This document provides guidance on electrical safety. It outlines hazards of electricity and requires special training for work on electrical equipment. Only authorized employees may conduct electrical work. Topics covered include isolating circuits, testing circuits, working on energized equipment, portable electrical tools, electrical PPE, work area safety, electrical systems, lock out/tag out procedures, and personal protective equipment requirements. The overall message is that electrical work requires strict safety protocols to prevent injury or death from electrical hazards.

2. You will learn about…You will learn about…
– Hazards of ElectricityHazards of Electricity
– Isolating CircuitsIsolating Circuits
– Testing CircuitsTesting Circuits
– Work on Energized EquipmentWork on Energized Equipment
– Portable Electrical ToolsPortable Electrical Tools
– Electrical PPEElectrical PPE
– Work Area SafetyWork Area Safety
– Electrical SystemsElectrical Systems

3. Electrical SafetyElectrical Safety
♦ Special Training is requiredSpecial Training is required
for work on electricalfor work on electrical
equipmentequipment
♦ Only Authorized EmployeesOnly Authorized Employees
may conduct electrical workmay conduct electrical work

4. Special TrainingSpecial Training
♦ Training for Authorized EmployeesTraining for Authorized Employees
covers:covers:
– Safe Work PracticesSafe Work Practices
– Isolation of Electrical SourcesIsolation of Electrical Sources
– Test EquipmentTest Equipment
– Tools & PPETools & PPE

5. HazardsHazards
♦ Electrical Hazards IncludeElectrical Hazards Include
– Electrical ShockElectrical Shock
– Electrical ExplosionsElectrical Explosions
– Electrical BurnsElectrical Burns
♦ These can result in severe injury or deathThese can result in severe injury or death

7. Safe Work PracticesSafe Work Practices
♦ Before starting work…Before starting work…
– De-energize, Lock, Tag & TestDe-energize, Lock, Tag & Test
all circuits of 50 volts or lessall circuits of 50 volts or less
– Deenergize all Power SourcesDeenergize all Power Sources
– Disconnect from all electricDisconnect from all electric
energy sourcesenergy sources

8. Control DevicesControl Devices
Control circuit devices such as…Control circuit devices such as…
–push buttonspush buttons
–selector switchesselector switches
–interlocksinterlocks
……may not be used as the sole meansmay not be used as the sole means
for de-energizing circuits orfor de-energizing circuits or
equipment.equipment.

10. Lock & Tag…Lock & Tag…
♦ Lock & Tag all SourcesLock & Tag all Sources
– Place Lock & Tag on each disconnectingPlace Lock & Tag on each disconnecting
means used to de-energize circuitsmeans used to de-energize circuits
– Attach Lock so as to prevent operatingAttach Lock so as to prevent operating
the disconnecting meansthe disconnecting means
– Place Tag with Each LockPlace Tag with Each Lock

11. If a Lock cannot be applied…If a Lock cannot be applied…
♦ A tag used without a lock must beA tag used without a lock must be
supplemented by at least one additionalsupplemented by at least one additional
safety measure that provides a level ofsafety measure that provides a level of
safety equal to that of a lock.safety equal to that of a lock.
♦ Examples:Examples:
– Removal of an isolating circuit elementRemoval of an isolating circuit element
such as a fusesuch as a fuse
– Blocking of a controlling switchBlocking of a controlling switch
– Opening of an extra disconnectingOpening of an extra disconnecting
device.device.

12. Release Stored Energy…Release Stored Energy…
♦ Stored electric energy must be releasedStored electric energy must be released
before starting work.before starting work.
– Discharge all CapacitorsDischarge all Capacitors
– Short-Circuit & Ground all highShort-Circuit & Ground all high
capacitance elementscapacitance elements

13. Is it “Dead”?…Is it “Dead”?…
♦ Verify System is De-Verify System is De-
energizedenergized
– Operate the equipmentOperate the equipment
controls to check thatcontrols to check that
equipment cannot beequipment cannot be
restarted.restarted.
– Use test equipment to test the circuits &Use test equipment to test the circuits &
electrical parts for voltage & currentelectrical parts for voltage & current

