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An electrical hazard can be defined as
Working near an electrical hazard is dangerous and can be fatal. Any work on or near energized equipment must be done only when measures are in place to provide protection from electric shock and burn. With adequate safety measures in place, every electrical injury and fatality can be prevented. An electric hazard is considered to be removed when protective measures are put in place at the source (remove hazard or deenergize), or along the path (place electrical insulation/barrier between the worker and the electrical hazard). Where PPE is relied upon for worker protection, an electrical hazard is considered to remain and it is still necessary to address safety requirements for other workers in the area. Electrical Injuries
Electric shock is the passing of electric current through the body. Electrical contact can cause involuntary physical movements. The electrical current may
An arc flash is a release of energy caused by an electric arc. The flash causes an explosive expansion of air and metal. The blast produces
Legislation and Guidelines The law requires safe work practices. Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations for Construction Projects, employers, supervisors, and workers each have legal responsibilities to ensure that work is being carried out in a safe manner. There are also restrictions in the Construction Regulation (O. Reg. 213/91, Section 182) on who is permitted to work on electrical equipment. Guidelines for working on or near electrical equipment and conductors are found in several documents:
Training Classroom-based Courses *The Lockout and Tag Safety course is a prerequisite for the Instructor Workshop. Online Courses E-learning Program See the Arc Flash Hazards program below or visit the E-learning and Videos page. | |||||
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M029 – Construction Health and Safety Manual Our most comprehensive guide for health and safety information, covering all aspects of construction work. See Ch.26: Electrical Hazards and Ch.27: Lockout and Tagging |
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Covers a wide variety of safety topics for the construction industry and helps reinforce accident prevention on the job. A comprehensive list of safety talks related to electrical hazards are listed below. |
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M010 – Electrical Construction and Maintenance Workers' Safety Manual Precautions covering most aspects of electrical construction and maintenance work. Topics include: Lockout and tagging, Energized equipment, Arc flash, Multimeters, Temporary wiring and power, Confined spaces, Trenches and excavations, Tools, Fall protection, Ladders, Scaffolding, PEWPS, Housekeeping, storage and maintenance, Fire extinguishers and Service vehicles. |
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RR004 – The Use of Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters on Portable Generators This research report describes in detail the conditions, equipment, procedures, and results of a series of tests conducted by us to determine the effectiveness of GFCIs used on the portable generators typically found in construction. |
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P106 – Look Out for Powerlines Poster Reminds workers to look out for overhead powerlines. 8 ½" x 11" (PDF) |
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S020 – Beware of Electrical Wires Sticker Warns of live electrical wires overhead. 2" x 6" sticker. |
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Warns of live electrical wires in the area. 3¾" x 6¼" tag. |
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V011 – Danger Do Not Energize Tag Informs workers that the system has been temporarily shut down due to maintenance being performed on it. The tag also includes a space to record the date and time of the shutdown as well as the name of the worker and employer who used the tag. 2¾" x 5" tag. |
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S025 – Danger Do Not Operate Sticker Informs workers that the system has been temporarily shut down due to maintenance being performed on it. The tag also includes a space to record the date and time of the shutdown as well as the name of the worker and employer who used the tag. 2¾" x 5" tag. |
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Occupational Health Risks – Electrical Workers This four-page booklet with prevention information for workers and a diagnostic toolkit for physicians and primary health providers is available for several construction trades. | ||||
Resources
Sample Policies and Procedures The health and safety policy & program section of our website contains information and sample documents to help you create or update your policy and program. Documents relating to electrical hazards are below.
E-learning and Videos
MOL Blitz Ontario Ministry of Labour inspectors checked for electrical hazards at construction sites during an enforcement blitz in October 2009. Inspectors checked that only authorized workers on projects were carrying out electrical work, that electrical power was disconnected before work began, that appropriate lockout procedures were being used, and that workers were otherwise protected if power could not be disconnected. Workers responsible for installing or maintaining electrical equipment often do not turn off the power supply and working on live, energized electrical equipment is a major safety hazard. Metal ladders, raised dump-truck bodies and crane booms have been implicated in a number of electricity-related injuries at construction sites. There have been more than 70 electricity-related fatalities in the last decade. Workers also continue to suffer arc-flash burns. In 2008, these were responsible for seven of 17 critical electricity-related injuries. Inspectors focused specifically on construction operations:
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There are basically two ways to be injured by electricity. One is by electric shock and the other is by arc flash.
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