Electical Contractor

Ergonomics and work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are hot-button topics in workplace safety.

One may encounter many different types of electric vehicles on a job site or at the workplace—e.g., forklifts, pallet trucks, golf carts and even Segways. They all run on batteries that must be periodically recharged, a process that has many safety considerations.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) first issued its Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) in 1983. It was designed to ensure employees receive information about the health and physical hazards of the chemicals in their workplace and about how to protect themselves.

Sometimes I wonder if contractors read NFPA 72 2010, the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, when they decide to begin installing a fire alarm system. Of course, it should not be considered optional.

Safety awareness shouldn’t be intermittent. It is something every person, regardless of profession or industry, should keep in mind. Each May, the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) campaigns to raise awareness of electrical safety by sponsoring National Electrical Safety Month.

It would seem obvious that using portable metal ladders around live electrical components is dangerous. However, statistics indicate that not everyone gets it.

Plato, the Greek philosopher, had it right almost 2,500 years ago. He is widely credited for the quote, “Necessity is the mother of invention.” When it comes to arc flashes, many creative methods have been developed out of necessity to reduce or eliminate these potentially deadly hazards.

Safety is an integral part of the electrical construction business and, as such, is an important shared responsibility between employers and employees. Implementing safety-related work practices is not optional. It is a requirement.

Carbon monoxide (CO) gas is an ever-present fact of life these days. It’s found anywhere combustion occurs. It presents no threat in small amounts. But in large amounts, it can be very dangerous—even deadly. Because of the danger, it’s important to know some basics about CO.