14. Check your tester…Check your tester…
♦ Check test equipment (Volt-Check test equipment (Volt-
Ohlm Meter) on a known liveOhlm Meter) on a known live
source of same rating to ensuresource of same rating to ensure
it worksit works beforebefore andand afterafter
checking the circuit on whichchecking the circuit on which
you will be workingyou will be working

15. Re-energizing Equipment…Re-energizing Equipment…
– Conduct tests and visual inspections toConduct tests and visual inspections to
ensure all tools, electrical jumpers,ensure all tools, electrical jumpers,
shorts, grounds, and other such devicesshorts, grounds, and other such devices
have been removedhave been removed
– Warn others to stay clear of circuits andWarn others to stay clear of circuits and
equipment.equipment.
– Each lock and tag must be removed byEach lock and tag must be removed by
the person who applied itthe person who applied it
– Visually check that all employees areVisually check that all employees are
clear of the circuits and equipment.clear of the circuits and equipment.

17. Energized….Energized….
♦ Working with Energized PartsWorking with Energized Parts
Persons working on energized equipmentPersons working on energized equipment
must be familiar with the proper use ofmust be familiar with the proper use of
special precautionary techniques,special precautionary techniques,
personal protective equipment, insulatingpersonal protective equipment, insulating
and shielding materials, and insulatedand shielding materials, and insulated
tools.tools.

18. Working on energized circuitsWorking on energized circuits
♦ When working on energized circuitsWhen working on energized circuits
– Isolate the area from all trafficIsolate the area from all traffic
– Post signs & barricadesPost signs & barricades
– Use an attendant if necessaryUse an attendant if necessary
– Use insulated tool, mats and sheetingUse insulated tool, mats and sheeting
– Use electrical rubber sheeting to cover nearbyUse electrical rubber sheeting to cover nearby
exposed circuitsexposed circuits

19. Conductive MaterialsConductive Materials
♦ Conductive materials andConductive materials and
equipment must be handled soequipment must be handled so
as to prevent them fromas to prevent them from
contacting exposed energizedcontacting exposed energized
conductors or circuit partsconductors or circuit parts

20. Conductive ApparelConductive Apparel
♦ Remove all conductive articles ofRemove all conductive articles of
jewelry and clothing, such a watchjewelry and clothing, such a watch
bands, bracelets, rings, key chains,bands, bracelets, rings, key chains,
necklaces, metalized aprons, clothnecklaces, metalized aprons, cloth
with conductive thread, or metalwith conductive thread, or metal
headgear.headgear.

22. Portable Electric Tools & CordsPortable Electric Tools & Cords
♦ Portable equipment must be handled in aPortable equipment must be handled in a
manner which will not cause damage.manner which will not cause damage.
♦ Flexible electric cords connected toFlexible electric cords connected to
equipment may not be used for raising orequipment may not be used for raising or
lowering the equipment.lowering the equipment.
♦ Flexible cords may not be fastened withFlexible cords may not be fastened with
staples or otherwise hung in such a fashionstaples or otherwise hung in such a fashion
as could damage the outer jacket oras could damage the outer jacket or
insulation.insulation.

23. Visually Inspect…Visually Inspect…
♦ Portable cord and plug connectedPortable cord and plug connected
equipment and flexible cord setsequipment and flexible cord sets
(extension cords) shall be visually(extension cords) shall be visually
inspected before use on any shift forinspected before use on any shift for
external defects:external defects:
– Loose partsLoose parts
– Deformed or missing pinsDeformed or missing pins
– Damage to outer jacket or insulationDamage to outer jacket or insulation
– Evidence of possible internal damageEvidence of possible internal damage

24. Remove from Service…Remove from Service…
♦ If there is a defect or evidence ofIf there is a defect or evidence of
damage to any electrical tools ordamage to any electrical tools or
equipment…equipment…
Immediately notify your supervisorImmediately notify your supervisor
Remove the item from serviceRemove the item from service
Tell your co-workersTell your co-workers

25. Water HazardWater Hazard
♦Ensure hand, cords andEnsure hand, cords and
receptacles are dry whenreceptacles are dry when
plugging and unpluggingplugging and unplugging
power cordspower cords

