Electrical devices, circuits, and wires can be hazardous to work with. However, training programs give electricians the skills they need.

Electricians should avoid electrical injuries by not performing work they are not trained to perform.

These tips will help you stay safe at work.

What are the Types of Workplace Electrical Injuries?

• Electric shock
• Burns
• Falls
• Electrocution

Direct contact with electrical conductors, or energized circuits can cause injury. So can exposure to an electric arc (from exposed energized circuits or conductors). Electric arcs can cause eye and skin injuries. Arc blasts are also released by arc flashes. They can cause physical injury, collapse your lungs or damage your ears.

Electrical Hazards

The majority of workplace injuries occur as a result:

• Equipment that is poorly installed, defective, or poorly maintained
• Bad wiring
• Overloaded or overheated outlets
• Flexible leads and extension cables
• Use of incorrect replacement fuses
• Electrical equipment should not be used with wet or near water

Electrician Safety Tips

Know your rights.

Electricians in Auckland have the same right as any other worker to a safe work environment. We exist to protect workers’ rights. Our website contains useful information and relevant laws to help you understand your rights as an employee.

Wear personal protective equipment.

Wearing reliable and sufficient safety equipment is essential to ensuring your workplace safety.

Use:

• Insulated gloves that protect hands from electric currents
• Hard hats reduce injuries from falling debris or electrical wires
• Safety glasses and other ocular protection are available
• Safety Shoes
• Flame-resistant clothing
• Flame-retardant equipment

We has guidelines on what constitutes adequate personal protective equipment for workers who work with electricity.

Be prepared for anything.

To reduce the chance of an accident that could be dangerous, it is essential to prepare. Consider what might go wrong when working on electrical jobs and be prepared with all the tools you need.

Don’t go beyond your Training/Qualifications.

Do not take on a task if you aren’t trained to do it.

Never assume that wires are safe.

Even if wires look insulated or laying down, assume they are still charged. Avoid using conductive tools around electrical components.

Avoid water

If you’re standing in water, never operate any electric equipment or try to fix any electric device. Before turning on a client’s equipment, check if it is wet.

Unplugging the plug is a dangerous procedure.

Pull the cord gently, rather than pulling it aggressively. This can cause damage to the cable, and even electrocution.

Test before you touch.

Tests are the only way to determine whether you can safely touch a circuit, or any other component of an electrical system. Multimeters are the easiest way to measure the strength of a component’s current.

The readings from multimeters are usually in volts. They show how strong the current actually is, and if it’s low enough to be touched. Readings from multimeters can also be used to troubleshoot electrical problems.

Tidy electrical cords.

Make sure that any exposed cords can be safely tucked into a place where they will not be stepped on or tripped, exposed to animals or children, or severed.

Investigate flickering lights.

Flickering lights should be checked. The flickering lights can be caused by a loose connector or if the bulb needs to be replaced or fastened.

Only use equipment for its intended purpose.

The manufacturers design their products to be used with specific techniques. Equipment can be damaged or even broken if misused. A screwdriver, for example, should not be mistaken as a multimeter.

Safety hazards can be hidden in many places.

Check for any electrical hazards before you begin work. Check for electrical hazards such as warm outlets and switch, overloading electric outlets, and cords that run over carpets or doors. Ground fault circuit interrupters should be installed in bathrooms, kitchens, basements and outdoor areas. Arc fault circuit interruption devices should also be installed to protect electrical outlets.

Prioritize safe driving.

Schedule your work so that you are not rushing from one job to another. Also, communicate with the customer so they will know when you will arrive.

Dispatch the right tech.

Experienced techs should be matched with jobs. It is important that techs have the necessary knowledge and skills to do the job. This ensures efficiency and safety.

Working in a Demand Field

You can enroll in an electrician training program if you want to work on systems that keep businesses, homes, and factories running smoothly. The need for electricians continues to grow, so the best way to start your career.

After completing this 15-month program you will be ready to install electrical systems in new construction and maintain them.