GFCI Continued

As an alternative, OSHA does allow you to develop and implement an assured equipment grounding conductor program. The program must be in writing and address the following items: 1. Assignment of a competent person, 2. Daily visual inspection of all equipment before use, 3.The performance of tests on all cord sets at varying intervals (continuity and conductor attachment), and a documented system to track all tests. See 29 CFR 1926.404(b)(1)(iii)[A] through 1926.404(b)(1)(iii)[E] for further details.

Electrical hazards are a significant source of injuries and fatalities in the construction industry. Employee contact with electricity is responsible for approximately 18% of the fatalities observed in construction. Many injuries and fatalities could be prevented through the use of safe electrical work practices that include providing ground fault circuit interrupters on all temporary wiring.

All employers on construction sites are required to use either ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) or assured equipment grounding conductor programs to protect employees from the risk of electrocution or shock. There are several different means of employing GFCI depending on the application: A. as an attachment to an appliance cord, B. installed at the breaker panel, or C. provided at the receptacle.

Extension cords are considered to be temporary wiring; therefore, you should ensure that ground fault protection is used in conjunction with all extension cords on construction sites.

Inspect the GFCI equipped before each use to ensure it works properly. When a “pigtail” is used in conjunction with an extension cord, you must connect the GFCI equipped cord to the outlet.

All 120-volt, single-phase 15- and 20-ampere receptacle outlets on construction sites, which are not a part of the permanent wiring of the building or structure and which are in use by employees, shall have approved ground-fault circuit interrupters for personnel protection

The ground fault interrupters should be tested frequently to ensure they are functioning properly. The manufacturer usually recommends that you test the GFCI monthly. If you expect to work in a dusty environment, you should ensure all of the GFCI are covered and tested more frequently.

Job Briefing & Planning Summary

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.

Safety Does Not Just Happen: >

Identify

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?