Archive for the ‘Electrical Safety’ Category

5 Tips For Improving Electrical Safety In The Workplace

by Annie Cooper

In any workplace, electrical safety should be a top priority. Some industries are more concerned about electrical safety than others, but all businesses need to be aware of electrical hazards on the job and how to mitigate them. Electricity hazards at work can be minimized in a variety of ways thanks to a few easy measures that employers can take. Here are 5 simple and easy ways to improve electrical safety at work.

Conduct Risk Assessments

As one of the most important electrical safety topics, risk assessments can prevent accidents and reduce risks overall. Workers should conduct risk assessments of all electrical hazards on-site before beginning any work. By taking such precautions, you can inform your employees about the dangers present at the site, and set up safety plans and procedures to prevent any mishaps.

Ensure employees have proper training in electrical equipment

The following workplace electrical safety tip might seem unnecessary because your employees are professionals, but this is often overlooked. Every field is susceptible to bad habits and improper use when workers use the same equipment every day. Electrical work can be very dangerous, so it’s vital that your workers receive the appropriate training for their duties. Also, workers need to know how to use each tool correctly, especially while performing direct electrical work.

Never work in wet conditions

It’s no secret that water and electricity don’t mix well. Working around electrical equipment while it is wet will significantly increase the chances of getting electrocuted, especially if it is poorly insulated. A qualified electrician must inspect wet electrical equipment before power is re-connected to ensure worker safety. Employees should be trained to avoid contact with circuits and electrical equipment if they have wet hands.

Prioritize Safety Signage

It is perhaps the bare minimum an employer can do to protect employees during electrical work. When it comes to safety signs, they should be a reminder to employees and reinforce what they have already learned. However, posting warnings about electrical hazards is not inadvisable. A reminder of the potential dangers of working with electricity is just one more way to keep workers safe.

Always wear personal protective equipment

This might be the most important of all the workplace electrical safety tips discussed here. The first line of defense against any potential shocks that you may suffer on the job is personal protective equipment. As a safety precaution, it is recommended that you use electrical gloves and footwear whenever working in the electrical construction industry. This will help you avoid any accidents that may occur randomly despite following your electrical safety plans. In addition to wearing a face shield and a fire-resistant helmet, you should also wear eye and ear protection if you are working with wiring or electricity.

Safety should always be the number one priority on any construction site, especially in the electrical construction industry. Working with electrical equipment can be dangerous, but these tips should help you minimize the risks as much as possible.

Take advantage of these five tips to improve electrical safety on the job site. For easy and convenient workplace safety solutions, contact the experts at Emedco today!

May Is National Electrical Awareness Month!

by Andrew

Every year, the Electrical Safety Foundation International runs a month-long campaign in May to improve electrical safety in your community, organization, school or family. This year, the theme of National Electrical Awareness Month is “Decoding the National Electric Code (NEC) to Prevent Shock and Electrocution.”

 

Raising awareness about electrical safety in various settings is the first step to reducing electrical fires, injuries and – in the worst of cases – death. In fact, in the construction industry, electrocutions account for nearly 10 percent of all fatalities.

 

Though the most at-risk sector is construction, the ESFI encourages every workplace to be actively involved in the month-long campaign to increase safety around electricity. Whether you’re an employer or employee, part of your job should be to help promote safety in the workplace to ensure you – and your co-workers – are prepared in the event of a problem. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, you should check to ensure existing work conditions meet all standards and compliance regulations as well as train your people to recognize potential electrical hazards.

