8/13/2019 TeqNote - Electrical Safety

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TeqNotes Teqniqal Systems

Electrical Safety

www.teqniqal.com skype: teqniqal www.TheatreSafetyBlog.blogspot.com 817.249.4024

Consul tants Special i z ing in Performing Arts Technology and Safety

Electricity can pose a serious hazard in the workplace, however, it is unlikely that well be doing much

without it in the foreseeable future. Lighting, sound, rigging, projection, and tools all require it. A 12-

year study by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) identified 244workplace deaths that were the direct result of an electrical accident. Misuse or neglect of electrical

equipment puts employees at risk of electrical shock, electrocution, fires, and explosions. Making your

crew / staff / guests / employees aware of the risks and teaching them to following basic safetyprinciples will help reduce the chance of electrical-related accidents at your venue.

Basic Electrical Safety Principles

It is important for employers to be aware of the risks associated with electrical equipment. When

planning or performing work on or near electrical equipment or machinery, the safety tips that followwill reduce the risk of an accident:

Plan ahead; consider possible problems that may occur and how to prevent them. Use the right tools for the job including procedures, drawings, and other documents. Identify all potential hazards in the work space, including the risk of electrical shock. Test every circuit and every conductor; every time, to ensure that they are powered-down before

service.

Train workers to ensure that they have the skills and experience required to perform work aroundelectrical equipment.

De-energize all electrical equipment and conductors before beginning work. Treat electrical equipment and conductors as energized until lock-out / tag-out (LOTO) and

grounding procedures have been implemented.

Wear protective clothing, including hard hats, insulated clothing, and gloves.

Only use insulated tools. Determine approach boundaries and comply with suggested minimum clearances for power lines

or exposed conductors.

Electrical Safety Regulations and Standards

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has a number of regulations relating to

workplace electrical safety. Some important regulations include 29 CFR 1910: Subpart Electrical:

1910, Subpart I Personal Protective Equipment1910.137 Electrical Protective Devices

1910 Subpart S Electrical1910.301thru 308 Design Safety Standards for Electrical Systems

1910.331thru 335 Electrical Safety Related Work PracticesThe following National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards cover electrical safety:

NFPA 70 National Electrical Codeaddresses electrical systems and equipment installed and usedwithin the workplace.

NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplacediscusses protection from electricalhazards such as shock, arc blasts, and explosions initiated by electricity.

NFPA 79 Electrical Standard for Industry Machinerycovers fire safety and electricalspecifications for industry machinery and manufacturing systems.

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Teqniqal Systems, LLC Electrical Safety

www.teqniqal.com skype: teqniqal www.TheatreSafetyBlog.blogspot.com 817.249.4024

Consul tants Special i z ing in Performing Arts Technology and Safety

Checklist of Workplace Electrical Safety Practices

Require employees to use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when working on or near electricalequipment. Depending upon the Arc Flash Hazard present, this may involve donning special

clothing, gloves, hoods, and face shields.

Inform employees as to the location of potential electrical safety hazards. Inform them before theyenter the work area AND mark the specific hazards with signage, barrier tape, etc.

Establish an effective lock-out / tag-out (LOTO) procedure for working on electrical circuits andequipment.

Use safe work practices to prevent shock or other injuries. De-energize live equipment, dischargecapacitors, use lock-out / tag-out (LOTO) procedures, wear the appropriate level of PPE, and never

work alone.

Only permit trained or approved personnel to perform maintenance or work on electrical equipment.Thinking that you know what you are doing is not the same as being trained and certified.

Have a second person check your work afterwards to ensure that wiring connections are the proper

polarity (Hot, Neutral, Ground), and that covers are re-installed after work as is completed.

Ensure that all portable electrical tools are grounded or insulated properly. Use Portable GroundFault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) if the power source is not already protected. Inspect all cords anddevices to ensure that cord strain reliefs are properly clamped to the cable casing.

Install and cover electrical boxes and fittings in accordance with the National Electrical Code (NFPA70) and other regulations. When removing covers, make sure that screws are not lost (use magnetic

holders to retain loose parts where practical). When working at height, secure covers with safety

lanyards before removing the final attachment fasteners.

Have someone who is trained and certified in the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) inspect theelectrical system regularly. This includes cleaning-out the dust and dirt from inside Dimmer

Cabinets, Floor Pockets, and Circuit Breaker Panels; Replacing / Repairing broken switches &

receptacles; Repairing / Replacing broken or overheated lamp holders; and checking the wiring lugs

in feeder panels with an infrared thermometer to ensure that they are tight and not overheating.

Train appropriate individuals in the use of fire protection equipment and emergency responseprocedures. Know the differencebetween a Safety Programand anEmergency Preparedness Plan.

A Safety Program, if well implemented, may save you from ever needing to implement your

Emergency Preparedness Plan.

Develop procedures to replace and dispose of damaged or defective electrical cords, circuits, or otherelectrical equipment. Implement a Tag and Bag process to identify and mark equipment that must

be repaired or replaced. Do not store defective equipment where it may be accessible to the casual

user so that it is not inadvertently placed back into service. AssigningInventory Numbers(tags) to

equipment can help to log and track items in the repair process, and also may help you to track repair

expenses.

More Information:

NIOSHweb site: www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/electrical/OSHAweb site: www.osha.gov/SLTC/electrical/index.html

ESFiweb site: http://esfi.org/

Electrical Construction & Maintenance Magazine: http://ecmweb.com/

Mike Holtweb site: www.MikeHolt.com