OSHA Region 1OSHA Region 1Cooperative and StateCooperative and State

ProgramsPrograms

Electrical Training/Inspection Electrical Training/Inspection “Roll Up”“Roll Up”

Extension CordsExtension CordsGFCIsGFCIs

Power toolsPower tools

Electrical Training/InspectionElectrical Training/Inspection

• Electrical equipment, cords and power tools are used in all industry settings

• Improper use can result in serious injury or death• Estimated 4,000 injuries associated with extension cords

(CPSC)• In most cases

• GFCIs were not used• Ungrounded cords were used• Improperly repaired or modified cords used

Wire used depends on operation, building materials, Wire used depends on operation, building materials, electrical load, and environmental factorselectrical load, and environmental factors

Use the correct extension cordUse the correct extension cord

Use the Correct WireUse the Correct Wire

Must be 3-wire type and designed for hard or extra-hard use

Clues that Electrical Hazards Exist Clues that Electrical Hazards Exist

Tripped circuit breakers or blown Tripped circuit breakers or blown fusesfuses

Warm tools, wires, cords, Warm tools, wires, cords, connections, or junction boxesconnections, or junction boxes

GFCI that shuts off a circuitGFCI that shuts off a circuit Worn or frayed insulation around Worn or frayed insulation around

wire or connectionwire or connection

Defective Cords & WiresDefective Cords & Wires

Plastic or rubber covering is Plastic or rubber covering is missing from capsmissing from caps

Open wiring used as Open wiring used as extension cordextension cord

Damaged extension cords & Damaged extension cords & toolstools

Damaged CordsDamaged Cords Cords can be damaged by:Cords can be damaged by:

AgingAging Door or window edgesDoor or window edges Staples or fasteningsStaples or fastenings Abrasion from adjacent Abrasion from adjacent

materialsmaterials Activity in the areaActivity in the area

Improper use can cause shocks, Improper use can cause shocks, burns or fireburns or fire

Improper GroundingImproper Grounding

Tools plugged into Tools plugged into improperly grounded circuits improperly grounded circuits may become energizedmay become energized

Broken wire or plug on Broken wire or plug on extension cordextension cord

Some of the most frequently Some of the most frequently violated OSHA standardsviolated OSHA standards

Flexible cords protected from damageFlexible cords protected from damage Avoid sharp cornersAvoid sharp corners

Extension cords 3-wire typeExtension cords 3-wire type Rated Hard or extra-hard dutyRated Hard or extra-hard duty

Wiring methods, components, and Wiring methods, components, and equipment for general use.equipment for general use.

Wiring methods, components, Wiring methods, components, and equipment for general use.and equipment for general use.

Most flat type extension cords are molded and not rated for hard or extra-hard use and can not be used at work.

Even if it has a UL label - this flat, molded and ungrounded cord can not be used at work.

Flexible cordsFlexible cords

Flexible cords shall be connected to devices and fittings so that strain relief is provided.

(Caps may be replaced if damaged)

Even though proper ratings of the cord and caps are used flexible cords can not be spliced in this manner.

All conductors singularly identifiableAll conductors singularly identifiable

No reversing polarity on conductorsNo reversing polarity on conductors

Wiring Design and Wiring Design and ProtectionProtection

• Reversed polarity is a

condition when the grounded

conductor (neutral) is

incorrectly connected to the

ungrounded (hot) terminal of

a plug, receptacle, or other

type of conductor.

Unless listed or identified for use no conductors or equipment Unless listed or identified for use no conductors or equipment located in:located in: Damp or wet locationsDamp or wet locations Harmful chemicals, fumes or vaporsHarmful chemicals, fumes or vapors Excessive temperaturesExcessive temperatures

Environmental deterioration of Environmental deterioration of equipment.equipment.

Listed, labeled or certified equipment shall be Listed, labeled or certified equipment shall be installed and used in accordance with their installed and used in accordance with their instructionsinstructions..

Knockout type boxes are not listed/labeled to be used as extension cords or pendants.

