outlet plugs on the device

• High amperage equipment such as space heaters, portable air conditioners, copiers, etc. must be plugged directly into a permanent wall outlet

• 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 increase the risk of electrical shock. Use the proper personal protective equipment and tools when working in or with water

Housekeeping and Maintenance

• Keep all combustibles and flammables at least 36 inches away from heat-producing sources like hot water tanks, circuit breaker boxes, and HVAC units in your storage closets/rooms

• Make sure all circuit breaker spaces are plugged if they don’t contain a circuit breaker and that the panel door remains closed when not being serviced

Avoid Activities that Require Training Unless You Have Training

• Working with exposed conductors carrying more than 50 volts

• Making repairs or alterations to electrical equipment

• Bypassing or removing safety guards/barriers of any equipment that utilizes electricity

• Using tools or a meter to measure for the presence of electricity

• Resetting a tripped breaker or a blown fuse

Grounding

To prevent electrical hazards, always make sure equipment is properly grounded. Electrical grounding provides an alternate path for electricity to follow, rather than going through a person. Equipment with a grounding prong must be plugged into an outlet or extension cord with a ground; the grounding plug should never be removed from equipment in order to plug it into a non-grounded outlet.

Wet Locations

When using electricity in wet or damp places, a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) must be used. The GFCI ensures that any electrical shock will be brief. Although painful, it wouldn’t be fatal because the GFCI creates a ground fault or leak in the current. GFCI’s should be installed near any sinks or water receptacles that have an electrical outlet within 4 feet of the water.

Lockout/Tagout

When servicing and maintenance tasks involve electricity and electrical equipment, you must prevent unexpected startup of equipment. Always utilize lockout/tagout procedures before beginning work on equipment with electricity.