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Electrical Safety and Facilities Management

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Department Managers
are accountable for:

01

Control electrical safety work in line with task specific Permit to Work, task specific risk assessment and method statement.

02

Appoint an authorized subject matter expert for electrical safety to develop and maintain electrical safety rules in line with internationally recognized standards and local legislation.

03

Use only authorized persons to work on electrical equipment and to carry out assigned work.

04

Use equipment or work instructions that control static electricity to prevent discharge or arc flash that could harm people or damage equipment.

05

Control work on or near electrical equipment and provide safe isolation.

06

Control electrical work in design and construction.

Grounding

To prevent electrical hazards, always make sure equipment is properly grounded. Electrical grounding provides an alternate path for electricity to follow, rather than going through a person.
Equipment with a grounding prong must be plugged into an extension cord with a ground. the grounding plug should not be removed from the equipment.

Wet locations

When using electricity in a wet or damp location, including outdoor locations, a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) must be used. The GFCI ensures that any electrical shock is brief.

Although painful, it wouldn’t be fatal because the GFCI creates a ground fault or leak in the current.

Example of GFCI outlet

Lockout/Tagout

When servicing and maintenance tasks involve electricity and electrical equipment, you must prevent the unexpected startup of equipment. More information on lockout/tagout procedures is available on the SOP Isolation, Lockout & use of hold tags process.

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Ground Fault Circuit
Interrupters GFCI

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters protect users of electrically-powered tools and equipment from electrical shocks, especially when working in wet environments. The following are situations when a GFCI is required for electrically-powered equipment and tools:

Being used at locations where employees are likely to get in contact with water or conductive liquids such as: outdoors, bathrooms, kitchens, or any other area with potential exposure to water;
Being used at construction or renovation sites; or
Being used for portable lighting in wet or other conductive locations (such as inside boilers or tanks).

The GFCI can be located on the extension cord, outlet, or the circuit breaker. A GFCI is required in outlets that are installed around sinks or any other areas where water may present. GFCIs must be UL-approved and used within the manufacturer’s guidelines.