For many workers in Pennsylvania, particularly those in construction, maintenance and working as electricians, they will be required to work around wires that have live current running through them. A single mistake could result in a costly and potentially fatal electrocution injury. Anyone with a risk of being electrocuted should be aware of these harm reduction strategies.
Always test voltage
Popular Mechanics advises that before beginning work on electrical wires, a voltage tester should be used to ensure that there is no current running through them. Turning off the associated circuit breaker is the first step to doing any electrical work, but occasionally wires can be fed into one breaker from another, requiring both to be turned off in order for work to be done safely.
Preventative measures
Once ascertaining that all power sources have been turned off, there are still some additional precautions people can take to avoid being shocked by a lingering charge. How Stuff Works mentions that anyone doing electrical work should wear insulating gear, including nonconductive gloves and shoes with rubber soles.
If working in an area with water, such as a bathroom or kitchen, it is important to make sure there are no puddles of water or accumulations of moisture. Water is an excellent conductor of electricity, and if thoroughly soaked, can bypass some insulating clothes.
When working on any site, frayed or damaged cords can be a safety risk and could even potentially cause a fire. It is important for workers to make sure that everything is sealed off and protected before closing things up again.
