Michigan Tech Occupational Safety and Health Services

Electrical Safe Work Practices Plan

Electrical Index | Qualified Person | Portable Equipment | Protective Equipment | Conductive Materials and Equipment
De-energized Parts | Energized Parts | Illumination | Portable Ladders | Reclosing Circuits
Vehicular and Mechanical Equipment Near Overhead Power Lines | Electrical Equipment/Machinery
GFCI Protection | Table I: Approach Distance For Qualified Employees

Portable Equipment

All portable electric equipment will be handled in such a manner that will not damage or reduce service life. Flexible cords connected to equipment may not be used for raising or lowering equipment and will not be used if damage to the outer insulation is present. Additionally, visual inspections are required and unauthorized alterations of the grounding protection are not allowed to ensure the safety of employees. Prior to each shift, a visual inspection will be performed for external defects and for possible internal damage. Attachment plugs and receptacles may not be connected or altered in a manner that would prevent proper continuity of the equipment grounding conductor. In addition, these devices may not be altered to allow the grounding pole of a plug to be inserted into slots intended for connection to the current-carrying conductors.

Portable electric equipment and flexible cords used in highly conductive work locations or in job locations where employees are likely to contact water or conductive liquids shall be approved by the manufacturer for those locations. The hazardous locations that employees should be aware of include, wet locations and locations where combustible or flammable atmospheres are present.

For wet locations, employees' hands will not be wet when plugging and unplugging energized equipment. Energized plug and receptacle connections will be handled only with protective equipment if the condition could provide a conductive path to the employee's hand (if, for example, a cord connector is wet from being immersed in water). In addition, ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection is required for some equipment/locations and is also recommended for use in all wet or highly conductive locations.

For combustible/flammable atmospheres, all electric equipment and wiring systems in classified locations must meet The National Electric Code requirements for that particular classification.

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