Multi tap outlets need to be approved for their use. This one can not be used on construction sites.

Extension cords can be abusedExtension cords can be abused

Damage to insulation and conductors can occur if the cord is improperly wound.

A GFCI is A GFCI is notnot an overcurrent device an overcurrent device like a fuse or circuit breaker.like a fuse or circuit breaker.

GFCI’s are designed to sense an GFCI’s are designed to sense an imbalance in current flow over the imbalance in current flow over the normal path.normal path.

Ground fault circuit Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI’s)interrupters (GFCI’s)

Ground fault circuit Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI’s)interrupters (GFCI’s)

GFCI contains a GFCI contains a special sensor that special sensor that monitors the strength monitors the strength of the magnetic field of the magnetic field around each wire in around each wire in the circuit when the circuit when current is flowing.current is flowing.

The field is The field is proportional to the proportional to the amount of current amount of current flow.flow.

If the current flowing in the If the current flowing in the black (ungrounded)black (ungrounded) wire is within 5 wire is within 5

milliampers of the current flowing in the milliampers of the current flowing in the white (grounded) white (grounded) all the all the

current will flow in the normal path.current will flow in the normal path.

If the current flow differs by more than 5mA, the GFCI will quickly If the current flow differs by more than 5mA, the GFCI will quickly

open the circuit. open the circuit.

Ground fault circuit Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI’s)interrupters (GFCI’s)

Circuit Breaker type:Circuit Breaker type: Includes the functions of a standard circuit breaker with the Includes the functions of a standard circuit breaker with the

additional function of a GFCI.additional function of a GFCI. Installed in a panelboard and can protect an entire branch circuit Installed in a panelboard and can protect an entire branch circuit

with multiple outlets.with multiple outlets. A direct replacement for a standard circuit breaker of the same A direct replacement for a standard circuit breaker of the same

rating.rating.

Types of GFCI’sTypes of GFCI’s

Receptacle type:Receptacle type:

Incorporates within one device one or more Incorporates within one device one or more

receptacle outlets, protected by the GFCI.receptacle outlets, protected by the GFCI.

Popular and inexpensive.Popular and inexpensive.

Most are of duplex typeMost are of duplex type

Can protect additional non-GFCI type receptacles Can protect additional non-GFCI type receptacles

connected connected ““downstreamdownstream””..

Types of GFCI’sTypes of GFCI’s

Permanently Mounted type:Permanently Mounted type:

Mounted in an enclosure and designed to be Mounted in an enclosure and designed to be

permanently wired to the supply.permanently wired to the supply.

Frequently used around commercial swimming Frequently used around commercial swimming

pools or similar wet locations.pools or similar wet locations.

Types of GFCI’sTypes of GFCI’s

Portable type:Portable type: Some plug directly into non-GFCI outlets.Some plug directly into non-GFCI outlets. Incorporate no-voltage release device which will disconnect power to Incorporate no-voltage release device which will disconnect power to

the outlets if any supply conductor is open.the outlets if any supply conductor is open. Units for outdoor use will be in suitable enclosure.Units for outdoor use will be in suitable enclosure. Will be listed if for rain use.Will be listed if for rain use.

Types of GFCI’sTypes of GFCI’s

Cord Connected type:Cord Connected type: Attachment plug incorporates the GFCI module.Attachment plug incorporates the GFCI module. Protects the cord, and any equipment attached to the cord.Protects the cord, and any equipment attached to the cord. Attachment has non-standard appearanceAttachment has non-standard appearance Equipped with test and reset buttons.Equipped with test and reset buttons. No-voltage release featureNo-voltage release feature

Types of GFCI’sTypes of GFCI’s

GFCIGFCI’’s are complex mechanisms, they must be tested on a regular s are complex mechanisms, they must be tested on a regular basis.basis.

For permanently mounted types, once a month testing is For permanently mounted types, once a month testing is recommended.recommended.

Portable GFCIPortable GFCI’’s should be s should be tested before each use.tested before each use. GFCIGFCI’’s have a test-circuit which imposes an artificial ground fault s have a test-circuit which imposes an artificial ground fault

when the test button is pushed.when the test button is pushed.

