Safe Practice
Common Sense Practices
- Allow for proper ventilation around power-dissipating equipment.
- Follow your nose! Identify "hot" or unusual smells around equipment. Ask others to assist you.
- Turn off unused equipment.
- Prior to activation of remote (includes out of sight) equipment, verify that the area is clear of personnel and secure from access.
- Never leave a potentially hazardous equipment configuration unattended for any reason.
- Use lockout/tagout procedures to prevent the operation of hazardous equipment.
- Recognize hazards for others. Use warning signs to communicate possible risks.
Incorporate Safety Awareness
- Pre-plan the job.
- Review procedures with a second qualified person.
- Maintain a safe working distance from exposed circuitry.
- Federal guidelines recommend 0.6 meters for voltage from 1 to 15 kV.
- Consider barricades and warning signs.
- Use insulating materials to the maximum extent possible.
- Review emergency response procedure.
- Review a means of evacuation if necessary.
High-Voltage Work Practices
- De-energize to the maximum extent possible.
- Lockout and tagout to prevent premature activation by others.
- Maintain safe working distances from energized equipment.
- Test circuits for presence of voltage before contact is made.
- Use insulating materials and tools.
- Remove conductive jewelry, metal buttons, or zippered clothing.
- Avoid nylon, rayon, polyester, or acetate clothing; cotton is best.
- Use only one hand; keep the other in your pocket or behind your back.
- Wear rubber-soled shoes.
- Provide proper lighting.
- Maintain proper housekeeping: minimize loose hardware and tool; eliminate hazards to trip over.
- Control your environment to avoid unsafe acts.
