Working with electricity may be one of the most dangerous things that you could do. This makes it important for you to take certain safety measures into consideration and make them a part of your lifestyle. Doing this will help you improve your safety, so you need to make these your habits whenever you work with electricity. Have a look at five of these safety tips below and keep them in mind whenever working with electricity.
1. Always Ensure Safe Use of Electrical Equipment
When working on electrical fixtures, it’s important for you to make sure that you use electrical equipment safely. This will help you make a safe installation that will work for a long time to come. For example, unplug electrical cords by pulling on the plug head instead of the cord. Avoid fastening cords with staples because this can damage them and expose you and others to substantial risk. Also, avoid hanging electrical equipment up by its cords, as you risk ruining it when the cord breaks. Note that if you work with electricity in your job, if you get injured at work, you’re entitled to two categories of damages, which are non-economic and economic.
2. Wear Electrical Gear
Before you start working on any electrical fixtures or equipment, always make sure that you’re in the right protective gear. This includes heavy rubber gloves which will keep you safe from handling electrical currents. You should also wear rubber-soled shoes as these are great for insulation. Goggles are also very important to wear if you’re working on branch circuits or another kind of electrical circuit. With the right safety gear, you can keep yourself safe from issues that range from mild to severe in terms of electrical danger.
3. Always Turn Off the Mains
Before you work on a receptacle, you need to be sure to turn off the mains. If possible, also put up a sign to alert people so that no one turns it on by accident, possibly electrocuting you. Note that between 2017 and 2022, the number of people in the electrician industry grew by 3.4%. This means that there are many people with knowledge of electrical safety, but most of the population doesn’t have this training. That said, if you’re putting up a sign, make it clear and easy for anyone to understand, whether they’re professional electricians or not.
4. Be Aware of Your Surroundings
As an electrician, you need to be sure of your surroundings and do your best to analyze all possible risks. For example, when working at an elevated level, check to be sure that there are no cables overhead. These may expose you to possible electrocution if you’re not careful, or cause an accident when something you’re using gets caught overhead. Always get rid of all risk items from your surroundings. Ensure there are no spills or objects lying around the house that pose a hazard. These measures will prove beneficial in all aspects of your lifestyle.
5. Never Work on Energized Equipment
Finally, before you work on an energized system or equipment, you need to make sure that it’s been effectively de-energized. This will prevent potential accidents from happening on and around the equipment and you can further improve safety by locking and tagging out the entire system or the parts of it that you’ll work on. Stay knowledgeable of the safety measures and policies you need to follow. You should also keep in mind that small electrical appliances need 15-amp circuits. This is just one example of what you need to be aware of as you work.
Take note of these measures and improve your safety whenever you need to work with electricity. Making them a part of your lifestyle will help keep you reasonably safe for as long as you follow them.
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