Safety Articles and Tips from Safety Services Company

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September 5th, 2008 at 4:36 pm

Electrical Safety for Construction Site Workers – Part 2

Yesterday we talked about the first steps in eliminating and controlling electrical hazards in construction sites. This includes providing proper training and PPE to employees.

We learned that ground fault electrical shock is the most common electrical hazard in construction sites. With grounding, you protect both employees and electrical equipment.

Protection for All

There are two kinds of grounding. One is the service or system ground, where a wire called neutral conductor is grounded. With the use of this type of ground, you protect tools, machines, and insulation.

The other kind of grounding is the equipment ground. This provides a path for current from a tool or machine to the ground. By using an equipment ground, you protect employees in case an electrical malfunction happens.

Guarding with tools and signs

Like any kind of tool, electrical tools must always be inspected by employees before use. If it is found faulty or its soundness is questionable, said employees should immediately tag and remove them from service.

Sometimes employees don’t know the exact location of underground lines. In such cases, they should be provided with insulated protective gloves before working with tools.

If employees need to work near overhead power lines, they should de-energize or ground the lines first. Employees who are unqualified to work near electrical hazards should stay at least 10 feet away from overhead power lines.

Electrical equipment with “live” parts must be properly tagged to prevent accidental contact. This is especially true for live equipment operating at 50 volts or more.

The same is true with areas having “live” electrical parts inside. Make sure you mark their entrances with warning signs. Only qualified persons should have access to such areas.

In a nutshell, electrical safety is all about designing proper training, PPE, and tools for employees. As with other tools and equipment, electrical tools must be regularly checked for damage and electrical equipment properly tagged to avoid accidents. By following these tips, you’ll be safe from electrical hazards, whether you work in construction sites or not.

For additional information about safety equipment and hazards in the workplace, just click on the following links:

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