“Success in Safety”

Electrical Safety Training Hazards Associate with Cords and Plugs All electrical equipment shall be inspected to ensure it is free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious harm to employees. TKE Safety Policy state that all equipment is subject to inspection before use. It is TKE policy to not use tools that have been damaged or missing prongs. Remember to inspect power tools before you use it. If you find signs of damage or wear, tag it “Do Not Use” and discard it or turn it in to your Supervisor for repair.

Electrical Safety Training Hazards Associated with Missing Ground Plugs Power cords that are moved frequently receive a lot of abuse. These include power tools and other portable appliances. Often, the damage occurs at the plug (i.e., a missing ground prong on a three pronged grounded plug) Missing ground prongs on power cord plugs usually result from users pulling on the cord to remove the plug from the outlet instead of handling the plug directly. In some cases, the plug may be pulled from the wire covering, exposing the inner wires to damage. Let’s review Tool Box Talk # 18 Missing Ground Plugs.

Examples of Damage or Missing Plugs

Electrical Safety Training Hazards Associated with Cords While a seemingly trivial problem, frayed and damaged power cords or cords that have had their ground prong removed pose a significant risk to employees. Damaged and ungrounded cords pose a threat of electric shock, and present a fire hazard. Power cords can become frayed or damaged from heavy use and age and should be inspected before each use. Frequently, mishandling (such as pulling a plug from a socket by jerking the cord rather than removing the plug carefully by hand) causes the most significant damage to a cord over time, tearing the external protective sheathing or detaching it from the plug head and exposing energized wires. Let’s Review Tool Box Talk # 20 Electrical Cords

Examples of Frayed or Damaged Cords

Electrical Safety Program SB pg 86 ? What are the requirements for extension cords used with portable electric tools and appliances (allow participants to answer) They must be of three-wire type and designed for hard or extra-hard usage

Electrical Safety Program SB pg 86 ? If a cord is damaged what are the two options to the employee (allow participants to answer) Replace it or have it repaired by a “qualified” person ? If a cord is smaller than No.14 can it be repaired in the field (allow participants to answer) No, it must be replaced ? Where can a diagram on how to properly replace cord ends be found (allow participants to answer) Appendix S Please take a moment to look at it in the back of the TKE Safety Handbook

Electrical Safety Program SB pg 86 - 87 ? Is splicing of cords approved at any time (allow participants to answer) No, unless it is done by an authorized vendor Flexible cords shall be connected to devices and fittings so that strain relief is provided, which will prevent pull from being directly transmitted to joints or terminal screws. ? What must be done to flexible cords and cables which pass through doorways or other pinch points (allow participants to answer) They must be protected from accidental damage Portable cord and plug connected equipment and flexible cord sets shall be visually inspected before use for external defects (ex loose parts, deformed/missing pins, damage to outer jacket) and for evidence of possible internal damage.

Electrical Safety Program SB pg 89 - 90 - ? What are the two (2) requirements necessary for safeguarding all employees while using all electrical equipment (allow participants to answer) Employees SHALL use ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) when connecting electrical equipment and tools A GFCI device shall be used at the source of power TKE will furnish GFCI’s to all field employees and the employees are responsible to verify that the GFCI is functioning properly before each use.

Electrical Safety Program SB pg 90 ? What are the four (4) steps of the proper procedure for testing a GFCI device (allow participants to answer) Insert a light or some other piece of electrical equipment to verify that there is power at the receptacle With the test button on the GFCI, open the circuit of the GFCI device. The test button (black button) should always be labeled ‘test’ Verify that the GFCI is working by turning on the light or by operating the electrical equipment If the electrical equipment is not working, reset the GFCI and test the electrical equipment once more. The reset button (red button) should always be labeled ‘reset’

Electrical Safety Program SB pg 90 ? When are GFCI’s required (allow participants to answer) 100% of the time Cords Tools Lights EVERYTHING you plug in! ? What must every employee be trained on regarding GFCI’s (allow participants to answer) Visual inspection of receptacles and flexible cord sets Visual inspection of power tools for defects, missing pins & damaged insulation Removal of defective equipment from service by tagging and notification of responsible personnel Proper use of GFCI’s Testing of GFCI’s

Electrical Safety Training Electric Shock Workers such as foreman, mechanics, and apprentices, who work directly with electricity and may be exposed to dangerous conditions if adequate precautions are not taken. Workers are injured or killed every year due to occupational accidents involving uncontrolled exposure to electricity. When shortcuts are taken and safety procedures are not followed we have loss of life, permanent disfigurement and loss work time. Let’s review Tool Box Talk # 23 Electric Shock.

Electrical Training Remember when working in Construction and Modernization and Repair – Job Hazard Analysis are mandatory. Service Mechanics – S.T.E.P. (Stop, Think about task, Evaluate hazards and then Proceed.) into Safety. Construction and Modernization need to perform their Daily Inspection Checklist. -- All Hoist in good condition, inspected and maintained? -- All power cords and electrical tools grounded?

East Region Safety Creed I will react to every unsafe condition I will comply with the safety rules I will always talk positively about safety

“Success in Safety”