15 Necessary Safety Precautions when Working with Electrical
Working with electricity is dangerous. Between potential shocks and damaged wiring there’s a lot of risk involved. All of that to say, electricity is an essential asset to our lives, day in and day out. Not a day goes by that we don’t use electricity in some aspect, whether it’s to charge your phone or lights to guide your way. Here we have compiled a list of the top necessary safety precautions when working with electricity. Keeping these things in mind is a great start to staying a bit safer when working with your electrical.
- Turn off power before working with electrical: While this may seem like a simple task, its an essential one to remember. Not only turning it off but verifying it is by using a multimeter or a voltage tester.
- Wear personal protective equipment: Nonconductive materials like plastic and rubber are a couple materials that can help keep you safer when working with electricity. This is mainly helpful when working with live wires or when testing whether the power is off.
- Remove metal jewelry: On a similar not to wearing PPE removing all metal jewlery is an important and easy one to forget. Any rings, earrings, necklaces, or bracelets are normally made with conductive metals, making injury’s much more severe during electrical shocks.
- Keep hands dry and avoid working in wet conditions: Water, much like metal, is a conductor of electricity and can bring the electricity to you. Make sure both your hands and the area you are working in.
- Use Insulated tools: Working with insulated tools keeps you protected similar to the way ppe does. These tools use non-conductive material, like the aforementioned rubber and plastic. It greatly reduces the risk of an electric shock, ensuring your safety while you work.
- Look over cords and cables for any damage: Damaged cords and cables increase the possibility of sparks and shocks. Exposed wires or stretched/shrunk casing can pose a hazard to your home if kept in use.
- Replace instead of temporary fixes: Following up damaged cords is replacing instead of using something temporary. While something like electrical tape can provide a short-term resolution, it cannot supplement replacing it.
- Use GFCI’s for outlets in wet or outdoor conditions: Using GFCI outlets is like giving yourself an ultimate protection against potential shocks. These outlets will monitor the output of electricity and will turn off electricity if it notices a leak.
- Ensure equipment is properly grounded: Equipment that isn’t grounded can lead electricity to a hazard path, but if it is grounded correctly it will send those same currents straight to the earth. This is especially important to do to prevent any possible surges that could reach your path.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installing: This is an important precaution to remember because it’s easy to think that we know how to install it or have even looked up directions on how to install it. The manufacturer, however, has the knowledge on how to properly install their device.
- Don’t bypass any safety devices: This goes without saying, but this is especially important. Those safety devices protect you from any currents that could reach you whether its PPE or some kind of interrupter, they are essential to have.
- Keep work areas clean and organized: Staying ogranized helps protect potential mishaps that could occur and also provide a more efficient work flow. Especially when working with important tools, it makes it much easier to finish your electrical work and keep an eye on essential materials.
- Until proven otherwise, assume conductors are energized: Voltage testers are a great way to confirm this safety. This ensures your safety and overall ease of mind that you are operating in a safe environment.
- Apply the one hand rule when applicable: This method is a great way to prevent the electrical current from reaching your heart by having your other hand complete the current through your chest. Keeping one hand away from grounded materials is one way to protect your heart from potentially energized wires.
- Never work alone: This one often goes overlooked as some people think they can complete something on their own, and while this may be true, if something were to happen you may have some time that passed until someone recognizes you are in danger. Having someone with you while working on electricity confirms your safety.
These 15 tips are a great start when working with electricity, but sometimes peace of mind is better than trying to do everything by yourself. Shureline Electrical is here for anything electrical you may need; no job is too small! We can help with outlets, lighting (outdoor and indoor), appliances, and more! Visit us here for more information on how we can help you with your next project!