Electrical Safe Work Practices
Table of Contents
Information on this page is drawn from a pdf file produced by the Traveler's Insurance Company
Safe Work Practices for the Electrical Contractor
Following these practices will reduce the risk of injury when performing each activity.
Work Practices
Job Site Storage and Material Handling
- Position materials between knee and shoulder height.
- Use a forklift or cart to move materials around job site.
- Reduce redundant material handling.
- Use proper lifting techniques.
A strain/sprain injury can result from moving materials around the site.
Handling Wire Spools
- Use a forklift or hoist to move feeder wire (350, 500 MCM).
- Use 2-person team to move spools of MC wire (1000feet 12gage).
- Use proper lifting techniques when handling single strand (THNH).
A strain/sprain injury can result from moving or lifting spools of wire.
Pulling Wire
- Use a Mechanical puller (chugger/tugger, pusher, winch, come-along).
- Manually pull wire only if size of wire /number of wires /diameter of pipe/ length of pull /number of sweeps, doesn't exceed person's capabilities.
- Lubricate wire at feeder end.
- Feed wire from a spool. Don't cut and drag.
A strain/sprain injury can result from lifting, pulling and feeding wire.
Working with Fasteners and Fixtures (nuts, bolts, clamps, ballast)
- Pre-assemble at waist or ground level, to minimize working overhead.
- Use a ladder or lift to position the work at chest level.
- Use a lift, chain hoist or other means to raise and hold materials in place.
- Select and use the right tool for the job, i.e., cordless driver, ratchet, or wrench (crescent, open, closed, pipe)
A strain/sprain injury can result when using fasteners to assemble hangers, pipes, etc., or when assembling fixtures (boxes, ballast).
Using Ladders and Lifts
- Select, Setup and Use a ladder correctly.
- Stepladder: maximum work height = 3 feet above top of ladder.
- Straight ladder: maximum work height = 2 feet above top of ladder.
- Position work at about chest level.
- Don't overreach! Keep your belt buckle inside the rails.
A strain/sprain injury can result from overreaching or awkward posture due to poor ladder or lift positioning.
