Electrical Safety in the Workplace

Electrical safety isn’t always top of mind when at the workplace. But those who take electricity for granted (and may not have an understanding of the hazards) can have the most exposure to electrical hazards. You don’t need to be an electrician to encounter electrical hazards at the workplace, and OSHA requires employers provide training to both electrical and non-electrical workers exposed to hazards. In Canada, provincial occupational health and safety laws similarly require training and hazard controls for workers exposed to electrical hazards, even if they are not electricians.

Electrical Hazard Safety Training

Correcting electrical hazards is among FCA’s Safety Professionals’ most frequent recommendations on construction sites and in maintenance shops and factories. Some of the hazards observed include damaged or unsafe electrical cords, outlets, panels and conduits. What some consider simple jobs can have serious and potentially deadly exposures to electrical hazards. Here are some examples:

Working around abandoned circuits that may still be energized.
Painting near electrical outlets and switches.
Penetrating drywall-covered walls and ceilings.
Working in suspended ceiling areas.
Using mobile equipment around overhead energized lines.

Besides the activities associated with the work listed above, tools and equipment also need to be inspected to ensure they are in safe operating condition and free of electrical hazards. Constant reinforcement of safe work practices will help electrical safety become part of your company’s culture. Employees learn about electrical safety in the workplace through training classes, but they practice safety based on the support and examples they receive

Understanding, monitoring and correcting electrical safety hazards can be lifesaving. Safety procedures such as the identification of unsafe conditions and behaviors as well as reporting and corrective measures should be discussed with workers. Ensuring workers know not to look the other way if they see a problem is key to a safe working environment.