ELECTRICAL HAZARDS

Accidents and deaths can also result from equipment becoming "live" due to electrical faults, lack of maintenance or short circuit.

Electrical accidents are most often caused by a combination of factors such as:

• a lack of training;
• a lack of supervision;
• inadequate work practices;
• poorly maintained equipment or installation; and
• a hazardous workplace environment.

Locking out of equipment

This is one way of preventing machinery or electrical current becoming operational during maintenance or a halt in the work procedure. A lock is attached to the machine switch so that it can't be turned on.

The person working with the machine should hold the only key to the lock. A lock must only be removed by the person who attached it to the equipment or machinery. Procedures must be put in place for the removal of the lock should the person not be available, for example, if there has been a change of shift workers.

The safe work procedures for the removal of "DANGER " and "OUT OF SERVICE" tags at your workplace must be followed.

Generally, workers should not work alone with machinery unless it has 'deadman' switches. This is a type of switch often used on electrical vehicles. It is designed so that if the driver releases his/her pressure on the switch (handle or pedal), owing to sudden illness or other causes, the current is cut off and the machine ceases to operate.

If a worker must work alone, the machine's controls should be clearly marked in such a way that another person who may not be familiar with the machine would be able to turn it off in case of an emergency.