Health and Safety A-Z
Topic: Electricity
Summary:
Electricity (Electrical Safety):
Electrical systems and devices in homes and businesses have the potential to cause serious injury, even death. They are carefully engineered to minimize the hazard, but protection still requires a basic understanding of electrical safety. A higher level of knowledge is required for those people who repair electrical devices or who work near powerlines, higher still for those who work on electrical supply systems. Special training and procedures are required for work on or near high voltage systems.
Static electricity (the build-up of an electrical charge due to friction) can be a significant hazard in certain situations, such as when working with flammable or combustible materials.
Basic Electrical Safe3ty:
Only use electrical devices with a CSA-, ESA- or UL-approval markings. Electrical devices should not be modified in any way (eg. never cut the grounding prong off a three prong plug)
Electrical devices should only be used for their intended purpose and in accordance with the manufacturer’s instruction (i.e. the owner’s manual)
Damaged electrical cords and plugs should be replaced as soon as possible. Don’t run cords across floors, between rooms, under carpets, or other locations where they are likely to be damaged. Wires can be damaged even though the outer casing appears to be intact.
Avoid electrical ‘daisy-chains’ (power cords and/or extension cords connected end-to-end) and overloading circuits (usually signally by frequently blown fuses or tripped breakers)
Don’t leave extension cords plugged in when unattended. Frequent bending and twisting of extension cords increases the likelihood of an electrical short (hidden within the outer casing), which is a fire hazard. Use a power bar instead.
A clearance of at least 1 m is required around electrical supply equipment (eg. Transformers, fuse boxes or breaker panels)
Electrical rooms cannot be used for storage.
Intermediate, Advanced Safety:
Ontario’s Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) says the most common cause of occupational electrocution is improper procedure. A written electrical safety program is often required.
For Information See:
Workplace Safety & Prevention Services, Electrical Hazards
Additional Resources:
Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety, Electrical Safety
Last Revised: November 2, 2015