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Electrical Safety

Improper use of electrical equipment may result in significant property damage, serious injury or death. Following the guidelines below will reduce the likelihood of injury and property damage. For further information, please contact Mike Anthony (manthony@fullerton.edu) in Physical Plant or Tom Whitfield (twhitfield@fullerton.edu) in Environmental Health and Instructional Safety. Authority for issuing these guidelines is based on the California Fire Code; California Code of Regulations, Title 8; and CSU Executive Order 715.

General

• All electrical repairs and modifications must be coordinated by Physical Plant. Do not attempt to repair or modify any of the university electrical system equipment including panels, circuits, outlets, switches, wirings, cords or plugs, no matter how minor the repair or modification. This includes all equipment with "hard" connections to building electrical power. Technicians are able to work on department owned equipment if their job description includes the repair and maintenance of electrical or electronic equipment. Departments are responsible for ensuring technicians are qualified.
• Identify electrical hazards in your workplace. Report promptly to your department chair, supervisor or safety coordinator any electrical equipment, panel, circuit, outlet, switch, wiring, cord or plug that is damaged, exposed or malfunctioning.
• Do not attempt to reset circuit breakers. This could result in damage to equipment and potentially cause an injury.
• When working around water, use extra care to avoid contact with electrical equipment and outlets. Ground Fault Interrupters must be used around water or in wet areas.
• In any electrical emergency, dial 9-1-1 anywhere on campus. Do not touch a victim that is in contact with a power source; you could electrocute yourself.

Panels, Outlets and Plugs

• When positioning objects like shelving units or equipment, maintain a minimum clearance of 36 inches in front of and to the sides of an electric panel. This clearance applies to the area from the floor to the ceiling and must be maintained for Physical Plant and Fire Department access.
• Do not overload outlets. Avoid plugging more than one piece of electrical equipment into an outlet. If multiple devices must be plugged into one outlet, use a power strip with a surge protector and overload protection.
• If you must use an extension cord temporarily, match the amperage or wattage limits marked on the cord with the device to avoid a fire hazard. The diameter of the extension cord should be the same or greater than the diameter of the cord of the equipment in use.
• Place plugs securely into an outlet. Never force a plug into an outlet. Never remove the ground pin (the third prong) to make a three-prong plug fit a two-conductor outlet. Always disconnect a plug by pulling on the connector body, not the cord.

Equipment

• Do not use any electrical equipment with a worn, cracked, spliced, frayed or damaged electrical cord, plug, switch, receptacle or casing. Tag and remove any such equipment from service.
• Do not use any electrical equipment with a 2-pronged plug. All equipment purchased by the university must have a 3-pronged plug unless the cord is "double-insulated" and/or the equipment operates under 50 volts.
• Do not use a 3-prong to 2-prong adapter, cube tap or similar grounding bypass device.
• Use of portable electrical heaters and fans is discouraged and will only be allowed under extraordinary circumstances and with the approval of EH&IS. Such equipment must be placed away from combustible material and in a manner to avoid creating a trip hazard. Never leave a heater unattended. Unplug heaters or fans when not in use.
• Any electrical device fabricated for experimental purposes must meet state and campus electrical codes.

Electrical and Extension Cords

• Extension cords or power strips may not be used as a substitute for permanent wiring. Never (a) attach a cord to a wall, baseboard or other object; (b) place a cord under a carpet or rug; or (c) run a cord under a door or through a window, ceiling or a hole in a wall.
• Never gang cords or power strips together.
• Plug all electrical equipment into a permanent outlet. Exceptions include (a) portable tools or appliances that must be moved frequently and (b) equipment plugged into a UL listed, surge-protected power strip that is plugged into a permanent outlet. Only use extension cords that are in good condition, have three prongs and are UL approved and labeled.

Lockout/Tagout; Hazardous Energy Control

Hazardous energy appears in the workplace in the form electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic and thermal energy and includes chemical, water, steam and gaseous energy systems. Lockout/Tagout procedures prevent the unexpected energizing, start up or release of stored energy that could cause injury to employees working on equipment. The University has established a Lockout/Tagout Program to safeguard employees from hazardous energy while they are performing servicing or maintenance on machines and equipment.  The purpose of this program is to identify the practices and procedures necessary to shut down and lock out or tag out machines and equipment. It requires that employees receive training in the lockout/Tagout program and requires that periodic inspections be conducted to maintain and enhance the program.

Electrical Work with Energized Conductors

California State University is developing a policy to protect employees and the campus community from electrical hazards.  It focuses mainly on staff which may encounter electrical hazards during their work routine and specifically for those performing electrical work.  Environmental Health and Instructional Safety will proactively coordinate training, investigative, and corrective measures with specific departments.  This program addresses safe work practices, training, and protective equipment.  It does not, however, cover all requirement especially related to installation methods and procedures specifically learned through an electrician apprenticeship program.

 

 

Revised:  8/18/2008 SB

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