 

Want to do your part to celebrate National Electrical Awareness Month? Follow these tips from OSHA:

 

  • Assume that all overhead wires are energized at lethal voltages. Never assume that a wire is safe to touch even if it is down or appears to be insulated.
  • Never touch a fallen overhead power line. Call the electric utility company to report fallen electrical lines.
  • Stay at least 10 feet (3 meters) away from overhead wires during cleanup and other activities. If working at heights or handling long objects, survey the area before starting work for the presence of overhead wires.
  • If an overhead wire falls across your vehicle while you are driving, stay inside the vehicle and continue to drive away from the line. If the engine stalls, do not leave your vehicle. Warn people not to touch the vehicle or the wire. Call or ask someone to call the local electric utility company and emergency services.
  • Never operate electrical equipment while you are standing in water.
  • Have a qualified electrician inspect electrical equipment that has gotten wet before energizing it.
  • If working in damp locations, inspect electric cords and equipment to ensure that they are in good condition and free of defects, and use a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).
  • Always use caution when working near electricity.

From our Lockout/Tagout Equipment to signs and identification products, Emedco has everything you need to improve electrical safety at all your facilities. Just give our team of professionals a call at (866) 748-5963 or visit Emedco.com to find safety solutions for every challenge.

What to do when lockout procedures dont work

by Julianne Bass

Alternative approaches to lockout are protective measures created when it is not feasible to lockout because of the need for energy sources to be present in order to accomplish assigned work. Alternative measures can be used in well-defined procedures that protect workers from the risk of unexpected machine startup or the release of hazardous energy.

Read the source article at ISHN.com

Key Lockout Tagout Definitions Every Safety Manager Should Know

by Julianne Bass

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The power of heavy duty machinery is largely left up to speculation until a major accident occurs and its true impact is shown. Protecting workers from the powerful machines they interact with on a daily basis largely relies on the presence of an effective and compliant lockout tagout program and the proper training of all employees who will have to apply its procedures. When creating a sustainable program here is a list of 10 lockout terms, all safety managers, and workers should know.

  1. Authorized Employee: the worker that is applying the lock or tag to machines/equipment in order to perform service on it
  2. Affected Employee: A worker that may come in contact with machines or equipment on which lockout tagout procedures are applied
  3. Other Employees: All worker who are in or around the area in which lockout tagout procedures are being used
  1. Capable of being locked out: Can be locked without dismantling, rebuilding, or replacing the energy-isolating device or permanently altering its energy control capability.
  1. Energized: any piece of equipment or machinery that is connected to an energy source or may contain stored energy
  2. Energy-isolating device: A device that physically prevents the transmission or release of energy
  3. Energy source: Any source of electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal, or other energy.
  4. Lockout: The placement of a device often in the form of some sort of lock, on an energy-isolating device, in accordance with an established procedure, ensuring that the piece of equipment the device in being place on is controlled and cannot be operated until the lockout device is removed.
  5. Servicing and/or maintenance: Workplace activities that place workers in situations where they would be exposed to unexpected startups or releases of hazardous energy  from the piece of equipment on which they are working or in the presence of.
  6. Tagout: The placement of a tagout device on an energy-isolating device, in accordance with an established procedure, to indicate that the piece of equipment is being controlled may not be operated until the tagout device is removed.

Electrical Safety Tips for your Home and Business

by Julianne Bass

Electrical safety is something we take very seriously at Medport Electric. Our commitment to quality means we’re unequivocally commited to safety in the home and for the businesses we serve. According to the National Fire Protection Association, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated annual average of 47,820 reported home structure fires involving electrical failure or malfunction from 2007 to 2011.

Read the source article at Home – Medport Electric

How Effective Safety Signs Helps in Workplace Safety

by Julianne Bass

As the popular saying goes “A picture is worth a thousand words”, and I couldn’t agree more. But in the context of safety signs, the right kind of picture can better deliver the thousand words. Imagine if all you see in the street when you are driving are signs that are all made of square signs with a black text on a white background. I am sure you will agree with that it will surely increase the traffic accidents that’s been happening daily.

