Proper Use of Extension Cords Proper Use and Electrical Hazard Awareness for Extension Cord Users Memorial Union 8/12/2010 Note to Presenter: The intent of this presentation is to improve our safety record when it comes to the use of extension cords, and the complacent attitude toward involving qualified personnel to assist in the set up of temporary power when needed. Be sure to introduce yourself and thank the group for inviting you. Be prepared with enough copies of the Electrical Safety Compliance Guide (ESCG-2002-01) for each class participant. There is a lot of material to cover in a short amount of time! Remember your audience does not come from an electrical background but just need some reminding of the dangers they face daily. Keep your war stories to a minimum and move through the material quickly so your audience doesn’t get bored.

Purpose The Purpose – Improve your safety on and off the Job Raise your awareness of extension cord hazards Help you learn to recognize extension cord hazards Help you learn what actions to take when you find these hazards Help you understand the limitations of extension cords Discuss the Purpose of this Safety Meeting Topic

Electrocution Can Happen To You A small amount of electrical current can cause injury, even death The current from a 7.5-watt, 120-volt lamp, passing across the chest, is enough to cause fatal electrocution Deaths from 120 volts represent about 12 percent of all electrocutions Virtually everyone uses electricity every day More exposure = more opportunity for accidents ~2/3 of electrical incidents involve non-electrical workers Raise audience awareness of how common electrical hazards are on and off the job site.

Electrocution Can Happen To You (cont.) Electrocution continues to rank as the fourth highest cause of industrial fatalities (behind traffic, violence and construction incidents) One person is electrocuted in the home every 36 hours One person is electrocuted in the workplace every 24 hours

Cord Inspection All mechanical equipment deteriorates with use over time. The prevalence of electrical equipment in the workplace, and at home, presents more exposure to potentially damaged or defective equipment that can be lethal. Always take a minute or two to examine power cords and plugs before using them. Even a small nick in the insulation can be deadly. This would be a good point to have some samples of bad cords to pass around the group

Cord Inspections (cont.) Extension Cords are a great way to extend a power supply however they can be dangerous Power Cord Safety Basics (applies to all power cords, including extension cords) Inspect the cord & plug. Look for cracks or damaged insulation, loose or missing plug blades, and indications of overheating or burning, especially on the plug. Make sure the plug is securely attached to cable. The plug should be molded to the cord or have a clamping mechanism that fits snugly around the cord without pinching. Check for hot or discolored outlet wall plates. That may indicate dangerous heat buildup at the connections. Demonstrate the proper inspection of a cord during the next two slides (wear your gloves when sliding your hands along the cord) Read these excerpts from HGET: You can safely use an extension cord by: Check for UL or other OSHA approved NRTL labels. Protect them from physical damage resulting from sharp objects, heat, pinch points (such as doorways) and Chemicals. Visually inspect for damaged insulation and broken plugs. Make sure attachment plugs are fully inserted into receptacle outlets. Properly store extension cords used for temporary work when not in use. Periodically inspect cords in extended use to detect physical damage. Use cords of appropriate length

Cord Inspections (cont.) Power Cord Safety Basics (cont.) Make sure your hands are dry before plugging or unplugging a power cord. Make sure the plug fits snugly into the outlet. Outlets that have loose-fitting plugs can overheat and damage the cord and the plug. Never force a plug into an outlet if it doesn’t fit. Keep slack in flexible cords to prevent tension on electrical terminals. Grasp the plug, not the cord, when removing a plug from an outlet.

Actions for damage or defective equipment Don’t use any electrical equipment that you suspect may be damaged Be suspicious if any tool, cord, or other electric equipment appears to be damaged. If in doubt, have it checked out by a qualified person. They will remove the equipment from service or verify that the equipment is safe to connect to power and use. If the equipment may be energized: Isolate the area to alert personnel and keep them clear of the potential hazard and notify your supervisor immediately. Don’t touch or handle damaged electrical equipment. Instill the attitude that it may be time to call in a more qualified person to investigate the hazard. I have followed up with well meaning cord users who had cut the female end off a damaged cord thinking they were eliminating a hazard only to create a bigger one.

