One of OSHA’s Focus Four hazards, hazards which result in the most construction fatalities, is Electrocution. It takes very little electricity to cause serious injury or harm. Common household current ranges from 15 to 30 amps. It takes less than 100 milliamps to cause cardiac standstill.
Train your employees to inspect electrical equipment to ensure that it is in good repair. Inspect all extension cords for cuts in the insulation or missing insulation. Never use an extension cord with a missing ground prong.
Train your employees to inspect electrically powered tools and to take them out of service if they smoke, smell, or should they feel warm or tingle when in use.
All 120 volt, single phase 15 and 20 amp receptacles on construction sites, which are not part of the building’s permanent wiring, and which are in use by workers, need to be protected by approved ground fault circuit interrupters.
The old adage “If it doesn’t seem right, it probably isn’t right” should be your workers’ marching orders. Instruct your workers to report any questionable safety issues and not to take chances.
For more information on electrical safety utilize the OSHA website at www.osha.gov or contact GBCA’s Director of Safety Services at dashton@64.207.152.120 .
