Basic Electrical Safety

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), thousands of office employees and administrative employees are injured every year nationally. Although the most frequent types of incidents are falls (either falls from height, or slips, trips and falls), many injuries occur as a result of exposure to electrical current (equipment & appliances). 
In a modern office environment, electrically operated equipment is everywhere. If electrical equipment is faulty or misused, the result is potentially electrical shock and or burns. If a part of the body comes in contact with electricity, it will enter the body it will the body at the point of contact and exit at another point. The passage of electrical current through the body can cause great pain, burns, destruction of tissue, nerves and muscles (even including death). Do not become part of an electrical circuit. 
Below are some precautions to take when working with electrical devices or equipment:
  •  Use only equipment that is properly grounded or double insulated.
  •  If the ground prong is broken off of an electrical plug/cord, do not use it.
  •  Do not overload outlets.
  •  Do not plug multi outlet strips into other multi bar strips.
  •  Only use equipment that is approved from a national testing laboratory.
  •  Use surge protectors when possible, not extension cords.
  •  Do not plug surge connectors in series.
  •  Extension cords are for temporary use only.
  •  Do not run power or extension cords under carpets or mats.
  •  Unplug or disconnect equipment if it is faulty or being serviced.
  •  Do not ignore warning sign (warm power cords, buzzing/humming or smelling smoke). Take it “Out of Service”/”Do Not Use”
  •  Inspect cords and equipment periodically and report defects.
  •  Unplug cords by gripping the plug, not the cord.
  •  Do not use electrical equipment near water or wet surfaces.
  •  Never use electrical equipment when your hands are wet.
Following these basic electrical safety practices will minimize your chances of an electrical incident or injury.

In-depth Electrical Safety

Specific jobs on campus, based on a job hazard analysis, require a more robust electrical safety training (electricians, HVAC, etc.).  Your training manager will contact you about this training.  If you feel unsafe or should have received this training, please contact EHS.