Tool Box Talk

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.