Electrical work is a dangerous job. Accidental contact with electricity can cause serious injury or even death, so it’s important to follow all safety precautions. Electrical injuries most often occur when trying to repair or install a faulty or damaged electrical appliance or device without the proper knowledge of how it works. Accidents may involve touching live wires, the equipment used in working with electricity (such as tools), and water sources near power lines that could conduct electricity in case of an accident.
1. Turn off the power
Turn off the power at the circuit breaker or fuse box and use a non-contact voltage tester to confirm that the power is off, or test for yourself with a circuit tester (if you know how). If you are working on an electrical panel that has fuses instead of breakers, make sure they’re all out by opening up each cover and checking inside with your hand before proceeding further.
2. Protect your eyes and body
The best way to protect yourself is by wearing safety glasses, insulated electrical gloves, and a hard hat. If you’re working on something that involves dust or dirt (like working with a jackhammer), wear a dust mask as well. For added protection from falls, steel-toed boots such as Carolina men’s boots are recommended for anyone who works around electricity on a regular basis.
3. Proper clothing
There are several types of non-conductive clothing to choose from, but you should make sure that whatever you wear is rated for electrical work. Your shoes should be made of rubber or plastic and have no metal parts. The same goes for gloves and headgear. They should be made from non-conductive materials such as leather or neoprene rubber. In addition to these items, many workers also prefer to wear long sleeve shirts with short sleeves underneath them so that they can take off their outer layer if it gets too hot or sweaty during the day’s work.
4. Grounded tools and equipment
Grounded tools and equipment are safer than ungrounded tools. This is because they provide a path for electricity to flow through the tool before it reaches you, which prevents shocks and electrocution.
Grounding rods are metal rods that you hammer into the ground so they can be used as a conductor between your equipment and the ground, allowing electricity to go into the earth instead of through you when there’s an electrical fault or short circuit in your tool’s wiring system.
Ground clamps allow both ends of an electric wire or cable to be attached securely together without using any screws or bolts. You can just twist them tightly together until there’s no gap between them anymore (this will ensure good contact). They’re often used in conjunction with grounding rods since these tend not only to give good contact but also to keep everything secure enough so nothing moves around during use.
5. Use a GFCI outlet tester
A GFCI outlet tester is a portable device that can be used to test if a GFCI outlet is working properly. These testers are easy to use and can be purchased at hardware stores or online.
To test a GFCI outlet, plug in your appliance and turn it on. Place the tip of your tester into each prong of the plugged-in appliance’s cord, then press down firmly on its button until you hear it click off or feel resistance from within the device (usually about five seconds). If your tester lights up green or yellow, this means that there was no leakage current detected. If it lights up red or does not light up at all, you should replace your GFCI receptacle immediately.
6. Don’t touch a GFCI reset button during an electrical problem
If you are working on a circuit that has an electrical problem, don’t touch the reset button until you have determined that there is no power to the circuit. If you don’t know what you are doing, get help from someone who does. Never use a GFCI outlet tester to check if a GFCI outlet is working. This could damage your tester or cause injury.
7. Know what not to touch in case of an electrical arc flash or arc blast
Don’t touch anything that is connected to the circuit. If you are working on an energized system, never touch anything that is connected to it or has been recently disconnected from it. This includes any wires or terminals that have been loosened or disconnected from their fasteners.
Moreover, stay away from energized equipment and systems with exposed parts. You should always avoid standing in water or on wet ground when working around electrical equipment because this can create an electrical shock hazard if you accidentally come into contact with something live (such as a bare wire) while standing near a conductor such as water or earth ground.
8. Be careful when doing electrical work around water and wet areas
Water is a good conductor of electricity, which means it can cause electrical shock or electrocution if you come into contact with it while working on an energized circuit. It’s also important to remember that if you’re working around water, your tools may become wet as well–and they could be damaged by this exposure.
Also, you should never use an extension cord in place of permanent wiring! Extension cords aren’t designed for continuous use like permanent wiring is, so there’s no guarantee that the cord won’t overheat or start a fire if you use it too long (or at all).
If possible, have an electrician install new outlets in areas where people will need access regularly so you don’t have to rely on extension cords at all times. If this isn’t possible due to cost or other factors then consider using surge protectors instead of regular extension cords since these provide better protection against damage caused by power surges during storms/lightning strikes etc.
9. Keep combustible materials away from electrical circuits and equipment areas
Electrical equipment can start fires, so it’s important to keep flammable materials away from them. This includes anything that might catch fire easily, such as paper, wood, or clothing. Electrical equipment should be kept in dry areas with good ventilation so that any smoke produced by a short circuit or overheating is able to dissipate quickly and safely.
Conclusion
Working with electricity can be a dangerous task. It’s important to take the proper precautions and use your best judgment when working with electrical circuits. The tips listed above are just some of the many things you should keep in mind when performing maintenance on your home or office building’s electrical system.