OSHA Electrical Safety Occupational Safety Term Paper

Adoption of this practice will ensure that accidental energization of power lines from back feed electrical energy from generator. Hence this will help in safeguarding utility line workers from possible electrocution. The generators need to be turn off and allow them to cool prior to refuelling. (Occupation Safety and Health Administration, n. d.)

(ii) Power lines: Safety measure are required to be adopted from overhead and underground power lines as they carry very high voltage current. Fatal electrocution is the main impending risk as also burns and falls. The safety precautions that are required to be taken are (a) Overhead and underground power line indicators need to be looked. (b) it is important that one stays 10 feet at the minimum from overhead power lines and take for granted that they are energised. (c) Lines need to be de-energised and grounded when people are working in close proximity. (d) While working near power lines, use of non-conductive wood or fibreglass ladders need to be used. (Occupation Safety and Health Administration, n. d.)

(iii) Extension Cords: Wear and tear from routine uses can render the cords to be loose and expose them. Cords which are not of 3-wire types and are not suitable for rigorous use, or which have been modified raise the risk of contacting electrical current. It is important to adhere to the following (a) Use of equipment which has received the approval of aligning with OSHA norms. (b) Cords should not be altered or used them in an incorrect manner (c) Cords that are factory assembled must only be used as also extension cords that are 3-wire type. (d) Cords, connection devices and fitting which are capable of strain relief should be used only. (e) Care must be taken to remove receptacles by pulling on the plugs & not the cords. (Occupation Safety and Health Administration, n. d.)

(iv) Equipment: Because of the rough nature of construction work, routine use of electrical equipment renders normal wear and tear. This causes drop-outs in insulation, short-circuits, and also results in exposed wires. Absence of ground-fault protection can trigger a ground fault transmitting current through the body of the worker. The following safety precautions need to be undertaken (a) Use of Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters -- GCFI in every 120-volt, single-phase, 15 and 20 ampere receptacles.Alternative using Assured Equipment Grounding Conductor Program -- AEGCP will also be beneficial. (b) Use of two-core insulated tools and equipment which are distinctively marked (c) it is important to have a visual inspection of all electrical equipment prior to use and looking for any equipment with damaged cords, missing ground prongs, broken tool casings etc. (Occupation Safety and Health Administration, n. d.)

(v) Electrical accidents: In cases where the power supply to the electrical equipment has not been grounded, or the path has been dropped out, fault current might pass across the worker's body giving electrical burns or loss of life. Even if the power system is adequately grounded, electrical equipment can immediately alter from safe to hazardous due to extreme conditions and improper handling. The following safety measures need to be adopted (a) Undertaking of a visual inspection before use and remove any defective equipment from being used (b) it is important to ensure that all power systems, electrical circuits and electrical equipments are grounded. (c) Regular inspection of electrical systems to assure that the path to the ground is continuous. (d) Ground prongs should not be removed from cord and plug connected apparatus as also extension cords. (e) Use of double-insulated tools is important and every exposed metal parts of equipment need to be grounded. (f) Avoiding standing in damp and moist regions while using portable electrical power tools. (Occupation Safety and Health Administration, n. d.)

References

American Pipeline Contractors Association. (n. d.) "Tool Box Safety Topic"

Retrieved 28 April, 2012 from http://www.americanpipeline.org/ToolBox/English/ElectricalSafety.pdf

Chao, Elaine L; Henshaw, John L. (2002) "Controlling Electrical Hazards"- OSHA"

Retrieved 28 April, 2012 from http://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3075.pdf

Electricity Forum. (2012) "OSHA Electricity Safety" Retrieved 28 April, 2012 from http://www.electricityforum.com/forums/osha-electrical-safety.html

Occupation Safety and Health Administration. "(n. d.) OSHA Fact Sheet."

Retrieved 28 April, 2012 from http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_Hurricane_Facts/elect_safety.pdf

United States Department of Labor. (2012) "OSHA Fact Sheet: Working Safely with Electricity" Retrieved 28 April, 2012 from http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/electrical/index.html

United States Department of Labor. (2012) "U.S. Department of Labor Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Washington D.C. 20210 OSHA Instruction STD1-16.7 Jul 1, 1991 Directorate of Compliance Programs"

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