Lockout/Tagout Safety
Lockout/Tagout is a practice and procedure to protect workers from machines and electrical equipment energy releases. This can include switches, circuit breakers, or valves. This protects the employee while performing maintenance on specialized equipment. The step that should be taken for lockout/tagout include…
- Prepare equipment for shutdown
- Notify all other employees
- Shut down & isolate the equipment
- Dissipate residual energy
- It is vital to ensure the piece of equipment is de-energized. A voltage tester or voltmeter that has a high enough range to safely test the voltage is employed
- First, use the tester to test a known energized circuit to make sure the tester is working correctly
- Test the circuit you intend to work on with the tester to make sure it is truly de-energized
- Test the voltage tester on a known energized circuit to make sure the tester is still working properly.
- It is vital to ensure the piece of equipment is de-energized. A voltage tester or voltmeter that has a high enough range to safely test the voltage is employed
- Lockout/Tagout the device
Class C Electrical Fire Extinguisher
When it comes to electrical fires, a class C fire extinguisher must be used. If an electrical fire occurs, the power source that is creating the fire needs to be identified and shut off immediately. If not so, the fire will have a continuous source and will expand which could eventually lead to a different class of fire spread. In these cases, you need to contact emergency personnel to shut off the power source and extinguish the fire. You should never try to put out an electrical fire with the wrong type of extinguisher class. Never use any source of water or other types of conductive substances as the extinguisher can become conductive itself and could potentially put you in fatal circumstances.
Substances found in Class C extinguishers include mono ammonium phosphate, potassium chloride, or potassium bicarbonate. You can also use a carbon dioxide extinguisher on a Class C fire because it does not destroy electrical equipment with dry powder. Many fire extinguishers can also be used on different types of fires; for example, some extinguishers labeled ABC could be used on any of the three classes of fire.
Signs of Household Electrical Hazards
Breaker Tripping: This can be the result of an overloaded electrical circuit or a ground fault. Overloading the circuit with too many devices around the house, poor wiring connections or power surges from an increase in voltage can cause a breaker to trip and increases the risk of a fire.
Flickering Lights: Be aware if your lights flicker randomly, as well as other electrical devices in your household. Make sure the lightbulb is secure in the socket. If that’s not the case, it may be a faulty or loose breaker in the electrical panel.
Discoloration, Warmth, or Vibration: If you notice a switch, outlet, or any electrical device that has discoloration, Warmth, or is vibrating; stay away and do not touch the device. This could be a sign of a damaged or loose wiring connection which can cause arcing. Call a professional or emergency services in these circumstances.
Noise: There can be several noises heard within electrical devices. For example, a dimming switch, or a wall switch connected to a fan can create a humming or popping noise. A small arc occurs when using these devices which are not always a concern. Thankfully, electrical technology can detect for bad arcing and man-made arcing. Sometimes a crackling noise means that the electricity is jumping across conductors which it should not be and can potentially lead to a fire hazard. Listen carefully and call a professional electrician for assistance.
Burnt Odor: If you smell something burning in your environment, it could be from overheating and melting of electrical insulating materials. This could lead to a developing fire within hidden wall spaces. If this smell occurs it is very important to get everyone out of the house and dial 911.
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