Just The "FACS" Safety Notes
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
Most of us take the availability of electrical power for granted, at least
until a fuse blows or we hear warnings of upcoming "brownouts." In
fact, we have become very good at harnessing and controlling electrical energy.
Good, but not perfect. In 1998, out of all Americans who had accidental
contacts with electrical current, 334 died as a result.
Certain types of occupations come with a naturally higher risk of
electrocution---electrician, painter, machine operator and welder, to name
just a few---but no matter what kind of work you do or what type of
facility you work in, evaluating the potential for electrical hazards could
avoid discomfort, or even save a life.
Any company can minimize the risks of electrical hazards by developing and
then implementing a strong, well-defined electrical safety program that
uses appropriate safety equipment. OSHA has dedicated a large section of
the Code of Federal Regulations (29 CFR 1910 Subpart S) to electrical
safety. Understanding the following commonly used terms will make
discussion of any safety program easier.
QUALIFIED PERSONNEL and UNQUALIFIED PERSONNEL
A Qualified Person has been trained to avoid electrical hazards when
working on or near exposed energized parts. That training must include:
- Familiarity with the safety related work practices required in 29 CFR
1910.331-1910.335;
- Ability to distinguish exposed live parts of electrical equipment;
- Knowledge of the skills and techniques for determining nominal voltages
of exposed parts;
- Knowledge of the approach distances to which a Qualified Person will be
exposed. Not surprisingly, an Unqualified Person is someone with little or no
training regarding electrical hazards. Unqualified Persons may not be
exposed to energized parts, but should still receive training. At minimum,
they must be trained in any electrical-related practice necessary for their
safety. This training could be as simple as telling an Unqualified Person
to shut off a machine if there's a problem and call a supervisor for
assistance.
INSULATED TOOLS
When Qualified Persons are working on or near exposed energized live
conductors they are required to use insulated tools. Only insulated tools
that comply with the International Electrotechnical Commission standard 900 (IEC 900), and marked with the international 1000V rating symbol should be
used. Because not all tools with a plastic coating or plastic handles
provide protection from electrical shock, it's important to inspect your
tools before working. Also, if insulated tools become damaged or worn, they
must be removed from service and destroyed.
ELECTRICAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Electrical Protective Equipment (also known as insulating equipment)
includes items such as insulated blankets, matting, covers, line hose,
gloves and sleeves. Blankets, gloves and sleeves should be clearly marked
with Class and Type, Class referring to the maximum use voltage, and Type
referring to ozone resistance.
Insulating equipment must be inspected before each day's use and
immediately following an incident that may have caused damage. If holes,
tears, punctures, cuts, ozone cutting or checking, embedded foreign
objects, swelling, softening, hardening, lost elasticity, stickiness or any
other defect is found, the insulating equipment should not be used. When
the equipment is removed from service, it may not be used again until it
has been retested and certified. All electrically-insulated equipment must
also be retested and certified periodically; the retesting period depends
on the type of equipment.
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