Business Safety

Basic tips for your workplace

Electrical safety is a key part of workplace safety.

Attention to safety is the first step. Always use caution around all electrical circuits and equipment.

Know what to do in an emergency. Know how to turn off electricity.

If you see a victim of an electrical accident, stay back if they’re still in contact with a power source. Call 911 immediately! Do not try to help unless you know the power is shut off. Otherwise, you could become a victim, too.

Conduct an electrical safety audit:

• Safe practices in place

• Equipment in good condition

• Cords and electrical equipment in good shape

• Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters in place and tested monthly

• Only employees trained and qualified should work on electrical equipment.

Safety Rules

Follow Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) regulations to prevent unexpected equipment startup during maintenance. Many workers are injured each year this way. See the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s  LOTO factsheet . And use the “test before you touch” rule — equipment that you assume is de-energized may not be.

Follow National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) 70E standards for electrical safety in the workplace. They spell out the specific fire protection equipment needed when working around exposed electrical equipment, including the fire-retardant rating of the clothes needed for your workers. These vary depending on the available fault current at your meter. Call our Service Coordination team at 503-323-6700 to inquire about your available fault current.

Follow National Electrical Code standards and local ordinances in your business.

Be aware of arc flash hazards. An arc flash is a rapid blast of tremendous amounts of heat and light and molten metal at the point of an arcing or sparking electrical fault that can cause serious injury or death, and ignite nearby flammable materials. It’s crucial to maintain proper protection boundaries, wear personal protective equipment and follow other safe work practices as defined in the NFPA 70E standards . Arc fault circuit interrupters can help prevent fires.

Maintain proper clearances in meter/switch gear rooms. Don’t use these rooms as storage areas. There must be a clearance of 78 inches high, 30 inches wide and 36 inches in front of electrical panels and meter bases.

Check tools for damaged switches and faulty trigger locks.

Don’t place extension cords across walkways or work areas if possible. If it’s unavoidable, place the cord under a cord runner, but never under carpets or furniture — that’s a fire hazard.

Never “daisy chain” power strips or overload circuits.

Check for electrical equipment at employee workspaces such as space heaters and lamps. Make sure the equipment isn’t overloading circuits, that it meets UL safety ratings, and that it is turned off and unplugged at night.

Portable electric space heaters should also have automatic shut-off devices to prevent hazards if tipped.