Electricity has long been regarded as a blessing and a curse; it’s incredibly useful but also incredibly dangerous. Modern safety standards exist to help everyone who works in manufacturing, construction, food production, and other industries from the hazards of electricity.
Standards for electrical safety impact everything from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety training to jobsite safety inspections and routine onsite procedures. It’s important to be familiar with some of the most pressing electrical safety issues relating to injury prevention and damage remediation.
This need is especially pronounced in the construction industry.
Electrical Safety In Construction
OSHA cautions that the electrical hazards most commonly found at construction sites include:
- Damaged cords and equipment
- Wet conditions
- Improper grounding
- Overloaded circuits
- Inadequate wiring
- Contact with overhead power lines
The good news is that according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of workers suffering electrical injuries each year has decreased. It’s safe to say that integrating electrical safety and OSHA safety training into worker training is making construction job sites safer.
Damaged Cords And Equipment
The risk that damaged electrical equipment, tools, and cords carry is significant; exposure can be fatal. Even something that seems as trivial as a frayed cable can cause a spark, setting off a devastating course of events.
Every construction site should have a worker designated to ensure that every cord, tool, and piece of equipment is functioning safely. This inspection should involve frequent examinations to rule out cracks, abrasions, tears, or cuts on appliance power cables and extension cords.
OSHA has set forth guidelines to help determine whether an extension cord can be repaired and reused. In addition, OSHA requires that an electric hand tool that breaks be “restored to its approved condition” before further use to prevent electrical accidents.
Cord sets used with hand-held electric tools should be designed for heavy duty service and must be the three-wire type to provide grounding.
Wet Conditions
While it’s not safe to operate electrical equipment in wet conditions, crews on large construction projects are sometimes required to do so. Some wet condition tools are OSHA-compliant to satisfy current safety requirements.
In addition to using approved tools, there are additional measures that you can take to encourage safe machine handling in wet conditions.
Ensure the hand tools are insulated; use watertight wiring devices and corrosion-resistant devices designed for wet conditions.
You should also always use a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) for cords and do not keep metal such as jewelry, watches, or car keys on your person.
Improper Grounding, Overloaded Circuits, And Inadequate Wiring
Circuits, wires, and grounding techniques must be more than adequate. Large construction projects often use temporary extension wiring. Extension wiring must never overload circuits and should always be kept to a minimum.
Do not use more portable lamps than are necessary, and make sure the ones in use have appropriate guards.
In addition, all wiring must come from a proper circuit, never exceeding the rated capacity. The main switches for electrical circuits must be in the “off” position when equipment is not being used.
Furthermore, temporary power sources must always use a GFCI for portable cords or an assured equipment grounding conductor program.
Contact With Overhead Powerlines
Contact with overhead power lines remains one of the biggest hazards for workers onsite at large construction projects. Upon initial arrival, everyone at the job site must look up and locate all surrounding power lines.
Workers must exercise caution to ensure that nothing is touched that may be in contact with a powerline, and teams should keep all equipment at least 10 feet away from overhead power lines.
Be aware of fencing near power lines, and make sure all equipment, such as ladders, are carried horizontally. Lower gear before driving near power lines, and never spray water near them. Should a power line fall, you must stay at least 35 feet away from it. More power line safety tips are available from ESFI.
Jobsite Safety Inspections on Large Construction Projects
Companies risk OSHA violations and electrical accidents whenever they don’t have appropriate safety strategies in place. Workers must always receive proper, relevant, up-to-date training on all on-site safety procedures and measures.
Managers need to promote safe behaviors that will reduce the risk of electrical accidents and must always practice those behaviors themselves.
Electrical Safety Solutions offers OSHA safety training, on-site analyses, jobsite safety inspections, assessments, and reports examining your construction project for any deficiencies that may present an increased risk of electrical danger. We will also make recommendations for improvement and safer operation.
In addition, we can provide a journeyman to lead your crews, registered apprentices to help out, and even superintendents to manage your project as needed. Stay safe, don’t take chances, and contact Electrical Safety Solutions today.
