Pennsylvania Code › Title 34 - LABOR AND INDUSTRY › Part I - Department of Labor and Industry › Chapter 39 - SAFETY STANDARDS-GENERAL › Subchapter A - SAFE PRACTICES › RECOMMENDATIONS › Section 39.26 - Electrical hazards

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
General.
Hands and tools should be kept away from all electric
					 circuits and apparatus.
(b)
Grounding for static.
If static electricity exists, belts and
					 rapidly moving parts of machines should be grounded. In the presence of
					 explosive or flammable gases or dust, no metal lacings or metal plates for
					 fastening belts should be used.
(c)
Sparking motors.
In gaseous or dusty locations, the hazard
					 from sparking commutators should be eliminated by using an induction type of
					 motor, or a type approved by the United States Bureau of Mines as
					 explosion-proof.
(d)
Drop
					 and portable installations.
Only heavy, reinforced cords, known in
					 the trade as packing house or brewery cord, should be used in connection with
					 portable lamps or tools. They should be kept well insulated and be so laid or
					 strung as not to create a tripping or catching hazard. All electrical handtools
					 and other drop or portable installations should be well insulated. They should
					 be frequently inspected and tested for current leaks. All frayed cords or other
					 unserviceable and hazardous parts should be immediately removed from service.
					 Portable extension lights should be equipped with guards for the bulbs and
					 sockets.
(e)
Connected
					 equipment.
Electrically connected equipment should not be installed,
					 repaired, or removed, except by trained electricians or workmen under their
					 immediate personal supervision. If electrical hazards are encountered in the
					 course of other work, such work should be stopped immediately until a trained
					 electrician is available to supervise such work until the electrical hazards
					 are removed.
(f)
Pole and
					 high tension work.
Electricians working on poles or other places where
					 a falling hazard exists should always wear safety belts. On high tension work
					 rubber gloves should also be worn. The gloves should be tested to detect the
					 presence of holes before each use.
(g)
Open switch protection.
If possible, no work should be performed on high voltage electrical equipment
					 until the current is turned off. Switches which are opened for that purpose
					 should be locked or blocked open and a suitable warning device placed on the
					 switch.
(h)
Water contact.
No stream of water used for extinguishing a fire, cleaning, or other
					 purposes should be permitted to come in contact with electrical equipment at
					 any time. This does not apply to water-cooled bearings or similar
					 equipment.
(i)
Pulling
					 fuses.
Fuses should not be pulled with the bare hands. Rubber gloves
					 or fibre fuse pullers should be used for this purpose.
(j)
Rubber mats.
Rubber mats
					 should be placed in front of all switchboards and panelboards.
(k)
Jokes.
The dangerous
					 practice of playing "electrical jokes" on fellow workers should be prohibited.
					 Reference should be made to Subchapter B (relating to electric
					 safety).