Read the source article at Global Risk Management Services

Top 10 Most Important Workplace Hazard Safety Signs for Any Facility

by Julianne Bass

EME WPS Top 10 Signs 225

“I saw the sign, and it opened up my eyes…” Ace of base really was on to something with that one hit wonder. Signs are all around us and yet we still miss their messages at times. In the workplace, not being aware of these critical alerts can lead to disastrous situations. While signs outside of work may struggle to stand out amongst the clutter and confusion, a workplace should have streamlined, cohesive approach to how messages are posted, reserving safety signage for the most important safety messages. Here is a rundown of the top 10 most important safety signs every facility should have.

  1. The Exit Sign

Any time you enter a facility, the first thing you should look for is how to exit that very same facility. In any building that is in compliance with OSHA and NFPA regulations there should be clearly marked exits and unobstructed routes to get to them. You never know when an emergency may occur or just the urge to get out of there!

  1. The Authorized Personnel Only Sign

Everyone has their nosy moments, wanting to see what goes on behind the scenes and out of view; however at times that can go against your best interests when it comes to safety. If there are areas within a facility that should be kept off limits to most, and should only be deemed accessible by people with particular credentials, post authorized personnel only signage at the entry points of those areas and take further steps to secure them from the general public. An area where an authorized personnel sign could be needed could include and HR department where there are private documents or any area where there is lab testing or hazardous chemicals.

  1. The PPE Sign

When entering into an area of a facility where there are hazards that pose a threat to a workers well being, it is important to alert them to the proper precautions they should take before entering to protect themselves against harm. Areas like this could include a construction site, or a manufacturing floor where there could be flying objects or moving parts.

  1. The Danger Flammable Sign

Anywhere there is a substance that is capable of ignition or causing a fire, there should be a Danger Flammable sign. Often automotive garages that have extra oil and gasoline lying around these signs can be found. In addition, any areas that are used to store chemicals, even cleaning products; should be labeled with this warning as well. Any liquid or gas that is combustible poses a clear and present threat.

  1. The Biohazard Sign

The biohazard sign can be found in areas where harmful biological substances are present. Biohazard signs are very common in healthcare settings where bodily fluids are commonly dealt with, that could pass on germs and perhaps disease to others if not properly handled or disposed of.

  1. The Electrical Safety Sign

Electrical safety is an ongoing hot button issue in workplace safety. It holds 3 of the top 10 most cited violations for OSHA, and takes countless lives each year due to improper safety precautions when workers come in contact with it. High voltage signs should be posted anywhere the threat of contact with dangerous electrical current is present. This is a very serious area of concern in all workplaces that it affects, signage is a great first step in getting a workers’ attention and alerting them of an electrical hazard in their area.

  1. The Danger Confined Space Sign

A confined space is not intended for continuous occupancy by workers by definition, however at times, it is required for workers to enter confined spaces for maintenance and other tasks. By posting confined space signage at these points of entry, this alerts workers that these areas and the tasks associated with them are only for workers who have been properly trained in working in confined spaces and should only be entered by those who have permits and have gone through the proper alerting processes as it pertains to letting coworkers know of the work they are performing, where, when , and for how long so that they are accompanied by the right personnel for assistance.

  1. The Machine Safety Sign

When working in the presence of heavy duty machinery it is important to know the functions of each machine to ensure that your workers stay out of harm’s way. A machine that can start up without warming poses a major threat to a worker when it comes to caught-in injuries, lacerations, and amputations. Posting this sign with help to remind an employee about the machine that they are working around however when performing maintenance on a machine the proper lockout tag out procedures should always be followed.

  1. The Forklift Safety Sign

Maintaining a safe flow of traffic around a facility that incorporate forklifts and foot traffic within the same area can come with its own set of difficulties and safety hazards. When operating a forklift around a bustling floor many things can go unheard due to noise or unseen due to blind spots. While the pedestrian should always have the right of way, if a person is unseen and unheard, this is where the danger rises. Posting forklift traffic signs in these areas can help make all workers more aware.

  1. The Slips, Trips and Falls Sign

Everyday slips trips and falls are some of the most common and also some of the most costly when it comes to workplace safety injuries. All it takes is an uneven surface, a step down, a box that falls out of place or a chord in a walkway to cause serious injury. If there are known areas within your facility where tripping incidents or near misses consistently occur consider posting a caution sign.

