Electrical Safety

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are about 350 work-related deaths caused by electricity each year.

Keep in mind that only a "small" amount of electricity can kill you. (See diagram below) Even the amount of electricity used to light a holiday light bulb can kill you.

Please follow these safety rules when using electrical items:

• Inspect all your electrical tools before use.
• Inspect the power cord for frays, cracked insulation, missing prongs, etc. Do not use the item if the cord is damaged. (Take out of service i.e. lockout/tagout, and report it to your supervisor.)
• If you feel tingling while holding an electrical tool, unplug it and have it serviced. Also have the outlet looked at.
• Do not use extension cords as a permanent outlet. If you need another outlet, request to have one installed.
• Never remove the 3rd prong of a plug to make it fit into a 2-prong outlet.
• Never overload the outlet with too many items.
• Do not use equipment that has not been working properly
• Do not work on electrical equipment unless you are qualified.
  

NOTE: MATC has an Electrical Safety Program. The purpose of this program is to establish safe work practices that are intended to prevent electric shock or other injuries resulting from either direct or indirect electrical contacts when work is performed near or on equipment or circuits which are or may be energized. This program is intended to comply with the COMM/OSHA Standard on electrical safe work practices 29 CFR 1910.331 through 1910.335. MATC’s "Electrical Safety Program" requires that employees and associated program/contracted activities work on deenergized equipment only. The only exception to this is unless the work is proven to be unreasonable while deenergized, or unsafe while deenergized, within the intent of current occupational and health standards. All work, whether on energized or deenergized systems, is to follow applicable safety guidelines (PPE, tools, and work clearance [i.e., “energized work permit”] and safety briefings).

More information

For more electrical safety info, contact the EH&S Office at (608) 246-6291.

Click to view MATC's Electrical Safety Program.

Questions? Contact Environmental Health & Safety