Electrical Safety Equipment Why do we need Electrical

Electrical Safety Equipment

Why do we need Electrical Safety Equipment? The Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act says: “The power supply to electrical installations, equipment or conductors shall be disconnected, locked out of service and tagged before any work is done, on or near live exposed parts of the installations, equipment or conductors. ”

Why do we need Electrical Safety Equipment? “…if it is not practical to disconnect electrical installations, equipment or conductors from the power supply …. ”

Why do we need Electrical Safety Equipment? “The worker shall use rubber gloves, mats, shields and other protective equipment and procedures adequate to ensure protection from electrical shock and burns while performing the work. ”

Examples of Electrical Safety Equipment

Examples of Electrical Safety Equipment • Rubber Gloves • Mats • Shields • Safety glasses or face shield • Non conductive hard hat • FR clothing

Examples of Electrical Safety Equipment • Rubber blankets • Insulated tools • Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters • Locks • Test equipment

Examples of Electrical Safety Equipment • Procedures • Design of equipment • Labeling of equipment • Documentation • Audits of the Safety Program • Training

Where the Safety Equipment did not work The following is from a news release from the Ontario Ministry of Labour.

The Niagara Fall Hydro-Electric Commission was fined $200, 000 for two violations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act that resulted in the death of an employee.

The deceased was moving cables through a small underground duct from one vault to another when he came in contact with alive 8000 volt conductor. The accident occurred when an insulating blanket moved. The blanket had been covering the energized conductors.

The commission was found guilty of 1. Failing to ensure that every reasonable precaution was taken to prevent a hazard to a worker from an energized conductor. 2. Failing to ensure that a worker used rubber gloves, mats, shields and other protective equipment and procedures adequate to ensure protection from electrical shock and burns while performing work.

Where the Safety Equipment worked. Recently at Dofasco a group of our High Voltage Electricians were doing some switching. They had a procedure to do the work and they were following it.

Electrical Safety Equipment can save your life or prevent injury. But only if it is used properly and routinely inspected.

With the properly maintained safety equipment we can hit the mark every time.

Thank You