GFCI Protection Extension cords may be plugged into cord connected ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) if the permanently attached cord on the GFCI device is less than six feet in length. Portable GFCI devices shall be tested before each use. If you suspect a problem, have it checked out by a qualified person. They will remove the equipment from service or verify that the equipment is safe to connect to power and use. Great time for GFCI show and tell. Be sure everyone is aware of how to tell when permanently installed GFCI receptacles have been tested and who to notify to get assistance from the electrical maintenance group when needed.

GFCI Protection GFCI protection for personnel shall be used: When portable electric tools and equipment are used with temporary wiring methods or extension cord sets for construction, repair, maintenance, remodeling and similar activities. When electric equipment is used in highly conductive work locations (with water or other conductive liquids) Recommended GFCI test method: Permanently installed GFCI’s are tested per facility policies Portable GFCI cord sets are tested by the user Visually inspect device for obvious defects and broken parts. Press reset button. Press test button and verify no voltage at outlet. Using a trouble light or tool Press reset button and verify power is restored. Demonstrate GFCI testing If a GFCI trips while you are using it, a dangerous condition may exist in the tool or appliance. Do NOT bypass the GFCI or move to a non-GFCI outlet. If a GFCI trips while you are at work, unplug the tool before resetting the GFCI Know and follow your facility's established electrical safety policies. (Presenter must be familiar with facility policies) One reset of GFCI receptacles, one and only one, is acceptable. (Presenter know facility policies) Note: You may receive a mild shock during the time it takes for the GFCI to cut off the current. A GFCI can provide power without giving an indication that it is no longer providing shock protection and should be tested monthly or before each use according to your facilities established procedure.   Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) Should be used around sinks or other sources of water. Shut off power if part of the current is going back to the source through an unwanted route. If a GFCI trips while you are using it: A dangerous condition may exist in the tool or appliance you are using Know and follow your facility’s established policy (Presenter state policy) GFCI’s detects imbalances of electrical current between the hot and neutral conductors. Turns off electricity before severe injuries or electrocution can occur. You may receive a brief, but painful, electrical but painful shock during the time it takes for the GFCI to cut off the current. A GFCI can provide power without giving an indication that it is no longer providing shock protection and should be tested monthly and/or before each use. Testing a Permanently installed GFCI may interrupt power to other outlets. Unless it is part of your normal job function, check with your supervisor before testing a GFCI at work.

Proper Extension Cord use Read and follow all Manufactures instructions Check out a couple of actual Manufactures labels

Multi Outlet Adapters Adapters are those Muti-Outlet units less then 6’ long. Extension Cords with Multi-Outlet cord caps are also a good choice for field use Discuss the proper use of a Multi-Outlet Adapters verses Multi-Outlet cords. There may be other special adapters in use at your facility that you may wish to cover at this point in the presentation having examples to show would be desirable. Examples: PFP has a constant voltage outlet adapter that must be installed and checked for proper polarity by an electrician prior to use. PFP has also built glove port adapters that are unique to their work scope.

Things to Avoid This is a Hidden Slide when presenting with Power Point, but is available for printing if needed as an overhead.

Things to Avoid Extension Cord to Refrigerator Extension Cord with Multi Outlet end Multi Outlet Adapter Multi Outlet Adapter GFCI Protector Duplex Recpt. Identify the items one by one as the fly in (on your mouse click) to show how quickly and overload situation can happen. TV Cord Cords to counting equip Water Cooler Battery Charger

Summary Always inspect before use. Protect yourself through the use of GFCI’s. Ensure potential hazards are properly dealt with When in doubt contact a Building Services technician or call 7-9823. Summarize the presentation. Thank your host have having you, and if time allows take questions or leave your contact information.