SAFETY COMES FIRST

MICHAEL L. ALFONSO

Teaching and learning Electrical Installation and Maintenance is not a walk in the park, especially for students. It takes a lot of practice and patience to prepare students with skills abd abilities when it comes to the electrical industry.

First and foremost, there should akways be a safe work environment to control all potential electrical hazards. Both teachers and students must be very cautious and work safely. There should be safety rules in place to help control the risk of injury, or even death, from hazards.

So remember that if something bad occurs – there probably won’t be a second chance. So safety is a must.

All electrical devices must be treated as if they are live or energized, so disconnect the power source before servicing or repairing electrical equipment.

Only tools and equipment with non-conducting handles shold be used when working on electrical devices. Also, never use pencils or rulers that are metallic, and refrain from wearing rings or metal watchbands when working with electrical equipment.

When handling equipment that is plugged in, hands should be dry. Better yet, wear nonconductive gloves, protective clothes and shoes with insulated soles.

In case that water or any liquid has been spilled onto any equipment, shut off power at the main switch or and unplug the equipment. Do not attemot to remove water or liquid from equipment while energized.

Never handle electrical equipment when hands, feet, or body are wet or perspiring, or when standing on a wet floor.

In an unfortunate event that an individual comes in contact with a live electrical conductor, do not touch the equipment, cord or person. Disconnect the power source from the circuit breaker or pull out the plug using a leather belt. Also, do not touch another person’s equipment or electrical control devices unless instructed to do so.

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All electric contacts and conductors must be enclosed so that no one can accidentally come into contact with them.

-oOoThe author is a Teacher I at Bonifacio V. Romero High School