OHS practices - Hazards
Electrical safety
To avoid getting an electric shock the following safety precautions should be followed.
- Do not stand on metal ladders when using power tools unless they are cordless tools.
- Do not use frayed or damaged electrical cables or leads.
- Do not work with electrical tools or apparatus in metal enclosures or in damp places unless the tools are cordless.
- Do not allow cables to be placed on top of floors without protection, or permit trucks or trolleys to run over electrical cable.
If you are required to test live equipment, always follow these safe working conditions.
- Ensure the equipment is earthed.
- Wear safety footwear with insulated soles.
- Work on a rubber or insulated mat.
- Work with one hand in the pocket to avoid forming a circuit across the chest if live points are contacted.
- Don't wear any metallic jewellery or watches.
Isolation and tagging
All work on electrical installations and equipment should be undertaken with the power isolated from the equipment being worked on. Isolation means turning off the electricity to the circuit or apparatus. By ensuring there is no supply to the equipment or work area, you should not get an electric shock.
Some of the reasons for isolating electrical equipment may be:
- Prevention of electric shock.
- Reduction of hazards in the event of fire or local flooding.
- Prevention of physical injury and unauthorised use of equipment or apparatus.
Unfortunately, isolating electricity is not always simple. To isolate electrical hazards a number of important procedures need to be implemented including tagging systems, lock-out systems and special operating procedures.
Two main tagging systems are used before starting electrical work to indicate isolation. These are:
- personal danger tag
- out of service tag.
Personal danger tag
The personal danger tag is red and black on a white background and is used by tradespeople or other qualified people for tagging electrical and non-electrical equipment being repaired, maintained or installed.
Out of service tag
Out of service tags are red and black on a white background. They are used to identify faulty or unsafe equipment / machinery placed out of service. This prevents the faulty equipment from damaging other plant and equipment or causing injury to people operating the equipment.
Front and back of danger tag
