Safety Meeting Repros OSHA Electrical Standard

Qualified Workers = Quality Work

When it comes to working on or near electrical circuits
and equipment, OHSA divides workers into two categories.
If you're an Unqualified worker with a job that might
expose you to a risk of electric shock, you have to know:
● The risks of energized equipment

● What tasks can be done only by

Qualified workers
● What procedures to follow to protect yourself and
others when you work around electricity.
If you're a Qualified worker, you are permitted to work
on or near exposed energized electrical parts.
Your training has included how to identify
exposed live parts and their voltage. You've
also learned exactly what procedures to
follow when you work on exposed live
parts or are near enough to be at risk.
OSHA-approved Electrical Safety Practices:
● Restricting work on energized equipment to
qualified workers
● De-energizing electrical circuits and equipment before
working on them
● Locking out and tagging electrical sources to prevent
accidental re-energizing
● Staying a safe distance from energized overhead lines

● Using personal protective equipment and insulated tools

● Following safety procedures with portable electrical equipment

● Recognizing and obeying electrical hazard warnings

● Preventing accidental contact with energized circuits in blind areas.

©1995 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.

 Safety Meeting Repros OSHA Electrical Standard

Count to Ten
Overhead power lines require special caution.
The best precaution is to have the power company de-energize the lines before
working near them.
If work must be done around energized overhead lines, extra protection—
guarding, isolating, or insulating—must be in place before the job starts.
Qualified persons can get closer if necessary. The distances depend on the voltage of the
line and the protection provided. But Qualified workers must still:
● Use insulated protective equipment, such as
gloves and sleeves.
● Be sure the energized part is
insulated.
● Use only insulated tools.
● Use extreme caution.
Vehicles must also stay at least
10 feet from an energized
overhead line unless:
● The vehicle is moving, and its
elevating structure is lowered.
● Insulating barriers rated for the
voltage prevent contact with the line.
● Protections on the vehicle, worker, and
equipment prevent contact with the line.
Unqualified people must stay at least 10
feet from an overhead line.The same 10-foot
rule goes for any conducting tool you
might be holding. The greater the line's
voltage, the farther away you must stay.
Workers standing on the ground near
power lines must not contact the vehicle,
equipment, or attachments unless:
● They use protective equipment rated for the voltage.
● Uninsulated equipment parts are at least 10 feet from the overhead line.

©1995 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.