Electrical Safety Month: Keep Your Business Safe

May is National Electrical Safety Month. It's designed to help raise awareness about critical electrical safety issues.

Electricity is generally safe and reliable, but it can be dangerous if it's used improperly. Misuse of electricity can lead to shocks or burns, and it can also be costly. By combining proper electrical safety practices and procedures with appropriate training and education, you can reduce the risk to your staff and facility.

Electrical Safety Practices

These operational, maintenance and educational procedures will help make your workplace safer:

• Require employees to use personal protective equipment when working on or near electrical equipment.
• Inform employees of the location of potential electrical safety hazards.
• Train workers to ensure they have the skills and experience required to perform work around electrical equipment.
• Establish an effective lockout/tagout procedure for working on electrical circuits and equipment.
• Use safe work practices (de-energize live equipment, discharge capacitors, lockout/tagout and so on) to prevent shock or other injuries.
• Allow only trained or approved personnel to perform maintenance or work on electrical equipment.
• Ensure all portable electrical tools are grounded or insulated properly.
• Install and cover electrical boxes and fittings in accordance with the National Electrical Code and other regulations.
• Educate appropriate individuals in the use of fire protection equipment and emergency response procedures.
• Develop procedures to replace and dispose of damaged or defective electrical cords, circuits and other electrical equipment.

Have your electrical system and electrical equipment inspected regularly by a qualified electrician. Contact your local building inspector to ensure your facility meets fire and safety codes and regulations in your area.

For more information about how to keep your workplace safe from electrical and other hazards, see the Business Safety and Health Handbook from the U.S. Department of Labor.