26. Ladders….Ladders….
– Portable ladders must have non-Portable ladders must have non-
conductive side rails if they are usedconductive side rails if they are used
where a workers or the ladder couldwhere a workers or the ladder could
contact exposed energized parts.contact exposed energized parts.
– Keep all ladder parts at least 10 feetKeep all ladder parts at least 10 feet
away from overhead power linesaway from overhead power lines

27. Test Instruments..Test Instruments..
– Test instruments, equipment & testTest instruments, equipment & test
leads, cables, power cords, probes, andleads, cables, power cords, probes, and
connectors must be visually inspectedconnectors must be visually inspected
for external defects and damage beforefor external defects and damage before
the equipment is used.the equipment is used.
– Remove any defective items fromRemove any defective items from
serviceservice

28. Instrument Ratings…Instrument Ratings…
♦ Test instruments and equipment &Test instruments and equipment &
accessories must be:accessories must be:
– Rated for the circuits and equipment toRated for the circuits and equipment to
which they will be connectedwhich they will be connected
– Designed for the environment in whichDesigned for the environment in which
they will be usedthey will be used

30. Personal Protective Equipment…Personal Protective Equipment…
♦Use electrical ratedUse electrical rated
protective equipment whenprotective equipment when
working in areas whereworking in areas where
there is a potentialthere is a potential
electricalelectrical

31. More on PPE ...More on PPE ...
♦ Use, store & maintain yourUse, store & maintain your
Electrical PPE in a safe, reliableElectrical PPE in a safe, reliable
conditioncondition
♦ Wear nonconductive headWear nonconductive head
protectionprotection
♦ Wear protective equipment for theWear protective equipment for the
eyes or face wherever there iseyes or face wherever there is
danger of injury to the eyes or facedanger of injury to the eyes or face

32. PPE Inspection…PPE Inspection…
♦ Electrical PPE with any of the followingElectrical PPE with any of the following
defects may not be useddefects may not be used
– A hole, tear, puncture, or cutA hole, tear, puncture, or cut
– Ozone cutting or ozone checking (theOzone cutting or ozone checking (the
cutting action produced by ozone oncutting action produced by ozone on
rubber under mechanical stress into arubber under mechanical stress into a
series of interlacing cracks)series of interlacing cracks)

33. AND….AND….
– Any of the following texture changes:Any of the following texture changes:
swelling, softening, hardening, or becomingswelling, softening, hardening, or becoming
sticky or inelastic.sticky or inelastic.
– An embedded foreign objectAn embedded foreign object
– Any other defect that damages theAny other defect that damages the
insulating propertiesinsulating properties
Don’t use defective Electrical PPE!Don’t use defective Electrical PPE!

34. PPE TestingPPE Testing
♦ Rubber insulating line hoseRubber insulating line hose
• Upon indication that insulatingUpon indication that insulating
value is suspectvalue is suspect
♦ Rubber insulating coversRubber insulating covers
• Upon indication that insulatingUpon indication that insulating
value is suspect.value is suspect.

35. PPE TestingPPE Testing
♦ Rubber insulating blanketsRubber insulating blankets
• Before first issue and every 12 monthsBefore first issue and every 12 months
♦ Rubber insulating glovesRubber insulating gloves
• Before first issue and every 6 monthsBefore first issue and every 6 months
♦ Rubber insulating sleevesRubber insulating sleeves
• Before first issue and every 12 monthsBefore first issue and every 12 months

37. Work Area Safety…Work Area Safety…
♦You must be able to seeYou must be able to see
what you are doing whenwhat you are doing when
working on energizedworking on energized
equipmentequipment

38. Energized partsEnergized parts
♦ Do not work on energized electrical partsDo not work on energized electrical parts
• without adequate illuminationwithout adequate illumination
• if there is an obstruction thatif there is an obstruction that
prevents seeing your work areaprevents seeing your work area
• if you must reach blindly into areasif you must reach blindly into areas
which may contain energized partswhich may contain energized parts

39. Tools & EquipmentTools & Equipment
– Use insulated tools orUse insulated tools or
handling equipmenthandling equipment
when working nearwhen working near
exposed energizedexposed energized
conductors or circuitconductors or circuit
parts.parts.

