Safety Tips for Electrical Engineers

Working with electricity takes expert training and knowledge. It’s important to always put safety above all else when working with something as dangerous as electricity.

There is a great deal of danger an electrician can experience on any given day working in the field and there are many safety hazards to be aware of and have on your radar. Here we’ll dive deeper into key safety tips for electrical technicians so you can stay safe on the job and get the work done right.

Invest in Adequate Gear

One electrician safety tip for electrical technicians is to invest in adequate gear to wear and use. Stay safe in the workplace by always wearing sufficient and reliable safety gear as it’s always great to be prepared to take on any type of job you may encounter. You should choose to wear insulated gloves which can help protect your hands from an electrical current. You never know when you may encounter falling debris so you should also always wear a hard hat to protect your head. You may want to invest in ocular protection as well. Not only that, but you never know when you may encounter a fire on the job. Therefore, you should also plan to wear flame-retardant gear and equipment. 

Apply these protective gear tips and you’ll be sure to stay safe on the job.

Be on the Lookout for Electrical Lines

Beware of electrical lines when you are working or performing maintenance overhead. There may only be access to the electrical lines by using an elevator or elevated platform. In most areas where you will be working, there will likely be live electrical equipment nearby above the floor level. While you are working on projects overhead, it’s good practice to stay at least 10 feet away from any exposed electrical lines.

Prepare for the Weather

In some cases, you may be working in extreme weather conditions. This is especially true during the wintertime when extreme weather is common. There is a good chance of facing power outages during the wintertime and even in summer depending on the weather. Extreme hot or cold weather may cause you to have to work in dangerous conditions when fixing electrical issues. You should dress properly for the weather conditions and make sure you stay hydrated. Take extra precautions if you are working from a ladder where there could be ice or snow. In the summer you should dress for the conditions but never compromise wearing protective gear.

Test Before Touching

It can be tempting to dive right in and get to work as an electrician. However, this may be the perfect storm for accidents to happen. That’s why you should always make sure that you test before touching. There is a device called a multimeter that you can use to test the lines or wires. You should always keep one of these devices in your toolbox. It will allow you to know how strong the current is and help you determine if it’s weak enough for you to touch it or not. This device can also help you troubleshoot and get a better idea of what you’re working with. It will provide you with the strength of the current and help you determine if you can touch the wire or not.

Get Proper Training

You want to make sure that you’re equipped to handle a wide variety of jobs and projects as an electrician. This will require that you get proper training and have the right background and knowledge to get to work. Even if you start as an apprentice electrician, you’ll want to be confident that you can complete any job that you are assigned. If you don’t feel comfortable with a certain task or job then make sure you notify your supervisor. You should never take on work that you don’t believe you are ready to tackle. It may help to take an electrical technician training program so that you have the right knowledge and skills to perform the work. Of course, you’ll also be able to receive on-the-job training so you can improve your skills further.  

Know & Follow Proper Procedures

You can maintain your own safety by learning the right techniques to use on the job. It’s another reason to enroll in training programs so you can learn this stuff before you go out into the real world. These programs will teach you the right way to perform the work and help keep you safe. Keep in mind that there may be times when you make mistakes on the job. Use it as a learning experience so you can do better the next chance you get. If you do get hurt, you’ll probably never make the same mistake twice.

Identify Potential Hazards

You also want to make sure you plan for any job that you are going to take on. It will be useful to communicate with customers and identify any potential hazards. You will want to get a good idea of what the job entails before you arrive on-site. This will help you understand potential hazards better and make sure you have the right tools and equipment with you. You will want to confirm you know how to diagnose electrical issues before you perform any work. You should try to make sure that you know how to fix the electrical problem prior to showing up to do the job. There may be an opportunity to do some research before you show up regarding safety measures and proper electrical codes. Identifying potential hazards before you arrive will help improve communication with customers and help keep you safe. 

Use Extra Caution with Flammable Materials

Another key safety tip for electrical technicians is to use extreme caution with flammable materials. The last situation you want is to be faced with a fire and not be prepared to handle the situation. You want to avoid using electrical equipment that may be prone to start on fire where flammable gases or dust are present. Know the type of conditions you are working with and can expect to work with before you get to work. 

Make Sure You Are Qualified to Work with Live Electrical Wires

It’s a good rule of thumb that only qualified electricians should work with live electrical wires. Otherwise, you risk putting yourself and others in danger. It’s good practice to distance yourself should you encounter a live electrical wire. You need to be qualified with the proper training to know how to deal with live wires. 

You should apply this same rule of thumb when faced with hazardous electrical equipment. It takes qualified personnel to know how to handle this type of situation. You don’t want to dive in without having the proper training. 

If you notice a live wire and aren’t prepared to deal with it then you should notify your supervisor or other safety personnel who know how to deal with the situation and can place physical safety barriers. 

Know How to Use the Electrical Equipment

Keep yourself safe on the job by knowing how to use the proper electrical equipment. This is another reason why you want to make sure you get the proper training before going to any job site. Knowing how to use the equipment right will not only keep you safe but others in the area safe as well. 

You should also know how to handle electrical cords properly. For example, you should always unplug a cord by pulling on the plug head instead of the cord itself. Never fasten cords with staples and never stretch or press electrical cords. Lastly, it’s important that you never hang electrical equipment from cords. Get in the habit of inspecting all cords and plugs you’re working with for external defects before you touch or use them. 

Practice Safety Precautions

One of the best ways to stay safe as an electrical technician is to practice and know all safety precautions. Implementing best practice procedures will help eliminate job site injury. There is a set of hazards any electrical technician will face on the job. There are steps you can take to help keep yourself safe on the job. Keep in mind that using your own common sense will go a long way in helping to keep you safe and protected. 

Some ideas for how you can improve safety on the job are as follows:

• Use voltage testers and other equipment properly
• Keep your distance from energized parts for better electrical safety
• De-energize electrical equipment
• Use tag and lockout procedures
• Make sure your tools are properly grounded
• Connect electrical equipment to a Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)

Some of the most common ways you may get hurt on the job as an electrical technician include falls, poor lifting and handling practices, and repetitive motions. 

Conclusion: Electrician Tips

You now have a good idea of some key safety for electricians tips. It’s wise to get the proper training and education before you get started working in the field. These suggestions and advice will help keep you safe once you are ready to get out there and take on a new project. Safety should always be a top concern for you as an electrician which will help keep yourself and others protected and out of danger.

Electrical Technician Training with NTI

If you’re looking to begin your career as an electrical technician and become an electrician, then NTI is here to help. You can learn more about our Electrical Technician Training program by getting in touch today. We can’t wait to help you take the next step towards your successful future.