On behalf of The North Shore Injury Lawyer posted in Construction Accidentson Wednesday, March 7, 2018.
Electricity is a major hazard on any construction site, whether you’re working on a new building or on a renovation.
If you’re about to tackle an electrical issue, make sure that you take the following precautions:
1. Use personal protective equipment.
You need specialized equipment to handle electrical jobs safely. Your employer should supply you with the correct personal protective equipment, including rubber gloves, insulating rubber boots and nonconductive hard hats, among other things. It’s negligence to ask you to risk an electrical injury without it.
2. Turn the power off.
It’s important to turn off the main source of electrical power to whatever you’re fixing. Use a lock whenever possible on the power source to prevent anyone from accidentally turning the power back on while someone is still working. Only one person should be in charge of turning the power on and off, to minimize the risk of an accident.
3. Use wooden ladders.
If your work is going to take you within range of a power line, make sure that you use wooden ladders or scaffolds, not metal. You need not take any unnecessary risks—including the one that could come when a metal ladder touches a live wire.
4. Use insulated tools.
While it might seem unnecessary, insulated tools are another important way to protect yourself against an accidental electrical shock. Insulated tools are wrapped in rubber except where absolutely necessary.
5. Watch out for capacitors.
Appliances and motorized equipment like air conditioners and microwaves have capacitors that work like batteries. They can retain a stored electric charge that is still absolutely deadly even if the power is cut off. The electricity needs to be discharged if you plan on working on it. Use a voltage tester to make sure that the electricity is properly discharged before you start.
If you’re injured in a construction accidentdue to an electrical issue, it may take months or years for you to get back on your feet again. That’s why it’s important not to skip any safety steps—even if you’re in a hurry.
