A safe work environment is not always enough to control all potential high voltage electrical hazards. Careful planning and adequate safety procedures are essential to prevent contact with equipment under test. Do you know how to minimize the possibility of an electrical incident? Below are a few ways you can protect yourself when working in a high voltage hazardous area.
5 ways to stay safe in a High Voltage Hazardous Area
- Ensure proper personal protective equipment (PPE). For example, NFPA Arc Flash approved arc-rated clothing that can protect you from a potential electrical incident. This also includes approved equipment used for live voltage and phasing checking at high voltage should be tested immediately before and after use against a high voltage test supply.
- Make sure you have a Self-Inspection Electrical Safety Checklist. Contains OSHA standards and the NEC
National Electrical Code for complete and specific guidelines that may apply to your work environment. - Test voltage test indicators immediately. This includes before and after use against a test supply designed for the purpose.
- Never work alone. Always have a partner who knows your equipment and the risks and hazards involved. That way, you have a second set of eyes to insure safety, and someone who can shut off the power and get help if you are injured.
- Never assume a circuit is safe just because it is powered off. Make sure to CHECK that a safe, de-energized state has been achieved. Some equipment operates at voltages that are so low that they cannot cause a harmful electric shock, but even at these extra- low voltages, an arc can occur and burns can result from overheating.
For information about High Voltage Safety training, please visit OCS Group website.
For further information, see:
OSHA “Electrical Safety in the Workplace”
