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Electrical Safety

Electrical accidents and injuries occur every day from the use of unsafe equipment, improper installation, unsafe work environments and unsafe work practices.

11/1/1997

The primary hazards - and accidents - are shock, burns, arc-blast, explosions and fires. Why do these accidents happen? In many cases, because people get caught up in what they're doing and overlook basic safety procedures.

To help prevent an electrical accident in your shop, follow these general safety practices:

• Don't use electrical power equipment or tools if you haven't been trained on how to use them.
• Keep power cords out of the path of drills, lathes, grinders and saws.
• Don't carry plugged-in equipment or tools with your finger on the switch.
• Turn tools and equipment off before plugging them in or unplugging them.
• Don't leave tools that are on unattended.
• Don't handle or operate electrical tools or equipment when your hands are wet or when you're standing on wet floors.
• Don't operate spark-inducing tools or equipment, such as grinders or drills, near flammable containers or in an explosive atmosphere, such as in a spraybooth.
• Exposed wiring and cords that are frayed, cut, kinked or have deteriorated insulation should be repaired or taken out of service and replaced.
• Turn off electrical tools and equipment and disconnect the power source from the outlet before attempting repairs or service work. Tag the tool or equipment "out of service."
• Before any authorized person repairs or inspects a piece of electrical equipment, the current should be turned off at the switch box, and the switch should be padlocked in the "off" position.
• Don't use extension cords or other grounded, three-pronged power tools that have the ground prong removed or broken off.
• Don't use an adapter that eliminates the ground, such as a cheater plug.
• Don't connect multiple electrical tools into a single outlet.
• Don't use a power hand tool while wearing wet cotton or leather gloves.
• Don't operate power hand tools and equipment with a two-pronged adapter or a two-conductor extension cord.
• Ensure all the portable hand tools and equipment are grounded and the double-insulated type, such as vacuum cleaners, grinders and polishers/buffers.
• Electrical enclosures - such as switches, receptacles and junction boxes - should be provided with tight-fitting covers (plates, doors). Covers should be closed at all times when the enclosure isn't in use.
• Electrical installation, service and repair should be in accordance with National
• Electrical Code Standards and be performed by a qualified and licensed electrician.

Information for this article was provided by Universal Underwriters Group, which offers specialized business insurance to the automotive aftermarket. For more information, call (800) 840-8842.

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