There is more than 1 way to prevent electrical shock
Depending on your profession, you may find yourself working around electricity almost every day of the week. While this can be dangerous at times, it’s good to know that there are steps you can take to improve your safety.
Here are a few of the better ways to prevent electrical shock:
- Kill the power: Before you even think about working on a device or circuit, turn off the breaker to ensure that it’s no longer getting power. This one step can go a long way in keeping you safe.
- Test for power: It’s easy to assume that you turned off power, but you still need to check this before doing any work. It only takes a couple seconds to use a voltage tester.
- Use a GFCI: If you find yourself doing any kind of work that requires electricity, plug your equipment into a ground-fault circuit interrupter, also known as a GFCI.
- Use insulated tools: It may sound like overkill, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. This has the potential to save your life if you come in contact with an electrical connection.
These are just a few of the better ways to prevent electrical shock on the job (and at home).
Unfortunately, even with the best intentions, it’s possible you could be harmed by an electrical shock at some point in the future. If this happens, you need to seek immediate medical attention.
Once you consult with a doctor, you may find that you shouldn’t immediately return to work. In this case, you’ll want to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits.
Source: The Spruce, “Six Ways of Preventing Electrical Shock,” accessed Feb. 12, 2018