Safety Precautions Every Electrician Should Know

Safety Precautions Every Electrician Should Know

Posted by Access Doors and Panels on 8th Jul 2020

Safety Precautions Every Electrician Should Know

When working with electricity, the first and vital thing that you should always keep in mind is that it can be potentially lethal. It doesn’t matter whether you’re working in a regular home or business; all electrical systems can cause harm.

The human body is a natural conductor of electricity and is vulnerable to electrical shocks and burns that may affect external skin and internal tissues, and arc blasts that can make your lungs collapse or muscles contract. Having direct contact with energized conductors or circuit parts can also interfere with the brain, causing difficulty breathing or stopping your heart.

If you’re an electrician whose part of the profession faces the risk of electrical hazards in every project, you need to learn about the safety tips that could save your life one day. Working with electricity is a severe and hazardous business, so we have compiled these safety precautions that every electrician should know.

1. When working with electricity, always avoid water. If you have wet hands, make sure that you wipe and dry your hands first. Never touch or try repairing any electrical circuits or equipment when you have wet hands. Wet hands increase the conductivity of electric current.

2. Don’t ever use electrical equipment with frayed cords, broken plugs, or damaged insulation.

3. Always turn off the main switch if you are working on any receptacle. Also, it is advisable to put up a sign on the service panel so that nobody will turn the main switch on by accident.

4. Always use insulated tools when you are working.

5. Exposed energized parts and unguarded electrical equipment, which may become energized unexpectedly, are also electrical hazards. Such material always has the warning signs “Shock Risk.” It is essential to be always observant of such signs and follow safety rules established by your country’s electrical code.

6. While working on any branch circuit or any other electrical circuit, always use the proper insulated rubber gloves and goggles.

7. Don’t ever try repairing energized equipment. Using a tester, always check that it is de-energized. To know if an electrical current is flowing through the respective wire, the bulb inside the tester lights up when an electric tester touches a live or hot wire. Always check all the cables, the outer metallic covering of the service panel, and any other hanging wires using an electrical tester before proceeding with your work.

8. If you are working on any receptacle at height, never use an aluminum or steel ladder. Steel and aluminum are electrical conductors. An electrical surge will ground you if you don’t use the proper ladder. Instead, use a bamboo, wooden, or fiberglass ladder.

9. Make sure that you know the electrical code in your country.

10. You must check all your GFCIs (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) once a month. A GFCI is a residual current device (RCD). These have become very common in modern homes, especially in damp areas like the kitchen and bathroom. They help avoid electrical shock hazards and function mainly to disconnect quickly to prevent any injury caused by overcurrent or short circuit faults.

11. Always use a fuse or circuit breaker that has the appropriate current rating. These are protection devices that automatically disconnect the live wire when a short circuit or overcurrent occurs. You must select the proper fuse or circuit breaker.

12. When working outside with underground cables, you need to understand that it can be dangerous. Keep in mind that damp soil around the cable is a good conductor of electricity, and ground faults are quite common in underground cabling. Avoid using a spade to dig at the wire because it can damage the wiring easily. It is best if you wear insulated gloves and dig at the cable by hand.

13. Don’t forget to put a cap on the hot/live wire while working on a magnetic board or service panel. The reason to place a lid on the live wire is to avoid short-circuiting the bare ends of the live wire with the neutral. The cap insulates the copper ends of the cable to prevent any shock.

14. When removing a capacitor from a circuit, always take extra care and precaution. Removing a capacitor is crucial to ensure that the same is properly-discharged because it can easily cause an electric shock. Putting the tip of two insulated screwdrivers on the capacitor terminals after removing the circuit is an easy way to discharge low voltage capacitors.

15. When soldering your circuit boards, wear goggles, and keep yourself away from the fumes. When not in use, keep the soldering iron in the stand because it can get scalding and easily cause burns.

16. It is natural to want to reach out and assist someone who has been shocked or burned by electricity. However, we advise you not to touch someone while the person is getting electrocuted! Remember that the body is a conductor, and if you move someone who is getting electrocuted, the current will travel into your body, and you’ll both be in trouble. You should first turn off the primary power source and then call 911 for emergency assistance.

17. Always avoid power lines. Power lines are often present, especially around construction sites. They pose a severe threat to electricians and even other tradespeople. Although the path may look safe, the slightest touch can send thousands of volts of electricity through your body. Power line electrocution can cause fourth-degree burns (both internal and external), require the amputation of a limb, or worse, make your heart stop.

The Takeaway

When working on an electrical project, always keep in mind these safety precautions that we mentioned. Knowing safety tips will help save your life, as well as the lives of others. However, these safety precautions aren’t the only ones that you can employ in your projects. One commonly overlooked tip that not many people know is the use of access doors in securing that electrical wirings and equipment are out of the way. In choosing access doors and panels that would be for protecting electrical installations, fire-rated access doors, or valve boxes will do the job correctly.

Are you looking to secure your electrical wirings and equipment? Don’t hesitate and find an access door supplier for your commercial build. Trust Access Doors and Panels and visit us at www.accessdoorsandpanels.com today. 

8th Jul 2020 Posted by Access Doors and Panels