http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/construction/electrical_incidents/fatexgroundfault.html

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/construction/electrical_incidents/fatexgroundfault.html

DEATH DUE TO LACK OF GFCI

Death Due to Lack of Ground-Fault Protection

No GFCI

A journeyman HVAC worker was installing metal duct work using a double-insulated drill connected to a drop light cord. Power was supplied through two extension cords from a nearby residence. The individual's perspiration-soaked clothing/body contacted bare exposed conductors on one of the cords, causing an electrocution. No GFCI's were used. Additionally, the ground prongs were missing from the two cords.

Safety Does not Just Happen

Planning for a job properly prevents mistakes and injuries from occurring. Safety on the job is not

something that just happens; it should be an integral part of the planning process. Job briefings are a

great way to include and encourage all crew members in the safety planning process. Job briefings can be

held at the start of work shifts, as work tasks or hazards change, and as additional personnel arrive.

JOB BRIEFING AND CHECKLISTIdentify

The hazards

The voltage levels involved

Skills required

Any “foreign” (secondary source) voltage source

Any unusual work conditions

The shock protection boundaries

The available incident energy

Potential for arc flash (Conduct a flash-hazard analysis)

Flash protection boundary

Number of people needed to do the job

Ask

Can the equipment be deenergized?

Is a “standby person” required?

Are backfeeds of the circuit to be worked on possible?

Check

Job plans

Single-line diagrams and vendor prints

Status board

Information on plant and vendor resources is up to date

Safety procedures

Vendor information

Individuals are familiar with the facility

Know

What the job is

Who else needs to know—Communicate!

Who is in charge

Think

About the unexpected event...What if?

Lock-Tag-Test-Try

Test for voltage—First

Use the right tools and equipment, including PPE

Install and remove grounds

Install barriers and barricades

What else...?

Prepare for an emergency

Is the standby person CPR trained?

Is the required emergency equipment available? Where is it?

Where is the nearest telephone?

Where is the fire alarm?

Is confined space rescue available?

What is the exact work location?

How is the equipment shut off in an emergency?

Are the emergency telephone numbers known?

Where is the fire extinguisher?

Are radio communications available?

Source: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70E ©

PPE Saves Lives

In the event of a momentary electric arc, flash fire, or exposure to energized equipment, a worker can find himself completely unprotected against forces that cause severe or fatal injuries. Everyday work clothes can ignite and will continue to burn even after the source of ignition has been removed. Normal clothes will continue to burn until the fabric is totally consumed, or will melt and cause severe contact burns to the skin.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is your last line of defense and will be the major factor in differentiating between an electrical event you walk away from and one that requires months of painful healing. PPE comes in many different forms, including hard hats, gloves, goggles, safety shoes, flame-resistant shirts and pants, safety glasses, face shields, fall protection equipment, and more.

Argoelectrical http://esfi.org/content/may-kit Check out Electrical Safety Here...

Argoelectrical

http://esfi.org/content/may-kit Check out Electrical Safety Here...

Too Many Workers Put Themselves at Risk

Each day, nearly 3 million professionals participate in

work activities where lockout/tagout procedures should be

used. Unfortunately, too many workers still put themselves

unnecessarily at risk by working energized or neglecting to

follow their company’s lockout/tagout procedures. Failure to

comply with the lockout/tagout standard is listed as one of

the top OSHA violations year after year.

Deenergize — Be Proactive About Your Safety

The number one way to prevent electrical injuries and fatalities

is to deenergize the equipment being worked on. It may take

a little more time and planning, but your life and your health

are worth it. Be proactive about deenergizing equipment and

taking steps to ensure that your work environment remains

safe.

Lockout/Tagout Helps Prevent the Unexpected

Lockout/tagout procedures safeguard workers from the

unexpected energization, or startup, of machinery and

equipment. They also can prevent the release of hazardous

energy during service or maintenance activities.

Lockout/Tagout Could Save Your Life

Always deenergizing and following established lockout/

tagout procedures saves lives. Compliance with OSHA’s

lockout/tagout procedures prevents an estimated 120

fatalities and 50,000 injuries each year. Workers injured on

the job from exposure to hazardous energy lose an average of

24 days of work to recuperation.

Top 10 Worker Error Traps

In the workplace, Employees tend to fall into situations that develop in Problems.

Before turning your Crew out in the Morning Discuss These Possible Issues:

1)Time Pressure 2)Distracting Environment

3)First Working Day after Days off. 4)1/2 Hour after Wake-up or Meal

5)Vague or Incorrect Guidance 6)Over Confidence/Complacency

7)High Workload 8)Imprecise Communications

9)Work Stress 10) First-Time Evolution

These contributing factors have not only enabled workers to provide Sub-Par

production, but they can also Lead to Severe Injury and Even Loss of Life.