Safety Tips to Avoid Electrocution at Work

Most of us must have seen videos of people around the world who can conduct electricity through their body and survive unscathed. A tenth of an amp is enough to kill an ordinary human being, but these people can survive several amps of electricity without suffering any bodily harm. They don’t shoot lightning bolts or anything like it, but they can power up light bulbs and other household appliances by allowing massive amounts of current to pass through their body.

See this man featured on a magazine show in the Philippines: https://youtu.be/eOPMI7kJCbs

These people are admittedly outliers, as they can do things that normal people, like you and me (I don’t know about you, though), won’t ever dare try. Electrocution causes death and is among the leading causes of fatalities in the workplace. So, for the rest of us who don’t possess the “super-powers” that they have, we try our best to avoid electrocution, be it at home or at work.

Here are some safety steps to avoid electrocution at work, for example in a construction site or a power plant:

• Keep Distance 

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) requires a worker to stay at least 10 feet away from overhead power lines with up to a 50,000-volt current. (Even the “super-humans” won’t survive that!) For lines that exceed 50,000 volts, one is required to add a distance of stay of at least 10 feet, plus four additional inches for each additional 10,000 volts of current above 50,000 volts.

• Double Check 

If a worker will be working around electrical circuits or parts, he or she has to ensure that the machinery and power tools are properly grounded and that all power cords are in good condition. If one needs to inspect or repair machinery, he or she has to ensure to pull the plug first.

• Wear the Appropriate PPE 

A worker’s PPE is the last line of defense between him and any hazards he may face. One has to make sure that his or her PPE is approved for the type of work performed and that it is in good condition. Attention! PPE should be comfortable, as uncomfortable equipment can cause distraction and make one vulnerable to an accident.

Many accidents related to electrocution appear to occur because of the workers’ lack of basic electrical knowledge. The safety steps I provided above seem to be common knowledge, if not passé, but these steps are oftentimes overlooked due to their apparent simplicity. Electrocutions can be avoided, and it is not worth finding out if you yourself have the “super-power” by risking injury or, worse, death.

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