ELECTRICAL SAFETY
TOOL BOX SESSION
Georgia Tech Safety and Health
Consultation Program
INSPECTION, INSTALLATION AND USE
OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
• The following must be inspected before
each use:
– Electrical extension cords or temporary wiring,
– any equipment connected by cord and plug, and
– any portable electric hand tool.
COVERS OR ENCLOSURES
• All energized parts of electrical equipment
or connections must be guarded to prevent
accidental contact by a worker
EXTENSIONS CORDS USED AS
TEMPORARY WIRING
• Extension cords used must be designed for
the intended application
• Plugs and the covering or electrical
insulation material of the cord must be in
good condition (no evidence of damage)
• Extension cord plugs must always have a
ground pin
Ground Pin
PROTECTION OF EXTENSION CORDS
(TEMPORARY WIRING)
• When run through holes, cords shall be
protected from sharp edges
• Never submerge extension cords in water
• Do not expose cords to excessive heat,
unless the cord has been designed for high
temperature applications
Ga Tech Safety and Health
Consultation Program
PLANNING THE WORK
• Plan ahead to control any potential
electrical hazard
• The minimum working distance from
overhead power lines is 10 feet
• If you have to work at less than 10 feet from
an overhead power line, then the electrical
current must be disconnected
ACCESS
• Electrical extension cords used in the
working area and in passage ways to the
work area shall be installed so that:
– they do not become a potential hazard for
workers (tripping)
– they are not physically damaged by traffic
Ga Tech Safety and Health
Consultation Program
TEMPORARY ELECTRICAL
RECEPTACLES
• Shall be protected with approved covers
• If metal covers are used, they shall be
grounded
WHAT IS A GFCI?
• GFCI is a device that senses small
imbalances in an electrical circuit caused by
the electrical current leaking to ground.
– If this imbalance occurs, the GFCI shuts off the
electricity within a fraction of a second
ASSURED EQUIPMENT GROUNDING
PROGRAM
• An assured equipment grounding program
is allowed by OSHA but rarely put into
practice due to:
– The time required for an adequate
implementation and follow up
– The program may provide a false sense of
safety
INTRODUCTION
This training information has been prepared by the Safety and Health Consultation Program
at Georgia Tech with the technical collaboration of Mr. Juán C. Rodriguez and under the
sponsorship of OSHA. Its content may be copied and distributed for free, and the only
request made to the user is that Georgia Tech’s Safety and Health Consultation Program be
acknowledged as the source. All information contained in this training is believed to be
correct by the authors, but it is important to point out that, this is not an official OSHA
publication and has not been revised or approved by OSHA. The user should be aware that
the recommendations provided in this training do not replace any OSHA standard or
regulation.
Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program
Georgia Tech Research Institute
260 14th Street, Fourth Floor
Atlanta, GA 30332-0837
Voice : (404) 407-7431
FAX : (404) 407-8275
Web http://www.oshainfo.gatech.edu