11 Nov Working Safely Around Electricity
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Working Safely Around Electricity
Industry runs on electricity. It’s safe to use when you know what you’re doing and take proper precautions. When precautions are not taken, electricity can be a killer.
How you are affected by electric shock depends on the following factors:
- The rate the current flows through your body. This depends on how good your body conducts electricity. If you have dry hands and are standing on a non-conductive surface such as a rubber mat, you may not even feel a shock. If you are perspiring and are standing in water, you could be killed.
- The length of time the current flows through your body. The longer the electric contact, the greater the current flow and the greater the shock.
- The path the current takes through your body. The most dangerous path is through vital organs.
Your actions can protect your safety.
- Read and follow instructions before handling anything electrical. If you don’t understand the instructions, get qualified help-don’t guess.
- Plugs should only be inserted in receptacle outlets with the same slot or blade pattern, unless proper adapters are used. Don’t force or alter a plug by bending, twisting or removing blades to make it fit into a receptacle outlet.
- Water conducts electricity. Keep wet hands from touching electrical equipment or light switches.
- Firmly grip the plug, not the cord, when disconnecting equipment. Yanking the cord can damage the cord, plug, or receptacle outlet and result in a shock or fire.
- Because electricity is present even when the switch is in the “off” position, unplug equipment, appliances and extension cords when not in use and before inspecting, cleaning, or fixing them.
- Recognize signs of overloaded circuits including flickering or dimming lights, blown fuses, warm wall plates or extension cords, and tripped circuit breakers.
- Receptacle outlets and switches should not be painted or covered with wallpaper paste.