Tips during International Building Safety Week, April 2-8

Electrical accidents cause thousands of injuries and deaths every year.

Unsafe conditions at home and work and unsafe acts are the underlying causes of these accidents. By learning to spot, correct and prevent these electrical hazards, you'll make your home and workplace safer.

Correct unsafe conditions

Unsafe conditions result from faulty equipment or hazards in the environment. Equipment with defective insulation or parts, improper grounding, loose connections or unguarded energized parts is common and just plain dangerous.

Replacing receptacle covers that have been removed for maintenance is a good practice. Environments containing flammable vapors, liquids or gasses; corrosive chemicals; and wet or damp locations can also be dangerous when electrical equipment is in use. Take action to correct these hazards.

* Always check equipment, cords and attachments before each use.

* Make sure all equipment is properly grounded and plugged into grounded circuits.

* Never modify or remove a guard; guards protect you from energized equipment parts.

* Replace missing knock-outs on breaker panels with blanks.

* Be aware of flammable or corrosive chemicals, such as nail polish remover, adhesives, furniture polish, disinfectants, oil-based paints, pesticides, fertilizers, lighting liquids, gasoline, and propane gas cylinders.

Prevent unsafe acts

The most common unsafe acts include using tools or equipment too close to energized parts, intentionally using tools that are obviously defective or unsafe, and failing to shut off electrical equipment for repairs, servicing or inspections. Don't be a victim of unsafe acts.

Sensible tips for preventing unsafe acts when working with electricity

* Keep clear of energized parts. Be aware of the conductive materials and tools around you, and keep them far from sources of electricity. Remember, steel wool, metallic cleaning cloths and some chemical solutions are conductive.

* If you must work with energized parts and lockout/tagout is not possible, always use protective equipment such as rubber gloves, sleeves, blankets and mats, or non-conducting tools rated for the voltage of the parts. Make sure this equipment is maintained so that it does its job.

* Make sure all electrical equipment is properly grounded, and plug power tools into grounded outlets installed with ground fault circuit interrupters. Grounding is one of the most important safety measures you can take whenever you work with electricity. If faulty circuits or equipment allow current leakage, electricity will flow to the ground along the path of least resistance. Grounding ensures you don't become that path by providing an alternate route to the ground. Check ground connections regularly for tightness.

* Before use, inspect all electrical equipment and electrical outlets. Check cords, plugs and outlets for defects. Use only equipment that is in good condition. Never use equipment that you know is damaged, because no shortcut is worth an electrical shock.

* When operating electrical equipment, start and end from “off.” Make sure the power switch is off before plugging in equipment. When you are finished, turn the equipment off before unplugging it to protect yourself and the next user.

* Don't kink, cut or crush any electrical cord. Never carry equipment by its cord.

* If equipment has a three-prong plug, use a three-slot outlet or extension cord. Never modify three prongs to fit two slots by removing the third prong. Use an adapter instead, making sure that the metal grounding piece on the adapter is connected to a grounded object, such as the screw on the receptacle cover plate.

* Don't strain equipment. Service equipment regularly and repair or replace as needed. Disconnect power for inspections, servicing or changing accessories.

* Don't use electrical equipment when your hands are wet or any part of you is touching water. If you must work in damp areas, use a GFCI. Remember, it's best to keep water and electricity far apart.

International Building Safety week will be commemorated around the world April 2–8. Join hundreds of individuals across the globe by safeguarding your home and practicing these sound electrical safety tips. You'll not only make your contribution to International Building Safety Week, you'll also guarantee peace of mind and promote public health, safety and welfare.