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813 Construction Worksite Safety
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Working with Electricity

Introduction

Electricity has long been recognized as a serious workplace hazard. OSHA's electrical standards are designed to protect employees exposed to dangers such as electric shock, electrocution, fires, and explosions.

Electricity has long been recognized as a serious workplace hazard.

The following hazards are the most frequent causes of electrical injuries in construction:

  • contact with power lines
  • lack of ground-fault protection
  • missing or discontinuous path to ground
  • equipment not used in manner prescribed
  • improper use of extension and flexible cords

Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout)

The employer must establish a program consisting of energy control procedures, employee training, and periodic inspections. The purpose is to ensure that equipment is isolated from the energy source and made inoperative before any employee performs any service or maintenance where the unexpected energizing, start up, or release of stored energy could occur.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

4-1. What is one of the most frequent causes of electrical injuries in construction?