PART 1 Protecting against Electrical Shock 5
• When working on any circuit, take steps to ensure that
the controlling switch is not operated in your absence.
Switches should be padlocked open, and warning
notices should be displayed ( lockout/tagout ).
• Avoid working on “live” circuits as much as possible.
• When installing new machinery, ensure that the
framework is efficiently and permanently grounded.
• Always treat circuits as “live” until you have proven
them to be “dead.” Presumption at this point can
kill you. It is a good practice to take a meter reading
before starting work on a dead circuit.
• Avoid touching any grounded objects while working
on electrical equipment.
• Remember that even with a 120-V control system,
you may well have a higher voltage in the panel.
Always work so that you are clear of any of the
higher voltages. (Even though you are testing a
120-V system, you are most certainly in close prox-
imity to 240-V or 480-V power.)
• Don’t reach into energized equipment while it is
being operated. This is particularly important in
high-voltage circuits.
• Use good electrical practices even in temporary wir-
ing for testing. At times you may need to make alter-
nate connections, but make them secure enough so
that they are not in themselves an electrical hazard.
• When working on live equipment containing voltages
over approximately 30-V, work with only one hand.
Keeping one hand out of the way greatly reduces the
possibility of passing a current through the chest.
• Safely discharge capacitors before handling them.
Capacitors connected in live motor control circuits
can store a lethal charge for a considerable time
after the voltage to the circuits has been switched
off. Although Article 460 of the National Electric
Code (NEC) requires an automatic discharge within
1 minute, never assume that the discharge is work-
ing! Always verify that there is no voltage present.
Confined spaces can be found in almost any workplace.
Figure 1-6 illustrates examples of typical confined spaces.
In general, a “confined space” is an enclosed or partially
enclosed space that:
• Is not primarily designed or intended for human
occupancy.
• Has a restricted entrance or exit by way of location,
size, or means.
• Can represent a risk for the health and safety of any-
one who enters, because of its design, construction,
location, or atmosphere; the materials or substances
with inspection. Twirl the glove around quickly or roll
it down to trap air inside. Squeeze the palm, fingers,
and thumb to detect any escaping air. If the glove does
not pass this inspection it must be disposed of.
Protection Apparel —Special protective equipment
available for high-voltage applications include high-
voltage sleeves, high-voltage boots, nonconductive
protective helmets, nonconductive eyewear and face
protection, switchboard blankets, and flash suits.
Hot Sticks —Hot sticks are insulated tools designed
for the manual operation of high-voltage disconnect-
ing switches, high-voltage fuse removal and insertion,
as well as the connection and removal of temporary
grounds on high-voltage circuits. A hot stick is made
up of two parts, the head, or hood, and the insulating
rod. The head can be made of metal or hardened plas-
tic, while the insulating section may be wood, plastic,
or other effective insulating materials.
Shorting Probes —Shorting probes are used on deen-
ergized circuits to discharge any charged capacitors or
built-up static charges that may be present when power
to the circuit is disconnected. Also, when working on or
near any high-voltage circuits, shorting probes should
be connected and left attached as an extra safety pre-
caution in the event of any accidental application of
voltage to the circuit. When installing a shorting probe,
first connect the test clip to a good ground contact.
Next, hold the shorting probe by the handle and hook
the probe end over the part or terminal to be grounded.
Never touch any metal part of the shorting probe while
grounding circuits or components.
Face Shields —Listed face shields should be worn
during all switching operations where there is a possi-
bility of injury to the eyes or face from electrical arcs
or flashes, or from flying or falling objects that may
result from an electrical explosion.
With proper precautions, there is no reason for you to
ever receive a serious electrical shock. Receiving an elec-
trical shock is a clear warning that proper safety measures
have not been followed. To maintain a high level of elec-
trical safety while you work, there are a number of pre-
cautions you should follow. Your individual job will have
its own unique safety requirements. However, the follow-
ing are given as essential basics.
• Never take a shock on purpose.
• Keep material or equipment at least 10 feet away
from high-voltage overhead power lines.
• Do not close any switch unless you are familiar with
the circuit that it controls and know the reason for
its being open.
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