While every workplace safety hazard cannot be solved by safety signage, providing the right alert messaging starts your workplace safety program off on the right foot. When clear, consistent, and cohesive messaging is present, it will provide a strong safety foundation for any workplace to incorporate into their procedures for a sustainable workplace safety strategy.

Areas to Focus on Safety in a Warehouse

by Julianne Bass

Safety in American warehouses is regulated by a series of standards from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, commonly known as OHSA. The US Congress created OSHA under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, which was signed into law by President Nixon on December 29, 1970. The main focus of OSHA is to prevent work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths. Since the administration began, occupational deaths have been cut by 62 percent and injuries have declined by 42 percent.

Read the source article at Supply Chain Management

Eliminating The Top 10 OSHA Safety Violations from Your Workplace in 2016

by Julianne Bass

OSHAtop10

Every year on the last week of September the NSC Conference has a big unveiling of the year’s 10 OSHA Top Violations, but when you look at the hard facts, much of those top ten OSHA safety violations have remained unchanged for quite a few years running. If these are the most troubling violations leading to injury and death year over year, why hasn’t there been more of an effort to make a change? Why wouldn’t we eliminate these workplace safety hazards from continuing to be a danger to workers? Where is the ball being dropped? Is it with OSHA, or with individual companies?

Here are some helpful tips that will help you eliminate top 10 OSHA safety violations from your workplace in 2016.

Fall Protection (29 CFR 1926.501), 7,402 total violations

Fall protection has been at the top of OSHA’s list for 5 years in a row, with much concern and attention paid to the impact it has on the safety of workers specifically in the construction industry. When working at heights of 10’s or even 100’s of feet in the air it is critical to ensure that your workers not only have the right fall protection supplied to them but that they also know how to properly use it before any work begins. Incorrect implementation of safety precautions and fall protection safety signs are just as dangerous if not worse than having none at all.

Want to learn more about fall protection?  Read Don’t Fall Out Of Compliance: What You Need To Know About Fall Protection

Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200), 5,681 total violations

2016 will bring with it the final GHS deadline in June 2016. While it has been a long and difficult process to implement protocols all the way up the supply chain and stick to deadlines, once all is said and done, GHS compliance will have a great impact on osha safety standards and safety for workers who interact with dangerous substances on a regular basis.  Through cost reductions, productivity improvements and decreased instances of injury and illness GHS will begin saving a total of $745 million annually across all industries it has impacted.

Want to learn more about GHS? 

Read more about Symbols of Danger: Understanding GHS Pictograms

Scaffolding (29 CFR 1926.451), 4,681 total violations

In another issue specific to the construction industry, 72 percent of workers injured in scaffold accidents identify the planking or support giving way or slipping, or being struck by a falling object. Ensuring that scaffolding is erected properly before work begins goes a long way in protecting workers in addition to having regularly scheduled assessments,  proper implementation of osha safety signs and fall protection guardrails in place for those who will be working on or around scaffolding areas.  Enforcing PPE rules for those who will be working in these areas is also crucial when it comes to preventing struck by hazards caused by falling objects.

Respiratory Protection (29 CFR 1910.134), 3,626 total violations

2016 may become a year of big changes when it comes to respiratory protection as it concerns permissible exposure limits and the passing of OSHA’s workplace safety long awaited Silica rule. Outside of reducing the levels of acceptable exposures, when it comes to providing protections against chemicals that cannot be eliminated from work processes, selecting the proper respiratory protection can prove to be tricky. The most important step to selecting the correct respiratory solution for your workplace starts with have a good understanding of the substance you are trying to protect against. Not all respiratory protection is created equally and each workplace safety hazards come with its own rules and solutions for protecting your workers against them. Choose wisely and make sure your solutions properly fit your workers.

