Mes de la Seguridad Eléctrica: Proteja su Lugar de Trabajo
May is National Electrical Safety Month. Its purpose is to raise awareness of electrical hazards and promote safe practices. Although generally safe and reliable, electricity can cause serious injury if used improperly. Learn about the different types of electrical hazards that can threaten your workplace and what you can do to reduce your risk.
Ensuring safety in the workplace
Most workplace electrical hazards result from one of three factors: faulty or unprotected equipment, an unsafe working environment or risky work practices.
Aislamiento. Insulators — including rubber, plastic or glass — stop or inhibit the flow of electrical current. The insulation should be suitable for the voltage used and the environmental conditions. Insulation is often color-coded. Grounded wires are normally green or white; hot wires are typically black or red.
Protective devices. These limit or stop the flow of current automatically in the event of a ground fault, overload or short circuit. Common examples include fuses, circuit breakers and ground-fault circuit interrupters.
Guarding. Exposed live parts operating at 50 volts or more can be isolated or enclosed to prevent accidental contact. Common techniques include an electrical room, elevated platform or permanent screen. The area should be prominently marked with signs warning of the potential hazard.
Grounding. Grounding can prevent the build-up of hazardous voltages in powered equipment by creating a low-resistance connection to the earth. Grounding is a secondary protective measure to be used in combination with other electrical safety procedures.
Safe work practices. Safety devices are essential, but they're only effective when combined with sound work practices:
- Overhead power lines can be dangerous. When working near power lines, maintain a safe distance and ground any equipment that may become energized.
- Turn off the current to electrical equipment before making inspections or repairs.
- Before connecting electrical equipment, check the insulation for exposed wires or other defects.
- Utilice únicamente herramientas que estén en buen estado de mantenimiento y funcionamiento. Remove from service any equipment found to be defective or potentially hazardous.
- Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including rubber insulating gloves, helmets, hoods, blankets and line hose, when working directly with electricity.
The best defense against electrical hazards is using good judgment and common sense. Exercise caution when working with or near energized equipment. De-energize electrical equipment before making inspections or repairs and make sure all equipment is well-maintained, properly insulated and grounded. Siga todas las advertencias y normas relativas a los riesgos eléctricos y la seguridad.
Recursos Adicionales
Vea Standards and Best Practices from Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) for more information about keeping your workplace safe.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration also provides a variety of tools and resources regarding workplace electrical safety standards, tips on working safely with electricity and more.
Ayudar a nuestros clientes a estar seguros en casa y en el trabajo en torno a la electricidad es una prioridad absoluta. Consulte nuestra colección de consejos en IndianaMichiganPower.com/Safety.
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