Testing GFCI’s Testing GFCI’s

Testing GFCI’s Testing GFCI’s

Push test button and make sure the GFCI trips.

(A click will be heard )

Push reset button and make sure the GFCI is activated.

A click will be heard

Power Tools - PrecautionsPower Tools - Precautions Disconnect tools when not in use, before servicing Disconnect tools when not in use, before servicing

and cleaning, and when changing accessories and cleaning, and when changing accessories

Keep people not involved with the work away from the Keep people not involved with the work away from the work work

Secure work with clamps or a vise, freeing both Secure work with clamps or a vise, freeing both hands to operate the toolhands to operate the tool

Don’t hold the switch button while carrying a plugged-Don’t hold the switch button while carrying a plugged-in toolin tool

Remove damaged electric tools & tag them: “Do Not Remove damaged electric tools & tag them: “Do Not Use”Use”

Consider what you wear – loose clothing and Consider what you wear – loose clothing and jewelry can get caught in moving parts jewelry can get caught in moving parts

Keep tools sharp and cleanKeep tools sharp and clean

Use PPE, such as safety glasses, goggles, Use PPE, such as safety glasses, goggles, face shield, gloves, hearing protection, face shield, gloves, hearing protection, respirator, hard hatrespirator, hard hat

Power Tools - Power Tools - PrecautionsPrecautions

Power Tools – Power Tools – PrecautionsPrecautionsElectric CordsElectric Cords

Don’t carry portable tools Don’t carry portable tools by the cordby the cord

Don’t use electric cords to Don’t use electric cords to hoist or lower tools hoist or lower tools

Don’t yank cord or hose to Don’t yank cord or hose to disconnect itdisconnect it

Keep cords and hoses Keep cords and hoses away from heat, oil, and away from heat, oil, and sharp edgessharp edges

To protect a worker from shock, these tools must: have a 3-wire cord plugged into a grounded receptacle be double insulated, or be powered by a low-voltage isolation transformer

Electric Power ToolsElectric Power Tools

Double insulated markings

Plug with a grounding pin

GroundingGrounding Grounding creates a low-Grounding creates a low-

resistance path from a tool resistance path from a tool to the earth to disperse to the earth to disperse unwanted current. unwanted current.

When a short or lightning When a short or lightning occurs, energy flows to the occurs, energy flows to the ground, protecting you ground, protecting you from electrical shock, from electrical shock, injury and death.injury and death.

Ground Tools & EquipmentGround Tools & Equipment

Ground power supply systems, electrical circuits, and Ground power supply systems, electrical circuits, and electrical equipment electrical equipment

Frequently inspect electrical systems to ensure path to Frequently inspect electrical systems to ensure path to ground is continuousground is continuous

Inspect electrical equipment before useInspect electrical equipment before use Don’t remove ground prongs from toolsDon’t remove ground prongs from tools or extension cordsor extension cords Ground exposed metal parts ofGround exposed metal parts of equipmentequipment

Tool Safety TipsTool Safety Tips Don’t carry a tool by the cordDon’t carry a tool by the cord

Don’t yank the cord to disconnect it Don’t yank the cord to disconnect it

Keep cords away from heat, oil, & Keep cords away from heat, oil, & sharp edgessharp edges

Disconnect when not in use and when changingDisconnect when not in use and when changing accessories such as blades & bits accessories such as blades & bits

Remove damaged tools from useRemove damaged tools from use

Hazards are usually the result of improper tool use or not Hazards are usually the result of improper tool use or not following one or more of these protection techniques:following one or more of these protection techniques:

Inspecting the tool before useInspecting the tool before use loose clothing and jewelry can get caught in moving partsloose clothing and jewelry can get caught in moving parts Use PPE, such as safety glasses, goggles and glovesUse PPE, such as safety glasses, goggles and gloves Using guardsUsing guards Properly storing the toolProperly storing the tool Using safe handling techniquesUsing safe handling techniques

SummarySummary