Healthcare Wide Hazards
Electrical
Potential Hazard
Employee exposure to electrical hazards including electric shock, electrocutions fires, and explosions. Damaged electrical cords can
lead to possible shocks or electrocutions. A flexible electrical cord may be damaged by door or window edges, by staples and fastenings,
by equipment rolling over it, or simply by aging.
- Possible electrocution or electric shock or contact with electrical hazards from:
- Faulty electrical equipment/machinery or wiring.
- Damaged receptacles and connectors.
- Unsafe work practices.
Possible Solutions
Comply with OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910 Subpart S - Electrical. The standard is comprehensive and includes the following sections:
- Electrical equipment shall be free from recognized hazards [29 CFR 1910.303(b)(1)].
- Listed or labeled equipment shall be used or installed in accordance with any instructions included in the listing or labeling [29 CFR 1910.303(b)(2)].
- Sufficient access and working space shall be provided and maintained around all electric equipment to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment [29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1)].
- Ensure that all electrical service near sources of water is properly grounded [29 CFR 1910.304(g)(6)(vi)].
- Tag out and remove from service all damaged receptacles and portable electrical equipment [29 CFR 1910.334(a)(2)(ii)].
- Repair all damaged receptacles and portable electrical equipment before placing them back into service [29 CFR 1910.334(a)(2)(ii)].
- Ensure that employees are trained not to plug or unplug energized equipment when their hands are wet [29 CFR 1910.334(a)(5)(i)].
- Use safeguards for personnel protection and electrical protective equipment [29 CFR 1910.335(b)].
- Select and use appropriate
work practices [1910.333].
- Follow requirements for Hazardous Classified Locations [29 CFR 1910.307].
Receptacle Type
(GFCI)
- Employers should use ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCI's) on all 120-volt, single-phase, and 15- and 20-ampere receptacles.
- Wear and tear on electrical equipment or tools can result in insulation breaks, short-circuits and exposed wires. If there is no ground-fault protection, these can cause a ground-fault that sends current through the worker's body, resulting in electrical burns, explosions, fire, or death.
- The ground-fault circuit interrupter, or GFCI, is a fast-acting circuit breaker designed to shut off electric power in the event of a ground-fault and prevent injury to the worker.
Additional Information:
- Electrical. OSHA
Safety and Health Topics Page.
- 1910.305, Wiring methods, components, and equipment for
general use. OSHA Standard.
- 1910.333, Selection and use of work practices. OSHA Standard.
- 1910.335, Safeguards for personnel protection. OSHA Standard.
- Preventing Fatalities of Workers Who Contact Electrical Energy. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Alert, (1986).
- Prevention
of Electrocutions in Fast Food Restaurants. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Alert, (1984).
- Electrical
Safety-Related Work Practices--Inspection Procedures and Interpretation Guidelines. OSHA Directive STD 01-16-007, (1991, July 1).
- Preventing
Electrocutions Due to Damaged Receptacles and Connectors. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Alert Publication. No. 87-100, (1986, October).
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