When working with electricity, it is important to stay safe. Here are 10 ways to do just that. Always be aware of your surroundings and what you are doing. Stay focused and take your time. If you have any questions, consult an electrician. Follow these tips to stay safe while working with electricity.
If you are not sure about the safety issue, you must hire an experienced and professional electrician from local. He can guide you to the safest possible ways.
It is crucial to take necessary safety measures when working with electricity to avoid electrocution. Below are 10 ways to stay safe when working with electricity.
- Turn off the power
Before you start working on any project that concerns electricity, the first thing to do is turn off the power. This will guarantee your safety while doing your work. If you don’t turn off the power, then you will always be worried that things may go wrong. Regardless of how simple the task may seem, it is always a good thing to turn off the power before you start working.
- Avoid water working with electricity
Water and electricity don’t see eye to eye. If you are planning to work on electricity, be it repairing your broken socket or changing your bulb, ensure that you are completely dry. Even a nonconductive material like wood can transmit power when wet. So, when you are dealing with electricity, make sure that you avoid water because it increases electric current conductivity.
- Always use insulated tools
When while dealing with electricity, always use insulated tools to protect yourself against electrocution. Of course, you may ask yourself why you should use insulated tools, yet you have shut off the power. The reality is that you can never be too sure. Sometimes you may think that you have turned off the power only to find out later that someone had turned it on. So, it is always recommended that you put extra measures to protect yourself just in case your first option backfires.
- Wear the right safety gear
Before you work on anything that concerns electricity, always ensure that you wear the right safety gear. Important gears to wear when working with electricity include safety boots, gloves, eye protectors, and more to protect yourself from shock. Electricity is dangerous and any wrong move can be fatal. The best way to protect yourself is by wearing the right safety gear.
- Follow the safety rules given
One of the top reasons why many people get electrocuted is the failure to follow safety rules when working on a certain project. Even if you are an expert, assuming that you know everything is not a good thing. Before you work on any project, read and follow the safety rules given to protect yourself and those around you.
- Use the right ladder
The type of ladder that you use matters a lot. When dealing with electricity, don’t use a ladder that is made of steel or aluminum. This is because ladders made of these materials are good conductors of electricity, meaning that an electrical surge will ground you. Wooden and fiberglass ladders that the best when working with electricity because they don’t conduct electricity.
- Clean your work area
Once you are done working on your project, it is always good practice to clean your work area. Leaving naked wires around your work can be a recipe for a disaster. Cleaning your work area can help keep you and other people around safe. It will so help prevent an accident that could result in you being electrocuted.
- Don’t touch someone who is electrocuted
If someone you are working with get electrocuted, don’t touch them because you will also get electrocuted. Because your body is a conductor. If the main power switch is far away from where you are working, then the best thing to do is put the person with a material that does not conduct electricity such as a broom or a wooden material then call 911 immediately.
- Don’t repair energized equipment
Don’t ever try to repair energized equipment because you risk being electrocuted. Before you work on any equipment, check if it is energized using a tester. When the tester touches the live wire, the bulb inside will light up, indicating that there is an electric current flowing through the device. If that is the case, then ensure that the equipment is de-energized by unplugging it from the socket or switching off power from the main switch before you start working on it.
- Inspect your tools before use
Electrical tools are crucial for conducting electrical tasks. They not only make your work easy but also ensure that you do your task accurately. However, before you start using your tools, it is important to first inspect them, to make sure that they are all in good shape. The tools are supposed to protect you while cooking, not endanger your life. Inspecting the tools before you start using them will help you determine if they are in good shape to be used.
When working with electricity, you should be careful and try to follow the above discussed issues. Safety is the most important. You should have the CCTV access when you are away from the person or electrician whoever is working on the electricity work so that you can keep an eye on the person.
We’ve all heard the horror stories of electricians or other tradesmen who were electrocuted on the job. It’s a scary prospect to even think about, but you can take measures to stay safe when working with electricity. These precautions should help provide protection from injury while working around high voltage wires.