Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Am I In Danger?

Due to the dynamic, rugged nature of construction work, normal use of electrical equipment at your site causes wear and tear that results in insulation breaks, short-circuits, and exposed wires [for additional information, see Flexible Cords and Power Tools]. If there is no ground-fault protection, these can cause a ground-faultthat sends current through the worker's body, resulting in electrical burns, explosions, fire, or death.

How Do I Avoid Hazards?
  • Use ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) on all 120-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles, or have an assured equipment grounding conductor program (AEGCP).
  • Follow manufacturers' recommended testing procedure to insure GFCI is working correctly.
  • Use double-insulated tools and equipment, distinctively marked.
  • Use tools and equipment according to the instructions included in their listing, labeling or certification.
  • Visually inspect all electrical equipment before use. Remove from service any equipment with frayed cords, missing ground prongs, cracked tool casings, etc. Apply a warning tag to any defective tool and do not use it until the problem has been corrected.

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