In a recent accident a maintenance employee was electrocuted when he attempted to bypass a safety interlock switch in order to test a 400 Volt motor power supply to a machine. The screwdriver that he used to complete the connection on the live circuit, accidentally contacted against a metal hand rail. Unfortunately, the employee's other hand was also grounded onto the hand rail thus creating a convenient path to his body for the electrical current. In this instance, the company's procedure required that power be de-energized before making these kinds of connections, but the employee was in a hurry and ignored the procedure. Unfortunately, high voltage electricity is not forgiving and he will never have another chance to disregard company procedures. Electricity, particularly high voltage electricity is very helpful to us, both on and off the job. However, if not handled properly, this electricity can be extremely dangerous. The following suggestions are basic and should be followed by everyone working with or near high voltage circuits.
 

1. CONSIDER THE RESULT OF EACH ACT:

There is absolutely no reason to take chances that will endanger your life or the life of others always consider what you are going to do and how it might affect you and others around you.

2. KEEP AWAY FROM LIVE CIRCUITS:

Do not change parts or make adjustments inside of machinery or equipment with the high voltage energized. Always de-energize the system.

3. DO NOT SERVICE HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT ALONE:

Service electrical equipment in the presence of another person capable of rendering first aid assistance in the event of an emergency.

4. DO NOT TAMPER WITH INTERLOCKS:

Do not depend on interlocks for protection; always shut down the equipment or de-energize the electrical system. Never remove, short circuit or tamper with interlocks except to repair the switch.

5. DO NOT GROUND YOURSELF:

Make sure you are not grounded when adjusting equipment or using measuring equipment. It is a good practice to only use one hand when servicing energized equipment and keep the other hand behind you.

6. DO NOT ENERGIZE EQUIPMENT IF THERE IS ANY EVIDENCE OF WATER LEAKAGE:

Repair the leak and wipe up the water before energizing.
 

If work is required on energized circuits, the following practical safety rules should apply:

1. Only authorized and experienced personnel should work on energized electrical systems. If you don't know about electricity, you could be playing a deadly game.

2. Ample lighting is an absolute necessity when working around high voltage electrical current that is energized.

3. The employee doing the work should be insulted from the ground with some suitable non-conducting material such as dry wood or a rubber mat of approved construction.

4. The employee doing the work should, if at all possible, use only one hand in accomplishing the necessary repairs.

5. Identify all circuit breakers to indicate what equipment or branch outlets they control so that the system or equipment can be de-energized immediately in case of an emergency.

6. A person qualified in first aid for electric shock should be near the work area for the entire period of repair.