Electrical safety may seem like it’s mainly common sense. But the fact is, electrocutions are the fourth leading cause of death among US construction workers.

And the reason for that varies. The most serious concern for electricians is improper use of lockout/tagout procedures. A major concern for non-electricians is a lack of basic electrical safety knowledge.

When is the last time your workers took a refresher course in basic electrical safety procedures? Are you confident they practice lockout/ tagout and proper extension cord usage? Do they know how to properly extinguish an electrical fire?

How to Improve Workplace Safety

Every company wants to ensure the safety of its employees–and the good reputation of the company. One easy way to do that is to emphasize safety policies and procedures. Here are some topics to review with your team, to try to prevent electrical injury and death on the job.

• OSHA regulations on electrical safety
• Basic electrical safety procedures
• Arc flash awareness
• Lockout/ tagout procedures
• Safety policies and procedures, including the permit system for working on live electrical circuits
• The correct use of PPE and tools when de-energizing when working on live electrical circuits

Additionally:

• Make sure all machinery and power tools are double insulated or properly grounded
• Check all power cords for wear and tear before use; repair or replace damaged cords before use.
• Ensure workers are properly trained for the work they will be doing.
• Make sure you are trained in electrical safety for the work you will be doing

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