Want to learn more about respiratory protection? Read up on Respiratory Protection: Compliance Myths

Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout) (29 CFR 1910.147), 3,308 total violations

Number 5 on the 10 OSHA Top violations, Lockout Tagout often is an area that can easily become overwhelming for those in charge of keeping their procedures up to snuff. If one little thing changes, the whole procedure may need rewriting. However, never fear technology is on your side with many different procedure writing software’s and services available it is easy to get someone out to your facility and assist you in creating a plan that is sustainable and can be easily maintained.

Want to learn more about Lockout/Tagout? Read Are You Creating Effective Lockout Tagout Procedures?

Powered Industrial Trucks, General Industry (29 CFR 1910.178), 3,004 total violations

Forklift safety is only one piece of the pie when it comes to creating an effective powered industrial trucks safety plan. Realizing that these trucks are interacting with humans the battle of man -vs- machine is important to keep in mind (HINT the loser is always man). When creating a game plan to keep all workers safe consider the physical conditions of your facility; how pedestrian traffic will interact with truck traffic, and also if there are any hazardous areas that should be deemed off limits to forklifts such as areas that are enclosed or have little ventilation. Lastly, make sure that OSHA safety signs are properly implemented in your facility.

Want to learn more about forklift safety? Read Forklift Safety Best Practices: How Workplace Conditions Affect Safety Operations

Ladders (29 CFR 1926.1053), 2,732 total violations

Ladder safety seems like a no brainer when you get down to it. Make sure it is in working order, that it is clean, and that it has secure placement before use. However, there is no way to account for the unexpected. A number of things could go wrong while climbing to heights at which a fall could prove fatal.  Ladder safety should not be overlooked and starts with having a clear understanding of the basic principles. But a workplace should always have fall protection safety signs in place and a backup plan when unexpected hazards emerge such as wind, flying objects, animals, ladder malfunction etc.

Want to learn more about ladder safety? Read Step up: Best Practices of Ladder Safety

Electrical (Wiring) (29 CFR 1910.305), 2,624 total violations

The misuse of cord and cables, uninsulated wiring and extension cords are where this violation saw the most offenders, with the silver lining being the number of total incidences for this standard are trending downward from 2014 to 2015. Other good news from OSHA shows that they are revisiting these OSHA safety standards for updates after 40 years of being untouched and on the books. Changes made to this 40 year old rule are thought to be able to save an additional 20 lives per year while preventing 118 other injuries.

Want to learn more about Electrical (Wiring)? Breaking Down the Regulation

Machine Guarding (29 CFR 1910.212), 2,540 total violations

Losing an arm or eye because of exposure to blades, getting caught in a machine, or particles flying off of a machine are all causes for concern when it comes to machine guarding. When production timelines are tight, these are the times that machine guarding accidents are most likely to occur. When chaos ensues workers are more likely to begin to cut corners and could land themselves in a very dangerous situation. With the proper OSHA safety signs implementation and guarding in place facilities are able to eliminate the possibility of these life altering injuries from occurring. Protecting workers from points of exposure and improving anchoring of a fixed machine are two ways to improve any machine guarding safety plan.

Want to learn more about machine safety? An Introduction to Machine Guarding

Electrical, General (29 CFR 1910.303), 2,181 total violations

Improper installation or use of tolls and equipment are main concerns for the Electric Standard to round out the 10 OSHA top violations. As with the wiring regulations, OSHA is also putting a fresh set of eyes to this standard as well in hope to continue to drive incidents and violations because of this standard down.

Want to learn more about Electrical Safety? Preventing Facility Hazards: Electrical Safety Tips You Need to Know

It goes without saying that OSHA will have a busy year ahead of it in 2016 and with fines increasing by 80% and inspectors performing longer and more comprehensive audits, it is in the best interest of all facilities to do everything within their power to comply before OSHA safety violations occur or even worse—before injury or fatality occurs.

Need help assessing the safety needs around your facility? We can help. Click here.