40. Tools & EquipmentTools & Equipment
– Use fuse handlingUse fuse handling
equipment to remove orequipment to remove or
install fuses when the fuseinstall fuses when the fuse
terminals are energized.terminals are energized.

41. Tools & EquipmentTools & Equipment
– Ropes and handlinesRopes and handlines
used near exposedused near exposed
energized parts must beenergized parts must be
nonconductive.nonconductive.

42. Alerting others…Alerting others…
Use safety signs, safetyUse safety signs, safety
symbols, or accidentsymbols, or accident
prevention tags to warnprevention tags to warn
others about electricalothers about electrical
hazards which mayhazards which may
endanger them.endanger them.

43. Alerting others…Alerting others…
Use barricades to preventUse barricades to prevent
or limit access to workor limit access to work
areas with un-insulatedareas with un-insulated
energized conductors orenergized conductors or
circuit partscircuit parts

44. Alerting others…Alerting others…
If signs and barricades doIf signs and barricades do
not provide sufficientnot provide sufficient
warning and protectionwarning and protection
from electrical hazards, anfrom electrical hazards, an
attendant shall be stationedattendant shall be stationed
to warn and protectto warn and protect
employeesemployees

45. Conductive Work Locations…Conductive Work Locations…
♦ Portable electric equipment &Portable electric equipment &
flexible cords used in highlyflexible cords used in highly
conductive work locations whereconductive work locations where
employees are likely to contactemployees are likely to contact
water or conductive liquids, mustwater or conductive liquids, must
be rated for the wet environmentbe rated for the wet environment

47. Electrical Systems…Electrical Systems…
♦ InterlocksInterlocks
– Only a qualified person may defeat an electricalOnly a qualified person may defeat an electrical
safety interlock, and then only temporarilysafety interlock, and then only temporarily
while he or she is working on the equipmentwhile he or she is working on the equipment
– The interlock system must be returned to itsThe interlock system must be returned to its
operable condition when work is completedoperable condition when work is completed

48. Electrical Systems…Electrical Systems…
♦After a circuit is de-energizedAfter a circuit is de-energized
by a circuit protective device,by a circuit protective device,
the circuit may not bethe circuit may not be
manually reenergized until itmanually reenergized until it
has been determined that thehas been determined that the
equipment and circuit can beequipment and circuit can be
safely energized.safely energized.

49. Over-Current Protection…Over-Current Protection…
♦ Overcurrent protection ofOvercurrent protection of
circuits and conductorscircuits and conductors
may not be modified, evenmay not be modified, even
on a temporary basison a temporary basis

50. System Markings..System Markings..
♦ Electrical equipment may not be usedElectrical equipment may not be used
unless the manufacturer's name,unless the manufacturer's name,
trademark, or other descriptive markingtrademark, or other descriptive marking
is placed on the equipment.is placed on the equipment.
♦ Other markings shall be provided givingOther markings shall be provided giving
voltage, current, wattage, or othervoltage, current, wattage, or other
ratings as necessary.ratings as necessary.

51. Circuit ID…Circuit ID…
♦ Identification of disconnecting means andIdentification of disconnecting means and
circuitscircuits
– Each disconnecting means for motors andEach disconnecting means for motors and
appliances shall be legibly marked toappliances shall be legibly marked to
indicate its purposeindicate its purpose
– Each service, feeder, and branch circuit, atEach service, feeder, and branch circuit, at
its disconnecting means or overcurrentits disconnecting means or overcurrent
device, must be legibly marked to indicate itsdevice, must be legibly marked to indicate its
purposepurpose

53. Its Your Job….Its Your Job….
 Know the hazards of electricityKnow the hazards of electricity
 Know the equipmentKnow the equipment
 Use Safe Work PracticesUse Safe Work Practices
 Inspect your PPE before each useInspect your PPE before each use
 Don’t work on energized circuitsDon’t work on energized circuits
without permissionwithout permission

54. It’s your lifeIt’s your life