This manual describes each element of Consolidated Electrical Contractors construction safety and health program, explaining the methods to be used when implementing the program. All supervisors and employees shall perform their duties in accordance with applicable safety and health codes, standards, and this Safety and Health Manual. Electrical safety in the workplace is an important topic that is addressed by NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace® (2015 edition). This standard addresses arc flash. Electrical safety tips. Electricity makes our lives easier. However, we need to be cautious and keep safety in mind. Get tips that help reduce the potential for electrical damage and injury. The Electrical System Safety Rules (ESSR) outline the minimum electrical safety standards for personnel working on, near or in the vicinity of Western Power’s electrical network and associated apparatus in Western Australia. The ESSR has been made publically available for contractors who are authorised to work on or near the network. Electrical Safety - Basic Information (CCOHS) Electrical Safety; Arc Flash Awareness Handbook (NIOSH) Controlling Electrical Hazards (OSHA 3075) Electrical Safety (OSHA Quick Card) Electrical Safety Hazards of Overloading Cable Trays (OSHA Fact Sheet) Electrical Safety Student Manual (NIOSH) Grounding Requirements for Portable Generators (OSHA.
- Electrical Safety Council Technical Manual Download Pdf
- Electrical Safety Council Technical Manual Download
- Electrical Safety Council Technical Manual Download Windows 10
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HSE and other organisations have produced guidance on electrical safety that is suitable for a wide range of industries and technical competencies. The information produced by HSE is either free for immediate download or available to order at low cost.
General electrical information
The Simple Precautions and Frequently asked Questions web pages will help you to select the best guidance on working with electricity. Most guidance is available electronically by subscribing to HSE Direct and HSE Books can also supply all current HSE guidance in paper form.
Many other organisations provide information about electrical matters.
Information on accident statistics is also available from a number of sources.
Resources
Related content
- ESQCR incidents
What are the hazards?
The main hazards of working with electricity are:- electric shock and burns from contact with live parts;
- injury from exposure to arcing, fire from faulty electrical equipment or installations;
- explosion caused by unsuitable electrical apparatus or static electricity igniting flammable vapours or dusts, for example in a spray paint booth.
What should employers do?
They must ensure an assessment has been made of any electrical hazards, which covers:- who could be harmed by them;
- how the level of risk has been established;
- the precautions taken to control that risk.
Employers must make sure that the electrical installation and the electrical equipment is:
- suitable for its intended use and the conditions in which it is operated;
- only used for its intended purpose.
Cables, plugs, sockets and fittings must be robust enough and adequately protected for the working environment. Employers must ensure that machinery has an accessible switch or isolator to cut off the power quickly in an emergency.
Maintenance
So far as reasonably practicable employers must make sure that electrical equipment and installations are maintained to prevent danger.Electrical Safety Council Technical Manual Download Pdf
Users of electrical equipment, including portable appliances, should carry out visual checks. Employers and workers must remove the equipment from use immediately and check it, repair it or replace it if:
- the plug or connector is damaged;
- the cable has been repaired with tape, is not secure, or internal wires are visible etc.;
- burn marks or stains are present (suggesting overheating).
It is good practice if employers arrange for more frequent checks for items more likely to become damaged (e.g. portable electrical tools and equipment that is regularly moved, or used frequently or in arduous environments). Less frequent checks are needed for equipment less likely to become damaged (e.g. desktop computers etc.).
Visual checks are not usually necessary for small, battery-powered items, or for equipment that works from a mains-powered adaptor (laptops or cordless phones etc.). However, the mains-powered adaptor for such equipment should be visually checked.
Employers must consider whether electrical equipment, including portable appliances, should be more formally inspected or tested by a competent person thinking also about the intervals at which this should be done.
Arrangements should be made for inspecting and testing fixed wiring installations, i.e. the circuits from the meter and consumer unit supplying light switches, sockets, wiredin equipment (e.g. cookers, hairdryers) etc., to be carried out regularly so there is little chance of deterioration leading to danger. This work must normally be carried out by a competent person, usually an electrician.
Electrical Safety Council Technical Manual Download
When is someone competent to do electrical work?
In this context, a competent person is someone who has the suitable training, skill and knowledge for the task to be undertaken to prevent injury to themselves and others.A successfully completed electrical apprenticeship, with some post apprenticeship experience, is one way of demonstrating technical competence for general electrical work.
More specialized work, such as maintenance of high-voltage switchgear or control system modification, is almost certainly likely to require additional training and experience.
Key points for employers to remember
- Ensure that workers know how to use the electrical equipment safely.
- Make sure enough sockets are available. Check that socket outlets are not overloaded by using unfused adaptors as this can cause fires.
- Ensure there are no trailing cables that can cause people to trip or fall.
- Switch off and unplug appliances before cleaning or adjusting them.
- Ensure everyone looks for electrical wires, cables or equipment near where they are going to work and check for signs warning of dangers from electricity, or any other hazard. Checks should be made around the job, and remember that electrical cables may be within walls, floors and ceilings etc. (especially when drilling into these locations).
- Make sure anyone working with electricity has sufficient skills, knowledge and experience to do so. Incorrectly wiring a plug can be dangerous and lead to fatal accidents or fires.
- Stop using equipment immediately if it appears to be faulty – have it checked by a competent person.
- Ensure any electrical equipment brought to work by workers, or any hired or borrowed, is suitable for use before using it and remains suitable by being maintained as necessary.
- Consider using a residual current device (RCD) between the electrical supply and the equipment, especially when working outdoors, or within a wet or confined place.
Overhead electric lines
- Employers and workers should be aware of the dangers of working near or underneath overhead power lines. Electricity can flash over from them, even though machinery or equipment may not touch them.
- Nobody should work under them when equipment (e.g. ladders, a crane jib, a tipper-lorry body or a scaffold pole) could come within a minimum of six metres of a power line without getting advice
Underground cables
- Always assume cables will be present when digging in the street, pavement and/or near buildings.
- Consult local electricity companies and service plans to identify where cables are located.
A 19-year-old man was electrocuted and killed when he touched a refrigerated display cabinet in a café. Investigation showed that the 13A plug had been incorrectly refitted to the cabinet’s main lead. This meant the metalwork of the cabinet, which should have been safe to touch, was dangerously live at mains voltage. The man’s sister received two shocks from the cabinet before realizing what had happened to her brother. How to avoid similar accidents Even wiring a plug incorrectly can have serious consequences. Employers must ensure that their electrical installation and equipment is safe. Don’t cut corners – electrical installations must be installed by someone who has the necessary training, skills and experience to carry out the work safely. |
Electrical Safety Council Technical Manual Download Windows 10
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