Electrical Safety and Emergencies

Working Sensibly With Electricity

Electrical accidents cause thousands of injuries and deaths every year. Unsafe conditions at home and work and unsafe acts are the causes of these accidents. By learning to spot, correct and prevent these electrical hazards, you'll make your home and workplace safer.

Correct Unsafe Conditions

Unsafe conditions result from faulty equipment or hazards in the environment. Equipment with defective insulation or parts, improper grounding, loose connections or unguarded energized parts is common and just plain dangerous. Replacing receptacle covers that have been removed for maintenance is a good practice. Environments containing flammable vapors, liquids or gases; corrosive chemicals; and wet or damp locations can also be dangerous when electrical equipment is in use. Take action to correct these hazards.

  • Always check equipment, cords and attachments before each use.
  • Make sure all equipment is properly grounded and plugged into grounded circuits.
  • Never modify or remove a guard; guards protect you from energized equipment parts.
  • Replace missing knock-outs or breaker panels with blanks.
  • Be aware of flammable or corrosive chemicals, such as nail polish remover, adhesives (glues), furniture polish, disinfectants, oil-based paints, pesticides, fertilizers, lighting liquids, gasoline, and propane gas cylinder.

Prevent Unsafe Acts

The most common unsafe acts include using tools or equipment too close to energized parts, intentionally using tools that are obviously defective or unsafe, and failing to shut off electrical equipment for repairs, servicing or inspections. Don't be a victim of unsafe acts.

  • Keep clear of energized parts. Be aware of the conductive materials and tools around you, and keep them far from sources of electricity. Remember, steel wool, metallic cleaning cloths and some chemical solutions are conductive.
  • If you must work with energized parts and lockout/tagout is not possible, always use protective equipment, such as rubber gloves, sleeves, blankets and mats, or nonconducting tools rated for the voltage of the parts. Make sure this equipment is maintained so that it does its job.
  • Make sure all electrical equipment is properly grounded, and plug power tools into grounded outlets installed with ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). Grounding is one of the most important safety measures you can take whenever you work with electricity. If faulty circuits or equipment allow current leakage, electricity will flow to the ground along the path of least resistance. Grounding ensures you don't become that path by providing an alternate route to the ground. Check ground connections regularly for tightness.
  • Before use, inspect all electrical equipment and electrical outlets. Check cords, plugs and outlets for defects. Use only equipment that is in good condition. Never use equipment that you know is damaged, because no shortcut is worth electrical shock.
  • When operating electrical equipment, start and end from "off". Make sure the power switch is off before plugging in equipment. When you are finished, turn the equipment off before unplugging it to protect yourself and the next user.
  • Don't kink, cut or crush any electrical cord. Never carry equipment by its cord.
  • If equipment has a three-prong plug, use a three-slot outlet or extension cord. Never modify three prongs to fit two slots by removing the third prong. Use an adapter instead, making sure that the metal grounding piece on the adapter is connected to a grounded object, such as the screw on the receptacle cover plate.
  • Don't strain equipment. Service equipment regularly and repair or replace as needed. Disconnect power for inspections, servicing or changing accessories.
  • Don't use electrical equipment when your hands are wet or any part of you is touching water. If you must work in damp areas, use a GFCI. Remember, it's best to keep water and electricity far apart.
  • If you are not knowledgeable or think you are unqualified to work on an electrical installation or repair do not attempt to do so. Hire a qualified expert such as an electrical contractor and obtain the proper building permits for the work to be done.

Shock and Electrocution

Shock victims must be removed immediately from the source of electricity. To protect yourself from shock, turn off the power before touching the victim, wire or equipment. If you can't turn the power off, use a nonconducting tool, such as a rope or wooden stick, to move the person, then call for help. Make sure you don't complete a circuit between two wires or between one wire and the ground. If the victim is touching a power line, stay clear and call for help.

Before giving any other treatment, check the victim's breathing and pulse. If breathing has stopped, give artificial respiration. If you don't detect a heartbeat, CPR must be started immediately. After four to six minutes, oxygen deprivation will cause brain damage. Continue CPR until medical help arrives or until the victim begins to breathe on his or her own.

Fires

Small electrical fires can be put out with a Class C or combination fire extinguisher. Never use water on an electrical fire. For kitchen fires, especially grease fires, throw baking soda over the area or carefully place the lid on the pan. If the fire appears to be growing rapidly, or if it is already too large or too smoky to use an extinguisher, evacuate the building. Stay low to avoid smoke inhalation and encourage others to do the same. If anyone's clothing catches fire, force him or her to stop, drop and roll to extinguish the flames.

Burns

Burns suffered in electrical accidents may affect the skin, muscles and bone. The first hour is crucial for treating burns. Treat a minor burn with cool water, then cover with a clean, dry cloth. Never use ointment, ice or butter on a burn. Serious burns require immediate medical attention. Cover the affected area with a sterile, dry cloth and call for medical help. The victim may go into shock. Keep him or her lying down with feet elevated until help arrives. Never try to pull charred clothing off burned skin. Always see a doctor for any burn, as there is serious danger of infection.

Stop, Notice and Think

No matter what type of electrical emergency confronts you, always stop to notice what's going on and think about a safe plan of action. Although instinct may move you to grab someone who is being shocked to remove him or her from the source of current, this type of hasty action could cost you your life. Instead, first turn off the power. Before treating a victim with first aid consider whether you know what to do for the injury at hand. If not, get medical help immediately. Thoughtful action is the best strategy for any electrical emergency.