Case Study
A worker was attempting to correct an electrical problem involving two non-operational lamps.
He examined the circuit in the area where he thought the problem was located.
He had not shut off the power at the circuit breaker panel and did not test the wires to see if they were live. He was electrocuted when he grabbed the two live wires with his left hand.
He collapsed to the floor and was found dead.
What would have prevented this fatality?
According to the provisions in the OSHA 29 CFR 1910.333, before the employee in our scenario above can work on live electrical circuits, thus preventing the fatality, his employer should have met the following requirements:
- Training: Employees who might come into contact with live electrical parts must be trained in safe work practices. This includes both qualified and unqualified persons. Qualified persons (those permitted to work on or near exposed energized parts) must, at a minimum, be trained in and familiar with the specific equipment they will work on.
- Justification for Live Work: Work on live (energized) parts must only be performed when the employer can demonstrate that de-energizing introduces additional or increased hazards or is infeasible due to equipment design or operational limitations.
- Safety-Related Work Practices: These must be used to safeguard employees from injury while they are working on or near exposed electrical parts that are or can become energized.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Employees working in areas where there are potential electrical hazards must be provided with appropriate electrical PPE, including voltage-rated gloves and tools.
- Work Procedures: Before beginning work, the employee must be informed of the type and magnitude of the electrical hazard and the necessary protective measures.
- Use of Safe Work Practices: This includes, but is not limited to, the use of insulating tools, barricades, or other methods to prevent accidental contact.
- Lockout/Tagout Procedures: When live electrical circuits are being de-energized to allow for work, proper lockout/tagout procedures must be followed to ensure circuits are not accidentally re-energized.
- Boundary Protection: For live work, boundaries such as "Limited," "Restricted," and "Prohibited" approach boundaries must be established to protect both qualified and unqualified workers from hazards.
- Alertness: Employees must be alert at all times when working near live parts. OSHA prohibits working on live parts if the worker is distracted or unable to focus for any reason, such as illness, stress, or fatigue.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
9-9. What procedure must be performed when live electrical circuits are being de-energized to allow for work?
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