Safety in the Electrical Workshop

In the construction industry, workers are required to handle, or work near, electricity. Electrical workshops have safety hazards, and workers must know how to recognize them in order to avoid electrocutions, shocks or burns.

Equipment

According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, electrical equipment must always be used in the manner in which it was intended. When electrical equipment is misused ,OSHA explains that the equipment's safety features may not protect the worker.

Housekeeping

Electrical workshops must be kept clean and dry. If spills or leaks occur, they must be cleaned up promptly to avoid the risk of electrocution. Additionally, walking and working surfaces should be as free from debris as possible to minimize slips, trips and falls. Slipping, tripping and falling into electrical equipment in a workshop can cause severe injuries.

Personal Protective Equipment

To provide additional safety to workers in electrical workshops, personal protective equipment must be worn. Gloves can protect workers' hands from becoming burned or chaffed when working with electrical equipment that shakes or vibrates violently, such as jackhammers. Face protection is also essential so that flying sparks do not come into contact with workers' eyes, causing blindness.

References

• OSHA: Equipment Not Used in Manner Prescribed
• OSHA: Walking-Working Surfaces