Electricians in California and beyond often find themselves in dangerous situations. Dealing with electricity is inherently risky, and the slightest mishap can turn an ordinary workday into an unthinkable tragedy. To reduce to the risk of death and accidents, electricians should take certain precautions to make sure that they make it home safely at the end of every day.
One of the most important things an electrician can do is never become part of the circuit. If they become part of the circuit, the electricity will travel right through their body. To stay safe, a worker can use equipment like ground cables and insulation that keep the current from traveling through their bodies. Protective equipment might also include special sleeves and rubber gloves.
Electricians can also stay safe by using the “lockout/tagout” procedure, which involves de-energizing a circuit and placing a lock on it. The device is then tagged so that other workers know that it’s been de-energized. The circuit cannot be re-energized by anyone except the worker who switched it off in the first place.
Finally, if a worker finds themselves in a situation where another worker is in danger, they should switch off the circuit breaker as soon as possible. Workers should never touch a person who’s being electrocuted as they might be electrocuted as well when the current passes through their body. Following this, the employee should call 911.
If an electrician gets injured on the job due to safety issues, lack of protective gear, or poor management, they may wish to speak with an workers’ compensation attorney to develop a case. An attorney may be able to help them gather evidence and negotiate a fair settlement from their former employer.
