precautions while using electrical equipment

Precautions while using Electrical Equipment

Safety Rules for Working with Electrical Equipment .
1. Electrical Equipment
Electrical equipment can be very dangerous. Therefore, you need to be very careful when you use such equipment. You need to make sure that even the working environment is safe. If no safety precautions are taken, anyone working with dangerous electrical equipment can risk severe injuries.
2. Avoid contact with energized electrical circuits
Please don t make fun of this rule if you already know this (and you probably already know if you are reading these lines) and remember that if something bad occurs
3. Never use metallic pencils or rulers
Never use metallic pencils or rulers, or wear rings or metal watchbands when working with electrical equipment. This rule is very easy to forget, especially when you are showing some electrical part pointing with metallic pencil. Fire safety refers to precautions that are taken to prevent or reduce the likelihood of a fire that may result in death, injury, or property damage, alert those in a structure to the presence of an uncontrolled fire in the event one occurs, better enable those threatened by fire to survive in and evacuate from affected areas, or to reduce the damage caused by a fire. Fire safety measures include those that are planned during the construction of a building or implemented in structures that are already standing, and those that are taught to occupants of the building.
4. protective clothes and shoes
When it is necessary to handle equipment that is plugged in, be sure hands are dry and, when possible, wear nonconductive gloves, protective clothes and shoes with insulated soles. Fire safety is often a component of building safety. Those who inspect buildings for violations of the Fire Code and go into schools to educate children on Fire Safety topics are fire department members known as fire prevention officers. The Chief Fire Prevention Officer or Chief of Fire Prevention will normally train newcomers to the Fire Prevention Division and may also conduct inspections or make presentations.
5. Checking the Suitability Of the Equipment
First of all, you need to check whether the electrical equipment is appropriate for the job. Make sure that the construction of the equipment makes it safe enough. Define any safety hazards that there might be and decide which is the best solution for them. It is inappropriate to use electrical equipment in a damp environment. It is a better idea if you use air powered equipment instead, or any other equipment that runs on low voltage transformers or batteries. Precautions regarding safety should be taken in a more strict way if the workplace has an explosive atmosphere due to the presence of flammable gases and aerosols.
6. Checking the Condition of the Equipment
After you confirm that the electrical equipment is appropriate for the job, you need to check whether its condition is good or not. A simple inspection can be performed by switching off the equipment and checking the plug, wires and the fuse. You must make sure that the plug and cable are working properly. There should be no protruding wires in the cable. In case you find that the cable is damaged, call for someone professional to come and replace it with a new one. Check if there are any overheating signs i.e. stains or burns on your electrical equipment. If you have any wires running on the ground, put them aside to prevent yourself and other people from tripping on them. If you are still afraid that the electrical equipment is not safe enough, call for someone professional to come and check it carefully for you.
7. Checking the Power of the Equipment
The electrical equipment must be powerful enough to be connected to your power supply. You must also see that the power supply is adjusted to the correct voltage so that it would provide all the electric power that the equipment requires in order to work properly.
8. Checking the Safety Of the Power Supply
Checking that the electrical equipment is safe is not enough. You must also check that the power supply is safe as well. The help of a professional is needed here. The professional must test the power supply on a regular basis to confirm that it is safe enough to be used for electrical equipment. You must never connect electrical equipment to the power supply if it is damaged. Wait until it has been properly repaired by professional people. Testing can also be done on the sockets of the electric power, but be careful that you use the most appropriate tester.
9. Making Use Of a Residual Current Device
The residual current device (often abbreviated as RCD) is a very important tool to enhance safety when using electrical equipment. It reduces the potential risk of being electrocuted. Do not use an RCD to reduce the risk of explosion in an explosive atmosphere.
10. Check the electrical supply is safe to use
You should be sure that the electrical supply is safe to use. Regular tests performed by a competent person, using suitable equipment are a good way of reducing risks. Where there is evidence that the supply may not be safe, such as damaged equipment or wiring, the supply should not be used until work has been done to correct this. Some simple user checks can be carried out on electrical socket outlets using an electrical socket tester, but it is essential that the correct type of tester is used . If any doubt remains regarding the safety of the electrical supply, a competent person should be consulted.