Electrical Hazards | Facility Audit

Electrical current exposes workers to a serious, widespread occupational hazard; practically all members of the workforce are exposed to electrical energy during the performance of their daily duties, and electrocutions occur to workers in various job categories. Many workers are unaware of the potential electrical hazards present in their work environment, which makes them more vulnerable to the danger of electrocution.

Electrical injuries consist of four main types: electrocution (fatal), electric shock, burns, and falls caused as a result of contact with electrical energy.

Recognizing Electrical Hazards

The first step toward protecting workers is recognizing the many hazards they face on the job. To do this, you must know which situations can place workers in danger. Knowing where to look helps you to recognize hazards. Keep an eye out for:

❑	Inadequate wiring — An electrical hazard exists when the wire is too small a gauge for the current it will carry. When you use an extension cord, the size of the wire you are placing into the circuit may be too small for the equipment.
❑	Exposed electrical parts — Wires and parts can be exposed if a cover is removed from a wiring or breaker box. Some overhead wires coming into a building may be exposed. Electrical terminals in motors, appliances, and electronic equipment may be exposed. Older equipment may have exposed electrical parts.
❑	Overhead power lines — When dump trucks, cranes, work platforms, or other conductive materials (such as pipes and ladders) contact overhead wires, the equipment operator or other workers can be killed. If you do not maintain required clearance distances from powerlines, you can be shocked and killed.
❑	Wires with bad insulation — Usually, a plastic or rubber covering insulates wires.
❑	Electrical systems and tools that are not grounded or double-insulated — One of the most common OSHA electrical violations is improper grounding of equipment and circuitry. The metal parts of an electrical wiring system that we touch (switch plates, ceiling light fixtures, conduit, etc.) should be grounded and at 0 volts. If the system is not grounded properly, these parts may become energized. Metal parts of motors, appliances, or electronics that are plugged into improperly grounded circuits may be energized. When a circuit is not grounded properly, a hazard exists because unwanted voltage cannot be safely eliminated. If there is no safe path to ground for fault currents, exposed metal parts in damaged appliances can become energized.
❑	Overloaded circuits — A circuit with improper overcurrent protection devices — or one with no overcurrent protection devices at all — is a hazard.
❑	Damaged power tools and equipment.
❑	The wrong PPE.
❑	Using the wrong tool.
❑	Ladders that conduct electricity.
❑	Wet conditions — electrical hazards can be made worse if the worker, location, or equipment is wet.